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Ensalada de berro
Watercress salad
Ensalada de berro: Cuban watercress salad with sweet onion and lime
In Cuban homes from Havana to Santiago, a plate of peppery watercress with thin rings of onion and a squeeze of lime sits beside the rice, beans and fried plantain at almost every weekday lunch. The dressing is simply lime or sour orange, olive oil and salt, so the cress stays crisp and bright and cuts through richer dishes. It is very light, with about 2 g of protein a portion, so it is purely a side; pair it with black beans and rice for a full meal. The most common mistake is dressing it in advance: watercress wilts in minutes once salted. Chef's tip: keep the thick lower stems out and use only the tender tops and leaves; the salad will be crisp, not stringy.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
- 7 oz watercressthick stems removed
- ½ sweet white onionsliced into very thin rings
- 1 limejuiced, or the juice of 1 sour orange
- 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 avocado (optional)optional, sliced
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Method
0/3 doneStep 1: Wash 7 oz watercress in plenty of cold water, lift it out and spin or pat dry.
Step 2: Toss ½ sweet white onion with ½ tsp salt and 1 lime and leave for 5 minutes, until the rings soften slightly.
5 minStep 3: Just before serving, toss the cress with the onion and its juices and 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil. Add 1 avocado if you like and serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 70 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 4 g
- Fat
- 6 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ensalada de berro take?
- About 10 minutes in total.
- How many people does it serve?
- 4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegan?
- Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- What can I use instead of sweet white onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
- What can I use instead of lime?
- Lemon, same amount.
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