Rush-HourGourmet

When I was a kid, seafood salads usually featured a mayonnaise dressing and lots of chopped celery. The flavors of lobster, shrimp, and crab deserve better. To that end, this sweet-and-sour version is full of mango, avocado, lime, and just enough hot pepper to give the combination some zip.

Use the seafood of your choice or a combination. I'm partial to lobster. I ask the fishmonger to steam it, which makes this a quick dish to assemble.

Makes about 4 cups (4 to 6 servings)

12 ounces cooked lobster, shrimp, and/or crab, lobster, and shrimp, cut into 1/2-inch chunks

1 large or two small ripe mangoes, cut into dice no larger than 1/2-inch (11/4 to 11/2 cups)

1 red hot cherry pepper or hot chili pepper of your choice, seeded and finely chopped (a generous 2 tablespoons)

A scant 1/2 cup finely chopped red onion

2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro leaves and tender stems

Juice and zest of 2 limes

1 tablespoon white wine vinegar

2 tablespoons olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper

Flesh of 1 avocado, cut into 1/2-inch pieces  

Make ahead: The salad needs to sit for 20 minutes to blend the flavors. It can be assembled and refrigerated a day in advance, minus the avocado, which should be mixed in 20 minutes before serving.

1. Combine the seafood, mango, hot pepper, onion, cilantro, lime juice and zest, vinegar, and oil. Stir gently to incorporate. Season with salt and pepper.

2. At this point, if you're making the salad a day in advance, cover and refrigerate. Otherwise, add the avocado and toss gently to combine. Wait 20 minutes before serving, so the flavors can meld.

Per serving (based on 6): 180 calories, 13 g protein, 13 g carbohydrates, 10 g fat, 2 g saturated fat, 40 mg cholesterol, 260 mg sodium, 3 g dietary fiber, 6 g sugar