Verdadita Ensalada

Match Stick Crunchies, Coin Crispies, N Crema Creamy Avocado

PREP: 35min || ASSEMBLY: 10min

Match Stick Crunchies

  • 10 Sprigs of Cilantro (Just the stems)

  • 2 Stalks Celery

  • 3 Persian Cucumbers (Seeded)

  • 3/4 Jicama

  • Squeeze of Fresh Lime Juice

Lime Pickled Onions

  • 1 Small White Onion (Could be the whites of a few Scallions)

  • 2 Limes Juiced

  • 1/2 Serrano Pepper (The side away from the stem for less heat

  • 1 Tsp Honey

  • Pinch of Salt

  • 1 Tbsp Water

Ensalada Garnishes

  • 8 Green Grapes (Ideally crispy)

  • 8 Small Sized Tomatillos (About the size of the green grapes

  • Handful of Cilantro Leaves

  • Handful of Celery Leaves

  • 1/4 Cup Crumbled Cotija Cheese

  • 1 Avocado Sliced

  • Flake Salt (Maldon or similar)

Crema Dressing

  • 1/2 Cup Sour cream or Creme Fraiche

  • 1 Tbsp Lime Juice

  • 1/2 Tsp Salt

  • Pinch of MSG

  • Pinch of White Sugar

Quick Pickle for the Onions

  1. Mix the water, honey, lime juice, and salt in the bottom of a small bowl

  2. Cut the onion into thin close to 2 inch long match sticks, and place in the small bowl

  3. Cut the Serrano Pepper into thin coins and add to the onions (watch out touching your eyes after cutting

  4. Stir to combine and allow to sit for at least 15min, stirring every once in a while to make sure the onions are submerged and pickling

Crema Dressing Creation

  1. Add the sour cream, lime juice, salt, msg, and white sugar to a bowl.

  2. Stir to combine, and add water to relax the flavor if it is tasting too tart

Garnishes

  1. Cut the grapes and tomatillos into thin coins and place on top of the match sticks

  2. Nestle the leafy herbs along with the rest of the vegetables

  3. Crumble the cotija cheese over top and Sprinkle with flake salt

Dressing & Platting

  1. Just before eating, drizzle the salad with the crema dressing and toss

  2. Cut the avocado and place a few slices on each eaters plate

  3. Place a nest of the salad beside the avocados and finish with a final squeeze of lime juice

  4. If you’d like, serve along side a blackened piece of catfish. Could also make for a nice taco topping!