March can be a cruel month in the Chicago area. There is the potential for balmy days with zephyr’s teasing promise of summer, or it can be cold and raw, reminiscent of February.
One bright spot is the end of citrus season with a great variety of fruit available. There are the ubiquitous navel oranges and now the more common Meyer Lemons as well as others, such as blood and Cara Cara oranges which are beautifully colored oranges.
It’s also a good time for avocados. What’s the old phrase? Things that grow together go together? Well this is a perfect example.
The creaminess of the avocado, and the sweet acidity of the citrus play very nice together.
I made this for the Accountant, and she loved it for breakfast, but I imagine it would be a perfect appetizer. This is super simple with only six ingredients, feel free to substitute whatever oranges yuo can get your hands on, but having contrasting colors adds visual interest to the “flower.”
Avocado tartar with Citrus Supremes
Serves 2-3
Special equipment: – round form – but you don’t need this you could make it more free form
[tw-divider]INGREDIENTS[/tw-divider]
1 large Avocado – Diced
Pinch of salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 Blood orange
1 Cara Cara orange
1 teaspoon diced red onion
[tw-divider]METHOD[/tw-divider]
- Place diced avocado into bowl, add a pinch of salt, tablespoon of lemon juice (to keep the avocado from turning brown) toss gently to fully coat.
- Trim each end of the citrus, place flat edge of the citrus down and using a sharp knife cut the peel off, working your way around the fruit.
- Once you have removed all the peel and pith, very carefully cut between the membranes releasing individual segments. These segments are known as supremes.
Cut the supremes.
[tw-divider]PLATING[/tw-divider]
- If using a form, place form on serving dish. Scoop avocado into the form with a spoon, using the back of the spoon to gently press the avocado into the mold.
- Arrange the citrus supremes in an attractive patter. I chose a flower patter, alternating the blood orange with the Cara Cara.
- Just before serving, remove the form.
Eat this on a cold dreary day, and I promise things will look brighter!
Until next time Eat Well & Keep Digging
March 15, 2016
Getting properly ripe avocados is an uncertain business over here. All too often the ones described as “Ripe and ready to eat” are rubbery and never ripen properly at all. We like to use them in a Ciabatta sandwich containing bacon, cheese avocado and cranberry sauce. Not as healthy as your dish though!