Avocado salad with ginger-miso dressing

Ingredients

For the dressing

1. 1/3 cup plain silken tofu
2. 1/3 cup low-fat plain soy milk (soya milk)
3. 1 tablespoon peeled and minced fresh ginger
4. 1 1/2 teaspoons low-sodium soy sauce
5. 1 teaspoon light miso
6. 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
7. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)
8. 1 tablespoon chopped green (spring) onion, including tender green top

For the salad:

9. 1 small avocado, pitted, peeled and cut into 12 thin slices
10. 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
11. 12 ounces mixed baby lettuces (about 10 cups)
12. 1/4 cup chopped red onion
13. 1 green (spring) onion, including tender green top, thinly sliced on the diagonal
14. 1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)

Directions

To make the dressing, combine tofu, soy milk, ginger, soy sauce, miso and mustard in a blender or food processor. Process just until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a bowl and stir in the cilantro and green onion. Cover and refrigerate for at least 1 hour.

In a small bowl, toss the avocado slices in the lemon juice to prevent browning. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine the lettuces, red and green onions, and cilantro and toss to mix.

Add 2/3 of the dressing and toss lightly to coat. Divide the salad among individual plates. Arrange 2 avocado slices on top of each portion in a crisscross pattern. Top each avocado cross with a drizzle of the remaining dressing. Serve immediately.

This recipe is one of 150 recipes collected in "The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook," published by Mayo Clinic Health Information and Oxmoor House, and winner of a James Beard award.