I can’t tell you a single thing I learned in my classes about Art History, but I can tell you in detail about where I went to lunch after. My forgetfulness is unsurprising, but the fact that I’ve dedicated so much brain space to a completely forgettable meal is genuinely infuriating. I’ll be the first to say that neither the eatery nor my order are or were special. Lemonade LA is like an expensive cafeteria for tech bros and hipsters that want to make healthier choices, short of bringing their own food to work. Assemble a tray of cold or hot options and be on your way.

School Lunch in SF

When it first opened in downtown San Francisco, I was one of the first people in line. Anything to shake up the routine of schoolwork and endless commutes. Given the slim vegan options, I immediately lit upon the avocado and tomato salad. It’s every bit as boring as it sounds: avocado, tomato, pine nuts, and lime vinaigrette. Perhaps it was comforting at least in part because it was so unremarkable. Fresh, rich, and satisfying, every single time.

All-Purpose Avocados

It’s the kind of thing you absolutely do not need a recipe for, yet it can be a helpful reminder in times of need. Need something for an impromptu happy hour, pot luck, or unannounced dinner guest? It’s a salad, yes, but also a side dish, salsa, topping, and plant-based ceviche, if you’re feeling fancy.

Serving Suggestions

That’s to say, you can serve it with chips like a dip, or heaped on top of toast. Toss in chickpeas or diced tofu for protein, or add more veggies like sliced hearts of palm, steamed asparagus, or roasted broccoli. Toss with chilled pasta or leafy green to make it a bigger, complete meal. Double it for a crowd or halve it to eat two servings at once, because for all it can do, it can’t do everything, and doesn’t keep well.

The Basic Blueprint

Here’s your cheat sheet. I’ve improvised and simplified the original approach considerably over the years, so trust me when I say that you can’t mess it up. Juicy tomatoes tossed with buttery cubes of ripe avocado, doused in bright citrus will never do you wrong.

Continue to Content

Yield: Makes 4 - 8 Servings

Avocado Tomato Salad

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Inspired by the popular Avocado, Cherry Tomato, Pine Nut, Lime Vinaigrette Salad from Lemonade LA, this is better than just a copycat recipe, but a blueprint to choose your own adventure.

Prep Time 5 minutes

Total Time 5 minutes

Ingredients

• 4 Firm, Ripe Avocados, Diced
• 2 Cups Halved Cherry or Grape Tomatoes, or Diced Roma or Heirloom Tomatoes
• 1/4 Cup Toasted Pine Nuts, Pepitas, Sunflower Seeds, or Sliced Almonds
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Lemon Juice, Lime Juice, or Grapefruit Juice
• 1 Tablespoon Parsley, Cilantro, Dill, Basil, or Scallions, Chopped, Sliced, or Torn
• 1 Teaspoon Maple Syrup or Agave Nectar
• 1/2 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard
• Salt and Ground Black Pepper, to Taste

Instructions

1. Gently toss all ingredients together in a medium bowl. Serve right away.

Recommended Products

Please note that some of the links above are affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I will earn a commission if you decide to make a purchase after clicking through the link. I have experience with all of these companies and I recommend them because they are helpful and useful, not because of the small commissions I make if you decide to buy something through my links.

• 
  REDMOND Real Sea Salt - Natural Unrefined Organic Gluten Free Fine, 26 ounce pouch (1 Pack)
• 
  La Tourangelle, 100% Organic Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 25.4 fl oz (750 ml)
• 
  NOW Foods, Real Food, Organic, Raw Pine Nuts, 8 oz (227 g)

Nutrition Information:

Yield:

8

Serving Size:

1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 448Total Fat: 37gSaturated Fat: 5gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 30gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 440mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 11gSugar: 8gProtein: 11g

All nutritional information presented within this site are intended for informational purposes only. I am not a certified nutritionist and any nutritional information on BitterSweetBlog.com should only be used as a general guideline. This information is provided as a courtesy and there is no guarantee that the information will be completely accurate. Even though I try to provide accurate nutritional information to the best of my ability, these figures should still be considered estimations.