This recipe features traditionally Caribbean ingredients (avocados, hearts of palm) tossed in a dressing full of Asian flavors (tamarind, fish sauce). The vibrant salad is excellent alongside Ken Oringer's rich More Great Salads
4 red grapefruits
1 tablespoon tamarind concentrate
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
1 tablespoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon Asian fish sauce
1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 cup canola oil
Salt
Tabasco
4 Hass avocados, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
Two 14-ounce cans hearts of palm, drained and sliced 1/2 inch thick on the diagonal
1/2 cup coarsely chopped cilantro leaves
Using a sharp knife, peel the red grapefruits, removing all of the bitter white pith. Working over a cutting board, cut in between the membranes to release the sections. Cut the grapefruit sections into bite-size pieces.
Squeeze the grapefruit membranes over a small bowl and reserve 1/4 cup of the grapefruit juice. Whisk in the tamarind concentrate, fresh lime juice, sugar, fish sauce and cumin. Whisk in the canola oil in a thin stream. Season the salad dressing with salt and Tabasco.
Transfer the grapefruit pieces to a large bowl. Add the avocados, onion, hearts of palm, cilantro and dressing. Toss gently and serve right away.
