In this tech-driven, crazy-busy era, I feel that the mantra: 'the simple things in life are often the best' is particularly appropriate and a relatively good one to bear in mind daily as we rush from one agenda item to another.
I feel it can be said for recipes, too, some of which seem overly complicated. My favourites are definitely those that are simple, fresh and tasty.
The salad I'm sharing here is my adaptation of a recipe from Ross Dobson's Food + Beer - a cracker of a cookbook that I reviewed last Spring. It takes no time to prepare, and is a great accompaniment to my chilli con carne. Dobson says he likes serving a pale lager with this dish, which was thrown together for a friend's barbecue. Some minor amendments on my part include holding the thinly sliced raw Spanish onion... although do add it if you enjoy raw onions in a salad. I would suggest salting the sliced onion first, to draw out the sweetness, then rinse and pat dry with kitchen towel. I also left out the handful of Spanish olives - mostly because of the high salt content. Once again, by all means add them if you wish. I also added a couple of sliced baby Cukes, for a little crunch. Make this salad just before you are ready to serve it, otherwise it may end up soggy. Incidentally, if you cannot find white tortillas, use a soft flatbread instead. TORTILLA AND AVOCADO TEX MEX SALAD 250g white corn tortillas, cut into super thin strips handful of baby cos lettuce leaves or iceberg, shredded 12 ripe teardrop tomatoes, cut in half 1 firm ripe avocado, flesh cut into wedges 1 tablespoon coriander sprigs 50g crumbled feta 1 tablespoon shredded Parmesan cheese ground black pepper, to season lime wedges, to serve Combine the tortilla or flatbread strips in a serving bowl with the shredded lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and coriander. Toss gently, then sprinkle with the Parmesan and feta, and season to taste with a dash of freshly ground black pepper. Serves 4.
Over to you dear readers and fellow cooks. Do you agree that the simple things in life? And did you know that the saying stems from a 1980s television commercial for Corn Flakes?
23 Comments
Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:19:39 am
Oh Glenda, how lovely! Enjoy x
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Jenni shum
7/9/2016 04:15:05 am
Yum! Looks quick and simple which is just what I'm looking for. have family coming up next weekend and this will be on the table. Jenni
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 04:19:27 am
Thanks Jenn! I love how simple this one is... 6/9/2016 06:54:31 pm
I love these Tex Mex flavors, what a great looking salad!
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:20:01 am
It's simple and 'clean', Laura, but very good.
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6/9/2016 07:48:47 pm
Had no idea that saying came from a corn flakes commercial! Anyway, love Mex -- or Tex-Mex -- anything, and this salad looks SO appealing. Thanks!
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:20:18 am
You are too kind, John. Thank you!
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This looks like a lovely simple salad, Liz. Perfect for lunch.
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Lizzy
6/9/2016 08:18:27 pm
Yes, interesting, isn't it Amanda. I don't avoid the olives due to health concerns, I just really don't enjoy the taste of many of them... bitter and salty. Ugh.
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:20:56 am
Post script, I do love the simplicity of this salad, Amanda... it may seem basic, but it's 'clean' and fresh... which is important methinks.
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:21:21 am
David, thank you. I think you'd have just the idea to juzz it up a little, no?
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Eha
6/9/2016 08:48:53 pm
Love these salads- and I mean for a main meal!! This really is very much a 'world-wide' salad as tortillas [I use wholemeal] are used everywhere! And I am afraid I adore raw Spanish onions and could eat them like apples :) !! Do use olives: good ones . . . Now in these days of mass media much 'rubbish' ends up on the page: as a doctor and nutritionist I can assure ANY reader they have to watch their salt usage if they want to live a long and healthy life . . . the worst culprit actually is fast food, then tinned [why eat any of that except in an emergency!], then restaurant offerings . . .
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:22:26 am
True, true, Eha, thank you for your input as a doctor and nutritionist. Greatly valued. I love the freshness and simplicity of this salad. It's clean and tasty... perfect for my eating plan right now.
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7/9/2016 02:48:18 am
This looks like a nice lunchbox salad with a little pot of the dressing on the side!
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Lizzy
7/9/2016 03:19:19 am
Perhaps a wedge of lime.
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Simone Mason
7/9/2016 03:23:09 am
Fresh and simple, Lizzy. A keeper.
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7/9/2016 01:54:12 pm
This looks so good, Liz. :-) Tex Mex food always makes my heart go pitter patter. :-)
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Summer Daisy
7/9/2016 07:38:55 pm
Love the salad! I can bet it is tasty ♥
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8/9/2016 11:03:16 am
What a lovely fresh salad with some favourite ingredients. Now that you are sliding into spring I bet more salads are coming here!
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Fiona Ryan
8/9/2016 08:23:03 pm
There's a little bit of Mexican in the air at house this week. I think it's the slight change in season and some really great core ingredients at the moment. Last night, I had the best avocado I've had all year!
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18/9/2016 01:50:08 am
We don't do raw onions in anything, and keeping it simple is the best way to go.
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Cooking and writing have been a lifelong passion. Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes; postcards and morsels from my travels; conversations with cookery writers and chefs; and news on food, cookbooks and cooking. - Liz Posmyk
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