Grilled Avocado & Heirloom Tomato Salad with Green Goddess Dressing

Even though it’s technically fall, we’re still dealing with some very hot weather here in Los Angeles, and it doesn’t look like it’s going to let up anytime soon.  Since heirloom tomatoes still abound at the farmers’ market, and given that it feels like summer here, I thought I’d share this Grilled Avocado and Heirloom Tomato Salad with Green Goddess Dressing from “At Home With Michael Chiarello”.

I’ve mentioned chef Michael Chiarello many times before, and while his recipes aren’t strictly vegan (or even vegetarian), he has many that can be easily adapted.  This salad, for example, is vegetarian to start with, and it can be easily veganized by omitting the Parmesan cheese or using a vegan substitute.

The recipe for this salad isn’t online, but a couple different versions of it are on the Food Network site.  This one is almost identical, except for the fact that it uses pesto instead of Green Goddess dressing.  For the dressing, check out this recipe.  Make sure to use ripe avocados and heirloom tomatoes, and you’ll have one tasty salad on your hands.  I like to think of it as a last hurrah of summer, even though I’m more than ready for fall!