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Ensalada mixta
Ensalada mixta: the simple lettuce, tomato and onion salad dressed with oil and vinegar at every Argentine asado
Simplicity is the whole idea of the ensalada mixta, the salad that comes with almost every order at a parrilla and sits beside the meat at every family asado: crisp lettuce, ripe tomato and thinly sliced onion, dressed at the table with oil, vinegar and salt from the cruets. There's no mustard, no sugar, no herbs, so the quality of the tomatoes and the crunch of the lettuce carry it. It is cool, sharp and refreshing, and cuts through grilled meat, provoleta and fries. The usual blunder is dressing it too early: the salt pulls water from the tomato and the lettuce goes limp in minutes, so toss it just before it goes to the table. Round butterhead lettuce (criolla) is the classic, but any crisp lettuce works. Chef's tip: soak the sliced onion in iced water for 10 minutes and drain; it stays crunchy but loses its harsh edge.
- Total time
- 10 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 4
Ingredients
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Method
0/4 doneStep 1: Soak ½ onion in a bowl of iced water while you prepare the rest.
Step 2: Wash 1 lettuce in cold water and dry it well in a salad spinner or clean tea towel; wet leaves dilute the dressing.
Step 3: Arrange the lettuce in a wide bowl or platter and add 3 ripe tomatoes. Drain the onion, pat dry and scatter it over.
Step 4: Just before serving, sprinkle with ½ tsp salt, then drizzle with 1 ½ tbsp white or red wine vinegar and 3 tbsp sunflower or olive oil. Toss at the table and serve straight away.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 110 kcal
- Protein
- 2 g
- Carbs
- 6 g
- Fat
- 10 g
- Fibre
- 2 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does ensalada mixta 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 lettuce?
- Any crisp salad leaves, same amount.
- What can I use instead of ripe tomatoes?
- Tinned chopped tomatoes: a 400g tin for about 6 tomatoes (in cooked dishes, not salads).
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