MARINATED AVOCADO & CHERRY TOMATO SALAD
By South African Avocado Growers’ Association( SAAGA) @ iloveavossa
Serves: 6-8 as a side
INGREDIENTS
• 500g packet cherry tomatoes, halved
• salt & pepper
• 200g bottle of french salad dressing
• 1-2 avocados, diced
• 250g ball mozzarella
• handful of basil
METHOD
1. Season the tomatoes with salt and pepper in a small bowl.
2. Stir through the dressing. Leave to marinate in the fridge for 20 minutes.
3. Mix in the avocado and leave to marinate for 10 minutes.
4. Strain the liquid( can be reserved for later use) and spoon onto a serving platter.
5. Add the mozzarella and basil.
Variations: Use a variety of exotic cherry tomatoes.
Soft white mozzarella, like Buffalo mozzarella or bocconcini, works best for this recipe. Or try goat’ s cheese.
ESSENTIAL RECIPES- VEGGIES & SIDES
“ STEAK” WITH MUSHROOM SAUCE, GREENS & QUICK ROOT CRISPS
By The Fry Family Food co. @ frysfamily
INGREDIENTS
• 500ml oil, for frying
• 1 sweet potato, thinly sliced
• 1 potato, thinly sliced
• 1 butternut, peeled & thinly sliced
• 60ml oil
• 300g mushrooms, sliced
• 1 shallot, diced
• 2 thyme sprigs
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 30ml margarine
• 30ml lemon juice
• 60ml cream, optional
• 4 Fry’ s Smashed Burgers, defrosted
• 80g rocket & watercress mix
• 1 carrot, julienned
• ½ cucumber, sliced
• 30ml olive oil
• 20ml lemon juice
METHOD
1. Heat oil for deep frying in a heavy based pot. Thinly slice potatoes & butternut. Once the oil is hot, deep fry veggies in batches. Remove with slotted spoon, season, and transfer to a kitchen paper-lined tray.
2. Heat the oil, add mushrooms, and sauté for 4 minutes, undisturbed. Season with salt and pepper and sauté for a further 4 minutes. Reduce heat to medium-low, add an additional splash of oil if the pan is dry, add shallots, and sauté for a further 3-4 minutes. Add thyme and garlic and sauté for a further 2 minutes. Deglaze pan with lemon juice, season, add margarine and cream if using. Cover and remove from heat while you prep the steaks.
3. Fry the Smash patties for 8-10 minutes, turning every 2 minutes.
4. Add rocket, watercress, carrot, and cucumber to a bowl. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and salt until salt is dissolved; dress the salad.
5. Serve the steak with mushroom sauce, side salad, and root crisps.
DID YOU KNOW?
Avocado’ s healthy fats help your body absorb more nutrients from tomatoes.
16 | Summer 2025 / 26 • essentialflavours. co. za