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Maricel E. Presilla's Cuban Avocado, Watercress, and Pineapple Salad
Every week -- often with your help -- Food52's Senior Editor Kristen Miglore is unearthing recipes that are nothing short of genius.
Today: Watercress, avocado, and caramelized pineapple walk into a bar, in Cuba.
We're on the cusp of the spring love affair we've been waiting for all winter. But guess what else is in season, just a bit further away? Pineapple. And avocado! So why would we stop at rhubarb and peas?
Thanks to Maricel Presilla, we don't have to. Presilla spent 30 years working toward last year's opus Gran Cocina Latina, which just happened to win an IACP award last week.
Her book is a sweeping survey of the Latin American food cultures, with 500 recipes. It even includes four distinct regional techniques for cooking plain white rice.
For a taste of the genius in the book, Food52er drbabs sent me this salad. As she explained, "Avocado and pineapple? Sounds strange, right? But it's really good."
But instead of cheery fresh pineapple typically used in Cuba, Presilla shakes a little sugar on top and broils it.
The rings get sweeter and more mellow (just like on pizza!), with a little sultry char.
You could instead grill the pineapple, or sear it on the stovetop. Or, if you're feeling inert that day, per drbabs: "I must confess that I've never taken the time to caramelize the pineapple." So you've got options.
More: Another thing that takes well to caramelization -- white chocolate.
No weak greens here -- just the peppery, surely healthy chlorophyll bite of watercress, which might remind you of austere soups and tea sandwiches.
So what is it doing with the likes of caramelized pineapple and avocado? Partying, that's what. Or at least loosening its tie a little, to blend in.
But if your salad risks getting too wild, a sturdy cumin dressing is there to anchor it.
This dressing also features a lot of raw garlic, which drbabs points out is miraculously tamed by lime juice (or cider vinegar), especially if you mix it up early the day you're serving. No regrets!
Next to spicy shrimp, or slow-cooked pork tacos, or black beans and rice, it's an altogether surprising and welcoming side. You'll want to eat it by the platterful, as will your guests. Good thing it serves 8.
Maricel E. Presilla's Cuban Avocado, Watercress, and Pineapple Salad
Adapted from Gran Cocina Latina: The Food of Latin America (W.W. Norton, 2012)
Serves 6 to 8
2 bunches watercress
One 2 1/2 pound pineapple, peeled, cored, and cut into four 1-inch-thick slices
1 tablespoon sugar
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons cider vinegar or fresh lime juice
1/8 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 large Florida (West Indian) avocado or 2 Haas avocados
1 small red onion (5 ounces), thinly slivered lengthwise
See the full recipe (and save and print it) here.
Got a genius recipe to share -- from a classic cookbook, an online source, or anywhere, really? Please send it my way (and tell me what's so smart about it) at [email protected].
Photos by James Ransom, except Maricel Presilla by Joseph Corrado
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Comments (16)
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almost 5 years ago sasha black
I am making this for the 2nd time in 2 days all I can say is WOW
almost 5 years ago healthierkitchen
this was wonderful for dinner last night with a side of beans and rice. I think it would be terrific with some shrimp or crabmeat mixed right in.
almost 5 years ago DessertByCandy
Served as part of spring brunch menu of over a dozen dishes to a discerning crowd. This salad really stood out with its vibrant and complex flavours. Made with pre-washed arugula for convenience.
almost 5 years ago gingerroot
This is a fabulous recipe. Adding it to my menu for a thank you teacher/staff brunch I have to host in June. My plan was to serve alongside chicken tacos and rice and beans, but we ended up putting some salad in the tacos and they were delicious. I love this column!
almost 5 years ago marie.killian.5
Delicious and thank you for that! Is it not so much fun to be soon getting fresh, homegown lettuce? I am in MI so, yeah, been waiting and excited. Then top it all off with the best olive oil EVER! Carothers' Olive Oil. http://www.carothersoliveoil....
almost 5 years ago faded-elegance
Delicious. Had to substitute arugula for the watercress and slivered cipolini for the red onion - it was still terrific. Served with Bobby Flay's orange/ginger/molasses marinated turkey breast and a roasted yam. Beautiful on the plate and great flavors together.
about 5 years ago Twinsx2mom
This was amazing! Total yum!
about 5 years ago bkw
I live in a retirement community near Boston; everything was locked down; the staff couldn't get here; we had box-lunch sandwiches, fruit and cookies. I'd already shopped to make this wonderful salad, and it made the evening, even though we were watching the end of the Boston Marathon tragedy/horror playing out on the television set.
about 5 years ago bkw
The Avocado, watercress and roasted pineapple recipes says it serves 6 to 8. Three women in their eighties finished off the whole bowl last night. It's wonderful!
about 5 years ago Kristen Miglore
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
I love this. Did you have anything else with it, or was it the main event?
about 5 years ago mrslarkin
I love that cookbook! Might have to try this next time I make carnitas for the eleventyseventh time.
about 5 years ago Kristen Miglore
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
Carnitas sounds perfect!
about 5 years ago drbabs
Barbara is a trusted source on General Cooking.
Yay! I'm so happy you liked this.
about 5 years ago Kristen Miglore
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
We loved it!
about 5 years ago Marisa R
I will have to try this. Caramelized pineapple is incredible and I have'nt got anymore ideas for avocados
about 5 years ago Kristen Miglore
Kristen is the Creative Director of Food52
Avocados are just too good on toast -- I sometimes forget to eat them any other way. This recipe roundup (also linked above) might help us too: http://food52.com/blog...
Showing 16 out of 16 comments