Avocado and Jicama Salad

This is one of my absolute favorite summer salad recipes. It's refreshing and delicious. This is a Martha Stewart recipe and it was one of the first of her recipes I ever tried.  It sparked the beginning of my interest in cooking as a young teenager.

1 small jicama

2 ripe avocados

juice of 1 lemon

3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar

6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper

1/2 small red onion-minced

1. Peel the jicama and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices, then cut the slices into thin strips. Set aside.

2. Cut avocados in half lengthwise.  Remove the pit.  Peel avocado halves.  Squeeze lemon juice over avocados to prevent browning.

3. Whisk together vinegar, oil, salt, & pepper.

4. Make a bed of jicama on 4 plates.  Top each with one avocado half.  Season lightly with salt and pepper.  Sprinkle with onion and pour dressing into avocado cavities and around avocados.

*Optional: To serve the salad for a group.  Cut the avocados and onion into slices, lengthwise.  Combine all ingredients & dressing, toss, and serve.