Description
A vibrant and elegant Radicchio Salad with creamy avocado roses, aged Manchego cheese, and a citrusy olive oil dressing. This fresh and visually stunning salad perfectly balances the slight bitterness of radicchio with the smooth richness of avocado, enhanced by zesty orange and lemon juices.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 head of medium sized radicchio, cut into quarters
- 1/4 cup Murray’s Cheese aged manchego cheese, shaved with peeler
- 1/4 tsp sea salt, or more to taste
Dressing
- 1/2 small orange, freshly squeezed
- 1/4 cup Simple Truth Organic Italian extra virgin olive oil
Avocado Roses
- 1–2 avocados
- 1/4 fresh lemon
- Sea salt, to be sprinkled on avocados
Instructions
- Prepare Radicchio: Cut the radicchio into quarters and remove the core from the bottoms. Cut each quarter in half, then gently crush the leaves by hand to release some bitterness. Soak the radicchio in ice-cold water, fully submerged, for 15-30 minutes. Use a salad spinner or pat dry with a towel to remove all excess water. This step can be done ahead and the radicchio stored dry for up to 4-5 days.
- Make the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed orange juice, and 1/4 tsp sea salt until the mixture emulsifies. Adjust salt to taste. Whisk again just before serving.
- Prepare Avocado Slices: Slice the avocados in half, remove the pit, and peel off the skin. Place one half cut side down, slicing it very thinly for ease of shaping.
- Shape Avocado Roses: Arrange the thin avocado slices overlapping in a long line. Starting at one end, carefully curl the slices towards the center to form a rose shape, continuing until all slices are rolled.
- Assemble the Salad: Toss the dried radicchio leaves with the dressing to coat evenly. Transfer to a serving plate and shave the Manchego cheese over the top. Carefully transfer the avocado rose onto the salad or toast using a knife. Gently separate the avocado petals with your fingers to create an open rose. Finish by squeezing fresh lemon juice on the avocado and sprinkling lightly with sea salt. Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
- Soaking radicchio removes some bitterness and makes it more tender.
- Thin avocado slices make shaping the rose easier and visually appealing.
- Dressing can be made ahead and whisked again just before serving.
- Use fresh citrus juices for the best flavor.
- The salad can be served on its own or as a garnish on toast for a stylish appetizer.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: No-Cook
- Cuisine: Italian
Keywords: Radicchio Salad, Avocado Roses, Manchego Cheese, Italian Salad, Citrus Dressing, Elegant Salad, Healthy Salad
