Fresh avocado salads: perfect for the side at a spring braai

No self-respecting braai is complete without homegrown avos – the ultimate springtime ingredient.

Whether green-skinned or dark-skinned, both are equally creamy, dreamy, delicious and nutritious, and can be included as part of a healthy eating plan.

At this time of the year, that translates to sunny lunches outside, lazy afternoons with sundowners and snacks, and evenings around the fire with boerie rolls, braai broodjies, chops, grilled veg and of course, the quintessential braai salads.

Here are two easy salads perfect for these wonderfully balmy days ahead:

Tangy Avocado 3-Bean Salad

Serves 6

Preparation time: 25 minutes + marinating time

Cooking time: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

FOR THE DRESSING

• 1 garlic clove, crushed
• Zest and juice of 1 lemon
• 60 ml (¼ cup) avocado or olive oil
• 45 ml (3 tbsp) chutney
• Salt and pepper

FOR THE SALAD

• 400 g tin of three-bean mix, drained and rinsed
• 400 g tin of butter beans, drained and rinsed
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• Handful fine green beans, blanched
• 1½ avocados, sliced
• Handful parsley and/or mint, chopped

Method:

1. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients. Season with salt and pepper.
2. For the salad, combine the three-bean mix and butter beans. Toss through the dressing. Allow to stand for at least 1 hour to marinate.
3. Just before serving, toss through the onion, green beans, avocado and parsley/mint. Season with salt and pepper.

Cucumber, Avo and Dill Salad

Serves 6 as a side

Preparation time: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

FOR THE DRESSING

• 45 ml (3 tbsp) avocado or olive oil
• 80 ml (⅓ cup) lemon juice
• Pinch dried chilli flakes
• Honey, to taste
• Salt and pepper

FOR THE SALAD

• 1 cucumber
• 2 avocados, cut into chunks
• ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
• Handful dill, finely chopped

Method:

1. For the dressing, combine all the ingredients. Add honey to taste. Season with salt and pepper.
2. For the salad, use a vegetable peeler to cut the cucumber into ribbons. Place on a platter with the remaining salad ingredients. Drizzle over the dressing.