Salmon Avocado Salad with Lychee and Sesame Dressing: Easy, healthy, delicious and fancy salad. Asian classic with a sweet seasonal spin.
I've never eaten as much sushi as during my recent trip to Moscow. I'm pretty sure that Moscow sushi are not completely authentic, just like Russian Korean food isn't completely Korean. It has to do with different climate and ingredients available. Korean carrot is the most well-known "Korean" food in Russia, although I'm quite sure that it will be hard to find in Seoul. As for the sushi, they are insanely popular in Moscow. Literally everywhere you will find a sushi restaurant. Anywhere you are in Moscow, think about sushi restaurant, and you'll find it within 5 minutes 24/7. Everywhere! Can you imagine? It's harder to find a pizzeria or a burger place than a sushi restaurant, although there are quite many as well. Sushi came to Russia in the beginning of 2000-s, and immediately conquered the Russian appetite for something different than borsch and solyanka, served in Soviet cantines. They were exotic, affordable, healthy and they evolved to satisfy the Russian taste.
Russian sushi has evolved into something you won't find anywhere else. It's a sort of fusion cuisine which combines sushi with every other culinary tradition. Restaurants get creative and offer the widest selection of sushi I've ever seen. Cold, warm, tempura, Russian style with buckwheat instead of rice, Italian style with pesto, rolls with Kamchatka crabs, steak, smoked eel, avocado rolls topped with salmon backed in cream cheese... A lot of different things, and sometimes at once. My problem is that I can't decide what to order because I want to try too many of them. I end up taking my favorite Philadelphia rolls with cream cheese, avocado and salmon. Russified sushi might not be the most authentic sushi but they are definitely the best I've tried so far.
Coming back to the salad, it was inspired by the creativity of Russian sushi restaurants. Thinking about what can be added to the classic avocado - raw salmon combo, I came up with something healthy and seasonal, which gives a sweet touch to the salad. Salmon and avocado are known not only for their delightful taste but also for their healthy omega-3 fatty acids, protein and numerous vitamins. Lychee would add some more healthy goodness to this combo, namely fiber, vitamins B and C, as well as anti-inflammatory effect. They can relieve the symptoms of cold which is especially important in winter. Not to mention that salmon, avocado and lychee taste great together! I made sesame dressing with soy sauce and chives. Super easy and quick to make! To arrange it on a plate in a fancy way you can use food shaping molds of any shape you like. Here is a recipe for my Salmon Avocado Salad with Lychee and Sesame Dressing:
Salmon Avocado Salad with Lychee and Sesame Dressing
Ingredients
For the salad:
- 250 grams raw salmon
- 2 ripe avocados
- 150 grams lychee
For the dressing:
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 2 teaspoons sesame oil
- 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon black sesame seeds
- 2 teaspoons chopped chives
- ½ teaspoon wasabi powder
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- pinch aof cayenne
Instructions
- Dice salmon and avocados. Remove the skin, pit and dice lychee fruits. Combine everything in a bowl.
- Combine all the ingredient of the dressing, add it to the salad and let the flavors mix together for 10 minutes.
- Using a food shaping mold, arrange the salad on two plates. Enjoy!
Notes
Nutrition
Would you be interested in learning more about Russian sushi? I was thinking about making some.
Cheers,
Elena
Alexandra says
Buckwheat in place of rice?! That's so nutty. Us Russians are crazy people, haha.
Love the addition of lychee here! The only recipe I've ever tasted them in is a lychee martini - and those come from a can. Well done!
Elena Szeliga says
Thank you, Sasha! There is not much you can do with lychee, actually. Lychee martini sounds interesting! Was it good?
Ksenia @ At the Immigrant's Table says
I never knew about the Russian sushi epidemic, but now that I read about it, it makes perfect sense! After all, sushi feels glitzy - then why shouldn't Russians adopt it with zeal?? Haha. I am also intrigued by this combination of salmon, sushi and lychee, and just may give it a try the next time I come across the fresh fruit. Thanks for opening my eyes to the world of Russian sushi - I'm now dying to try sushi with kasha.
Elena Szeliga says
Well, now you are prepared for visiting Russia, where every second restaurant serves sushi 🙂 It might be a bit excessive but I like it. Whenever I'm in Russia, I try to satisfy my sushi cravings at its fullest 🙂 Maybe I may get too much of them eventually but so far, the more I eat, the more I like. I've read that a Russian sushi bar is now opened in New York. It's crazy but it's a new brand! As for the salad, have you ever used lychee in cooking? This salad is the first savory dish I made with them.