Cretan Avocado and Orange Salad with Olive Oil Dressing
I first tasted this recipe when I was in Crete for a culinary event organized by the Cretan olive oil company Biolea. I was curious as to why they included avocado in an otherwise traditional Cretan menu. Discussing with the chef Giorgos Makris, he noted that although avocado is not part of the traditional Cretan diet, it has been cultivated in Crete for over 25 years now and they have developed ways and recipes to incorporate it with the rest of the traditional diet.
And they did it very well. Avocado, along with oranges, olive oil, lemon juice and cumin makes a very healthy, Mediterranean and flavorful salad. At first I thought it was too much to add olive oil to the already rich in (good) fat avocado. But surprisingly all the ingredients mingled well to make a fresh tasting salad.
I used Cretan avocados, Spartan oranges (known to be some of the best) from my cousin who owns orange groves there, and olive oil from my families olive groves. For such a simple recipe, good ingredients are important, so try and source local and fresh ingredients when you can.
You don’t need to make a large amount as this salad is filling and yes rich, but it is also extremely healthy. Plenty of the good monounsaturated fats from the olive oil and avocado, vitamin C from the orange and lemon juice and of course fiber.
I chose to cube the avocado and oranges, the small cubes help you get all the flavors together in one bite. And while you are peeling the orange try to leave some the white skin (pith) on, it is a source of antioxidants.
Cretan Avocado and Orange Salad with Olive Oil-Lemon dressing
Ingredients
- 1 large avocado peeled and cubed about 7-8 ounces
- 1 large orange peeled and cubed about 4 ounces
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1/2 teaspoon coarse salt
- Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Make the dressing by mixing olive oil, lemon juice cumin, salt and pepper in a small jar or bowl.
- Peel and cut avocado and orange. Place in a bowl and mix carefully so as to not mash the avocado.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and blend gently.
Many thanks to Chef Giorgos Makris
I love the simplicity of this recipe and its reliance on top quality ingredients. If you are grinding your own cumin remember to toast it first!
In Spain we use blood oranges with avocado (the blood orange’s tartness really crings out the butteryness of the wrinkly skinned avocados!
Thanks for sharing Danee!
Avocado also is a rich source of potassium – 900mg per lg avocado. I’ve suffered from low potassium much of my life, so I now have toasted psomi or sourdough Einkorn bread every morning topped with mashed avocado. Rich, sustaining. Who needs meat?
Hi Elena,
I tried this recipe tonight and it was excellent. We both enjoyed it. I lost track of your recipe but remembered most of it. I added 2 tablespoons of orange juice along with the oil and fresh lemon juice Superb!!
Thank you for your wonderful recipes
This was a big hit at our family brunch this morning. Everybody loved it even my picky daughter. Our use Cara Cara oranges.
Thanks for sharing Frances!
wow! i am so happy to find THIS recipe here! I actually thought I created it. Sometimes I use a Texas Ruby Red grapefruit. and, sometimes i add a bit of greens or maybe mint.
Since finding this recipe two weeks ago, I have made it multiple times. It is DELICIOUS!
Great -Glad you are enjoying it!
Hi Elena!
Thank you for that great appetizer! I didn’t know it and I didn’t know that Crete has avocado.
The combination of avocado and oranges seems to be very tasty. If I understand well you mention that avocado is rich. Can you please explain to me what do you mean? rich in calories, in vitamins?
Generally, do you think it is good to eat avocado? I am asking because I love it!
Thank you for sharing!
Thank you! By rich I mean that avocado is high in fat, but the good fat so it makes for a rich (but healthy) tasting fruit.