Mediterranean Blackberry & Avocado Salad

This Mediterranean Blackberry & Avocado Salad has a fresh, colorful, and creamy texture. We prepare this salad with mixed greens, juicy blackberries, creamy avocado, cucumber, cherry tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, walnuts, fresh parsley, olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, and black pepper. This salad has approximately 285 calories and 16 g of net carbs. We make this salad in about 15 minutes without cooking. This Mediterranean Blackberry & Avocado Salad is ideal for lunch, dinner, summer gatherings, family meals, healthy snacks, side dishes, and Mediterranean-inspired meals. You can prepare the dressing earlier and refrigerate it for five days, while the prepared salad is best enjoyed within one day.

STATS:

Course: Salad, Side Dish
No. of Calories: 285 kcal
Diet: Mediterranean
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cuisine: Mediterranean
Cook time: 0 minutes
Portion size: About 2 cups
Cooking mode: No-cook
Total servings: 4
Difficulty level: Easy
Total time: 15 minutes

TOOLS:

Bowls
Whisk
Knife
Cutting board
Measuring spoons
Salad tongs

INGREDIENTS:

SALAD:

6 cups mixed greens
1½ cups blackberries
1 avocado
1 cup cucumber
½ cup cherry tomatoes
¼ cup red onion
⅓ cup feta cheese
¼ cup walnuts
2 tbsp parsley

HONEY LEMON VINAIGRETTE:

⅛ tsp salt
3 tbsp olive oil
Two tbsp. lemon juice
Honey, one tbsp.
One garlic clove
½ tsp Dijon mustard
¼ tsp black pepper

INGREDIENT NOTES AND THEIR SUBSTITUTIONS:

MIXED GREENS:

We use mixed greens to provide a fresh and crisp base for the salad. As a replacement, you can use spinach, arugula, romaine, or kale.

BLACKBERRIES:

We use blackberries to provide natural sweetness, freshness, and a beautiful color. As an alternative, you can use blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries.

AVOCADO:

Avocado is rich in healthful fats and has a creamy feel. You can use ripe but firm avocado for the best texture.

CUCUMBER:

We use cucumber to add freshness and crunch. You could utilize English or regular cucumber.

FETA CHEESE:

Feta has a salty & tart Mediterranean flavor.

WALNUTS:

Walnuts provide a crisp texture and a nutty flavor. You can use almonds, pecans, or pistachios.

OLIVE OIL:

Extra-virgin olive oil provides a smooth Mediterranean flavor for the dressing. Avocado oil is a viable alternative.

LEMON JUICE:

Fresh lemon juice adds brightness and tanginess to the vinaigrette. You can use lime juice if needed.

HONEY:

Honey complements the tartness of the lemon & blackberries. Maple syrup or agave syrup may be replaced if required.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Include the mixed greens in a large salad dish.
Put the parsley, blackberries, walnuts, diced avocado, feta, red onion, cucumber, and cherry tomatoes.
Stir the salt, olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice, garlic, honey, and Dijon mustard in a small dish.
Mix till the vinaigrette is perfectly blended and smooth.
Spread the dressing on the salad just before eating.
Carefully mix with salad tongs till the elements are gently coated.
Serve quickly when the veggies and greens are crispy and fresh.

TIPS:

Refrigerate the elements first and then assemble to get a more refreshing salad.
We utilize firm and fresh blackberries, as they are not extra soft.
Include the avocado just before eating to avoid extra browning.
Avoid including extra dressing at once.
Caredully mix the salad to prevent the blackberries and avocado from crushing.
You could toast the walnuts for additional flavor and crunch.

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

PROTEIN PAIRINGS:

Grilled Chicken
Baked Salmon
Grilled Shrimp
Chickpeas
Lentils

MEDITERRANEAN PAIRINGS:

Quinoa
Warm Pita Bread
Greek Yogurt
Hummus
Grilled Vegetables

STORAGE INFORMATION:

FRIDGE:

Put the undressed salad in a closed box and refrigerate for only 1 day. Store the vinaigrette individually in the refrigerator for more than 5 days.

FREEZER:

We do not suggest storing this salad, as the blackberries, greens, cucumber, and avocado will lose their fresh texture.

FAQs:

Could we prepare this salad earlier?

Yes, you can make the elements beforehand, although include the avocado and dressing just before eating.

May we utilize frozen blackberries?

We suggest you to utilize fresh blackberries, as the frozen blackberries will be softer after defrosting.

Will we include protein?

Yes, you can use lentils, grilled chicken, chickpeas, salmon, or shrimp.

Could we alternate the feta cheese?

Yes, you can use ricotta cheese, goat cheese, or fresh mozzarella.

How could we avoid the avocado from getting brown?

Include the avocado just before eating and gently coat it with fresh lemon juice.

NUTRITIONAL INFORMATIONS:

Proteins: 6 g

Caloric Content: 285 kcal

Net carbs: 16 g

Sodium: 285 mg

Fiber: 8 g

Sugar: 11 g

Fats: 21 g

Portion Size: About 2 cups

Total carbs: 24 g

Bymashal khan