Discover the Ultimate Summer Delight: Heirloom Tomato & Avocado Salad with Crispy Wontons

Greetings from sunny San Diego! I’m currently immersed in the vibrant energy of the BlogHer conference, surrounded by 3,500 incredibly talented women (and a few men!) bloggers. The atmosphere here is electric, filled with passionate discussions, non-stop networking, and the buzzing sound of countless keyboards and smartphones. If your internet connection seems a bit sluggish back home, you might just have to blame it on the collective force of us bloggers here, undoubtedly absorbing every bit of available bandwidth!

While I’m away, I am absolutely thrilled to welcome a very special guest to my kitchen: my dear friend, Viviane Bauquet Farre, the brilliant mind behind the acclaimed Food and Style blog. I first stumbled upon Viviane’s exquisite blog several years ago and was immediately captivated by her elegant approach to food and her stunning photography. It was a true pleasure to finally meet her in person during my book tour in New York City. Her warmth and culinary expertise are truly inspiring, and I know you’ll adore the recipe she’s sharing with us today. It’s a testament to her unique style and passion for fresh, flavorful ingredients. ~ Jaden

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A Salad as Radiant as Friendship: Viviane’s Culinary Inspiration

When I had the wonderful opportunity to meet Jaden at her book signing in New York City back in 2009, it was an instant connection – truly love at first sight. While her infectious enthusiasm and bubbly personality shine brightly through every single word and captivating photograph on her blog, meeting Jaden in person revealed her to be even more radiant, a true ray of sunshine. Her energy is truly contagious, and it inspires joy in everyone around her. So, when Jaden invited me to create a guest post for her incredible audience, I knew I wanted to craft something that mirrored her delightful spirit: something fun, something vibrant, and something bursting with color and life.

This desire led to the creation of this very special Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Salad. It’s a dish that embodies everything I appreciate about Jaden’s approach to life and food: it’s impeccably fresh, visually stunning with its array of bright colors, and incredibly flavorful, boasting an irresistible Asian flair that adds an exciting twist. My deepest hope is that this salad will not only be as visually appealing and beautiful as Jaden herself but also taste as utterly scrumptious and memorable as her own beloved recipes. It’s a culinary homage to a friendship that I deeply cherish, designed to bring joy to every palate.

The Jewels of the Garden: Celebrating Heirloom Tomatoes and Fresh Avocados

When my mind wanders to the concept of truly colorful vegetables, the magnificent heirloom tomatoes immediately spring to the forefront. While botanically they are fruits, their culinary application often places them firmly in the vegetable category. There are very few ingredients that can rival the sheer deliciousness and stunning visual appeal of a perfectly vine-ripened heirloom tomato. Their irregular shapes, diverse hues ranging from deep reds and oranges to vibrant greens and yellows, and their complex, sweet-tart flavors make them a true culinary treasure. Fortunately for us food enthusiasts, heirlooms have gracefully ascended to become the undisputed crown jewels at farmers’ markets and specialty gourmet stores across the country. This widespread appreciation means they are significantly easier to discover and enjoy today than ever before, allowing more people to experience their unique charm. Of course, if you are lucky enough to possess a sunny spot in your own backyard, these captivating fruits will absolutely thrive there, happily growing and producing their bountiful harvest all summer long, bringing the freshest possible flavors directly to your table.

In this exquisite salad, the star performers are these glorious heirloom tomatoes, paired harmoniously with perfectly ripe, creamy avocados. These two exceptional ingredients are carefully arranged and served upon a lush, tender bed of fresh baby arugula, providing a delightful peppery counterpoint. The entire ensemble is then generously drizzled with a spirited, spunky cilantro vinaigrette. This dressing is so rich and vibrant, it almost resembles a fresh cilantro pesto, thanks to the addition of pine nuts which impart a wonderful, subtle creaminess and depth of flavor. To complete this symphony of tastes and textures, the salad is elegantly garnished with delightfully crispy wonton strips. These wontons have been lightly sautéed in a touch of olive oil until they achieve a perfect golden-brown hue and an irresistible crunch. Each and every bite of this salad is a pure delight, offering a marvelous and harmonious array of both bold flavors and contrasting textures, making it a truly unforgettable culinary experience.

Perfect for Any Occasion: Elegant and Casual Serving Suggestions

Whether you’re hosting a laid-back backyard barbecue or a sophisticated dinner party, this Heirloom Tomato and Avocado Salad with Crispy Wontons is wonderfully versatile. For a relaxed and casual meal, simply serve this vibrant salad in large, inviting bowls, allowing everyone to help themselves generously. Its rustic charm and abundant presentation make it perfect for sharing amongst friends and family, creating a convivial atmosphere around the table.

Should you desire a more refined and elegant presentation, perhaps for a special dinner party or a celebratory gathering, consider plating the salad on sleek rectangular or square dishes. Begin by arranging a neat mound of the fresh baby arugula in the center of each plate, shaping it gracefully into a log-like form. Next, artfully top the arugula with thin, carefully fanned slices of ripe avocado, creating a visually appealing layer (refer to the accompanying photograph for guidance). Drizzle a delicate amount of the flavorful cilantro vinaigrette over the avocado and arugula. Finish by scattering the colorful heirloom tomato pieces and the wonderfully crispy wonton strips around the plate, adding both visual interest and textural contrast. This thoughtful plating elevates the salad, transforming it into an attractive and memorable first course that is sure to impress your guests and set a delightful tone for your entire meal.

As the glorious summer season unfolds in its full splendor, so too does the joy of summer eating. This salad perfectly captures the essence of fresh, seasonal ingredients, making it an ideal choice for warm-weather gatherings and everyday culinary delights. May you savor every single delicious morsel!

Mastering the Crispy Wontons: A Simple Step-by-Step Guide

Adding a delightful crunch to any dish, crispy wontons are surprisingly easy to make and elevate this salad from good to extraordinary. Their light, airy texture provides a fantastic contrast to the creamy avocado and tender arugula. Follow these simple steps to create perfectly golden-brown, irresistible wonton strips that will take your salad to the next level:

Step 1: Prepare the Wonton Strips

Begin by taking your square wonton wrappers and carefully cutting them into thin, approximately 1/4-inch strips. Aim for uniformity in your cuts to ensure even cooking and a consistent, satisfying crunch throughout. This precision will make all the difference in the final texture.

Step 2: Heat the Pan and Add Ingredients

Place a large, sturdy frying pan over medium-high heat on your stovetop. Allow it to heat thoroughly for a minute or two; you want it hot enough to sizzle but not smoke. Once hot, add the olive oil to the pan, ensuring it coats the bottom surface evenly. Immediately add the freshly cut wonton strips to the pan, spreading them out as much as possible.

Step 3: Sauté Until Golden

Toss the wonton strips well using tongs or a spatula to coat them evenly with the olive oil. Continue to sauté for 2 to 3 minutes, continuously tossing them occasionally to prevent burning and ensure they cook evenly on all sides. Watch them closely as they can brown quickly, transforming from pale yellow to a beautiful golden hue.

Step 4: Achieving Perfection

The wontons are perfectly done when they achieve a beautiful, appealing golden-brown color and feel wonderfully crispy to the touch. They should be uniformly browned and crunchy, providing that satisfying textural element that elevates the entire salad. Avoid overcooking, which can lead to a bitter taste.

Step 5: Season and Serve

Promptly transfer the hot, crispy wontons from the pan onto a paper towel-lined plate. This crucial step helps absorb any excess oil, ensuring they remain perfectly crisp and not greasy. While they are still warm, lightly sprinkle them with sea salt to taste. The salt will adhere better when they’re hot, enhancing their savory flavor. These crispy delights are now ready to be generously sprinkled over your salad, adding that essential textural contrast and savory note to every bite.

From My Garden to Your Plate: The Unmatched Freshness of Baby Arugula

There’s an undeniable joy and unparalleled freshness that comes from eating ingredients harvested straight from your own garden. For this salad, I was able to pick the vibrant baby arugula leaves from my small urban garden just minutes before photographing the dish. It’s a truly satisfying experience! My modest 4′ x 2′ raised bed has been an incredible source, consistently providing us with a fresh supply of peppery baby arugula for the past two months now. The beauty of arugula is its resilience; I simply cut the outer leaves at the base of the stems, and within a week, the plants miraculously grow new, tender leaves, ready for another harvest. This continuous cycle ensures a constant stream of fresh greens, brimming with flavor and nutrients, throughout the growing season.

The experience of eating directly from the garden is a pure, unadulterated joy – a profound connection to nature and a celebration of simple, wholesome food that tastes infinitely better than anything from a store. Knowing Jaden’s enthusiasm for all things culinary and her budding “urban farm” aspirations, I can hardly contain my excitement to see what magnificent bounty she will cultivate and, more importantly, what incredible dishes she will create with her homegrown treasures! This salad is a perfect example of how garden-fresh ingredients elevate a simple meal into something truly special and memorable.