Grapefruit Avocado Salad with Tomato Cumin Dressing

Ingredients

Citrus fruit takes centre stage in winter and I've got a long list of my favourite citrus recipes. This salad is one of them and if you like grapefruit you'll want to add it to your collection.

• Grapefruit - Learn to cut these into segments without the pith or membrane. They're called supremes and they're worth the effort! Video below.

• Avocado - The smooth creaminess pairs well with sour grapefruit.

• Red onion - Left to stand for a short time in lemon juice, while you prep everything else, transforms them.

• Arugula - The peppery taste of arugula is key.

• Kalamata olives - The last of the five ingredients that are a magic combination. Looks like they did not make it into the above picture. 🙁

• Tomato juice & cumin - Unique and delicious.

• Cilantro - I have a love-hate relationship with cilantro. I throw out more than I care to admit yet as soon as I'm out of it I'm running to the store for more. I try to grow it in my garden every summer but it doesn't seem to like a northern climate.

See recipe card for complete ingredient list and exact amounts.

Instructions: How To Cut Citrus Supremes

This was a winter ritual in my house when my son was growing up. I love all the colours of different citrus fruit and cutting them into supremes seems decadent. I told him he'd miss these when he was gone...and he does.

Instructions: Homemade Salad Dressing

After reading labels gluten free cooks often lean into homemade. If you've been thinking about it, this is your sign that it's time to switch. These are my tips for making homemade salad dressings.

• It seems obvious but you must start with a clean jar or bottle.
• If you always use a clean utensil your dressing will keep for a long time. No double dipping! Ever. Even if your fork was clean and only touched a few ingredients on your plate this is a hard no. If your find mold in the dressing someone doesn't understand the rule! Squeeze bottles might be better in your house.
• Label it! It's amazing how everything in the fridge looks the same the next day. I still try to convince myself I'll remember what it was, but I don't. If it's dark it's got soy sauce, that's the best I can do.

Substitutions and Variations

The whole is greater than the sum of its' parts. But after I make this salad I use any combination of the ingredients for salads until they're all gone. Even lettuce with avocado and grapefruit is delicious with this dressing.

Grapefruit - If you're not crazy about grapefruit use other citrus fruits.

Red onion - White onion is also mild and a good substitute.

Tomato Juice - The original recipe used tomato juice but I can't always find it in small cans. V8 juice is my substitute.

Cilantro - For the full recipe it is a must. After that, if I don't have any, so be it.

Get the Tools

If you're just starting with homemade salad dressing, or want help organizing, check out my tips in these posts, Organize For Success with Mason Jars and Organize For Success with Labeling. Organizing and having the right tools helps minimize stress in the kitchen.

• Small salad dressing bottles.
• Standard Mason jars that come with canning-style two-piece metal lids.
• Airtight plastic lids, purchased separately. You only need 2 sizes, see reference above.
• Dymo label maker, especially good for dressings you make over and over.
• Sticky labels from the Dollar Store because sometimes that Dymo label maker is more effort.

Storage

Homemade salad dressing that contains no egg or dairy keeps for months in the fridge. Label each jar so you know what salad to make with it and can easily plan to use it up. To prevent cross-contamination and extend shelf life, always pour the dressing from the jar instead of dipping utensils into it.