Tuesday 20 August 2013

Crazy Ingredient Challenge - Avocados and Caramel?

If I thought that last month's Crazy Ingredient Challenge of pairing cauliflower and chocolate was hard, this month's challenge of pairing avocados and caramel took it to another level. But I brought out my big guns too and I think that the dish I came up with was both delicious and featured avocados and caramel really well.

At first I wanted to make the infamous avocado chocolate pudding that I've seen all over the Internet and I thought I would drizzle a little homemade caramel sauce on top. But then I decided to really stretch myself and make a savoury dish that really let caramel shine. That how I came up with my Creamy Avocado Salad with Caramel Almonds.

Since I'm still thinking about the avocado chocolate pudding, I know it's something I'm going to make soon. So if anyone is wishing I made that instead, just wait because it might appear on Delish in a Dish soon! For now, read on for my yummy Creamy Avocado Salad with Caramel Almonds recipe. 

Creamy Avocado Salad with Caramel Almonds - serves 4

1/2 ripe avocado
1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro (if you don't like cilantro, use 1/2 cup of fresh basil instead)
1/2 cup of plain yogurt
2 green onions, finely chopped
1 tablespoon lime juice
1 clove of garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon each of brown sugar and salt
1/2 cup of thinly sliced almonds, toasted
1/4 cup of caramel sauce
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 cups of arugula
1 cup of cherry or grape tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cucumber, chopped

1. Start by making your creamy avocado dressing. Combine avocado, cilantro, yogurt, green onions, lime juice, garlic, brown sugar, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large bowl or blender. If using a blender, blend until smooth and if using a bowl, purée with an immersion blender until smooth. Transfer to a jar or a serving vessel and set aside.

Note: If you want your dressing a little runnier, try adding a little buttermilk!


2. Next make your caramelized almonds. Gently warm the caramel sauce in the microwave or in a small pot on the stove and then quickly stir in the almonds. Toss to allow small clumps to warm and set aside.

3. In a large bowl, toss together the arugula, tomatoes, and cucumber. Drizzle the dressing on top and sprinkle with clusters of almonds. Enjoy!

HunngryLittleGirl

16 comments:

  1. This sounds absolutely wonderful and I would have never thought of using caramel in a salad. I will making this for sure.

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  2. What a great salad Sarah! I love the idea of the caramel almonds. I made the avocado pudding for the challenge, LOL.

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    1. Your pudding looks awesome. If I knew it could look so good, I would have dumped my idea and gone with yours!

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  3. Oh my, I don't know what makes me drool more - the dressing or the thought of caramel almonds! Who ever said salad was boring obviously never had a look at your page :)

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    1. Thanks Jutta! I love salads but this one was a winner.

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  4. This looks amazing! Must try that avocado dressing soon! And the almonds.. YUM

    Lori
    Lori's Culinary Creations

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    1. The dressing was something I'll make for dips, dressing, and pasta salads too. It was really good.

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  5. I love that you went savory! I couldn't think of a savory application and I tried.

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    1. It was tough but with yummy end results. Thanks Kelster

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  6. I bet the sweet almonds paired well with the peppery arugula. I can see this as being something my family would love!

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  7. Caramel almonds? Oh my. This looks excellent. I bet the creamy dressing would go well with fish tacos, which - incidentally is what I'm having for dinner. So, thank you!

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    1. Fish tacos with this dressing? Be still my heart, I could eat those every night!

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  8. Very excited for this. Glad you took it in a savory direction.

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    1. I can't believe I was the only one that went savoury! I'm happy to provide a little diversity this month. but everyone else's posts are making my sweet tooth go wild. :)

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