When I was a kid, seafood salads usually featured a mayonnaise dressing and lots of chopped celery. The flavors of lobster, shrimp and crab deserve better. To that end, this sweet-and-sour version is full of mango, avocado, lime and just enough hot pepper to give the combination some zip.
Use the seafood of your choice or a combination. I’m partial to lobster. I ask the fishmonger to steam it, which makes this a quick dish to assemble.
The salad needs to sit for 20 minutes to blend the flavors. It can be assembled and refrigerated a day in advance, minus the avocado, which should be mixed in 20 minutes before serving.
Seafood Salad With Mango and Lime
12 ounces cooked lobster, shrimp and/or crab, lobster and shrimp cut into ½ -inch chunks
1 large or 2 small ripe mangoes, peeled and diced
1 red hot chile pepper of your choice, seeded and finely chopped (a generous 2 tablespoons)
Scant ½ cup finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems
Juice and zest of 2 limes
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
Kosher salt and ground black pepper
Flesh of 1 avocado, diced
Combine the seafood, mango, hot pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice and zest, vinegar and oil, stirring gently to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
At this point, if you’re making the salad a day in advance, cover and refrigerate.
Otherwise, add the avocado and toss gently to combine. Wait 20 minutes before serving, so the flavors can meld.
Makes 4 to 6 servings.
Food, Pages 38 on 03/12/2014