Our Avocado Rocket Salad combines the creamy goodness of avocado, the peppery bite of rocket (also known as arugula), and the tangy flavours of preserved lemon. And to add an extra layer of depth and aroma, we'll be toasting some cumin seeds to sprinkle on top. A perfect side to serve with lamb tagine or roast
The flavours in this salad are just sensational a simple yet sophisticated salad that will wow your guests yet easy enough to serve for weekday meals.
I absolutely adore serving this salad alongside lamb dishes because it beautifully balances out its richness.
You Will Need
Step By Step Instructions
Step 1 - Prepare the Herbs and Leaves
Wash your baby arugula leaves and mint leaves, discard any yellowed or damaged leaves.
Either pat dry with a towel or spin in a salad spinner to remove excess water for a much tastier salad.
Step 2 - Prepare Vegetables
Wash and peel your cucumber, leaving alternate strips of green, then slice your cucumber on the diagonal
Wash and peel your avocado then cut it lengthwise.
Remove the pulp from your preserved lemon (keep it to add to your next tagine or stew) then cut into small dice.
Step 3 - Assemble Salad
Add all your salad ingredients to a large mixing bowl, add the lemon juice, olive oil and cumin seeds, season with salt and pepper.
Toss your Arugula salad until well combined, making sure the leaves and cucumber are well coated with the dressing.
Taste your salad and adjust seasonings according to your taste.
Arrange in a salad bowl and sprinkle some additional cumin seeds on top to garnish. Serve and enjoy!
Serving Suggestions 🍽
- This is the perfect salad to serve with anything lamb – an aromatic lamb tagine, perfectly roasted lamb shoulder or leg roast, barbecued lamb cutlets or even some spicy lamb kofta.
- It is also huge with crustaceans such as grilled Balmain bags, simple crab, buttered lobster or barbecued prawns.
- You could even try it with a Portuguese style chicken as it will soothe the heat from the Piri-Piri spices.
- Or serve it with a store-bought roast chicken for a quick weeknight dinner.
Tips and Questions
What is Preserved Lemon?
Preserved lemons are thick-skinned lemons that have been pickled in salt and their own juices and left to sit for a month before using and are an essential ingredient in Moroccan cooking and used in tagines, stews, sauces and great in salads. They have an intense tangy, lemony flavour and a silken texture.
Where to Find Preserved Lemons?
Preserved lemons are thick-skinned lemons that have been pickled in salt and their own juices and left to sit for a month before using and are an essential ingredient in Moroccan cooking and used in tagines, stews, sauces and great in salads. They have an intense tangy, lemony flavour and a silken texture.
Where to Find Preserved Lemons
You should be able to find preserved lemons in the International food aisle in your supermarket, a Middle Eastern Specialty Shop or any good delicatessen. However, it can easily be substituted with the zest of one lemon.
They are also very easy to make all you need is lemon, salt lemon juice and some aromatics – try our recipe!
What Diets is Our Avocado Rocket Salad Suitable For?
A fresh salad that ticks the boxes for many tricky dietary requirements - it is low-carb, gluten, dairy and nut-free. Great for keto, paleo, vegan and vegetarian dieters.
Can It Be Made in Advance?
- This is another one of our "make it and eat it" style salads as the avocados will discolour and the rocket/arugual will wilt.
- However, you could prepare the dressing the day before pop it in an airtight container and store it in the fridge. Bring it to room temperature before tossing it through your salad.
More Rocket/Arugula Salad Recipes
Recipe Card
Equipment
- Salad Spinner
Ingredients
- 80 grams baby arugula {rocket} {2 cups}
- 2 medium Lebanese cucumbers {approximately 260 grams}
- ¼ cup mint leaves {approximately 3 sprigs}
- 1 large avocado {250 grams}
- 2 quarters of preserved lemon {1 tablespoon diced}
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds {plus extra to garnish}
- ¼ cup olive oil {extra virgin}
- 2-3 tbsps lemon juice
- Sea salt and cracked black pepper
Instructions
- Wash your arugula and mint leaves, pat dry or spin in a salad spinner.
- Wash and peel your avocado and cucumber (leaving alternate strips of green) slice your cucumber on the diagonal and your avocado lengthwise.
- Dice your preserved lemons, then add all your ingredients in a large mixing bowl, season with salt and pepper, toss well until combined.
- Arrange in a salad bowl and sprinkle some cumin seeds on top to garnish. Serve and enjoy!
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