This time we're not sharing a recipe for a traditional salad, but for a relatively new and vibrant one: the Spicy Cherry Salad. It was created by chef, writer, and media personality Hila Alpert, who grew up in a kibbutz surrounded by cherry trees. Hila's nickname is Lali, which has become the unofficial name of this dish: the Lali Salad.
The salad has become something of a modern classic, especially known for its regular appearance on the menu at HaBasta — a small but world-famous restaurant located near a bustling market. The passionate chef Elon Amir curates a daily changing menu, which he simply writes on paper and pins to the wall of the restaurant for everyone to see.
Ingredients:
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1 cup fresh cherries, pitted and halved
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1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped
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1 jalapeño pepper, thinly sliced (deseeded if preferred)
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1 clove garlic, finely chopped
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1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
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1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
Directions:
Place the cherries, cilantro, chili pepper, garlic, salt, and olive oil in a bowl. Mix well until all ingredients are evenly distributed.
Serve this bright and flavorful salad cool, paired with grilled meat or fish. It also makes a perfect addition to a summer brunch.
