Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Yesterday, my mother and sister threw me a bridal shower! Now, I truly feel like...

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Yesterday, my mother and sister threw me a bridal shower! Now, I truly feel like a bride.

There’s something about wearing white when you’re engaged that really screams, “I’m going to get married!”

It was the perfect, special brunch celebration and I feel so blessed, love and cared for. Next stop: the bachelorette!

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Here’s a shot of my two best friends from Wake Forest (on my right) and my 3 best girl friends from since we were in the 2nd grade (on my left):

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Yes, I’m wearing a “bride to be” sash and blinky light pin.

I can’t believe I’m getting married in less than 70 days, it’s amazing how quickly time flies. With so many exciting things happening in my life, I really need to take more time to sit down and take it all in.

The bridal shower was at a restaurant in a hotel here in Jersey City. It was intimate and adorable. Not only was the decor Pinterest-worthy, my sister planned a questions came, sort of like The Newlywed Game.

Here’s a shot of my Italian grandmother and I (how cute is she?!)

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Most of the questions were easy, like, “What’s Lu’s favorite meal?” or “Where was Lu born?” Each question she asked, I’d answer and then she played a VIDEO of Lu answering those questions, which was so cute and thoughtful!

It was fun to see Lu’s answers, because, well, he’s a funny guy – and it’s interesting to see how much you really know about someone’s quirks! There was also a round of questions about sexual positions, which was very awkward in front of his mother-in-law. I got those questions right, which made it even more awkward, haha!

And here’s a photo of the Maffucci girls (my mother, sister and me):

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Celebrating my wedding has been great because it brings all of my family and friends together throughout the year.

But alas, this isn’t my diary, it’s a food blog and I have a recipe for you!

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Honestly, no words can describe how delicious this dish is. It’s one of those shockingly tasty meals – the citrus vinaigrette brings out the freshness in the crab and the fragrant toasted almonds gives each bite a healthy crunch.

I love crab and avocado, I think it’s one of those symbiotic “peanut butter and jelly” combinations. Crab’s such a lean and light protein, while avocado offers a soft, plush healthy fat.

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

This recipe uses golden beets, which add such a beautiful color to the dish but also – they aren’t messy, like red beets! They’re my favorite beet pretty much because of that reason, but they can be difficult to find. So, if you find them, grab a bunch and make this recipe!

Nutritional Information & Recipe

Inspiralized

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Prep Time 30 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Servings 4

Ingredients

  • Ingredients
  • For the salad:
  • 1/4 cup slivered almonds
  • 4 large golden beets peeled, Blade C
  • 2-3 cups watercress greens
  • 1 cup lump crab meat
  • 1 avocado peeled, pitted and insides sliced thinly
  • For the dressing:
  • 3/4 tablespoon finely chopped shallot
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1.5 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1/2 tablespoon fresh orange juice
  • 1/8 teaspoon lemon zest
  • 3/4 teaspoon seeded and finely diced jalapeno
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

  • Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Once heated, add in the almonds. Toast, stirring occasionally, until golden brown and fragrant, about 2 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, whisk together all of the ingredients for the dressing. Taste and adjust to your preferences. Then, in a large bowl, toss together the beets, watercress, crab and dressing. Divide into plates.
  • Garnish with avocado and toasted almonds.

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

Jalapeno-Citrus Golden Beet Noodle Salad with Crab, Avocado and Toasted Almonds

 

with love, Ali

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Recipe Rating




comments

  • What a fun bachelorette party!! You looked gorgeous! How awkward about the sex questions though. haha
  • Wonderful blog and recipe post, Emily! This recipe is definitely a keeper (and a good addition to my favorites from your book). Keep up the good work and keep those delicious recipes coming! Thanks (25 pounds down in the past couple of months - yay)! p. s. Love your dress (and the sash is cute, too). ;)
    • Ali (not Emily)! I must have my niece on my mind. sorry, Ali! ;)
  • Hi Ali, What a lovely looking family you have! IT looks like a great time was had at your shower. I love your dress. So pretty! Thanks for all your recipes & sharing that you do.
  • I just love that you include a personal snip-it about your life when you post recipes! Your bridal shower looked very fun and I look forward to this making this dish! :) Cheers
  • You look beautiful! Looks like you had a wonderful time. What great pictures - your family and friends are beautiful too :) Thanks for sharing with us. Everything about this salad sounds delicious except the beets LOL I never had golden ones but I can't eat the red ones, yuck, don't like the flavor, even fresh.... :( so I will have to tweak this recipe, maybe use the old standard "zoodles"! :)
  • I was a bridesmaid with Shannon at a mutual friend's wedding. That's how I stumbled on your awesome blog! Also, I saw the article that you contributed to on The Knot ... I was like I KNOW THESE RECIPES! Congrats on getting married, I'm getting married this year too! Also, keep up the amazing recipes, they are such a game changer for my fiance and I. Cheers!
    • What a small world! Thanks for your sweet comment :)
  • So we don't cook the beets at all? Last time I had raw beets it was a little too earthy for my taste.
    • I agree, but golden beets are much less so. Give them a try--they're very mild!
  • Hey Ali, love it that you shared photos of the shower! Friends, Family and Fun......wishing you a Fantastic Future!
  • Can't wait to make this one ~ may have to substitute chicken for crab for hubby! but I'm sure just as delish! Congratulations on up coming wedding, many blessings for a long and healthful life as husband and wife!
  • Tried this salad last night and loved it! Just had to add extra jalapeno and black pepper. Great combo of flavors. Thanks for another fantastic recipe. I did find it a challenge to spiralize the beet. Probably because the one I had was rather large and didn't want to stay put on the plastic pegs. I ended up just trying to turn it on my own. I did really like the crunchiness of the beet and the watercress was a perfect pairing of flavors.