Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing and Toasted Pine Nuts

A refreshing salad!
   
     Lime, cilantro and avocado are a classic combination of flavors.  Toasted pine nuts add to the appeal.
    
     Toasted Pine Nuts: 
     Heat a small saute pan over medium/medium low heat.
     Add 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.
     Add 2 tablespoons of pine nuts.
     Shake the pan often, so the pine nuts toast evenly.
     Set the pine nuts aside after they are toasted to a golden brown color.
     Immediately place the pine nuts in a bowl, so they stop cooking.
     Set the pine nuts aside.
    
     Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing Recipe: 
     Place 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise into a small mixing bowl.
     Add 1 tablespoon of virgin olive oil.
     Add about 15 leaves of minced fresh cilantro.
     Add 1 minced garlic clove.
     Add 2 teaspoons of fresh lime juice.
     Add sea salt and black pepper.
     Mix the ingredients together. 
     Add a teaspoon of warm water at a time, while stirring, till the dressing becomes a medium thin pourable consistency.
     Refrigerate the dressing for ten minutes, so the flavors meld.
    
     Avocado Salad with Cilantro Lime Dressing and Toasted Pine Nuts: 
     Place a mound of chopped romaine lettuce on the center of a plate.
     Place a few peeled seeded cucumber sticks around the mound of lettuce.
     Place a few tomato wedges around the mound of lettuce.
     Cut 1 small avocado into slices.
     Place the avocado slices on top of the lettuce.
     Spoon the dressing over the avocado and lettuce.
     Sprinkle some of the toasted pine nuts on the dressing.
     Garnish the salad with lime slice curls.
    
     The crisp light flavors of cilantro and lime meld with avocado in a satisfying, refreshing way!  The toasted pine nuts add crunch and a great flavor of their own.  Yum!  ...  Shawna