At first glance, the bumpy green exterior of an avocado can be intimidating. You know there’s creamy, delicious goodness inside, but how to cut an avocado may not be immediately apparent.

Fear not, avocado lover. There’s an easy, reliable way to cut into your favorite fruit. And once you master the art of cutting an avocado, you’ll be well on your way to slicing and dicing your way toward awe-inspiring guacamole (or … smoothies or tacos, salads, burgers, or ceviche). You know what they say: When life hands you an avocado, you can make any dish better!

First, Make Sure You’re Cutting an Avocado That’s Perfectly Ripe

Avocados are a lot easier to cut when they’re ripe. They also taste better! Before you even get out the knife, choose the freshest, ripest avocado by holding it in your palm and gently squeezing it. If it gives a little under the pressure … winner-winner, guac with dinner!

Is your avocado hard as a rock? Fear not! You can speed up the ripening process by placing it in a brown paper bag along with a banana or apple on the kitchen counter. Check back every day for progress. Bananas and apples both emit the natural plant hormone ethylene gas, which helps ripen fruit. The paper bag traps the gas and speeds up the process. It sounds loca, but it’s true.

How to Cut an Avocado in Half

Perfectly ripe avocado? Check. ✅ Now, all you need is a cutting board, knife, fork, and spoon.

1. Place the avocado on the cutting board. Place a clean towel on the board if desired to keep the avocado from slipping.
2. Hold the avocado with one hand firmly on top of the fruit and cut into the middle of the avocado in a complete circle around the pit. Cut longways from the stem to the bottom.
3. Put down the knife and twist the avocado with two hands so the halves come apart.
4. If using both halves right away, go ahead and remove the pit by holding the half with the pit in your hand and use a spoon to work out the pit while gently squeezing from the bottom. Another option: Place the avocado on the board, gently whack the pit with your knife, and twist to release.
5. To remove the avocado meat, work a wet spoon between the green flesh of the avocado and the skin to scoop it out.

How to Cut an Avocado into Slices

Ever wonder how restaurants get those perfect slivers of avocado in a neat little row on top of avocado toast? It’s easier than it looks. Simply follow the steps above for how to cut an avocado in half. Before step five (removing the avocado meat), grab your handy knife and slice vertically into the avocado flesh to form delicate ribbons. The knife will easily sink into a ripe avocado, so be careful not to use too much pressure. You don’t want to slice through the avocado skin! Then, remove the avocado meat with a wet spoon.

Another option: Place the avocado half face down onto a plate so the bumpy skin is on top, and gently peel the skin away with your fingers. This technique may take a little practice, but it will ensure your fancy slices of avocado are not mushed in the removal process.

How to Cut an Avocado into Diced Cubes

Diced avocado is useful for many dishes, from chunky guacamole and chicken avocado tostadas to ahi poke nachos, shrimp cocktail, and homemade salads. It can also help add a rich consistency when blended into fresh smoothies.

To dice an avocado, follow steps one through four for how to cut an avocado in half. Then, use a sharp knife to cut a grid pattern into the flesh of the avocado while it is still in the skin. Cut through the surface to the skin and then scoop out the chunks with a wet spoon.

What to Do with Extra Cut Avocado

Sometimes, recipes will call for a portion of an avocado. Then, you’re left with a small amount of avocado and the question of how to eat it!

The simplest way to enjoy extra avocado is with a fork. Sprinkle some salt and lemon juice, or step it up by mashing leftover avocado onto crackers or toast for a premeal snack. Add your favorite seasonings, like everything bagel, Italian, Cajun, or crushed red pepper for savory goodness.

With avocados, the sky is the limit! Check out our other handy how-to hacks to get the most out of this delicious fruit.

The post How to Cut an Avocado Safely in 5 Simple Steps appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Whether you’re on a specific diet to manage your weight or you need to eliminate or reduce certain dietary elements for health purposes, food nutrition labels are the best way to know what you’re about to eat. Until the late 1960s, nutrition labels contained limited information. Today, they contain loads of data to help you make sound nutritional decisions. There’s only one problem: So much data can be overwhelming. How do you know what to prioritize for your dietary needs?

Here, we dive into some fundamental facts that will help you understand how to read nutrition labels.

What Is Serving Size?

Size matters! Right off the bat, many folks get lost reading nutrition labels as they review the serving size, which is found at the topmost part of the nutrition label. That data corresponds to the serving size, which is important to keep in mind because, often, there is more than one serving size in a food item or package. Plus, the defined serving sizes are often very different from the way we prepare and serve a certain food.

Take avocados, for example. The serving size for an avocado is 50 grams, or approximately one-third of a whole fruit. But most people slice an avocado in half (it’s the best way to open the fruit) and scoop out the flesh.

If you want to stick to the recommended serving size, it helps to learn the secret to slicing and dicing an avocado perfectly. Don’t worry; you don’t need to throw away the leftovers! Keep the rest of your avocado from turning brown by squeezing fresh lemon juice over the flesh and wrapping it tightly in plastic wrap for future snack attacks.

What Is the Daily Value (DV) Percentage?

At the very bottom of a nutrition label, you’ll find the “daily value” upon which the other nutritional information is based. The column along the right side of the label tells you what percentage of your daily needs can be met by this food, assuming your diet is around 2,000 calories a day. According to Food and Drug Administration guidelines, food with a DV of 5% or less is considered low in that nutrient, whereas 20% or more is high.

Fat Gets a Bad Rap

Over the years, fad diets urging people to reduce or eliminate fats from their diet have led to confusion about this important nutrient. There are different kinds of fats, which affect the body in different ways. “Good fats,” like the kind naturally present in a tasty avocado, are essential for your body!

While “bad fats” (saturated fat and trans fat) are linked to higher instances of heart disease and stroke, “good fats” (unsaturated fats) help your body absorb more vitamins A, D, E, and K. Unsaturated fats are essential for normal growth and development of the central nervous system and brain.

Fun Fact: One-third of a medium avocado (50 grams) has only 1 gram of saturated fat, 0 grams of trans fats, and 6 grams of unsaturated fats.

Don’t Be So Salty

Anyone can have high blood pressure, but some people are more likely to have high blood pressure if they eat foods high in salt. Over time, having high blood pressure can cause heart failure, stroke, and kidney issues. You can usually find the amount of salt per serving about halfway down the nutritional label next to the “Sodium” category.

Avocados contain zero sodium. Woo-hoo! Additionally, avocados are a food source that contains potassium (6% DV), which helps lower blood pressure.

What Makes a Food a Carbohydrate?

Carbohydrates provide calories, or energy, for our bodies. Our bodies break down carbs into glucose (a type of sugar), which becomes the primary energy source for our body’s cells, tissues, and organs. Unfortunately, most Americans exceed the recommended limits for added sugars in their diet. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend limiting calories from added sugars to less than 10% of your total calories per day.

Avocados are a fresh fruit, so they do not contain any added sugars. But they do contain fiber — 11% of the recommended daily value to be exact! Fiber-rich diets can reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular disease while giving you that “happy tummy” feeling at the end of a meal.

What About Protein?

Did you know every cell in the human body contains protein? They’re the building blocks of life, helping our body both repair cells and make new ones. A healthy diet includes protein, and a nutrition label gives you the skinny on the protein content of the food you want to eat. Avocados, for example, have 1 gram of protein per serving, so they make a great addition to other proteins like red meat, chicken, fish, beans, and other legumes.

How to Vet Vitamins and Minerals

In the most detailed portion of the label, you can see the micronutrients each food provides. These include vitamins A, C, D, E, and K, as well as calcium, folate, iron, magnesium, potassium, and zinc, among others. Don’t be fooled, though — there’s nothing “micro” about the power of these micronutrients — and avocados have nearly 20 vitamins and minerals!

The copper in avocado, for example, is an essential mineral that helps keep the blood vessels, nerves, immune system, and bones healthy, while magnesium helps maintain normal nerve and muscle function, supports a healthy immune system, keeps the heartbeat steady, and helps bones remain strong.

Now that you’ve mastered the basics of reading a nutrition label, explore how registered dietitian and nutritionist Barbara Ruhs, MS, RDN, LDN counsels her clients and followers

The post Let’s Guac About How to Read Nutrition Labels appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The moment that first leaf changes from green to yellow to red, we’re calling it: It is officially pumpkin season! In other words, it’s time to eat (or drink!) all of the giant orange fruit you can get your hands on. But instead of indulging in pumpkin-flavored foods and beverages from coffee shops and restaurants, you can pack in maximum flavor and satisfy your creativity by making pumpkin-flavored recipes yourself.

The Foundation for All Pumpkin Recipes

Puréed pumpkin is the base of many delicious autumnal dishes, from traditional pumpkin pie to comforting fall soups. Canned pumpkin is perfectly acceptable, but to really get in the season’s spirit, try making your own pumpkin purée. The process is easy, and the result? Delicious!

First, buy an edible pumpkin (or squash/gourd), slice it in half, and remove all the seeds and guts. Place the cut side down on a baking sheet and roast in a 400°F oven until soft (a knife will go in easily).

Let it cool before scooping the flesh out of the skin. You now have your own pumpkin to use in dozens of pumpkin recipes. If you don’t use the puree within a few days, don’t worry — cooked pumpkin freezes well for year-round use.

In fact, you can keep your puréed pumpkin on hand for quick and delicious pumpkin-avocado breakfast smoothies. Make the energy-boosting drink by blending 1/2 cup of your pumpkin purée with 1/4 of an avocado, 1 ripe banana, 2 cups of fresh spinach, 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon or nutmeg, and 8 ounces of your favorite nut milk (almond, cashew, or hazelnut all work beautifully with the pumpkin and avocado).

Who said pumpkin’s only for autumn, anyway?

Pumpkin-Flavored Foods

Pumpkin Butter

Pumpkin butter is basically a spreadable pumpkin pie (minus the crust) in a jar. Fill a roasting dish with 2 cups of pumpkin purée, 2/3 cup of brown sugar, your favorite pumpkin pie spices (think cinnamon, nutmeg, cardamom, and ginger), and a few tablespoons of butter for richness. Roast at 350°F for an hour, stirring it well every 15 minutes. It’s done when the mixture has thickened and browned slightly.

Then, it’s ready for countless different applications. Try it over ice cream, on top of a bagel with cream cheese, as a cake filling, or eat it by the spoonful (it’s OK; we won’t tell). Go crazy and make a pumpkin pie milkshake with vanilla ice cream, milk, pumpkin butter, and chunks of pie crust. You can also use its sweetness as a foil for a savory or more neutral dish, spreading it, for instance, on a tortilla and topping it with avocados and other taco fixings.

The butter can be stored in the fridge for a few weeks or in the freezer for a year.

Pumpkin Cocktail

Getting thirsty? That means it’s time for a pumpkin cocktail! Use some of the pumpkin butter you just made for a twist on a Moscow mule (vodka, ginger beer, and lime) by using bourbon, ginger beer, lime, and a few tablespoons of pumpkin butter. For a tarter cocktail, add a splash of cranberry juice. For a nonalcoholic variation, just leave out the bourbon. This autumn-in-a-glass cocktail is sure to warm you up from the inside out. Every hour is happy hour when you add avocados. Check out these cocktail-inspired guacamole recipes for your next get-together.

Pumpkin Curry

Pumpkin stands up perfectly to the strong flavors of an Indian curry, which lends a little sweetness to the dish. Make your own spice blend by combining garam masala, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, cinnamon, and some hot pepper for heat. Use the spice blend to sauté some onions and finely chopped garlic, then add pumpkin purée, cooked chickpeas, and your favorite chopped vegetables (cauliflower and potato pair well), along with some chicken or vegetable stock and coconut milk. Cook until the vegetables have softened and the curry has thickened slightly. Serve the pumpkin curry with a few thin slices of avocado on top.

Pepitas

Don’t throw away those pumpkin seeds! Practically every part of the pumpkin is edible, and their seeds are some of the tastiest parts. Rinse the sticky pumpkin guts off the seeds, let the seeds (or “pepitas”) dry out on a baking sheet or kitchen towel overnight, and then get ready to roast!

Toss the seeds with a little olive oil and your favorite spices. You can go sweet with cinnamon and ginger or savory with chipotle powder, garlic, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper. Then, spread the seeds in a single layer on a baking sheet and cook them in the oven for about 40 minutes at 300°F.

Once they’re nice and crispy, let them cool before you snack straight from the tray. If you’re OK with delayed gratification, add the pepitas to your favorite dishes for a little extra crunch. Pumpkin and avocado are a match made in heaven, and these roasted seeds step up any recipe. Pepitas go great with seasonal pumpkin spice guacamole, added into pumpkin cranberry avocado muffins, or on top of savory avocado toast.

AVO TIP: Need an idea for a tasty and gorgeous fall salad? Check out this fabulous recipe!

The post Four Pumpkin-Flavored Foods and Treats appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

What’s a burger bun alternative that looks as good as it tastes AND has your favorite fruit built into the sandwich’s structure? Avocado buns, baby. Not only will neighboring tailgaters watch in envy (green envy, of course) as you serve up your squad with the most beautiful burger imaginable, but avocado bun burgers have a whole host of nutritious pros.

Avocado buns are a great burger bun alternative for anyone living a gluten-free lifestyle. They can also help you cut down on simple carbohydrates and sugars in bread while adding nearly 20 vitamins and minerals to boot — plus, fresh avocados are a heart-healthy fruit! They provide naturally good fats and are cholesterol-, sugar-, and sodium-free. It’s a win-win-win!

Without further ado, we present avocado buns!

Um… not what we meant. Keep reading, please.

How to Make Avocado Buns

Avocado buns are simple to make and always camera-ready. Follow these quick steps, and you’re on your way to the sandwich hall of fame.

1. Pick the perfect avocado. The most important part of this process is selecting an avocado that is ripe but not too soft. The right avocado for the job will be large, dark-skinned, and give juuuuust a little bit when you squeeze it. You don’t want your avocado bun to be squishy and fall apart in your hands, but it’s also important that it’s ripe. Watch this video to learn how to check ripeness.

If you don’t want your avocados to get too ripe, or you want to try to preserve them just as they are before you whip up these burger buns, check out another how-to video for preserving your avocados and slowing down the ripening process.

2. Slice it in half. Slice your perfect avocado down the middle lengthwise. Carefully peel the skin away from each half and remove the pit. Cut a thin slice off the very bottom of one half, which will be the burger’s base, so it sits flat on the plate.

3. Sandwich, assemble! Start by adding your base fillings in the hole where the pit was (pro tip: this is a great place for storing extra sauce), then add your meat and other toppings. Add more sauce into the well of the top “bun” and set it on top of everything. For a “real” burger look, sprinkle the top avocado half with sesame seeds.

4. Eat up. Handheld avocado bun sandwiches work best when you hold them with a napkin or bit of parchment paper, but using no napkin means you get to lick your fingers at the end. That said, no one will judge if you want to keep your fingers clean by using a fork and knife.

We have some great recipe ideas for your avocado bun sandwich in the next part of this blog.

6 Avocado Bun Recipes

1. Traditional Burger

Place a beef (or portobello mushroom) patty and your choice of toppings between the avocado buns. Traditional toppings include American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, mustard, ketchup, and pickles or relish. And while we love tradition, why not shake things up beyond the bun?

• Spicy Burger: Blaze new burger trails with pepper jack cheese, fire-roasted jalapeños, and Sriracha mayo.
• Cowboy Burger: Mmm, nothing like an avocado bun burger with bacon strips, cheddar cheese, and a big ol’ fried onion ring.
• Steakhouse Burger: Avocado buns are elegant on their own, but we say go big or go home: Add caramelized onions, blue cheese crumbles, and arugula.

2. Meatball Sub

Squeeze a few meatballs (score extra points if you use creamy avocado meatballs) and some tomato sauce, along with parmesan or mozzarella, between your avocado buns. Napkins recommended — this could get messy!

3. Bacon ’n Egger

Avocado buns aren’t limited to lunch or dinner. A little bit of ketchup, some cheese, a couple of slices of bacon, and a fried or scrambled egg go great on an avocado bun for a breakfast sandwich beyond belief.

4. Southern-fried Chicken

Breaded, flattened, and fried chicken is delicious in an avocado bun when slathered with some spicy mayo or honey mustard sauce. Just add shredded lettuce, tomato, and sliced red onion.

5. BLT

Avocado buns be fancy, huh? Keep it simple with this classic, always-a-good-choice BLT. All you need is some salty bacon, crisp lettuce, and a juicy slice of tomato.

6. Chicago Roast Beef

Dealer’s choice between cold-cut or homemade roast beef, so long as you top it with hot giardiniera and au jus. This is another messy one — be sure to eat over a plate so no beef, broth, or buns go to waste!

When you’ve made your avocado bun burger, chicken sandwich, BLT, or whatever you decide, be sure to share a photo with us on Instagram. We’d love to see what you came up with!

The post The Buns Have It: How to Make Sandwiches with Avocado Buns appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

If you’re like most people, you probably have childhood memories of your parents telling you not to play with your food. But artist Boris Toledo Doorm either didn’t have a conventional parent or didn’t get the message because he plays with his food… a lot.

The Chilean artist is always treating the dinner table like a canvas. While Toledo Doorm does use traditional tools and techniques, such as pencils and paintbrushes, to create his artworks, he also likes to use what he has in his kitchen — literally — to make his creations. He’s used red wine to create this stunning Prince portrait, for example, and a potato to carve out an image of Pope Francis.

But what Toledo Doorm really loves to employ on his palette is everyone’s favorite green fruit: avocados. He takes the flesh of the fruit and creates avocado art of realistic renderings of famous people and pop culture characters. There’s Marilyn Monroe and Chuck Norris (complete with a cowboy hat), Mona Lisa and Yoda, Maleficent and Grumpy Cat.

And what does he do once he’s finished an artwork? He eats it, of course! Toledo Doorm loves getting all the avocado benefits, like good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, by scraping up his creations and spooning them onto toast for an instant avo-toast delight!

Become an Avocado Artist

If this sounds fun, let Toledo Doorm’s avo-images inspire you to play with your own food to create more avocado art!

Step 1: Pick an art-ready avocado.
Avocados from Mexico make the perfect “paint” because they’re always good! You want to ensure your avocado is canvas-ready. How do you do that? A perfectly ripe avocado is not too green and not too hard. Look for avocados with dark, purple-ish black exteriors that are bumpy — like the skin of a crocodile. Go ahead and give it a simple squeeze test, and if it yields to gentle pressure, it’s ripe and ready to be turned into a masterpiece!

Step 1.5: If your avocado is before its prime, don’t panic.

There are many tricks and tips for ripening avocados, so if inspiration has struck, you don’t have to wait long to get on with your avocado artwork. Apples and bananas can help ready your avocado as they emit a specific type of plant pheromone that signals to other fruits that it’s time to ripen. Simply put your avocado in a paper bag with either a banana or an apple, and it will usually ripen within one to three days.

Step 2: Get the right tools.

To create edible art like Toledo Doorm, you really only need a fork, knife, and a toothpick. Forks help make patterns: hatch marks, swirls, and other textures. Meanwhile, a knife can help make deep cuts necessary to carve out specific shapes. The toothpick is where you can get into the fine details of your artwork, drawing freehand to bring intricate parts of your portrait to life.

These basic tools will get the job done, but it’s certainly not an exhaustive list. Experiment with other food-safe tools to get the patterns and looks you want. For example, a ruffled pie crust cutter could add a fun, wavy texture to your avocado art. The bristles of a pastry brush, too, could make an interesting, hairlike texture. A melon baller could make perfectly round scooping indentations, while herb scissors can make perfectly spaced grooves.

Step 3: Add tasty embellishments.
Toledo Doorm typically sticks with one edible item for each artwork, but there are limitless tasty and colorful additions that can take your creations to the next level. For example, blueberries, strawberries, and raspberries infuse your artwork with a pop of color. Likewise, nuts provide an earthy crunch factor, perfect for a delicious natural landscape. Other smearables are fun to swirl into the mix, too. Try decadent strokes of peanut butter, almond butter, or hazelnut butter. Or up the ante with chocolate sauce or caramel ribbons!

Once you’ve finished your avocado art and had the chance to admire it, it’s time to eat!

Play With Your Food and Eat It, Too

Toledo Doorm scrapes his avocado art onto toasted bread, but you can take it a step further with avocado toast recipes from Avocados From Mexico. Need some ideas for avocado toast with all the avocado benefits? Go all out with pomegranate seeds, goat cheese, and pistachio, or seek full-on flavor with this raspberry and blue cheese avocado toast recipe. Want to keep things simple? This avocado egg toast recipe is your next morning go-to.

To take your creation on the go, scrape your avocado art into a refreshing smoothie, like a green machine avocado smoothie bowl loaded with spinach, pineapple, banana, kiwi, and, of course, avocado! For an extra pep in your step, try the matcha-doing avocado smoothie, powered with creamy avocados and matcha green tea. Or keep with the classics by whipping up an avocado-strawberry smoothie made with only four ingredients: avocados, strawberries, milk, and a dash of sugar.

So, play with your food and show us your avocado art creations on social media!

The post Become an Avocado Artist like Boris Toledo Doorm appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You’ve got a good time planned out: the guest list, the drinks, and your famous guacamole recipe. And then you realize: Guacamole this good deserves an equally awesome (and equally delicious) presentation.

Why not spice up your next dinner party, game day, or cocktail hour with something just as creative as your guac? We’ve gotchu covered with these delicious DIY guacamole serving bowl solutions.

Pro tip: Before you assemble your guac, though, make sure you know how to choose perfectly ripe avocados (Give a gentle squeeze. No, really, it’s that easy.) or how to ripen not-quite-ready avocados using other fruit and a paper bag.

1. Guac-Stuffed Avocados

Aka, avocado-ception. Slice your avocado in half (if you’re new to this, we can show you the right way to do that here) and scoop out the yummy green stuff to make your guac. Now, you have two cute little empty avocado skins that normally go in the trash — but if you want to get creative and reduce waste, you can reuse them as small, single-serving guacamole dishes. Just spoon the prepared guac back into the skins and serve ‘em up. These babies are perfect for a buffet-style appetizer table where guests can pick up their own individual dip.

2. Stuffed Fruits and Veggies

Look in your fruit bowl or vegetable crisper: You’ll find lots of items just waiting to be turned into guac-bearing vessels. Pineapples can be halved longways to become beautiful Hawaiian bowls (like in this Holy Pineapple Guacamole recipe). Halved bell peppers can perform the same function. Just make sure you’ve chopped off the top, cleaned out the seeds, and wiped the outside before filling with guacamole.

If you’re serving a crowd, a head of cauliflower can have the center florets trimmed out (don’t throw them away — they can be used instead of chips!), with the resulting hollow becoming a generous-sized guacamole serving bowl.

3. Corn Tortilla Guaco Shells

Taco bowls made from tortillas are the ultimate edible serving dish, and they pair naturally with guac. You can buy them or bake them yourself — as long as you have a muffin tin (which you’ll turn upside down before baking), you can make the bowls yourself in just a couple of minutes. Unlike the fruit- and veggie-based bowls, tortilla shells can become soggy if the guac sits in them for too long, so don’t add the guac until you’re serving it to guests.

4. Guac-tail Glasses

Guacamole is always the center of attention at parties, and cocktail hour is no different. Serve up your guacamole in a large margarita glass, individual cocktail glasses, or even a copper Moscow mule mug to keep the snack on theme with the drinks. And while you’re at it, you may as well make one of these cocktail-inspired guacs, featuring everything from a Dry Martini Guac to a Piña Colada Guacamole.

5. Baked Cheese Bowls

If you love cheese, there’s no guacamole serving bowl better than a baked cheese bowl. Our cheese of choice is parmesan, but you can also make this with Oaxacan string cheese, quesillo, or any other cheese that gets crispy when baked or fried.

You’ll need about 1/2 cup of cheese per bowl. Pile each serving onto its own individual piece of parchment paper and spread the cheese into a nice circle about 2 inches in diameter. (Make sure all the cheese overlaps, so you don’t have holes in your bowl!) Put them on a baking sheet and bake at 350°F for 5-10 minutes. Watch them carefully — once they melt and become slightly golden, you’ll need to immediately take them out. Once your cheese circles are out of the oven, carefully use the parchment paper to flip them onto the round bottoms of the underside of a muffin pan or heat-safe cups to shape each gooey cheese circle into a bowl shape. When it cools and hardens, ba-da-bing, ba-da-bowl! Load it up with guac.

For more creative guacamole tips, explore our blog. And if you’re looking for the right recipe to serve in your fancy guacamole serving bowl, check out our guacamole recipe archive!

The post 5 Creative (and Delicious) Guacamole Serving Bowls appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

By: M. Elise Giller

Flowers instantly perk up any room making it as fresh and inviting as a ripe avocado, and you can do the same for your food by using edible flowers in unexpected ways. Need to know which flowers are safe to eat? We’ve put together a list in honor of Garden Week.

Before we get started, a word of warning: Do not eat a flower if you’re not sure it’s consumable. Stick to those you’ve grown yourself or have purchased at a farmers market and know are safe to eat. Never eat flowers you’ve picked off the road or in public parks. Don’t have a farmers market nearby? Shop the produce section of your grocery store (not the florist section) or order online from a reputable seller. Sites like Marx Foods, Melissa’s, and Gourmet Sweet Botanicals ship overnight for the freshest picks.

Remember, when eating a flower, remove the pistils and stamens and eat only the petals.

Edible Options

• Allium varies in flavor anywhere from leek to garlic.
• Anise hyssop tastes, as you might suspect, like anise, or licorice.
• Basil flowers taste like the leaf but are much milder.
• Bean blossoms are sweet and crunchy.
• Borage has a mild flavor like cucumber.
• Carnations are sweet and mild, and taste like they smell.
• Clover flowers are sweet and taste a bit like licorice.
• Lavender is sweet, spicy, and perfumed, like the scent itself.
• Marigold is spicy and peppery.
• Nasturtiums have a sweet, floral flavor and a spicy pepper finish.
• Pansies have a slight wintergreen flavor.
• Rose petals taste perfumed and rich.
• Violets are floral and sweet.

Floral How-To

• Add to salads to amplify color and taste.
• Stuff squash blossoms and larger flowers with mashed avocado and herbs.
• Freeze small flowers in ice cubes and add to beverages.
• Place fresh flowers on top of cakes and cupcakes.
• Candy flowers to decorate cakes and candies.

The sky is the limit when using flowers to make food even more beautiful — and tasty.

Why not add edible flowers to our tasty avocado and pineapple salad? Find the recipe here.

FACT-CHECKING:

https://www.thespruceeats.com/cooking-with-edible-flowers-1809248

https://www.treehugger.com/green-food/42-flowers-you-can-eat.html

 https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/food-recipes/cooking/tips/a25640/how-to-use-edible-flowers/

The post Add Edible Flowers to Your Dishes for Garden Week appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Over the past few years, there has been a huge growth in plant-based products. Dietitians all over the world are rejoicing that (finally!) word has gotten around that eating more plants is key to leading a healthy lifestyle. Yet, the consumption of fresh fruits and vegetables has hardly increased at all, despite their nutritious benefits.

Let’s look at how you can eat more plants while keeping mealtime delicious as ever.

It’s Not Hard to Eat More Plants

If you want to add more plants to your diet, it’s good to go straight to the source: fresh vegetables and fruits such as avocados! They contain nature-made vitamins and minerals, and it’s simpler to work more plants into your diet than you may think.

To begin, let’s clear the air around some common misconceptions about eating more plants and plant-powered meals.

Myth #1: Only vegetarian diets should focus on fruits and veggies.

The beauty of eating more plants is that it follows the dietary guidelines for all kinds of eating styles, including individuals who eat the typical American diet, Mediterranean, and vegetarian eating patterns.  Are you trying to follow a gluten-free diet, kosher, or some other style of eating that suits your lifestyle? When it comes to fruits and vegetables, the more the merrier for every eating pattern or lifestyle!

Myth #2: Grocery shopping for plant-powered meals is complicated.

Fruits and veggies will never make it onto your plate if they don’t make it into your grocery cart first. Before heading to the grocery store, find plant-powered recipes and build a shopping list to keep yourself organized and accountable. Bring a reusable shopping bag specifically designated to fill with fruits and veggies and head to the produce aisle first.

Myth #3: To eat more fruits and vegetables, I have to make boring salads.

As a dietitian, I’ve counseled people for many years about eating more salad. Some people groan because they assume salad tastes terrible! The good news is that almost any of your favorite foods can be turned into a salad you’ll love.

Here’s the formula: Think of your favorite meal. Chop all the ingredients for that meal into bite-sized pieces. Add your favorite chopped veggies. And last but never to be forgotten — add avocado!

For example, this Avocado Thai Noodle Crunch Salad hits the spot when you’re craving takeout. Or, if you’re a burger fanatic, grill up a patty and chop together with your most-loved toppings, such as avocado, tomato, onion, or pickles on a bed of spring greens or spinach. Whatever you like to eat, there’s a way to eat it with more plants.

While leading a healthy lifestyle may seem complicated on the outside, I find it’s all about simplification. If you want to eat more plant-based foods, fresh vegetables, and fruits, such as avocado, are always a good place to start.

For more delicious plant-powered recipes, head over to The Salad Bar.

The post How to Eat More Plants (and Keep Meals Delicious) appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Welcome to your new holiday tradition! Decked with green, red, and white ingredients, this avocado milkshake recipe is everything merry and bright.

Related: Treat yourself to even more avocado holiday desserts here.

Ingredients:

• 2 c. vanilla ice cream
• 1/3 c. of crushed candy canes (about 5 candy canes)
• 1/4 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1/2 Avocado From Mexico, peeled, pitted, and cubed
• 1 c. milk
• White chocolate sauce
• Whipped cream
• Festive sprinkles

You’ll Also Need:

• Blender
• Resealable plastic baggie
• 2 large glasses
• Straws (red or green will look great!)

Directions:

1. Put the candy canes in a resealable plastic baggie. Seal it, then smash the candy with a rolling pin. Smash firmly enough that the candy canes break but gently enough that the bag does not burst. You should aim for pieces about the size of chocolate chips (we’re blending them up later), but smaller, powdered pieces will taste just as good.
2. Halve your avocado and scoop out the green goodness from one half. Here’s how to slice and dice an avocado the correct way.
3. Now it’s time to shake things up. Scoop the ice cream, crushed candy cane, chocolate chips, avocado half, and milk into the blender. Blend in pulses and stir the chunks of candy out of the bottom as needed. Continue until well combined. Make sure the chocolate chips and candy canes are in small pieces that will easily fit through a straw.
4. Separate blended mixture into two glasses and top with whipped cream, white chocolate sauce, and festive sprinkles. Add a whole candy cane and a straw to the glass and sit back to appreciate your masterpiece. Then dig in!

If you’re feeling extra creative, top your holly jolly avocado milkshake with crumbled peppermint bark, maraschino cherries, or chunks of a chocolate bar — the more you add, the merrier the milkshake.

For more good times, browse all our avocado sweet treats.

The post A Holly Jolly Avocado Milkshake appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

What could go better with chilly weather than cornbread? The cooler months ahead are the perfect time to try a seasonal take on avocado toast, throwing in gorgeous, golden brown, toasted cornbread instead of traditional toast. Accompanied by delicious avocado spreads that pair nicely with cornbread fresh out of the oven, this recipe will be sure to keep you warm all through the winter.

Ingredients:

• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. yellow cornmeal or polenta
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1 tbsp. granulated sugar
• 2 tsp. baking powder
• 1/2 tsp. baking soda
• 1/3 c. unsalted butter, melted
• 2 eggs
• 1 c. milk

Directions:

1. Preheat the oven to 400°F. Lightly butter a 9-inch cast-iron skillet or a 9-inch baking dish. Place in the oven to heat up.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, combine flour, cornmeal, salt, sugar, baking soda, and baking powder. Whisk well.
3. Add butter, milk, and eggs to the center of the mixing bowl. Stir until just combined, as you want there to be some lumps remaining in the mixture.
4. Remove your pan or dish from the oven, taking care, as the dish will be very hot. Pour cornmeal mixture into the hot dish and return to the oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until the top is a beautiful golden brown. When done, a toothpick should come out clean when inserted into the bread.
5. For extra toasty-ness: Preheat oven on broil. Place fully baked cornbread on the top rack for 1 to 2 minutes or until the top has browned.
6. Top each serving of cornbread with one of the avocado spreads below.

Toasted Cornbread Toppings

This cornbread is good with almost anything. Here are some of our favorite toppings:

• Avocado Hot Honey Butter: Creamy and sweet, there’s nothing like watching this spread melt into warm, toasted cornbread. Perfect for breakfast!
• Garlic Avocado Aioli: Rich and herby, this aioli spread across a slice of toasted cornbread works great as an appetizer.
• Mex-Tex Three Cheese and Avocado Chili Dip: Hearty and delicious, this dip plus your cornbread makes for an entire meal in no time at all.
• Caramelized Apple and Chile Guacamole: Sweet and savory, this seasonal favorite is just begging to be spread atop a toasted piece of golden cornbread.

Got leftovers? Be sure you know how to keep unused avocado fresh so you’ll have more for avocado cornbread toast tomorrow and the next day!

Click here for more inspirational avocado recipes.

The post How to Make Cornbread Toast (and 4 Avocado Spreads to Top It Off) appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Life is sweet in the Philippines — especially with refreshing desserts like this one! This scrumptious twist on ice cream is a traditional Filipino avocado dessert, but it can be enjoyed wherever you’re from and wherever you live.

It only takes about five minutes to prepare; no appliances required. Plus, you can savor this sweet fact: The creamy avocados inside contain good fats and almost 20 vitamins and minerals!

Related: Go guacamole-global with these international dips.

Here’s how to make it, plus some customization tips to make it your own.

The Best Filipino Avocado Dessert

Ingredients:

• 3 ripe Avocados From Mexico
• 1/3 c. of sweetened condensed milk
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• Crushed ice to taste

Directions:

1. Carefully cut the avocado lengthwise with a sharp knife. Twist the halves in opposite directions and pull apart. Scoop out the green meat inside with a spoon.
2. Combine avocado, sweetened condensed milk, and sugar in a bowl and smash together.
3. Slowly stir in crushed ice.
4. Sprinkle or drizzle with any desired toppings and serve immediately.

Toppings

Avocados have a naturally mild, nutty flavor. That means avocado plays well with many other flavor profiles. Are you nuts for nuts? Sprinkle your Filipino avocado dessert with chopped peanuts, or go for pistachios to create a green-on-green color scheme. If you’re more of a fruit-ophile, you might prefer banana slices, strawberries, or toasted coconut shavings! Chocoholic? You can’t go wrong with chocolate chips or a drizzle of chocolate syrup on top.

Sugar Alternatives

Watching your sugar intake? First of all, you’ll be excited to learn that avocados don’t contain sugar. But if you want to replace the scoop of sugar in this recipe, honey or agave syrup are natural substitutes. Artificial, no-calorie sweeteners are also a light option!

Milk Alternatives

If you’re living the vegan or plant-based life, don’t cross this scrumptious Filipino avocado dessert off the list. Simply swap sweetened condensed milk with plant-based powdered milks — oat, soy, or almond are all great options.

Explore the globe with other internationally famous avocado dessert recipes.

The post The Traditional Filipino Avocado Dessert You Need to Try appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Maybe your specialty is spicy catfish tacos. Maybe it’s battered tilapia. Maybe it’s just fish sticks in a tortilla. But no matter what the catch of the day is, a taco just isn’t a taco without the perfect sauce. And does anything beat avocado sauce?

Many traditional sauce recipes use spreads that contain saturated fats. Luckily, this homemade avocado sauce for fish tacos is a superb substitute. Most of the fat in avocados is unsaturated (monounsaturated and poly saturated fats), making avocados a great replacement for foods high in saturated fat. You get the same creamy texture, plus a brilliant green color. Bonus: This sauce is gluten free!

Related: For more fantastic fish, try out these Baja Fish and Guacamole tacos.

Avocado Sauce for Fish Tacos

Makes 5 servings.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe Avocado From Mexico
• 1/2 c. cilantro, loosely packed
• 1 clove of garlic, minced or chopped
• Juice of one lime
• 1/3 c. low-fat plain yogurt
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 jalapeño (optional)

Directions:

1. Prepare all ingredients. Carefully cut open the avocado, lengthwise, with a sharp knife. Scoop out the flesh with a shallow spoon into a food processor or blender. Mince or chop the garlic clove into small pieces. Tightly chop the jalapeño (if using). Remove seeds to lessen the heat. Loosely chop cilantro, up to 1/2 cup. Do not pack it down. Combine ingredients in the food processor.
2. Blend. In 10-second intervals, blend the mixture until creamy. Taste-test in between blends. Too thick? Add more lime juice or a sprinkle of water. Too runny? Add more avocado or yogurt to thicken the mixture.
3. Get presentation points. If spooning into individual ramekins for guests, sprinkle a few cilantro leaves over the top of each serving. If drizzling the avocado sauce over fish tacos, use the “piping-bag” method. Place the sauce in a sandwich bag. Push the air out of the bag and seal. Twist the bag from the top down to create pressure at one corner. Cut a spout in that corner with scissors and drizzle the sauce in a zigzag pattern over the mouth of the tacos.
4. Store. Avocado naturally oxidizes when exposed to air and turns brown. Keep your sauce a brilliant green by storing it in an air-tight container with a layer of plastic wrap inside, touching the top surface of the mixture. This recipe is good for about two days but tastes best when served fresh.

For more complementary condiments, check out our full spread of avocado spread recipes.

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There's nothing quite like a summer evening spent outside barbecuing and enjoying the company of family and friends. The days of sunshine and picnics are upon us, and we have the perfect potluck showstopper: corn, tomato, and avocado salad.

Bursting with fresh flavors and summertime colors, this salad is absolutely brimming with goodness. It goes great on a paper plate — pair it with BBQ regulars like veggies, burgers, and chicken, or enjoy it on its own. A word to the wise: Eat quickly. We can't promise there will be any leftovers.

Related: Cool off after a long, hot summer’s day with this chocolate avocado ice cream cake.

Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 medium red onion, sliced thin
• 2 c. cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, diced
• 3 ears of corn, in the husk
• 1/4 c. cilantro, chopped
• 2 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 medium lime, juiced
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced or pressed
• 1 tsp. coarse salt
• 1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Heat grill for high direct heat and trim your corn husks back about 1 inch from the end. Cut off the stalk and place on the grill. Turn every 5 minutes until desired level of char, about 20 minutes total. (If you don't have a grill, pan frying your corn kernels can create that summer cookout taste without firing up the coals.)
2. Remove corn from grill and allow to cool until safe to handle. Slice down the outside of the corn ears from top to stalk, removing the kernels. Set aside.
3. Dice avocado into bite size pieces. Be sure you know how to cut, slice, and dice an avocado the right way!
4. In a large bowl, combine grilled corn, Avocados From Mexico, onion, cherry tomatoes, and cilantro. Mix well.
5. Dress salad with remaining ingredients and combine until well coated. Add salt and pepper to taste. Dig in!

This corn, tomato, and avocado salad can be made a few hours in advance to allow for cooling, but tastes great when served immediately. Add extra lime juice to the dressing to help prevent the avocado from browning to keep your salad looking fresh!

Not only does it taste like summer in a spoon, but it’s also packed with veggies and topped with heart-healthy Avocados From Mexico. Avocados are low in saturated fat and are a great fresh-fruit option to help boost fiber intake. Who wouldn’t want them at the party?

Discover all kinds of new ways to enjoy avocado on our recipe page.

The post Summer Potluck Dish: Corn, Tomato, and Avocado Salad appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

This ahi-avocado poke tostada fusion recipe offers exotic flavors hailing from oceans apart: creamy Avocados From Mexico and fresh ahi tuna poke from the Pacific. Together, they’re an unstoppable force of flavor, and they taste like an island getaway.

Related: Fan of Pacific cuisine? Try our irresistible recipe for Spam musubi with avocado.

Ahi-Avocado Poke Tostada Recipe

Ingredients:

Poke

• 4 oz. sushi-grade ahi tuna
• 1/4 c. soy sauce
• 1/4 c. chopped green onions
• 1/4 T. sesame oil
• 1/4 T. toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 jalapeño, deseeded and diced
• 1/2 T. finely crushed macadamia nuts

Slaw

• 3 c. shredded cabbage
• 1 T. rice wine vinegar
• 2 t. honey
• 3 T. roughly chopped fresh cilantro

Tostadas

• 1 ripe Avocado From Mexico, sliced
• 4 small corn tortillas
• 1 T. avocado oil

Garnish

• Toasted sesame seeds (to taste)
• Sriracha whisked with mayonnaise (to taste)

How to Make Ahi-Avocado Poke Tostada:

1. Prepare the poke. Using a sharp knife, cut ahi tuna against the grain into 1/2-inch pieces. Combine ahi tuna, soy sauce, sesame oil, green onion, toasted sesame seeds, jalapeño, and macadamia nut grounds in a plastic bag or medium glass bowl. Marinate in the refrigerator for at least two hours.
2. Make the slaw. In a large mixing bowl, combine shredded cabbage with rice wine vinegar, honey, and cilantro. Set aside.
3. Bake the tostada. Preheat the oven to 500F. Brush both sides of tortillas with avocado oil and set on a foil-lined baking sheet without overlapping. Set a timer for 5 minutes and continually check to see when the tortillas become crispy and golden. Allow to cool.
4. Add toppings. Break out your ripe Avocado From Mexico. Carefully cut, lengthwise, around the pit. Twist the halves apart. Remove the pit and slice the avocado inside the skin. Scoop out the creamy, delicious avocado inside and smush onto the tortillas using a fork. Layer with slaw, ahi tuna, toasted sesame seeds, and a drizzle of spicy sriracha mayo.

Poke Around

Tuna poke and avocado are a dynamic flavor duo, and we love seeing them together. Try this tuna poke parfait with avocado wasabi crema next. Or if guac is more your scene, this tuna poke miso guacamole is for you. Fact is, we’ve got avocado recipes for all manners of taste. Feel free to poke around!

The post Homemade Ahi-Avocado Poke Tostadas appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Some people have a sweet tooth. All people have an avocado tooth. The luckiest have both — and for us, caramelized avocado hits the spot! Caramelizing avocado requires few ingredients and only a little prep time. It’s deceptively easy and divinely decadent. So, what are you waiting for? Sprinkle some sugar on snack time with this one-of-a-kind recipe.

How to Make Caramelized Avocados

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe Avocado From Mexico
• 1 T. granulated sugar
• A pinch of salt
• A pinch of ground black pepper
• 1 T. avocado oil

Directions:

1. Halve the avocado. Using a sharp knife, slowly cut into the avocado, lengthwise. Once you hit the pit, continue to cut all the way around it in a single line. Remove the knife and twist the halves apart with your hands. Gently tap the knife into the seed and twist to release. Then, peel the skin away with your fingers. (Learn more tips about cutting, slicing, and dicing avocado here.)
2. Prepare the pan. Heat avocado oil in a small skillet on the stove over medium heat. Tilt the pan from side to side so that a thin layer of oil covers the entire bottom of the pan.
3. Prep the avocado. Sprinkle both halves of the avocado with sugar, salt, and pepper to taste.
4. Caramelize. The moment you’ve been waiting for! Add avocado halves to the heated pan, facedown. Cook 2-3 minutes, until golden in color and lightly fragrant. Flip and cook for another minute or two.

You can also recreate this recipe using avocado slices. Reduce the cooking time to 1-2 minutes and keep a watchful eye to make sure they don’t burn.

Related: If you love exploring new ways to enjoy avocado, you’ll love these State Fair-inspired recipes and games.

How to Serve Caramelized Avocado

There are near-infinite ways to work caramelized avocado into dining opportunities across the day. But if you need a good excuse…

• Breakfast: Bring your sweetie breakfast in bed, featuring caramelized avocado on top of banana avocado pancakes or smashed onto a hearty slice of toast. Family always on the go? Kick-start your day at maximum power with an avocado superfood smoothie bowl topped with acai berries, blueberries, and caramelized avocado slices.
• Snack time: Scoop savory meats like brisket or crumbled chipotle bacon inside the caramelized avocado half. Treat yourself to a caramelized avocado “boat” filled with sweet fruits and berries.
• Dessert: Wind down after dinner with a decadent, caramelized avocado dessert. Top a caramelized avocado half with whipped cream and drizzle with chocolate sauce. You won’t be sorry.

Explore more ways to satisfy your sweet tooth by checking out our library of avocado dessert recipes.

The post How to Make Caramelized Avocados appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Not everyone is familiar with Spam musubi. Inspired by onigiri, a Japanese snack made from rice and seaweed, Spam musubi has been enjoyed since the 1940s, when it found great popularity in Hawaii. Traditionally, it is eaten as an on-the-go snack or served during family breakfast or lunch.

Avocado Spam Musubi Ingredients:

• 1 12-oz. can of Spam
• 1/4 c. soy sauce
• 1/4 c. oyster sauce
• 1/2 c. white sugar
• 2 medium Avocados From Mexico, sliced
• 4 c. cooked sushi rice or short-grain rice
• 5 sheets sushi seaweed (also called nori)

How to Make Avocado Spam Musubi:

1. Mix oyster sauce, soy sauce, and sugar until dissolved. Set aside.
2. Slice Spam lengthwise into 8 slices. Fry the slices on a skillet over medium heat until browned on each side. Add the soy sauce marinade to the pan until the sauce thickens.
3. Cut the seaweed sheets into 2-inch-wide strips, then place vertically on a cutting board, shiny side down.
4. Place a slice of fried Spam horizontally on the seaweed strip.
5. Fill a musubi rice mold with 1/3 cup of rice, line up with the Spam slice and press down to release. If you don’t have a rice mold, use your hands to form the rice into a flat shape with firm pressure. Dip your fingers in water to keep rice from sticking to them.
6. Using our guide, slice avocados. Place a slice on top of your rice, then roll it until the seaweed sheet is wrapped all the way around. Using your finger, seal the two ends of the seaweed with water. Repeat steps 4-6 for each roll.

Some enjoy Spam musubi warm, serving it right off the frying pan. Others store it in the fridge to be chilled and eaten later. (If you want to save your Spam musubi with avocado for later, we recommend spritzing the avocado with lemon juice to keep it fresh.) Serve with soy sauce, barbecue sauce, or ketchup.

Today, Spam musubi is being adapted and enjoyed all over the United States. It’s versatile and relatively simple to make, and it’s made all the more delicious with the addition of ripe Avocados From Mexico. Our recipe is a crispy, salty, and creamy treat that serves 4-8 people and takes no longer than 30 minutes to prepare.

Related: Keep the Hawaiian energies flowing with these six pineapple guacamole recipes.

Can’t get enough avocado dishes? Head to our avocado recipes page for endless inspiration.

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How to Make Avocado Salsa Verde

When it comes to salsa, there’s a fine line between preserving tradition and innovation. That’s why we came up with this avocado salsa verde recipe: Fresh and smooth with a spicy zing, it’s the twist on dip that’s exactly what you’ve been craving.

Avocado Salsa Verde Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 10 medium tomatillos
• 1/2 white onion, chopped
• 1 jalapeño, seeded
• 1 clove garlic
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, peeled and pitted
• 1 serrano, seeded
• 1/4 c. cilantro
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2tbsp. lime juice

How to Make Avocado Salsa Verde:

1. Remove tomatillos from their papery covering and halve.
2. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add tomatillos, onion, and jalapeño. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and allow all the contents of the pan to sauté until lightly browned.
3. Remove pan from heat and place contents into a blender. Add avocados, serrano, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. If you like your salsa extra spicy, add the serrano or jalapeño seeds back into the mix.
4. Pulse for 1 minute or to desired consistency. Store in the refrigerator and let cool before serving.

Finally, it’s time to eat! You can dip right in with tortilla chips or use this fresh avocado salsa verde as a topping for your favorite tacos, salads, or tamales.

Chef notes: Salsa pairs well with many different dishes, but one of our favorite combinations is salsa and chicken. Try pairing this salsa with our grilled chicken and avocado BLT recipe!

The unique texture of avocados transforms this classic salsa into something closer to a salsa crema — only it’s made without cream! Not only is it easy to make, but you can make this avocado salsa verde any time of year — Avocados From Mexico are always in season. So break out the blender and have some chips on hand for this delicious new dip!

Related: Green is easy with avocados. Here are four leafy greens to add to your next guacamole.

For even more delicious recipes, head to our avocado recipe page.

The post Avocado Salsa Verde appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Fresh and flavorful, green goddess dressing is a salad staple. But how do you make a classic even better (and greener)? Add avocado!

Hold the traditional spreads to make this popular dressing vegan friendly. Instead, add in ripe avocado as the base for this delicious dressing. Avocado’s smooth, creamy texture and subtle, malleable flavor profile make it an ideal stand-in for a vegan version of this fan-favorite dressing.

Related: Kick up your favorite salad with this spicy ranch avocado dressing.

Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ Avocados From Mexico, diced
• 2 tsp. capers
• 2 tbsp. chives, minced
• 1 garlic clove, grated or roughly chopped
• 1 c. mixed herbs: dill, mint, tarragon, and cilantro
• Juice of 1 medium lemon (approximately 4-5 tbsp.)
• 1 c. parsley leaves
• Freshly ground black pepper
• Kosher salt to taste

Directions:

1. Dice your avocado before using it. Here’s how to cut, slice, and dice everyone’s favorite versatile green fruit.
2. Place all ingredients in a food processor or blender.
3. Blend until smooth — approximately two minutes. For a thinner dressing, add a teaspoon of water. Gradually add more water until desired consistency is achieved.
4. Add additional kosher salt and pepper to taste, if desired.
5. Spoon the mixture into an airtight container and store it in the fridge for up to five days. (Have leftover avocado? Here’s how to keep avocado from going bad.)

Pour It On

Vegan avocado green goddess dressing is an exquisite accompaniment to your favorite salad. Shake up your greens with this dressing on deck. It’ll make the perfect pair for one of these avocado-inspired salads.

• Avocado Ancient Grains Bowl: Add a tangy kick to this sweet and savory dish. It’s a hearty bowl of vegan satisfaction!
• Avocado & Apple Spinach Salad: Stacked with fresh fruit and vegetables, this salad was made for avocado green goddess dressing. (For a truly vegan experience, hold the cheese.)
• Heart of Palm and Avocado Salad: Drizzle this dressing over fresh, crunchy vegetables. Leave out the cheese to make this salad 100% vegan.

Ever versatile, Avocados From Mexico are a perfect base for some of your favorite vegan recipes, from vegan guacamole to vegan avocado breakfast tacos. For even more inspiration, head over to our avocado recipe page.

The post How to Make Vegan Avocado Green Goddess Dressing appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Want to win “best costume” at your Halloween get-together? This DIY avocado costume is a shoo-in. Think about it: Avocados are scary good, right? And they’re the life of the party! From guacamole geeks to avocado addicts, everybody knows avocados equal good times.

You don’t need much to look frighteningly clever for trick or treat. An avocado Halloween costume only takes a few household materials to create. Here’s a step-by-step guide to making your own DIY avocado Halloween costume, no sewing or super glue required. It’s easy enough for (supervised) kids to create, and you can probably get it done within one hour. So, what’re you waiting for? Let’s go!

DIY Avocado Halloween Costume

Supplies:

• Large piece of cardboard
• Pencil
• Scissors
• Paint or large markers in green, yellow-green, and brown
• String or ribbon

Directions:

• Get in shape. Lay your cardboard flat and outline the distinctive shape of an avocado. A good-looking avocado has an oval shape with a slightly tapered top and smooth, rounded edges. If your pencil falters or the shape doesn’t come out perfect, don’t stress — every avocado is a little different and still delicious!
• Slice your avocado. Using scissors (and safety!), cut along the lines to cut your avocado out of the cardboard.
• Add the pit. Trace a large circle in the center of the bottom half. This will be the pit. Use a dinner plate or a large bowl as a stencil for a perfect circle.
• Draw the peel. Draw a border around the edge of the avocado, about 1 inch thick. This is your avocado’s peel.
• Add color. It’s time to give your avocado a fresh, ripe color! Using paint or markers, fill the space between the border and the pit with a yellow-green color, then use a darker shade of green for the peel and brown for the pit. Once everything dries, use a marker to add some depth with a bit of shading. How do you tell if a real avocado is ripe? Glad you asked.
• Tie things up. To hang your costume around your neck, punch two holes on either side of the top of your avocado. Tie the string to one side and then loop to the other hole. Try it on and adjust the length of your string as needed before securing to the second hole.

It’s that easy!

Bribe the Costume Contest Judges With Guac

Satisfy your monster appetite and that of those judging the costume contest (nudge, nudge) by bribing — er, bringing — Halloween-themed guacamole, like single-serving Witch Hat Guac and Guac-o’-Lanterns or a boo-tiful big batch of Spiderweb Guacamole Dip!

Sweeten the holiday by whipping together some Avocado Halloween Pumpkin Balls made with avocado, rolled oats, and peanut butter. They’re easy enough to make with the kids before party time. Add a little sugar on top with Halloween Blondies designed to look like Frankenstein’s monster. His signature green hue is thanks to … the avocado inside!

More DIY Avocado Arts and Crafts

A DIY Halloween is the best kind — because making your costume, treats, and décor is half the fun! If you’re having a gaggle of little ghouls come to your home for Halloween, DIY crafts are good activities for pre-trick or treating entertainment. Plus, kiddos get to come home with a little memento of their celebration.

These avocado peel sailboats will liven up any old apple bobbing contest. And keep your carving tools handy after making your jack-o’-lanterns. You can use them again to carve avocado pits into one-of-a-kind creations that will last for years to come. Paint or stain them how you please for use as décor, jewelry, keychains, and more.

Avocado Is Scary Good 365 Days a Year

While this DIY guide for making an avocado costume is great for Halloween, remember that Avocados From Mexico are always in season. So while you’re waiting for Halloween to roll around, these avocado recipes will still be available year-round. Happy Halloween!

The post How to Make a DIY Avocado Halloween Costume appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Making a meal entirely from scratch is sure to impress your guests, but the extensive preparation often needed can leave you wondering if the time you’ll spend in the kitchen is worth the praise you’ll receive.

Both recipes that pair well with a number of meals, this spicy ranch avocado dressing and avocado tzatziki sauce bring versatility and taste to your kitchen — with minimal prep time. Combine either creation with sliced veggies, a simple salad, or a tasty taco, and you’ve created a meal sure to showcase your culinary stature.

Here’s how to make spicy ranch avocado dressing and avocado tzatziki sauce from scratch.

Related: Make your own avocado mayonnaise too.

To Make Spicy Ranch Avocado Dressing:

Necessary Ingredients:

• 1 Avocado From Mexico, halved and pitted
• 1/4 c. plain, nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 t. lemon juice
• 1/2 c. skim milk
• 1 clove garlic, finely grated
• 1 t. white vinegar
• 1/2 t. dried parsley
• 1/2 t. dried dill
• 1/2 t. dried chives
• 1/2 t. dried onion
• 1/2 t. smoked paprika
• 1/8 t. salt
• 1/8 t. cayenne pepper
• Black pepper to taste

Instructions:

• Place both avocado halves in a food processor with the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, grated garlic, white vinegar, parsley, dill, chives, onion, salt, paprika, cayenne pepper, and black pepper.
• Pulse the blender in short spurts until the items are combined — about 30 seconds.
• Add the milk to the processor in small amounts and continue pulsing the avocado dressing until it’s thick and creamy.
• Chill the dressing in the refrigerator for one hour before topping your chosen salad or serving as a dip. It will keep in the refrigerator for three to five days.

To Make Avocado Tzatziki:

Necessary Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico, halved, pitted, and cubed
• 2–1/2 T. lemon juice
• 8 oz. large English cucumber; 3/4 of this mixture should be finely chopped and the remaining 1/4 should be finely grated.
• 2 c. nonfat Greek yogurt
• 2 T. dill, chopped
• 2 T. mint, chopped
• 1 t. lemon zest
• 1–1/2 garlic clove, finely grated
• 1/2 serrano chile, stemmed, seeded, and minced
• 1 t. red pepper flakes
• 8 drops of hot sauce
• Salt, to taste
• Ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions:

• Ripen your avocados quickly by placing them in a paper bag with another ripe fruit the night before you make your avocado tzatziki.
• Place the avocado cubes, garlic, lemon juice, hot sauce, Greek yogurt, and cucumber in a medium bowl.
• Use a fork to mash the ingredients in the bowl until the texture is smooth and creamy.
• Add in the dill, mint, lemon zest, serrano chile, red pepper flakes, salt, and black pepper. Mix well with a fork or plastic spatula.
• Cover the dish and allow it to chill in the refrigerator for one hour before serving. Leftovers will keep in the refrigerator for up to four days.

Awesome Sauces

Top your favorite taco salad with your new ranch avocado dressing, or elevate a typical turkey sandwich with a generous serving of avocado tzatziki for easy meal options sure to garner party praise with minimal preparation. Your guests will appreciate the thought behind the meal, and you will appreciate its sauce’s simplicity.

Visit our recipe page for even more ideas for meals to pair with your new dressing and sauce.

The post How to Make Your Own Spicy Ranch Avocado Dressing and Avocado Tzatziki Sauce appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The perfect finger food compliment, salsa is a staple addition to any appetizer spread. However, finding a salsa that meets everyone’s preferred spice level can be far from simple.

Combining mild fruit flavors with moderate hits of heat can help serve up the best of both worlds and meet every party goer’s flavor preference. Try this slightly tart and spicy cranberry-avocado salsa recipe at your next group gathering to showcase your appetizer aptitude.

Related: Add this avocado-cranberry mash recipe to savory sandwiches to add color and flavor to your table.

Necessary Ingredients:

• 3 Avocados From Mexico, cubed
• 4 c. fresh cranberries
• 2 T. honey
• 1/2 c. orange juice
• 1/4 c. lime juice
• 1 jalapeño, seeded and chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1/4 c. fresh cilantro, chopped

How to Make Cranberry-Avocado Salsa:

To prepare the cranberries:

1. Place the cranberries, honey, orange juice, and lime juice in a food processor for creamy salsa. Use the pulse function to blend until the cranberries are chopped to your texture preference. Creamy-salsa lovers will want to process the mixture until the cranberries are finely chopped.
2. Move the ingredients to a medium-size bowl.
3. Add the jalapeño to the mix and stir.

To prepare the avocado topping:

1. Wash your avocado, then cube it.
2. Stir in the cubed avocados and cilantro.
3. Add salt and pepper to taste.
4. Combine avocado topping with the cranberry mixture and serve.

Whether you choose to share with friends and family or enjoy your salsa solo, this tart take on a finger food favorite is sure to become a simple snack go-to. Serve your carefully craft edcran berry-avocado salsa alongside crunchy chips or as a compliment to chicken or turkey.

Visit our avocado recipe page for more avocado salsa, dressing, and sauce ideas.

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Making small changes to a meal’s sauce, rather than tackling a full-fledged, main-course makeover, can provide an approachable method for adapting a familyrecipe. A simple pinch of pepper, a hint of heat, or an ingredient addition can help turn your great-grandmother’s classic, culinary creation into your own signature sauce.

Rich, spicy, and full of flavor, mole provides a traditional topping perfect for budding homechefs wishing to experiment. Try this mole verde recipe, featuring creamy avocados, to help put your own signature spinon a savory sauce.

How to Make Avocado Mole Verde

Necessary Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. pepitas, husked
• 1 c. tomatillos, halved and husked
• 1 large Avocado From Mexico
• 1/2 c. white onion, cut in large pieces
• 1/4 c. jalapeños, cleaned andcut into large pieces
• 1/2 c. fresh cilantro, cut into large pieces
• 1/4 c. romaine lettuce, cut into large pieces
• 1 t. garlic, minced
• 1 T. fresh lime juice
• 1 T. olive oil
• 1 t. ground cumin
• 1/2 t. ground coriander
• 1 c. chicken stock, unsalted
• 1 t. kosher salt

Instructions:

• Place husked pepitas in a medium-size, cast-iron skillet over medium heatfor about 5 minutes or until they turn a golden-brown color. As the pepitas heat, shake the pan occasionally to ensure the seeds don’t stick.
• Remove the skillet from the stove and allow the pepitas to cool for 5minutes. Then, put the pepitas into a blender.
• Cut your Avocado From Mexico lengthwise and remove the pit. Then, cube 1 c. of the avocado and place it in a blender. Store the other half of your avocado in the fridge.
• Add tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, cilantro, lettuce, and garlic to the blender and puree until the mixture has a smooth texture. Set the blender jar aside.
• Heat olive oil in a saucepan on medium-high until simmering. Add the ground cumin and coriander, then cook until fragrant — about 30 seconds.
• Add the blended mixture to the saucepan and stir for about 5minutes or until thickened to the consistency of tomato paste.
• Add chicken broth, stirring until the sauce begins to boil. Reduce heat and allow the mixture to simmer for 2–3 minutes.
• Remove the sauce from the heat.Then,add salt and lime juice.
• Drizzle your avocado mole verde over Mexican handhelds, like shrimp tacos or taquitos. You can also try it over citrus-flavored dishes, such as Lime-Rubbed Chicken Tacos with Corn Guacamole, to create a blend of tang and spice.

Making Mole Moves

No matter how you plan to serve your new signature sauce, this avocado mole verde is sure to showcase your home-chef stature without abandoning family tradition. Who knows? It may even become a new, long-standing family recipe!

Visit our avocado recipe page for more new takes on Mexican-food classics.

The post How to Make Avocado Green Mole appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The moment you run out of mayonnaise can cause a panic — especially if there's an impending party with no time for a grocery run. This creamy kitchen staple puts the finishing touch on everything from potato salad to your favorite sandwich. Not to be dramatic (but also #DramaticAndLovingIt), but this is one condiment you can’t go without.

And know what’s even better? Avocado mayonnaise. You better believe it’s real.

With only five ingredients — many of which you may already have in your home — avocado mayonnaise is a mild and easy-to-make DIY option for chefs in a pinch or cooking enthusiasts seeking a challenge.

Follow these quick, easy five steps to make your own avocado mayonnaise.

How to Make Avocado Mayonnaise Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico
• Salt to taste
• Juice of half a lime
• 1/2 c. extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 jalapeño (optional)

(Makes 1½ cups of avocado mayonnaise.)

Instructions:

1. Halve, pit, and peel your Avocado From Mexico. (Directions in the video above.)
2. Place the avocado in a blender.
3. Blend lime juice and salt with the avocado for about 10 to 15 seconds or until the mixture is smooth and thick.
4. Slowly add in the extra-virgin olive oil as the mixture blends.
5. Blend until smooth and creamy; the mixture should be a soft, light-green color.

Chef’s note: You may need to stop your blender occasionally to ensure the avocados do not stick to the side. If they do, scrape them back into the mixture with a spoon.

Mayo Moves

Once you have mastered your homemade avocado mayo, slather it on your favorite sandwich or wrap. Try the creamy condiment on spicy steak n’ guac sandwiches at your next group gathering or double down on the green goods for an easy lunch with this bacon and avocado grilled cheese.

Visit our blog for more DIY projects featuring #AlwaysGood avocados, or check out our recipe page for bottomless goodies.

The post How to Make Your Own Avocado Mayonnaise appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Warm weather often sparks a desire to be close to nature. Unfortunately, that desire can come back to bite us — literally. Bug spray can be an essential in the spring and summer months if you hope to do less scratching and more exploring. This blend of essential oils with an avocado-oil base provides an opportunity to try a natural, DIY bug spray.

DIY Avocado Oil Extraction

Essential oil blends often require a carrier oil: an oil that dilutes the other oils mixed into it. Avocado oil is among the most commonly used carrier oils as it is easily absorbed into skin.

To extract avocado oil, begin by slicing three avocados and removing the skin and pit. Mash the green pulp of the avocado with a mortar or food processor. Three avocados will yield approximately 37.5 ml of oil: a bit over 2.5 T. For larger quantities, gather your green guts, keeping in mind that a single avocado will produce roughly 12.5 ml of oil. Spread the avocado mash on a baking pan in thin layers and place in an oven at 155°F for 5 hours. This will dry out the pulp and prepare it for oil extraction.

When the pulp is brown, but not black, remove it from the oven. Use a cloth to wring the dried pulp over a bowl to catch the avocado oil. Strain and restrain until there are no avocado chunks in the mixture. Once smooth, your avocado oil is ready to combine with essential oils.

Related: Visit our blog for ways to incorporate DIY avocado oil into your beauty regimen.

Combine with Fragrant Essential Oils

Essential oils are oils extracted from a single herb or flower that may carry purposeful perks. Those with bug-busting benefits generally include citronella, lemongrass, patchouli, and lavender. Depending on the insect you hope to avoid, some oils are more effective than others. Lemon, eucalyptus, and rosemary are among those that tend to target mosquitos specifically, while cedarwood oil works well against fleas and ticks. Choose the bugs you want to send flying and the oils that correspond.

Combine 20 total drops of essential oils with approximately 30 ml of DIY avocado oil (2T). How much of each oil you choose to incorporate is up to you, so long as you maintain this ratio. Stir and enjoy trying this new, natural approach to bug spray.

Application Advice

You may wish to apply a few dabs of your blend to your skin to test whether you have adverse reactions to any of the ingredients. A good practice is to apply the DIY avocado oil to skin first to verify that no reactions occur to this ingredient alone. Many advise against the direct application of essential oils to skin in the absence of a carrier oil. When applying the insect repellent mixture, avoid the mouth, eyes, and open wounds, as essential oils can cause these areas to burn. If all goes well, set out on your natural adventure and reapply as needed.

For more DIY avocado projects, visit our blog.

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Ah, Valentine's Day – the season of celebrating love and making sure your child has Valentine's Day cards and treats to bring to all their classmates. Have fun bonding time with your child and help them stand out from the pack by making DIY Valentine's Day cards together!

At a loss for ideas? Create unique, punny cards with a little help from Avocados From Mexico. For a bonus, add a helpful avocado recipe for them to take home to their families, too!

So, grab some crafty items — card stock, glue, glitter, washi tape, old magazines, crayons, markers, whatever you have handy! — and call the kids to the dining room table. It's time to DIY!

Feed the Troops

Crafting can make a crew hungry, so make sure you've stocked up on some edible inspiration! Avocados are available year-round and can be used in every kind of recipe, from breakfast to dessert. For your craft extravaganza, you'll probably just want some snacks, so check our our favorite kid-friendly munchies recipes here.

And what if you don't even know how to pick an avocado? We've got you covered, whether you need help knowing when an avocado is ripe or how to slice and dice your green fruit.

Making Valentine's Day Cards

Ok, now that you've got your snacks and your supplies, you're ready to start making those Valentine's Day cards! Fold a piece of paper in half and have your child draw, collage, or paint an avocado on the front. Then you can write an avocado-inspired message on the inside and slip a recipe in for their parents.

Need some ideas for punny one-liners? Try these:

You're everything I've avo-wanted in a friend.

I like you more than avocado toast. (Include an avocado toast recipe on the back!)

We go together like chips and guacamole. (Obviously, a guacamole recipe is needed here!)

I avo-lutely like you!

Avo great Valentine's Day!

These homemade Valentine's Day cards are sure to delight your child's classmate – and their parents!

The post DIY Valentine’s Day Cards with an Avo-Twist appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You’ve committed to making this year your best one yet by setting new fitness and eating goals, and we’re here to help you succeed.

We've got a lot of ideas and tips to share with you to make sure you're ready to seize success, but first things first: Before you make any changes to your exercise or food routines, be sure to consult with your doctor to make sure your plans are doc-approved.

Staying On Track with Avocados

This green fruit is sure to be the star of your 2019 meal planning to keep you fit and full all year. Nearly 75% of the fat in avocados considered to be “good fat”, which helps absorb nutrients and does not raise bad cholesterol levels. Avocados also are a good source of fiber, which helps you feel fuller faster and can increase satiety and possibly help manage weight.

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines suggest shifting food choices from those high in saturated fats to those high in unsaturated fats.  Avocados are virtually the only healthy fruit with monounsaturated fat and polyunsaturated fat or good fats. In fact, over 75% of the fat in healthy avocados is “good fat.” The body needs some dietary fat to help with absorption of nutrients, but not all fats are the same and keeping a healthy balance of fat intake is key. The Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommend replacing bad fats with good fats and, good fats can help improve intake of dietary fat without raising LDL (“bad”) cholesterol levels.  Avocados From Mexico (which are available all year long!) are a great way to bring more unsaturated fats into your diet to meet your goals this year. 

An Avocado for Every Meal

Avocado is a versatile fruit, making it an easy addition to every meal — even dessert!

In the morning, you can add a ripe avocado to the smoothie or your choice, like this one, to fill your morning and your stomach.

For lunch or dinner, you can top a salad with avo slices to shake you out of your frozen meal-for-one routine. These avo-equipped meals can keep you fuller longer, thanks to the fiber in every serving of avocado (1/3 of a medium-sized avocado contains 11% of your daily recommended fiber).

Enjoy your new year and new meal plan with the versatile, nutrient-dense addition of Avocados From Mexico in all your meal times.

The post How To Stay Fit and Full With a 2019 Meal Plan Featuring Avocados appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The holidays are right around the corner, and whether you need stocking stuffers, a present for one of the eight crazy nights of Hannukah, a Kwanzaa zawadi or you just like gift giving, nothing says “I like you" better than a gift that celebrates everyone's favorite fruit, the avocado.

Good Ol’ Avocado

The first, best, and easiest gift you can give your friends and family is one perfectly ripe Avocado From Mexico. Sound silly? Well, it's actually a throwback gift! Starting in the Great Depression, families who couldn't afford gifts would put an exotic fruit, such as an orange, in their kids' stockings. Obviously oranges are much more commonplace today, but just about everyone would appreciate an avocado, especially if it's an Avocado From Mexico! (They're in season year-round, by the way!)

But how to pick out the best avocado for stocking stuffers? The first step is figuring out when an avocado is perfectly ripe. This video shows you how to use skin color and feel of an avocado to get a just-right piece of fruit. Once you have your avocados for your loved ones, you'll need to store them until the holidays.

Avo-Themed Stocking Stuffers

Ok, but what if you don't want to gift a perishable piece of fruit? There are plenty of gifts that celebrate avo love! One perfect gift is this scraper, which allows you to scrape out avo flesh or cut it into slices in one movement. It not only makes your avo eating experience better, it's also compact, taking up little kitchen space.

Or why not gift something that will plaster avocados over their most used item? This phone case not only has avocados all over it, but it can also be customized with your loved one's name or favorite phrase (like “Yes, I know guac is extra.").

Wearable Stocking Stuffers

If your friends prefer wearable gifts, check out these fun avocado socks that work for any gender. This delicate little avocado necklace is another great way to say happy holidays to those you love.

When it comes to t-shirts, the possibilities are endless. There's the Christmasy “Avo Merry Christmas!". There's also this hard but relatable life truth: “You can't make everyone happy. You aren't an avocado." And then there's the hilarious “I said you were the good kind of fat!"

Whatever avo-centric stocking stuffers and gifts you choose, it's sure to be a holiday favorite for everyone!

The post Deck the Halls with Avocado Stocking Stuffers appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Do you love your meal subscription box because, well, what could be easier than receiving a box full of portioned ingredients, with instructions and photos that walk you through every step in the cooking process?

We get it! Meal subscription boxes may just be one of the greatest inventions of the past few years. They help busy moms take the guess-work out of meal planning, and let you serve up delicious and healthy meals that impress the family and — bonus! — are easy to make.

But if you've been subscribing to meal boxes for a while and feeling like adding your own special flourish to the pre-packaged menus so you can really dazzle your family at the dinner table, we're here to help! Setting your boxed meal apart from the crowd can really be as simple as topping and garnishing your dinners with some go-to "extras" — like Avocados From Mexico.

Picking the Best Avocados

First things first, you'll want to buy a few avocados that will see you through the whole week of meal subscription recipes. How do you know when an avocado is ripe? Texture, color, and give are the three variables. Learn more in this video.

But what if you have an unripe avocado and you need to speed up its ripening? There are lots of tricks to ripen an avo, including submerging it in rice. And there's a trick for slowing down ripening, too.

Adding Avocado to Your Meal Subscription Recipes

Now, how can you incorporate the nutrient-dense avocado and its nearly 20 vitamins and minerals per one-third of a medium avocado (50 g) into the nightly line-up of meal subscription recipes?

Dice and add it to the top of a salad.

Slice it thinly and use it as a topping on a burger, tacos, stuffed baked potato, or any rice or grain bowl.

Chop or dice for a fantastic finisher for soups and stews, too.

A Sweet Addition

If your meal subscription recipes includes dessert, you don't have to put avocado to the side. The great green fruit is simply amazing when it comes to adding texture and flavor to sweets. And if you're up for the challenge of whipping up your own meal finisher, check out our recipe box full of treats here.

The post Adding Avocado to Your Meal Subscription Recipes appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

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To most people, avocado skins and pits go in the trash. But with a bit of creative inspiration, you can turn your avo pits into DIY crafts. Whether making jewelry, chess pieces, or even DIY body scrubs, the possibilities for avocado pit crafts are far from pitiful.

Before you begin, please note that carving an avocado pit can be dangerous and should only be performed by an adult or under adult supervision.

Carving Crafts

One of the best ways to make unique trinkets or gifts from avocado pits is carving. Avocado pits are ideal for carving crafts because the pit is soft when fresh but hardens when it dries.

So, how do you get the avocado pit out of the fruit? Remove the pit by gently whacking it with a knife and twisting to release it from the flesh. Then, scoop out the creamy tastiness inside, and don’t let all that avocado goodness go to waste! Chop up an avocado fruit salad or mash yourself some delicious taco guacamole!

Once you’ve isolated the pit, here’s the hard part: waiting for it to dry and harden for three days or until the thin skin starts to flake off. Don’t leave it for more than two weeks. Too little drying time and it will be too fragile and may crumble; too much drying time and it will become shriveled and solid. Once the thin skin of the pit begins to flake, you’re ready to begin crafting!

Start by removing the skin from the pit. The pit should have a natural seam down the middle. If you want to work with this flat surface, you can split the stone in half to make two different carvings. This technique also works well if you plan to drill a hole through the pit to make a necklace or other jewelry. If you want a challenge, you can break the pit into quarters or even smaller pieces to make beads or small chess pieces.

For carving tools, you have options. Try a precision knife or similar blade, or use skewers, screwdrivers, and other sharp-tipped tools to create marks in various shapes and sizes. Try carving faces, animals, fairies and other forest creatures, or flora and fauna. Carve deeply, shaping the pit into a completely new form, or shallowly, maintaining the round shape to create a scene or portrait on its surface.

If you cut your avocado too soon, don’t worry. You’ll still be able to eat it in a couple of days if you sprinkle a little lemon juice on it, put the halves back together, cover it in plastic wrap, and let it chill in the fridge.

When you have completed your carving, let the finished piece dry and harden for 24 hours or more, checking any small holes and redrilling if they look like they might close. You can finish the surface with avocado oil or another oil for a natural wood look or paint it with lacquer or acrylic color for a bright and shiny finish.

Avocado Pit Buttons

If carving seems too complex, try avocado pit buttons instead. Split the pit in half, then carefully cut each half into two or three slices. Using a sharp skewer or a small drill, put four holes in the shape of a small square in the center of each slice. Voilà — homemade avocado pit buttons!

Avocado Pit DIY Beauty

In a single serving of avocado (1/3 of a medium avocado), there is 6g of good fat, or unsaturated fat, which gives avocado its luxuriously creamy texture. Good fats are essential to our diet because they do not raise LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while helping the body absorb nutrients from our food. Good fats, along with a healthy diet, have a positive impact on the body. So, as you eat your avocado, consider adding it to your skin regimen for the ultimate self-care. The creamy texture of avocados makes them such a good ingredient for things like DIY under-eye care.

The “meat” of the avocado is good to promote moisture, but the pit also deserves a spot in your beauty routine as the abrasive in avocado scrubs for your body or feet. You’ll need to dry the pit, just like for carving, before grating it to make an avocado scrub. However, because you have leeway with being less precise in the amount of dryness (it’s going to crumble anyway!), you can afford to speed up the drying process by popping the pit in the oven on the lowest setting at 200 F for two hours.

Don’t toss that avo pit — give it a second life with DIY avocado pit crafts!

Did you know avocado pits are also edible? Use grated avocado pit to give your mole an earthy complexity.

The post Avocado Pit Crafts and Jewelry appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Before Avocados From Mexico become your famous Big Game guacamole, they grow in our orchards down in Michoacán. Thanks to the area’s tropical climate, natural irrigation, and rich volcanic soil, the hardworking farmers have been cultivating Michoacán’s avocado trees for generations to keep producing the delicious, #AlwaysGood avocados we love today.

But if avocado farming is YOUR dream (it’s definitely ours), why not try to grow your own avocados at home? It’s not the easiest job, but with the right steps, it can be a fruitful challenge. (Get it?!). You can keep an avocado tree indoors as a houseplant, or if the temperature never goes below freezing where you live, plant it in your yard. (Avocado trees thrive at temperatures between 60 and 85°F).

Here’s how to grow an avocado tree just by using the pit!

Start With a Seed

Select an avocado at the store. Remember to look for a dark green to black fruit with a bumpy texture that gives a bit when you squeeze it gently. This video will show you how.

With the perfectly ripe avo picked, prepare your favorite avocado recipe and set aside the pit. After you’ve enjoyed the snack, you’re ready to set up the seed to sprout. The beginning of the process is probably the toughest phase of growing an avocado tree, but if you can get through these steps, you’re on your way to a beautiful homegrown tree.

1. Wash the seed. Scrub it with water and peel off the pit’s papery skin.
2. Turn the seed broad-side down. One end of the seed is a bit broader than the other and has a slight indentation. This is the side from which the avocado tree’s roots will sprout — the broad side must be on the bottom.
3. Prop up the seed on a glass of water. Take three toothpicks and stick them into the seed around its center at an angle. Set it atop a glass of water so that the lower half of the seed is submerged.
4. Keep it in a warm spot out of direct sunlight. You’ll need to wait a few weeks, adding water as needed. After a couple of weeks, you should see roots and a stem starting to emerge. (If six weeks have passed and nothing has sprouted, discard it, and try again with a new pit.)
5. When the stem is about 6 inches long, cut it back to about 3 inches to encourage thicker growth. When the stem reaches 6 inches in length again, it’s time to pot your avocado plant in soil!

Potting and Caring for Your Avocado Plant

Choose a pot that’s about 10 inches in diameter and use rich humus soil. Leave the top half of the seed exposed. Once in soil, place your avocado plant in direct sunlight. (We love the sun. 😎) Water it a few times a week. If the tips of the leaves turn yellow, you may be overwatering your plant, so let it dry out for a few days. If it starts to turn brown, it may be because of an accumulation of salt in the soil. Let water run into the pot and drain it.

Expect a Wait

It will probably take several years for your avocado tree to bear avocados, but don’t get discouraged. If you made it this far, you’re doing great! Be patient while you dream of the day when you’ll be able to enjoy guacamole made with avocados from your very own tree.

In the meantime, there’s no need to deny yourself of the tasty fruit — Avocados From Mexico are delicious and available year-round. And if you can’t tear yourself away from your little plant, you can even have avocados delivered right to your door. When your avocado tree sees the delicious guacamole you’re making, it will feel even more encouraged to grow up and produce its own for you to enjoy! (Well, maybe not. But avocado trees are pretty magical, so who knows?)

Your Very Own Avocado Tree!

Before you know it, you’ll wake up one day and see an avocado growing from your little friend’s branches. You’ll be so proud that you might shed a tear and feel the impulse to hug your avocado tree and tell it how proud you are. You two have come a long way!

Now that you know how to grow an avocado tree, the first avocado deserves the perfect recipe. Here are a few options:

• Classic Guacamole: You can’t go wrong with guacamole, and this classic recipe is the Guac de la Guac. It’s the perfect first guac for your homegrown avocado.
• Veggie Tacos: By getting this far, it’s clear you’ve got heart. So try out these American Heart Association-certified heart-healthy veggie tacos, the perfect meal for your avocado to star in.
• Avocado Salad: Avocados are always good, and salads are infinitely customizable. Check out our Salad Station to build a salad recipe fit for your avocado tree’s firstborn.

These recipes are just the beginning of a long, happy life for you and your avocado tree. Dig into our recipe archive to discover hundreds of new ways to prep avocados. Happy gardening!

The post Digging In: How to Grow an Avocado Tree appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Summer evokes lazy weekend afternoons by the pool with your favorite people and the mouth-watering smell of barbecue wafting through the air. Kick it up a notch by adding everyone’s favorite green fruit — creamy, buttery avocado. This might seem like an unassuming addition to your barbecue spread, but avocado’s neutral taste and mind-bending versatility make it a perfect addition. You can recreate that sensation in your kitchen any time of the year with a little culinary magic featuring avocado and barbecue sauce.

Know How to Pick 'Em

When choosing avocados, look for the ones with dark green or even black skins that are a little bumpy to the touch and give just a little when you can squeeze them in the palm of your hand. These will be ready to eat in one or two days.

If you’re buying avocados for later in the week, look for ones with smooth, green skin that stay firm after a little squeeze. You’ll have three or four days until these are ready to eat. To slow down avocado ripening, put it in the fridge for up to five days.

4 Avocado Barbecue Recipes

1. Pineapple, Avocado, & BBQ Chicken Bites

These bites pack a major flavor punch with barbecue sauce, pineapple, and lime doing the heavy lifting. Cubes of cool avocado add a delicious texture to these bites. For an added touch, drizzle Spicy Ranch Avocado Dressing on top.

 
2. BBQ Guacamole

This guac is so good, you’ll swear that it belongs on the menu at your favorite barbecue joint. Assertive red onions, chipotle powder, and a serrano chile bring the heat — a perfect complement to mild, creamy mashed avocado.

 
3. BBQ Chicken Tamale Bites

Diced avocado adds depth and smoothness to this cornbread-based concoction. You’ll appreciate the melding of tastes, as each bite is filled with chicken, avocado, and cornbread with hints of barbecue sauce.

 
4. Avocado Ancho BBQ Sauce

This is the easiest way to make bottled barbecue sauce your own. Pureed avocado thickens the mixture, while ancho paste and smoked paprika kick up the spice a notch — or two! Add hot sauce or extra paprika for a hotter, spicier sauce.

How to Cut, Slice, and Dice Your Avocados

You’ll want to carefully peel and cut your avocados the right way to get the most out of them! Start by washing your cutting board and gently rinsing the avocados in cool or lukewarm water.

• With a sharp knife, slice the avocado in half, slowing cutting from top to bottom. You’ll hit the pit.
• Gently pry apart the two parts or slowly twist them away from one another.
• Remove the pit with a spoon or a knife.
• If the avocado is ripe, the skin will easily peel away.

Grilled Avocado: A New Cookout Favorite

Surprise your guests at your next backyard barbecue by sliding a few avocado halves on the grill. Hey, there’s more than one way to eat avocado!

• Prep your avocados for their big break while your grill reaches 300-350°F.
• After cutting the avocados in half lengthwise, remove the seed with a spoon or knife.
• Brush the green flesh with olive oil and sprinkle on salt and pepper.
• Your avocados will be ready in about three minutes. (Don’t worry; you’ll see those awesome sear marks.)

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As the summer nears, warm days beckon us outdoors. What better way to soak up the sun than a picnic in the company of family and friends at the park? All you need is a blanket and a basket full of goodies to guarantee a good time. And the easiest way to fit more goodness in your picnic basket is with avocado.

Whether you’re an adventurous eater or a steadfast fan of picnic classics like sandwiches and guacamole, avocado elevates the occasion with both flavor and nutritional benefits, thanks to its nutrient-dense profile.

Here are five clever ways to incorporate avocado into your picnics:

1. Build-Your-Own Avocado Power Bowl

Avocados are great on plates, all that in wraps, and totally the bomb in bowls. Perhaps the best part of an avocado power bowl is the fact that each picnicker can tailor their bowl just so to their dietary needs and preferences. You really just need a few core ingredients: veggies (greens, root veggies, etc.), protein (chicken, pulled pork, steak, etc.), and fruit (“hello, avocado”).

Power bowls can be as simple or complex as you like and borrow flavors from around the world, like this Thai avocado shrimp bowl or Mexican Buddha bowl. Throw in a handful of green and your bowl might just become … a salad!

Another bonus of power bowls? Minimum dishware to clean post-picnic. Can I get an “Amen!”?

2. Avocado Deli Salads

Deli salads are the quintessential picnic salads, and with good reason: they travel well in a cooler, and picknickers can easily heap scoops of deli salad onto slices of French bread, crackers, pitas, or homemade veggie crisps. And you can keep the container closed between bites to deter ants! Win-win, for most everyone. (Sorry not sorry, ants!)

Avocado seamlessly blends into tuna salad, chicken salad, and egg salad. In fact, you can take nearly any recipe for deli salad and swap out the mayonnaise for mashed avocado. Your recipe will still have a delightful, creamy texture, with the added benefits of good fat and nearly twenty vitamins and minerals.

3. Avocado + Tomatoes

Avocados From Mexico are good any time of year because they’re always in season. For an especially fresh tasting picnic, choose recipes that pair avocados with other fruits and vegetables in season, like tomatoes. A classic avocado and tomato salad is an easy choice. Or break out the burrata to get the party started with a roasted tomato and avocado caprese salad! This avocado and tuna salad stack provides layers of refreshing, cool flavors perfect for a day in the sun.

Is your picnic days away … but your avocado is still too hard to eat? Turn a tough avocado into a total softy with this simple trick:

4. Sandwiches and Handhelds Dressed up With Avocado

Sandwiches and wraps are a natural choice for picnickers on the go — and avocados can keep you feeling full on your adventures, thanks to its dietary fiber. Smash slices of ripe avocado onto both sides of bread to give your sandwiches a little something special and “glue” toppings in place for easier traveling. Or whip up a turkey avocado wrap with roaster red-pepper avocado hummus or an avocado buffalo chicken wrap before heading out of the house. Also fun, plant-based, and portable: avocado mango and tofu rolls!

 
How do you know if your avocado is ripe and ready to be squashed into a scrumptious smear onto sandwich or inside your wrap? Glad you asked.

5. Trendy Avocado Picnic Treats That Wow

Planning a romantic date at the park? Joining the extended family for a family reunion barbeque? Step up your picnic game with on-trend avocado-rific appetizers and dishes. For example, explore different ways to combine avocado with other superfoods, like mashing up some antioxidant-rich kimchi guacamole, or assembling a hearty avocado ancient grains bowl.

Keep the number of dishes down — and the number of good, nutritious foods up — by cooking up one of Registered Dietitian/Nutritionist Barbara Ruhs’ “one-pan” avocado recipes by Barbara Ruhs. Her recipe for avocado pesto gnocchi with leafy greens will be the talk of your picnic — and no one needs to know you made it in under 30 minutes!

Find oodles of picnic-perfect avocado treats in our recipe archives.

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Cleanliness is next to godliness and, well, we contend avocados are, too. So, making avocado soap sounds like a no-brainer. With the right tools and materials, and a few simple safety precautions, these DIY avocado soap recipes can be made in your own home.

In order to make hard soap, you will need to use something called sodium hydroxide, also known as lye. This chemical, which can be made from ingredients as simple as ashes and rainwater, can burn the skin or eyes. When mixed with oil, lye reacts to create sudsy solid soap bars, with the chemical neutralized and most of the oils converted through a process called saponification.

If you use too much lye, it won't all be neutralized and your soap will fail, or worse, burn. If you don't use enough, the material won't solidify into soap bars. Soap makers aim for anywhere between 1 to 10 percent "superfat," and the higher the percentage, the creamier your soap will be.

Soap making is a relatively simple process, but you don't want to cut corners or take shortcuts. Recipes can be flexible, so play around and have some fun while following these basic directions. When you are using the following recipes, don't neglect to use a lye calculator like this one to determine the correct amount you will need based on how much lye and water your recipe contains.

1. Set up your work space.

You'll want to start your soap making adventure in a well-ventilated area with a well-protected work surface. In addition to your fats/oils, lye, and water, you will want:

• Eye goggles, a long sleeve shirt, and work pants, and heavy-duty rubber gloves
• A silicone soap mold, or a loaf pan lined with freezer/butcher paper
• A digital scale with at least one decimal place
• A stainless steel sauce pot (no aluminum)
• An immersion blender
• A candy thermometer
• Several plastic spoons
• Old plastic containers
• A tall glass container (a pitcher or vase works well) for blending
• An antioxidant to prevent spoilage. Rosemary Oleoresin Extract (ROE) works especially well, preventing oil from going rancid
• Optional extra ingredients include essential oils, herbs, clay, sugar, charcoal, oats, spirulina, avocado purée, goat's milk, and natural colorants (Keep in mind that any organic matter will shorten the shelf-life of your soap, but you can extend it slightly by adding an antibiotic essential oil like lavender.)

2. Measure your oils and fats.

Put the fats into the saucepan to melt while you measure your water and lye into two of the old plastic containers. Slowly put the lye into the water (not the other way around, this is dangerous!) and stir until dissolved. Be sure you have a fan running and the windows open if you are indoors. Do not breathe the fumes from the lye water.

3. Mix the melted fat with the oil.

Now, get out your thermometer! The lye water solution is going to heat up. You want to mix your lye water and your fats together, when both solutions are somewhere around 120–130F, within no less than 10 degrees of each other.

4. Get ready to blend!

When the oil is the right temperature, put it into your tall glass container and get ready with the immersion blender. Slowly pour the lye solution into the oil, using the blender to stir without turning it on. Pulse the blender a few times, quickly, until the mixture thickens. This stage, called "trace," is when you can drizzle some of the soap onto the surface in the container, and still see the outline of it, without it fully dissolving back into the mixture.

5. Mold the mix.

Pour the mixture into the mold and cover with plastic wrap for at least 24 hours. Wear gloves again, as the lye may be active for another couple of days. If you can press a finger into the soap and the surface doesn't give, it's ready to remove from the mold. Cut the soap into bars and lay them out on a nonmetal surface to dry, turning them every few days for anywhere from four to six weeks.

Adding avocado pulp to the basic recipe will make your soap extra smooth and creamy. Not sure if the avocados you have on hand are ripe ? With this quick how-to video, you'll always know when your avos are ready to go thanks to three simple tips: check color, assess the avocado skin's texture, and squeeze gently.

Try not to go above 3 percent superfat in this recipe, as the avocado pulp adds more oils and moisture. Water content should be about 38 percent of the total oil, with half being actual water and the other half being avocado pulp. Just scoop it out of the skin, throw it in a blender, and add it to the fats when they are melted.

If you're not sure how to cut up that avocado into blendable chunks, check out this video for an expert's guide to slicing and dicing those avos just right. First, you'll want to carefully cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, slice through the avocado meat length-wise and width-wise, creating little squares and, voila, you have a perfectly sliced and diced avocado.

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Beer's a natural beverage choice to go with your avo-packed Cinco de Mayo celebration. But, before you go out and buy a 12-pack of cerveza, we thought you might like to know that your choice of beverage can greatly affect the taste of your delicious meal and appetizers. Here's a quick guide to help you find the perfect beer to pair with your avos.

However, before you pick the beer, it helps to know how to pick the perfect avocados. This video shows you the easiest way to find a perfectly ripe avocado, with a little squeeze test. If you gently squeeze the avocado and it's hard, it's not ripe enough. If it yields slightly to pressure, this is your ripe one! On the other hand, if it makes a large indentation, that's a sign your avocado is overripe and might not be the best choice. Now, when it comes to make your guacamole, you'll want to know how far ahead you can make it to prep for your party. This video explains that it's best eaten within two hours, but a little splash of lime juice will keep it fresh in the fridge for a few extra hours before your party.

Now that you know how to find the best avos for your party, it's time to think about the food. Most Cinco de Mayo parties start with guacamole, a spicy, creamy dip for tortilla chips and raw veggies. Or maybe you'd like something crispy to get the party started. These fried avocado slices with chipotle dipping sauce are an ideal snack for your party. Tacos are an obvious choice for your main dish because they go so well with a little chopped avocado, like in these tacos norteños.

So what type of beer should you drink with it? For starters, the fizz and acidity that come with a beer's carbonation will help cut through the rich fat of any avocado dish. Look for Belgian-style beers, like witbier, saison, or tripels, which are known for their higher carbonation. What's nice about a witbier is that it's light and crisp, and often flavored with coriander and citrus peel, which is similar to flavors often paired with avocados (cilantro and citrus juice). Any beer with bitterness from hops will also pair well with avocados, like a pilsner. A beer with more bitterness, like a strong IPA, can stand up to stronger flavors you might want to pair with your avocados, like in the guacamole. Just know that the bitterness will also accentuate any spiciness in your dish!

With a little focus on a beer's carbonation, bitterness from hops and flavorings, you can easily find the perfect beer for your ultimate Cinco de Mayo party with Avocados From Mexico!

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We obviously love avocado and enjoy using it in many different facets of our lives. While many might associate the green fruit as the main ingredient of guacamole or as a delicious addition to any meal, most probably don't know that there are also ways to use its oil, too! With its mild nutty taste, avocado oil is a great addition to your shopping list.

Here are 10 ways you can add avocado oil to your life. You'll thank us later!

1. As a body scrub

: Mix 1 part avocado oil to 2 parts brown sugar — a natural exfoliant — and rub on your skin to slough off dead cells and moisturize your skin.

2. To make DIY infused oils:

If you've noticed more infused oils popping up on grocery store shelves and you've thought about trying them, there's no need to splurge to discover which one you like. Instead, buy a bottle of avocado oil and a few small glass jars, and make your own infused oils for cooking. Rosemary, jalapeño, and lemon are some great options.

3. As the finishing touch on a fast and easy appetizer:

If you love the taste of nuts but can't actually eat them, this melon-prosciutto appetizer can be made nut-free by leaving out the almonds and replacing them with a drizzle of nutty-tasting avocado oil.

4. In salad dressings and vinaigrettes

: Replace regular oil with avocado oil when you make your favorite dressing. Or make this surprisingly delicious vinaigrette with 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar, 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard, 1 minced garlic clove, 1/2 cup avocado oil, and salt and pepper to taste. Combine in a bowl and add to your green salad.

5. In homemade mayonnaise

: Combine 1 egg yolk (at room temperature,) 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and 1–1/2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice. Trickle in 3/4 cup avocado oil as you whisk until the mixture is creamy and well-blended. Refrigerate and use within two days.

6. As a marinade for grilling

: Avocado oil is ideal because it can take high heat. Marinate protein (chicken, fish, beef) in some avocado oil and your favorite spices. Discard excess marinade and grill.

7. As a finishing touch on pizza or soup

: A drizzle on pizzas and soups adds a touch of nutty flavor and color to your food. Of course, ripe avocado cubes or slices also make a great finishing touch. All you have to do is cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and slice through the avocado meat both length-wise and width-wise. This video shows you just how easy it is!

8. In dips

: Combine avocado oil with dried herbs and spices to create delectable bread-dipping oil: ground pepper, crushed dried rosemary, red pepper flakes, oregano, and dill all work well. Let your imagination run wild!

9. In baked goods

: Use avocado oil instead of corn or canola oil in your baked goods. You can even swap avocado oil for butter in many recipes.

10. To make veggie chips

: Thinly slice potatoes, parsnips, or any other root vegetable with a mandoline. Place a single layer of veggie slices on a baking tray and drizzle with avocado oil. Bake at 375 F for 20 minutes or until crisp. Sprinkle with salt and enjoy with some guacamole! If you are enjoying it with some delicious guacamole, this video shows you how to pour a thin layer of water or milk over your guac to keep it green if you have some leftovers.

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You have this fantastic meal planned. You buy all the ingredients and follow the many steps the recipe requires. But, in the hustle and bustle of cooking, you forgot one critical ingredient: the ripe avocado you recently bought for the meal. You even sliced it by cutting it in half, removing the pit, and cutting it lengthwise by following this helpful video. But all of sudden, your once beautifully green avocado has started to turn brown.

First of all, why does cut avocado turn brown? Avocados contain enzymes that react in contact with oxygen and create the unsightly brown pigment we all dislike. So, if you cut an avocado and don't use it immediately, the best thing to do is to prevent oxygen exposure so that it doesn't turn brown. These tips will help you keep your avocados fresh and green until you use them.

If you're into kitchen gadgets and you buy avocados regularly, you might want to purchase an avocado-shaped silicone cup that closely covers the cut side of one half of an avocado. It comes with a pit pocket that you can push in or out as needed. The cup stops the flesh of the avocado from browning as it prevents contact with oxygen.

A more traditional method is to use lemon or lime juice. The citric acid present in the juice is a potent antioxidant that slows the browning process. Simply sprinkle a small amount of juice over cut avocado or guacamole to keep it green.

Another low-tech option is to brush a thin layer of any cooking oil on the surface of a cut avocado. The oil acts as a barrier so the flesh doesn't come in contact with oxygen.

Alternatively, you can wrap the cut avocado as tightly as possible with cling film after covering it in lime juice or olive oil, just as you see in this how-to video. Make sure there are no air pockets and that the film is in full contact with the fruit. You can use the pit as a seal. Simply push it back into the hole, pressing the plastic film gently into place.

With these tips, avocados will never again turn brown on your watch! And if you need more tips on picking, using, and storing avocados, our how-to page will give you plenty of advice, including how to keep a cut avocado green until it ripens if you've cut it too soon (hint: lime juice and cling film to the rescue again!)

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You come home from the supermarket, put the perishables in the refrigerator, the dry goods in the pantry, and wash the fruit and vegetables right away. But not all of them. There's no need to wash oranges, bananas, or avocados since we don't eat the peel, right?

True, we don't eat them whole, and we keep fruit that doesn't need refrigeration in the same pretty fruit bowl, which does double duty as a nice centerpiece. However, nasty little germs get everywhere, even on fruit peels. And when we slice and dice our avocados, these germs transfer from the peel, to the knife, to the fruit, to our stomachs, and we may end up with a tummy ache or worse. To prevent the spread of germs follow these tips to washing your fruit:

1. Choose the freshest produce you can find.

Make sure it isn't bruised or damaged because bacteria thrive in brown spots or bruises. If avocados play a starring role on your shopping list, this handy video will help you choose the best Avocados From Mexico: firm, fresh, and delicious, ripe when they yield to gentle pressure.

2. Remember what Mom always said.

Wash your hands! This is especially important both before and after handling food.

3. Rinse all produce.

Even if you're not planning to eat the fruit and vegetables right away, wash all fruits and vegetables thoroughly under running water. There's no need to use any kind of soap, dish liquid, or commercial produce wash. Clean water is enough. Rub produce gently with your hands to remove unwanted dirt and bacteria or use a vegetable brush to scrub produce with a thick or irregular rind to get to all the nooks and crannies, even avocados.

4. Keep your cutting boards clean.

If you're planning to prepare raw meat, poultry, or fish, wash the cutting board and utensils with hot water and dish soap before preparing the raw vegetables for a fresh salad or delicious guacamole. Even better, keep separate cutting boards for raw meats and for fruit and vegetables.

5. Store food properly.

Be aware that inadequate storage may help spread germs. Make sure you keep uncooked meat, chicken, or fish covered and separate from fruit and vegetables that you eat raw. Doing this will avoid cross-contamination in your kitchen. You can also store already-ripe avocados by putting them in fridge. This will ensure they stay good for up to a week. You can watch this video to learn more.

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Food makes up a substantial amount of our trash that ends up in landfills, between 30-40 percent of the food supply in the U.S., to be precise. Change your shopping, and cooking routines to reduce food waste and your carbon footprint. Read on to find out how you can help!

1. Assess your food waste by keeping a journal.

For at least a week, write down every food and food-related item that goes in the garbage. This includes packaging, eggshells, plastic wrap, discarded leftovers, and twist ties. Knowing where your waste comes from will help you identify where to cut down when you go shopping.

2. Make a weekly meal plan...

... and organize it so you are eating the most perishable food earlier in the week. Use your waste journal as a reference! Then, write a detailed grocery list, with items as well as amounts you actually need. This will prevent you from over-buying, all while saving you some money in the process.

3. Learn how to determine ripeness.

To buy avocados for a week, you'll want to get them at different stages of readiness—some to eat right away and others that will become ripe in a day or two, or preserved until later in the week. In this helpful video, you'll see how darker green avocados that give slightly when squeezed are ready to eat right away, whereas lighter green avocados that feel hard to the touch will be ready to eat in about two to four days. If you find that you have some vegetables and fruits, such as avocados, that ripen faster than you can use them, our recipe section has lots of tasty last-minute ideas.

4. Don't be picky about how your produce looks.

A great deal of the food wasted in our system is due to "imperfect" pieces of fruit and vegetables that get discarded. While there's nothing wrong with the taste of these items, they still end up in landfills. Beat the stigma by choosing some less ideal-looking produce. After all, you determine fruit and veggie ripeness by touch, hue, and smell (not odd shape, imperfections, or unconventional size).

5. Store your food to reduce food waste.

Make sure your fridge is at or below 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep track of food expiration dates, and store fruits and vegetables so that the gases they give off don't ripen other produce prematurely. To keep avocados from ripening too quickly, store them in the fridge for up to five days! This video tells you all about it.

6. Use as much of your food as possible...

... including scraps and leftovers. Give them a second chance to shine in soups, stews, curries, stir fries, casseroles, pancakes or fritters, loaves or muffins. You can also preserve leftovers, and seasonal fruit in the freezer for later use. Remember: most produce can be dried, canned, pickled, frozen or fermented with the right equipment. Get creative, and the earth will thank you!

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Spread some holiday spirit this season by volunteering in your local community. Whether it's at a soup kitchen, preparing food packages at homeless shelters or fundraising to help out your favorite cause, there's no better season than the holidays to do something meaningful and good.

Here are some ways to lend a hand, along with a couple of avocado-based, warming soup recipes to nourish body and soul.

Getting Started

Volunteers are always needed in just about every town or city across the country. Ask local government agencies, churches or schools in your community for the name of a soup kitchen, shelter, or food pantry that's looking for help over the holidays. These are, after all, 365 days-a-year operations and the influx of people in need always increases over the holidays.

In the Spirit of Giving

Why not grab some friends this year and organize a shift at a soup kitchen as your way of paying it forward? Always check with the shelter or volunteer soup kitchen's manager to arrange a time when your group can lend a hand. And even though this isn't a paid gig, treat it like a job. Show up when you say you will and do your part respectfully. Skipping out on your shift could have a huge impact on workflow since most soup kitchens rely on volunteer help to fulfill their obligations.

Soup's on

Cold weather eating calls for warming soups, like this Heart-Healthy Creamy Sweet Potato Avocado Soup. Packed with fiber and Vitamin A, it's a delicious, nutrient-dense choice. If the soup kitchen in your community has a glut of avocados, suggest they store them in the fridge to slow down the ripening process for later use. Or use them in this savory Miso and Mushroom Soup that replaces tofu with creamy chunks of avocado. You can prevent any leftover, cut green fruit from spoiling by submerging it in water and placing in your fridge to keep it fresh and ripe for another three days.

Not much of a cook and don't fancy kitchen work? No problem. There are many other ways to help. Consider organizing a holiday bake sale with proceeds going to your favorite soup kitchen. Or rally your friends to buy non-perishable goods and other foods to donate once you check with your local soup kitchen to ask them what they need. You can even try getting a local business to give you some support in the form of cash or product donations to help meet your goals. Or fill food boxes at your local food pantry for those who need it at this time of year.

Whatever you choose to do, the fact that you've chosen to help is a gift in itself — especially for those who feel alone and hungry. Sharing of yourself, with those who need it most, is the greatest gift of all.

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Camping and road tripping are great fun for the whole family, but they require careful planning. You need to think about stops along the way and where you'll sleep each night, as well as food, especially the ingredients for your meals.

Avocados make an ideal road trip companion, so pack a few. You may want to kick back and relax with a bowl of freshly made guacamole and chips and a cold drink after a full day of exploring. The next morning, wake up and feed your family avocado toast for breakfast for an extra energy boost.

Worried about how you'll keep your avocados fresh for the trip? Take a deep breath and relax! This guide will show you how to keep avocados fresh and free from bruises in the cooler.

Before you hit the road, a trip to the grocery store is in order. You want to buy the freshest avocados. How can you tell when an avocado is ripe? This handy video shows you what to look for. Pick the one that yields to a little pressure and refrain from pinching it, as it'll bruise.

Rinse the avocados and pat them dry before you pack them in your cooler for the trip. Store them stem-end up in an airtight stackable container with a snug fit. You want to avoid rubbing or pressure damage. There's nothing more disappointing than finding brown spots in your avocado! Alternatively, you can place the fruit by itself near the top of the cooler to avoid crushing and bruising. It may be a good idea to give it some bubble-wrap love for extra protection. The kids (or you — we won't tell!) can pop the bubbles for fun afterward!

If the avocado isn't quite as ripe as you'd like, this video shows you how to ripen it with a paper bag. Add a banana for extra ethylene gas, which helps ripen fruit. Remember to check often and to keep it out of the cooler because low temperatures slow the maturing process.

You're all set to pack your avocados for your camping trip. They'll keep fresh and bruise free until you start cooking. Now, go and create memories with your loved ones!

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Avocados are an incredibly versatile fruit, as any true avo lover knows. They're at home in savory dishes like guacamole and salads, but just as comfortable in a sweet paleta (popsicle) or chocolate cake.

But did you know that you can make art with avocados, too? Professional and amateur artists around the world have been experimenting with using avocados for art. Their work ranges from simple pieces, like these avocado toasts with cutouts, or incredibly intricate, like this beautifully carved avo. You can paint with smashed avocado (make funny faces or shapes on a plate using a spoon as your paint brush) to impress your kids, or just decorate creatively using colorful edible flowers, herbs, and spices.

Feeling inspired? All you need is a little creativity, patience, and a few pro tips to start creating your own avocado works of art.

Pro tip #1:

If you want to use the fruit, the trick is finding a slightly ripe avocado that's still a bit firm. Too ripe and it won't cut cleanly. Too hard and it won't cut easily or come out of the skin.

This video is a helpful guide to finding a ripe avocado, one that isn't too green and yields to gentle pressure. If you can only find hard avocados, this video shows you how to speed up the ripening process by placing them near a sunny window.

An easy avocado art project to get your feet wet is the avocado rose, which is a thinly sliced avocado half that's been fanned out and curled into a rose. In order to pull it all together for floral perfection, you'll need...

Pro tip #2:

Oil the cutting board and the knife to prevent any slices from sticking. Avocado roses can gussy up a plate of eggs, perfectly accent a salad, or bring a pop of color to enchiladas. And if at first you don't succeed, take heart in knowing that you are not alone: Avocados are delicate, and plenty of people struggle making roses!

Another easy avocado art project is a pixelated avocado. Just cut thin slices vertically across a peeled avocado half, then do the same thing horizontally. The center will collapse a bit, but that just adds dimension to the pixelated look.

Pro-tip #3:

Don't let your beautiful art fade! Once avocados are cut, they start to oxidize and change from a lovely pale green shade to a less-appealing brown. To prevent browning — or at least slow it down — douse them liberally with lemon or lime juice to protect their color and give them a pop of flavor.

You can cut avocados with anything that can score its soft flesh. Use cookie cutters to up your avocado toast game, a small melon baller to create a Swiss cheese effect, or a vegetable peeler to shave avocado slices and roll them into curls. If sculpting is your secret hobby, grab a scalpel and carve your favorite pattern into an avocado half, like this avo or this one.

Have fun, get creative, and make your own avocado art today!

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Summer is winding down, which means colder weather is on the way. And you know what that means: dry skin and chapped lips. Luckily, Avocados From Mexico — and the avocado oil made from them — are available all year long. Not only can you have delicious guac any season, but you can also whip up an avocado lip balm at home with nutritious, moisturizing avocado oil as your base.

Not sure how to find those creamy Avocados From Mexico? Watch this video from our "how-to" avocado tips page for all the details: Just look for the bumpy, dark exterior that holds the delicious flesh of the Hass avocado. And if you don't have time to run to the grocery store every couple of days for a fresh one, don't fret. Try picking avocados at varying stages of ripeness — from green and firm to dark and soft — to shorten the amount of grocery store trips.

Pick up a bottle of avocado oil on your next trip, too. It's great on salads and for cooking, but it really shines in this DIY avocado lip balm. This recipe will make a soft lip balm ideal for pouring into small pots. Use harder fats for a firmer lip balm, and add extra beeswax for a matte finish. You can reuse old lip balm containers and pots (be sure to wash them out first!), or you can buy new containers online or from your local craft supplier.

Homemade Avocado Lip Balm Ingredients

• 1 oz. beeswax finely chopped or grated
• 1/8 c. of brittle fat (such as cocoa butter or palm kernel oil)
• 1/8 c. solid fat (such as mango, coconut, or shea butter)
• 1/4 c. of avocado oil
• Vitamine E (if desired)
• Flavored oil (to taste)
• Liquid stevia, or honey (to taste)

Directions:

1. Start the water of a double boiler on the stove.
2. In the top of the double boiler, mix together all ingredients.
3. Melt the ingredients over the boiling water.
4. When the ingredients are mixed and melted, use a turkey baster or heat-proof measuring cup to pour the balm into tubes or pots for storage.
5. Allow the balm to cool completely before using.

Your avocado lip balm will keep best in the fridge or a cool cellar, especially if the heat in your home tends to fluctuate. If it softens and separates, just heat and pour all over again. Soon, you'll be enjoying the benefits of homemade lip balm all winter long!

Find more avocado beauty care tips here.

The post How to Make Avocado Lip Balm appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

It's a sobering statistic: 31 percent of the food that's produced for human consumption is lost or wasted every year. That's 33 billion pounds of food worth about $161.6 billion. While not all of the waste comes from individual consumers, a considerable amount does get discarded at the household level. Food waste isn't good for the environment and it's not good for your budget, either. The average American household loses $370 per person each year due to food waste.

If you're among the many Americans throwing away food, it's time to change your buying, cooking, and eating strategies in order to do better for the Earth and for your wallet. Here are a few ideas and resources to get you started:

Shop from a list

We know that you're busy, and it's often easier to drop by the grocery store and shop from the running list you keep in your head, but this strategy isn't conducive to reducing food waste. When you shop without a list, you're more likely to buy items you don't actually need and don't have a plan for using. Buy what you need, when you need it, and make sure your fruits and vegetables are at the appropriate level of maturation. Not sure how to judge an avocado's readiness, for instance? Here's a quick guide to help you out.

Use everything

When you buy fruits, vegetables, meats, and other food products, start thinking about how you can use the entire product, even after its prime. Stale bread can become bread crumbs. The cut ends of scallions, celery, and other leafy greens can be stored in the freezer and turned into stock, as can bones from beef, chicken, and pork, as well as the shells of shrimp. And when it comes to avocados, there's really no excuse for throwing out the seed and the skin. Use the seed to make an indulgent foot scrub. Use a past prime avocado in a DIY face mask. Or get the kids involved in some fun arts and crafts with our other avo-recycling ideas.

Of course, you won't let your avos go past prime, because you know all about how to save an avocado and how to slow down ripening. Right?

Get the kids involved.

Away from the watchful eyes of parents nagging them to clean their plates, kids in school lunchrooms throw away massive amounts of food every day. Encourage your children to find out whether their school recycles food scraps and ask them to use the recycle bin if one is available. If you're a member of the parent-teacher association at your school, take up food waste as a project. Tips for mitigating food waste at the school level can be found here.

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There are many valid reasons why people choose not to eat animal products, but a vegan or vegetarian diet has its nutritional challenges as well. Here's what you need to know to make the most of your meals, whether you are a vegetarian all the time or just on meatless Mondays.

First, let's discuss the differences between these two words, vegan and vegetarian. Here's a basic concept that's important to remember: All vegans are vegetarian, but not all vegetarians are vegan.

Vegetarians do not eat any form of meat, but some do eat eggs and dairy. Vegans, however, abstain from all animal products, both as a source of food and in the form of other products. This means not just giving up foods like honey, but also goods made of animal-derived products — such as leather and silk — and any products that may have been tested on animals or use animal by-products in processing.

Maybe you can live without that leather purse or that gorgeous silk blouse, but when it comes to nutritional needs, the restrictions of a vegan diet can pose a big challenge. In addition to B12 and several minerals, both vegans and other vegetarians need to be sure they get adequate essential Omega-3 fatty acids.

Not sure how to do that? Turn to avocados! Avocados From Mexico are available year-round and have good fats. And they're incredibly versatile, too. You can add them to your favorite classics, like deviled eggs or hummus, to beef up your fatty acid intake. Also, you can add vegetarian sources of protein to avo-based dishes like guacamole to boost the nutrient content. If you're a fan of make-ahead meals, be sure you know how to keep guac fresher longer by squeezing a lime on it and putting it in the fridge.

Check out a few of these great recipes for including more avocados in your veggie lifestyle.

Avos for Breakfast

Start the day off right with a simple avocado toast using whole wheat bread. Vegetarians can add an egg for some satiating protein power.

Smoothies for Any Hour

Getting enough good food energy into a day without the caloric and protein density of meat can be a struggle. Smoothies are one way to get more fruits into your diet, including avocado. Vegetarians can try this minty avo shake, with an optional tequila shot if it's happy hour and you feel like winding down. Vegans should try whipping up this delicious mango concoction instead.

Just Say, “Cool Beans"

Beans are a source of fiber and often the staple of a vegetarian diet. Mix them into sides like this squash salad, or make them the main focus with this New World Chili.

Remake the Classics

Going veggie doesn't mean having to give up your favorites. You can buy all sorts of "meat alternatives," such as tempeh, tofu, seitan, or make your own replacements right at home. Sub in veggie broth for the chicken broth in this avocado burger, or use veggie dogs in a hot dog recipe, and you'll be set for any summer BBQ.

Need to know how to determine when an avocado is ripe? Here's a quick video demonstration to help you out. It's pretty easy. You just hold it in the palm of your hand and give it a gentle squeeze. If it gives a little, not too much, but a little, you've got one that's good to go.

The post The Beginner’s Guide to Veganism and Vegetarianism appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

If you think avocados are only for guacamole, think again!

Brought into daily menu rotation, Avocados From Mexico can contribute to breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack-time, offering delicious and nutritious dishes that excite and satisfy the whole family. For inspiration, you can check out our recipes, but the ideas don't end there!

These Instagram accounts will keep you adding avocado to your weekly shopping list, always eager to try new recipes!

Pati Jinich

Mexico-born Pati Jinich is a chef, cookbook author, and host of popular TV show, "Pati's Mexican Table," on PBS. She's also a brand ambassador for Avocados From Mexico, and her Instagram feed is a continuous source of avocado inspiration. There's the staple condiment of avocado crema, this delicious-sounding summer recipe of shrimp rolls with avocado, and this torta, which she predicts will be the next Mexican food craze to hit the United States!

And if you need any tips about choosing, ripening, cutting, or working with avocados, Pati has a whole "how-to" series of videos, which you can see here.

Heather Christo

Our friend and frequent collaborator with Avocados From Mexico, Heather describes herself as a clean-eating advocate and champion for the allergen-free diet, and her insta-feed is bursting with beautiful color. Even if you don't possess her kitchen skills (check out this champion chiffonaded avo), don't worry! You'll still find yourself picking up some new ideas for meatless Monday salads, salmon, blood orange, sweet potato, and avocado salad, and sweet potato cakes with avocado salsa.

Avocaderia

Self-described as the world's first avocado bar, this Brooklyn, New York's restaurant's Instagram account is focused on — what else?! — all avos, all the time. There are endless ideas about delectable avo-toasts, as well as avo burgers (sans bread-based buns), and these utterly stunning avo-based party pleasers. And if you're the type who likes to play with your food, then, you'll find plenty of fun ideas for holiday showstoppers!

Avocado Toast

We know what you want populating your Instagram feed: Avocado toast, all day, every day. The simple concoction of creamy, green smear and toast has taken everyone's taste buds by storm, and now you can have your fill of the delicious treat by following this handsome account. You'll, of course, see some pretty pics of avocado toast here, here, and here, and find some inspiration for your next snack here, here, and here.

Avocados from Mexico

We don't want to toot our own horn, but... we do have a pretty inspiring Instagram account, if we say so ourselves. From the yin yang egg-avo breakfast to avo deviled eggs that are ideal for carrying to the office, we're here to offer ideas for every hour of the day.

Is it avo-o'clock yet? It always is somewhere!

The post Avogram: Instagram Accounts Every Avocado Lover Should Follow appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

As warm days signal summer's arrival, it gets harder to contain your excitement about all the tasty avocados and other fresh fruits and veggies just waiting to be discovered at the grocery store or local farmer's market. If you have the tendency to turn market visits into a full-on shopping spree, you might need some tips to help you figure out how to buy in bulk and keep your delicious avocados and other produce fresh.

First, think about the meals you plan to cook during the week ahead and make a shopping list that reflects your actual needs. No doubt you'll be tempted to buy whatever else looks fresh, delicious, and, fleeting in its seasonality, and that's ok. Of course, one good thing about Avocados From Mexico, no matter the season, you'll always find them fresh in your produce section. Just try not to buy more than you and your family can eat or preserve.

Every method of preservation results in some kind of nutrient loss, especially canning, so if you find yourself with more fruits and veggies than you can handle, consider freezing them in bags or containers instead. Proper storage will go a long way to ensuring you and your family get to really enjoy nature's bounty.

Even when it comes to the avocados or other produce you'll be consuming during the week, you'll want to take care with how, where, and with what you store your fruits and veggies. First, consider ethylene, a gas given off as some fruits ripen.

Avocados are ethylene producers, along with other produce like apricots, bananas, cantaloupes, honeydew, kiwis, mangoes, nectarines, papayas, peaches, pears, plums, and tomatoes. This gas encourages ripening. In fact, this is why you can keep avocados in a paper bag if you want to speed their maturation.

Other types of produce don't give off much ethylene, but are sensitive to it, so keep your avocados and other ethylene-producing fruits away from apples, asparagus, broccoli, carrots, cucumbers, eggplants, green beans, lettuce and other leafy greens, potatoes, squash, and watermelon.

Summer tree fruits (peaches, pears, plums, nectarines, apricots, cherries) and year-round tropical tree fruits like avocados all keep best on the counter until ripe. When ready to eat, move them to the fridge to keep them perfect for as long as possible. To keep avocados from ripening too quickly, put them in the fridge right away, and they will take longer to soften.

Tomatoes, along with onions and potatoes, should be kept in a cool, dry place outside the fridge, but not together! Berries should be kept cool and dry, so make sure not to wash them until just before you eat. Citrus fruits don't need to be kept in the fridge as long as they are in a cool, dark place where they can breathe.

Leafy greens and herbs should be stored in bags that seal well, leaving a little bit of extra air for the best freshness. Fresh beans keep best in a plastic bag or reusable container in the crisper (drawers located at the bottom of the refrigerator), along with your unwashed summer squash/zucchini. And fresh sweet corn on the cob, is best stored in the fridge with the husk still on.

Now, go get shopping!

The post Buying Bulk Summer Fruits and Veggies and How to Keep Them Fresh appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Mac and cheese is the ultimate comfort food for many of us and it's easy to make, too. Though you probably have your favorite go-to recipe, mac and cheese can tolerate a lot of variation, even incorporating some surprising ingredients, like avocados.

First things first: This is a from-scratch recipe. Don't worry, you've got this! With the addition of avocados and a few quick tweaks, you'll have a new dinner dish in no time flat.

Avo-licious 2 Ways!

In all cases, you'll need to cook your choice of pasta according to package instructions and set it aside. For this recipe, you can amp up the fun for kids of all ages by using wagon wheel pasta. Separately, you'll blend some avocado and peas for a vibrant green, adding the bright flavor of lemon juice and some sharp cheddar cheese. A dribble of warm milk will allow you to loosen up this mixture without losing the dairy goodness that is so important for classic mac and cheese. Simply stir the cooked pasta into your gorgeous, green-hued sauce, and top with a diced, half avocado for some visual and textural interest. Dig in for a delicious comfort meal.

Variety, the Spice of Life

Adding spice and flavor to your cheesy mix elevates the satisfaction that you get out of each gooey bite. First, blend some milk, garlic powder, jalapeños and green onions in a food processor. Melt some butter in a skillet and then add some flour, which you'll need for thickening. Pour in your milk mixture and add deliciously sharp shredded cheddar. Once your sauce is nice and cheesy, mash some avocado into the sauce before tossing the pasta in and letting the flavor transformation take place.

Of course, going Mexican can be about a lot more than jalapeños. While you can absolutely keep the jalapeño, you can also substitute it with Anaheim peppers, chile flakes, chile powder (for added smokiness) or any combination of the bunch if you like it hot! Play with texture and flavor by adding some corn kernels and tomatoes, then throw in some oregano and cumin and you'll get savory and earthy notes to complement the cheesy comfort of your homemade mac and cheese.

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Author: Chef Pati Jinich

In the United States, the 5^th of May used to be just another spring day. But something happened! While the date, which Americans often mistake as Mexico’s Independence Day, commemorates a little-known military victory called The Battle of Puebla — a David-versus-Goliath-type victory for the Mexican militia over the bigger, better-equipped French forces — Cinco de Mayo has morphed into a beloved celebration of all things from Mexico!

Growing up in Mexico, I learned about the battle in history class, and in the State of Puebla, the holiday has been more of a formal local government event, marked with a military parade. On the other hand, those stateside might partake in devouring tacos and eating delicious guacamole and dips at restaurants, patios, and backyards. But there’s a way to bring some traditional Cinco de Mayo customs to your day’s festivities.  In fact, Cinco de Mayo is the perfect day to impress friends and family with a more authentic Cinco de Mayo party full of traditional food that’s delicious to boot.

For guacamole, serve a version found in Puebla, where the Cinco de Mayo battle occurred. Impress friends with a tidbit of culinary history as you tell them that people in this part of Mexico — known as a cradle of Mexican cuisine — often add savory pecans to their guacamole. The habit is part of the region’s distinctive food heritage — a baroque tradition of richly layered flavors and ingredients that developed as local cooks, including nuns in local convents, prepared food for visiting Spanish dignitaries in centuries past. The nuns became known for decadent dishes and sauces such as mole, and delicious sweets made with nuts. They passed on the tradition of using nuts both for savory and sweet. So it’s not much of a surprise to find out that they tossed them into batches of creamy guacamole — a delicious, crunchy addition! Here’s my version of Pecan Guacamole. By the way, if you want or need to make your guacamole well in advance of your party, try my really neat tip for keeping it green by pouring a thin layer of milk on top of it and then draining it off when ready to serve!

No Cinco de Mayo celebration is complete without a toast to Mexico and its people! Mix up my South of the Border-inspired Sweet Chili Avo Cocktail. Start with a simple syrup made of piloncillo (unprocessed cane sugar), or you can also use dark brown sugar, water, and mint, then blend it with avocado, silver tequila, lime juice, and just a bit of chopped jalapeño for a little zip!

Finally, make Chicken Tinga and Avocado Tostadas, a savory blend of shredded chicken, onion, tomatoes, chipotles in adobo and spices — topped with a generous slice of avocado. It makes the perfect main course for the party buffet! And you can use leftover Tinga for wraps or taco filling later in the week.

Before you try these recipes, have a stash of ripe avocados ready to go! My video tips can help you pick the perfect avos by holding them in the palm of your hand and giving them a gentle squeeze. Or learn how to speed the ripening process by putting your Avocado From Mexico in a paper sack with a banana.

Now, you’re ready with recipes and the real backstory on the phenomenon known as Cinco de Mayo! Enjoy the day!

The post How to Host an Authentic Cinco de Mayo Party in the U.S. appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

No matter where you find yourself on May 5, whether it be at work, school, home, or on a plane or a train, penciling in some time for fun on Cinco de Mayo is an annual tradition that should not be neglected.

Cinco de Mayo is an ideal time to get together with friends, family, and colleagues to celebrate Mexican culture. No matter what type of gathering you're planning, we have some recipe ideas to make a party fun and memorable.

At the Office

Celebrating at the office? You can never go wrong with guacamole and tortilla chips, but a layered Fiesta Taco Dip served with celery sticks and baby carrots along with the corn chips, is sure to impress your coworkers. You can also offer deviled eggs. Give them some Cinco de Mayo flair by switching Avocado for mayo. Garnish with bacon bits or diced red bell pepper so your eggs have the red, white, and green of the Mexican flag.

At School

If you need to send along a dish for a party at school, make both kids and the adults who care for them happy by preparing skewers with avocado, tiny mozzarella balls, and cherry tomatoes along with some balsamic sauce for dipping. Make sure your avocados are ripe: It's not difficult! A light squeeze will let you know if you've found the perfect avocado for your recipe. Stick with the red, white, and green theme for dessert by preparing this quick and easy Cinco de Mayo Jell-o recipe.

At a Park

A gathering at a local park can be a fun way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Take along some make-ahead sandwich rolls, or serve some Pineapple Hotdog Wraps, pairing them with refried beans, avocado slices, and pico de gallo instead of the usual condiments. When it's time to cut your avocado, don't sweat it — and don't squash it! Here's how to slice and dice.

At a Friend's Home

Heading to a friend's or coworker's home and want to bring a dish to share? This Avocado Caprese Salad will be a sure hit. Or, tell your hostess you'll handle dessert, and serve up Lime Meringue with Avocado Mascarpone Cream. It takes a bit longer to prepare, but it's well worth it. Don't be surprised if you see the crowd swooning in delight.

At Your Home

If you decide to mark the occasion at home with your family, crispy beef tacos with guacamole are always crowd-pleasers, but if you have some picky eaters, set out ingredients and let everyone get involved in building their own tostadas.

Whatever type of Cinco de Mayo celebration you're planning, Avocados from Mexico are a great addition. They're delicious and nutritious, and nothing represents Mexico better!

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If you’re an avid avocado eater or you just happen to whip up an extra-large batch of guacamole, you may find yourself with peels and pits piled up in the waste bin. Is there something you can do with all this? As a matter of fact, there is!

Related: Waste not, want not. Here’s how to store half of an avocado.

Can You Compost Avocado Pits and Skins?

Yes! You can compost avocado pits, avocado skins, and even unusable or brown avocado meat. However, avocado skins tend to be slow to decompose. To speed up the process, cut the peels into small squares with kitchen scissors before adding them to your composter. Avocado pits take even longer to break down — grind them up before adding them to your composter.

If you’ve had your composter for a while, take some of the rich soil it produces and fill your empty avocado skins. These biodegradable “pots” make great windowsill-sized homes for herb, veggie, and plant seedlings. When the seedling is ready to be transplanted to a garden bed or larger pot, you can bury the avocado skin right in the soil — voila! Built-in compost!

Other Avocado Recycling Tips

If you’re not composting, that’s OK: You can still reuse your avocado pits and skins in these other ways.

• Plant the seed in your garden and growing your very own avocado tree.
• Grab the kids for these creative avocado arts and crafts.
• When your dogs are barking, whip up this simple avocado foot scrub.
• Reuse avocado skins and pits to make a DIY pink fabric dye.

Before you can compost avocado pits and peels, or turn them into your next work of art, you need a delicious recipe to use up the green goodness inside! Dig into our avocado recipe archive for breakfast, lunch, and dinner inspiration.

The post Tips for Composting Avocado Skin and Pits appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You know that eating avocados comes with all kinds of nutritional benefits, but did you know that they can become a part of your beauty routine, too?

All hair sustains damage over time through regular grooming, but hair that is sun-damaged, chemically treated, or heavily styled by heat or rough brushing can become particularly difficult to manage. Hair in this condition becomes more porous and its molecules more negatively charged. This leads to classic signs of dryness and can cause hair to break and frizz.

Most people treat dry or damaged hair with an oil-based conditioner, but not all oil is created equal. There are two ways that oil treats hair: first, by penetrating the hair shaft, and second, by coating it. The most common oil used in hair products, mineral oil, isn't able to penetrate the outer layer of the hair, which is where natural plant oils like avocado come in.

So next time you find an overripe avocado in your fridge, don't throw it away! You may not be able to eat it, but it's still good for something! Invite over your bestie or gather your kids and try out this simple avocado hair mask.

Easy Avocado Hair Mask Recipe

1/2 of a ripe avocado

1/4 cup of avocado or other plant oil (coconut, sunflower, red palm kernel, olive)

1-2 drops rosemary essential oil

Mash the avocado well. Add a stream of avocado or other oil until you reach the consistency of a thick paste. (Alternatively, you can put both ingredients in the blender and whirl it up.) If you don't have oil to add, a little bit of water will do. Mix in essential oils or other ingredients you might want to try out and blend well.

While most recipes recommend applying this paste to damp hair for easy spreading, if your hair is particularly damaged, it can absorb a lot of water, so slathering it on dry locks can improve oil penetration. Gather your hair up under a shower cap to keep the green goo from getting everywhere, and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.

When your hair has had time to soak up all that goodness, hop in the shower and rinse off with warm water, then shampoo and condition as normal!

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It happens to everyone: You're strolling through the produce section of your supermarket and you spy a fruit or vegetable that piques your curiosity. Maybe you've never seen it before, so you wonder what it is and how you could use it. Or perhaps you see it all the time and you know exactly what it is and how you could incorporate it into your meal plans . . . but it's the selection and prep work that leave you stymied. How do you pick the best fruit and know it's ripe? How do you slice it? And how do you save and store it if you don't use it all at once?

We may not be able to help you with dragon fruit, romanesco, or jicama, but when it comes to avocados, we've got you covered! Read on for Avo 101, your own personal crash course on selecting, preparing, and saving this great green fruit. It'll be the easiest — and most delicious — class you'll ever take!

1. How to Tell If an Avocado Is Ripe

There's a tempting pile of avocados in the fruit and vegetable section of the grocery store, but you're reluctant to buy any because you've never been sure how to tell if they're ripe. Does color indicate ripeness? How about scent or texture?

It turns out, there's no big mystery to decode when it comes to determining an avocado's ripeness. There's only one factor you need to consider, and that's whether the avocado yields under the gentle pressure of your thumb. Still not sure? Check out this quick video for a demonstration.

2. How to Ripen an Avocado

Suppose you've perfected your ability to choose a ripe avocado, but it turns out that not a single one at the supermarket is ready yet. Should you still buy one? Will it ever ripen at home? Short answers: Yes and yes!

Longer answer: You can speed up an avocado's maturation at home with a couple common kitchen and pantry items, namely, a paper bag and a banana. Simply place the unripe avocado in the paper bag along with a banana and check back over the following few days — four usually do the trick— to test ripeness. Need a visual? You can see the process in this video.

3. How to Slow Down Ripening

Sometimes, you have the opposite problem: You've bought an avocado that's ripening too quickly. If you need to decelerate the process of maturation, there's a trick for that, and it's the easiest of them all! The only thing you need to do is move the avocado from the countertop or table and into the fridge, where the cold will put a literal chill on the ripening process. Learn more in this video.

4. How to Slice and Dice an Avocado

Have you ever bought a fruit or vegetable only to wonder, once you're at home in your kitchen, which way to slice it? This how-to question may seem to pose an even bigger challenge when the fruit has a pit or seed, as the avocado does.

But don't be intimidated: This little green fruit is user-friendly. Check out this short video for the secrets of slicing and dicing avocados. You'll be serving up avocado in salads or as garnishes on soups in no time!

5. How to Save Half an Avocado

It's hard to resist using the whole avocado once you've sliced into it, but if you ever have an avocado half that you need to save, what should you do? And how can you keep it from turning brown and mushy? Chef Pati Jinich lets you in on her secrets (Hint: The trick involves a lemon and some plastic wrap) in this fun video.

The post Avo 101: 5 Avocado Tips appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

It's no big secret: Humans love avocados. And we absolutely love the way the heart-healthy fruit loves us back! But while your furry friends might try to convince you they, too, love guacamole, it's important to be sure — can animals eat avocado? Better yet, should they?

It’s best that you leave the guac and other avo-related dishes to your two-footed human friends and family members. Dogs, cats, and other pets, such as birds and rabbits, can be sensitive to avocados. Some may even experience serious distress if exposed to certain parts of the fruit. Let’s take a closer look at the reasons why.

Why Can't Animals Eat Avocado?

Most of the avocado tree, including the bark and leaves, as well as the fruit itself, its skin, and its pit, contain a substance called persin, a fungicide that can irritate some animals’ stomachs, while it could even be toxic for others. Persin is fat-soluble and is actually very similar in structure to the monosaturated fats in avocados that support healthy cholesterol levels. The molecules start out in the avocado pit, and as the fruit gets fattier and tastier and more tempting while ripening on the tree, persin is drawn out of the seed and into the oily flesh of the fruit.

Obviously, the levels of persin found in an avocado's smooth green flesh has no toxic effect on most humans, though it is the suspected culprit for people who do have an avocado allergy.

1. Can Cats and Dogs Eat Avocado?🐱 🐶

Not to worry if your kitty or pup accidentally manages to snag a bite of your avocado toast. Some cat and dog foods are actually made with avocado oil and these are generally considered safe. However, eating the green flesh or the leathery peel can cause stomach upset for your furry friend, and swallowing the large seed could lead to a blockage that requires an urgent visit to the vet. So better not to share your guac. (More for you!)

Keep your avocados out of reach of your pet by knowing how to store avocados properly.

2. Can Rodents Eat Avocado? 🐀 🐇

Other pet owners need to be more careful. Smaller fuzzy friends, like rabbits, rats, mice, and hamsters don’t tolerate avocado well at all. The peel or pit may cause serious heart problems in small rodents if they consume the peel or pit. In fact, dried avocado seeds have historically been an ingredient in homemade rodent deterrents. Sorry, Mr. Fuzzywhiskers.

3. Can Birds Eat Avocado? 🦜🦆

Birds who get their beaks into avocado can experience life-threatening respiratory symptoms. This is true for smaller indoor breeds like canaries and parrots AND larger agricultural breeds like chickens and ostriches. Certainly don’t feed your extra avocado slices to the ducks (or deer!) at the nature park, and be sure to pack your peels home after the hike instead of leaving them to compost.

The effects of avocado could be part of the tree’s defense mechanism, not just against invading fungus, but against any feathered flock that might descend into its branches for lunch. Though it may be a defense, this also presents a challenge for the future of the avocado plant, since most fruit trees rely on the animals that eat them to disperse the seeds and keep the cycle of growth going. Native to Southern Mexico and Guatemala, the Resplendent Quetzal gets this great honor, swallowing the avocado's massive fruit whole and regurgitating the unpassable seed. Other birds should not try to live up to that reputation.

4. Can Livestock Eat Avocado? 🐎 🐄

If you have a farm full of animals in addition to your indoor pets, it is important to note that larger animals should avoid avocado as well. Keep the fruit away from horses, as well as any ruminants like cattle, sheep, and goats. Just because they will eat anything doesn’t mean they should! Even fish should avoid avocado, so keep them out of the koi pond and stick to pellets to avoid increasing the toxicity of the water.

What to Do if Your Pet Eats Avocado

Vets generally advise against sharing table food with your pets, but we all have our moments of weakness when we see those puppy eyes. Learn what other foods pets should avoid here, but when in doubt, try to refrain from giving scraps

 
Any kind of symptoms of distress should be evaluated and treated by a vet, but if you aren’t sure what to do and suspect avocado toxicity, get in touch with the folks at the ASPCA’s poison control center (1-888-426-4435) who can help you with advice if your pet has consumed avocado.

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Worried about how much time you and your family members spend with screens? Wish you had more quality time together? There are many cheap and easy ways to fill your hours with fun activities that don't involve staring at a computer, phone, or TV. What you need is a hobby! Here are five simple, affordable ideas for fun, crafty activities you can try at home, alone or with the whole family. And all of them involve the versatile avocado!

1. Grow a Garden

A large garden can be an exciting and rewarding project, but don't feel like you need to take over the entire yard to enjoy growing your own fruits and veggies. You can grow fresh salad greens, sprouts, and quick-growing herbs right in your kitchen. You can plant a small bucket or bin of carrots, potatoes, or ginger. You can even grow fruit like lemons or avocados in large pots! Have fun experimenting growing the fruit from seed, or visit a local nursery for an established plant that has been bred to be fruitful.

2. Get Creative in the Kitchen

Perfecting your cooking skills is a great way to enjoy some free time on the weekend. And the bonus is that it will make the rest of your week easier. Chop fresh veggies for salad and snacks, then whip up a batch of homemade dressing or dip. Master the art of guacamole. Cook up a big pot of classic tortilla or tomato soup. Whether you are learning a new technique or simply practicing making your favorite comfort foods, it will be a relaxing time with a great snack or meal as your reward ... made all the better if you have someone to do the dishes after!

3. Become a DIY Fashionista

If you aren't really the sewing type, express your creative textile flair and have fun experimenting with various natural dyes. Avocado pits make a lovely pink hue, but with a fixative and more vibrant ingredients you can get deep hues that span the entire rainbow. Once you've got your colors, dye some T-shirts with the kids or soak a skein of yarn for a new hue.

4. Write Letters the Old-Fashioned Way

In the age of email and text messages, writing letters can seem like a lost art. There's nothing like the thrill of opening your mailbox and receiving a handwritten letter — except writing one yourself and sending it to a friend or loved one! Challenge yourself and learn to write with style with calligraphy or other hand-lettering lessons, which you can take for free online. Make your own ink from plant-based materials, like raspberries, black tea, or avocado pits. Get messy and make homemade paper to write your poems and letters on, then send them to people you love!

5. Master Still Life

You might already be an accomplished mobile phone photographer, but you can improve these skills away from the screen too, by learning still life composition through regular daily or weekly sketching journal practice. And if you save some of the homemade natural ink you've made, it can be used for painting, too!

It can be a serious challenge to pull yourself away from the screen and enjoy some quiet time doing something fun. Once you find yourself interested in something, though, the fight to get off the couch won't be so tough. Try something new. Explore, experiment, and enjoy!

The post 5 Avocado Hobbies for the New Year appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

It happens the same way every year: Everyone makes a big deal about picking their New Year's resolution, so you pick and announce yours, and perhaps it's the most common resolution of all: adopting a healthier lifestyle. You start off strong. There's that avocado, orange juice, and yogurt smoothie for breakfast followed by an early morning workout, avocado chicken Waldorf salad for lunch, and steamed fish with brown rice for dinner. There has never been another person more committed to their resolutions! By January 10th, though — it never fails — you're back to sleeping in, skipping your workout and breakfast, and grabbing take-out for dinner.

Fear not! Falling off the resolution wagon happens to the best of people. But there ARE ways to stick to your new routine, and these resolution hacks will help you accomplish your goals year-round!

One and Done

It's so easy to go overboard in the resolution-making department. Why just try to lose weight when you could also cook dinner from scratch every night and teach your child to speak Spanish? If you can fix one thing, why not fix them all? We'll tell you why: Because too many goals means less focus. When choosing your resolutions, pick one realistic goal, break it into achievable steps, and attach those steps to a specific timeline so you can track your achievements. For once, doing less means setting yourself up for success.

Be Specific

Big, open-ended goals like “Get healthy" or “Lose weight" are difficult to accomplish. By setting a specific goal, like ensuring you're eating the daily recommended intake of fruits and vegetables, it's easier to figure out how to accomplish it. Then, you know to stock your house full of fruits and vegetables — like avocados from Mexico — that you can turn into a quick snack or meal like guacamole or avocado quesadillas.

In case you are going the avocado route, which we highly recommend you do, to ensure you have a ripe avocado for every day of the week, check out this video for picking the perfect avocado. And if you can't find any ripe avocados, this video will help you ripen your avocados at home.

Get Support

The problem with setting a goal for yourself is that there is no one else to hold you accountable for accomplishing it. Who's gonna tell if you skip working out for a week? It helps to find a close friend or family member to hold you responsible for achieving your goals. Whether it's a friend who joins you for bike rides or a spouse who can support your nutritious eating habits, support is key to achieving your goals.

When You Mess Up, Keep Going

Another common trap of resolutions is letting your mistakes or slip-ups act as an excuse to quit. Just because you gave into that triple decker fudge cake at work doesn't mean you failed. Resolutions aren't about being perfect; they're about working better habits into your lifestyle. So get up, dust yourself off, and try again.

Tweak As You Go

Sometimes, the calendar turns to April before you realize that the resolution you set for yourself isn't quite working. That's ok. Remember: Resolutions aren't intended to turn your into a perfect person (psst: Those don't exist!). Instead, they're about helping you make lasting new habits. Don't be scared to tweak or adjust your resolutions throughout the year to better fit your needs and situation.

The post Are You Resolved? Tips for Being Successful in Keeping Your Resolutions appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Between cooking channels and kitchen supply shops, it seems that every time you turn around, someone, somewhere is trying to sell you a new kitchen gadget. Think of the time you could save with an herb stripper or the amazing parties you’d throw if only you owned one of those multi-tool garnishing kits. And if you just had a sous vide cooker …

The truth is, there are only a dozen or so kitchen tools you really need to make mealtime magic. Keep clutter and cost to a minimum by focusing on those essential items you’ll use over and over again.

1. One Good Knife

It’s tempting to splurge on a fancy knife set, but truth be told, you really only need one high-quality knife that’s able to perform the tasks you find yourself doing the most — like prepping avocado! A basic chef’s knife or Santoku knife is a sure bet. An excellent-quality knife will last a lifetime, so don’t skimp. Ask whether it comes with a warranty and guarantee, as well as repair and service benefits.

Both knife maintenance and knowledge keep you safer in the kitchen. Remember that a sharp knife is less dangerous than a dull one, and know the correct way to cut, slice, and dice avocado.

2. A Cast-Iron Skillet

Forget nonstick frying pans and go old-school with a cast-iron skillet. If you’re not lucky enough to have inherited one of these as a hand-me-down from an older cook in your family, you may need to do some searching in antique shops, estate sales, or specialty retailers to find a high-quality, old-fashioned cast-iron skillet. Once you find it, though, it should last you a lifetime if you season and care for it properly. That’s a lifetime of cornbread toast with avocado spread; baja fish and guac tacos; and avocado, tuna, and green apple paninis — a life well lived!

3. A Clay Pot

Lots of people around the world, especially in Mexico, cook in clay pots — and for good reason. They’re one of the most versatile and foolproof kitchen tools. A clay pot can come in handy for everything from beans and meats to breads and desserts, and it’s almost impossible to overcook whatever’s inside.

Clay pots are often painted bright, beautiful colors. Even if you cook a dish in the microwave, like this show-stopping bean and avocado dip, you can use the clay pot as a serving dish. Just make sure your painted pot doesn’t contain lead and take care with how you clean it. Allow your clay pot to cure and wash it without dish soap to ensure its longevity and high performance.

4. Molcajete

Another ancient kitchen tool that has stood the test of time is the molcajete, a mortar and pestle made of volcanic rock. A fixture in practically every Mexican kitchen and the ultimate multipurpose tool, the molcajete is the traditional way to smash avocados into delectable chunks for guacamole. It can also be used to grind spices, garlic, and herbs.

Yeah, you can make guacamole using a bowl and fork in a pinch, but the molcajete is the O.G. method Mexicans have used for generations. To get the most good from your molcajete, check out the Molcajete 101 guide.

5. A Blender or Food Processor

Another item not to scrimp on: a high-quality food processor or blender. Look for one with aircraft-grade stainless steel blades and high horsepower. You’ll have a much easier time pureeing guacamole sauce and avocado sauce for fish tacos and blending banana and avocado smoothies for breakfast with razor-sharp blades and ample oomph. A great processor is also handy for whipping up a quick soup such as avocado and pea soup or avocado gazpacho.

Before you pop avocados into a blender, make sure they’re properly washed. Even though you won’t be eating the skin, it’s important to make sure your produce is clean.

6. An Excellent Cutting Board

Like many of the other items on our list, a quality cutting board will be your kitchen companion for years, if you take care of it, and your trusty companion for chopping up scrumptious, fresh salads with avocado and avocado bowls for lunch. By investing in a good cutting board, you’ll eliminate the expense of having to replace a cheaper, poor-quality board more frequently. Wood is the best material; marble dulls knives quickly, while plastic tends to absorb odors and flavors and can’t be massaged back to newness with oils. Wood is durable and curable and can recover with regular oiling and occasional sanding.

7. A Digital Scale

If you’re a frustrated baker, wondering why your breads, biscuits, cakes, and cookies never turn out quite like the recipe promises, we might be able to tell you the reason: measurements. A digital scale takes the guesswork — and unpredictable results — out of baking by letting you measure your ingredients with precision. Hello, perfectly moist chocolate avocado brownies and avocado cheesecake!

A scale is also useful for calculating the nutrition content of your food. For example, one serving of avocado is 50g, or about 1/3 of a medium avocado. And in that 50g is 10% your daily recommended value of vitamin K and folate, has 80 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients.

There are infinite ways to put your kitchen tools to good use. Try out a new avocado recipe tonight.

The post 7 Essential Kitchen Tools (Especially for Avocado Lovers!) appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

So you lucked out at the grocery store or farmer’s market and got a great deal on some fresh produce — congrats! You may soon realize, however, that you can’t possibly consume it all before it goes bad. Not to worry! You can freeze your finds so they’ll stay fresh and you can consume them later. Some foods retain their taste and texture better than others, though, so follow these tips to get the best results when freezing foods.

Vegetables

Vegetables that hold up well to cooking, such as corn, peas, and green beans, generally freeze well. For best results, blanch vegetables by boiling them for one minute in salted water, then submerge in ice water to stop the cooking process. Dry thoroughly before transferring to the freezer. You’ll want to keep the amount of air surrounding your food to a minimum to reduce freezer burn, so fill containers to the top, or use freezer bags with the air squeezed out.

Fresh herbs

You can freeze fresh herbs like cilantro, parsley, and basil. Remove the leaves from the stems and put them in an ice cube tray, fill with water (or olive oil) and pop in the freezer. When they’re fully frozen, transfer the herb cubes to a freezer bag. When you need to add herbs to a recipe, just thaw a cube and add them to your mix. These herbs will be limp, so they won’t work as garnish but are just fine for cooking.

Fruit

When frozen, the water in fruit expands, so you may find that frozen fruit loses its texture and gets mushy when thawed. Colder temperatures allow the food to freeze more quickly and reduce these effects, so make sure your freezer is on the coldest setting when you put the fruit in. You can also consider eating your frozen fruit before it’s completely thawed. Frozen berries and grapes are refreshing treats, or you can add them to a smoothie.

Avocados and Guacamole

Whole or sliced avocados don’t freeze well because they lose their texture when thawed. Instead, keep it fresh by squeezing some lemon or lime over any exposed flesh, cover with plastic wrap, and keep in the refrigerator for up to five days.

Dairy

Dairy products often don’t freeze well. If freezing all or part of a recipe that includes milk products, it’s preferable to freeze the rest of the ingredients cooked together and add the dairy after thawing. In many dishes, the dairy is added toward the end, so it’s easy to add after you take it out of the freezer.

General tips for freezing foods:

• Prepared dishes based on grains, meats, and vegetables that generally freeze well.
• Freeze food in serving-sized portions: Smaller portions thaw more quickly and you can leave the rest frozen for later.
• Don’t rely on your memory: Label the foods you put in the freezer and write down the date.
• It’s best to consume frozen foods within a few months for optimal taste.

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Let’s face it, it’s tough to make guacamole or other delicious snacks with little to no elbow room in the kitchen. So, how does one declutter and organize their kitchen to make it safe for slicing and dicing those delicious avocados?

Doing it well occurs in two main stages: (1) Setting up a new, effective system, and (2) maintaining that system. Whether your kitchen is big or small, and whether you keep it stocked with the latest gear or just the basics, these essential tips will help you get — and stay — organized.

SETTING UP A NEW SYSTEM

1. Give mismatches a moving notice

As with socks in the washer and dryer, so it is with plastic containers and lids in the kitchen: one member of a pair will always get lost. Before you set up your new system in earnest, clean out the items that are less useful because they’ve lost their partner, are broken or have missing parts, or are otherwise past their prime. If you can salvage a major appliance with a repair, make a service appointment and plan to get the piece back in action.

2. Assess the essentials

Treat your kitchen like your clothes closet: Haven’t used an object in a year? Give it a new home. Most of us have a drawer full of kitchen tools and doodads that might be useful … if only we remembered that we had an extra refrigerator light bulb or replacement moka pot gasket. The problem is, we don’t. Pack up some boxes or bags of those items you don’t use (here’s a good starter list) and donate them to your local thrift store. And if you have items you want to keep but didn’t even remember you had, consider how you might make them more visible in your new organizational system, or add them to a list of objects you don’t use often but want to remember you have. Don’t want to write that down on paper? Use an app like Evernote to get — and stay — organized.

3. Put everything in its place

Tools and utensils, cooking vessels, and spices are just some of the items that clutter our kitchens. If you cook regularly, you probably keep at hand those ingredients that you use on a daily basis (like avocados!), and you likely store those ingredients or tools that are in less frequent rotation. But is your storage system sensible or chaotic? As you start to organize and implement a new system, think about how you can organize items in a way that makes sense. When it comes to your spices, for example, group dried herbs and leaves (bay leaves, avocado leaves) in one section, powders like turmeric, cumin, and curry in another, and spices you tend to use for baking — cinnamon, nutmeg, and vanilla — in yet another.

4. Don’t get shamed into a system that doesn’t make sense for you

The “Kondo approach” to organizing makes for pretty pictures, but in real life, the “nothing on the kitchen counter” system doesn’t make sense for most people who cook daily. There is an abundance of advice out there (including ours!) about the “best” way to declutter a kitchen, but if certain tips don’t make sense for you, your family, or your lifestyle, don’t feel obliged to follow them. Do what works for you.

5. Don’t spend a ton of money on your new system

The catalogs and shelves of kitchen and home improvement stores overflow with bottles, bins, baskets, and other organizers that lure with their promise of magically tidying up our lives. But in addition to the fine print (you have to use them well and maintain them to reap their benefits), there’s usually a significant cost for this pre-packaged organizers. Instead of spending the kids’ inheritance, look at the underlying concept of the organizer and consider how you can set up something similar on a more reasonable budget — and maybe even with items you have at hand.

Use the backs of cabinet doors to install hooks that can hold small objects like measuring spoons, and take advantage of vertical (rather than horizontal) space by rescuing gently-used objects like wooden wine boxes from your local liquor store to store everything from plates and glasses to cookbooks. If you’re handy with tools, you can even make your own spice rack or shelving system. Cast-offs from other parts of your home — like wooden-slat closet doors — can become a fantastic organization system for the kitchen with a new coat of paint and some hooks.

MAINTAINING YOUR SYSTEM

1. Shop small

Sure, it’s tempting to stock your shelves with sale items or bulk purchases at wholesale warehouses, but sometimes deals end up creating a level of stress that undermines the joy of having saved a few bucks. Bulk purchases may make sense money-wise, but they tend to create clutter, and clutter, in turn, takes up mental space. Shopping smaller — buying only what you need, when you need it — is one sure way to prevent cabinets, shelves, fridges, and freezers from overflowing and contributing to kitchen chaos.

2. Schedule cleaning time

Preventing clutter from overtaking your kitchen is one sure way to help yourself stay organized, but even with a “buy only what’s needed” approach, you’re still going to need to schedule regular cleaning time. Beyond the daily dish washing, add periodic deep-but-fast cleans to your schedule. Doing this helps keep mess from escalating; regular spot cleans of the fridge (Wipe up those spills!) and freezer, as well as monthly washes of the utensil drawer holder, a quick wipe of the cabinet fronts, and a rapid recon of the oven will seem painless when they’re part of your scheduled routine (as opposed to, you know, a “How did this get so messy? I have to clean it NOW!” meltdown).

3. Focus on essentials

Sure, you could be the best dinner party hostess in the world if you just bought the latest salad spinner, but take a step back from the shelf and consider: Do you really need the newest kitchen tool? One of the surest ways to send yourself into a spiral of kitchen clutter despair is to keep accumulating gadgets that aren’t essential to your daily cooking routine. For every gadget you want to buy but don’t, put the equivalent amount of money in a savings account or vacation jar and reward yourself later for your smart restraint.

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When the weather outside is frightful, it can be awfully tempting to indulge in some comfort food and curl up with a good book or movie. But if you spend the whole winter doing that, you may start to feel the effects of inactivity well before springtime rolls around. Before you retire to the sofa, be sure you’ve done some physical activity every day. Exercise will help keep your spirits and energy up, and weight gain at bay, through those short days and long nights of winter.

Walk Indoors and Out

Get a pedometer or app that tracks your daily activity. Tracking the number of steps you take can be a great incentive to be more active. Aim for 10,000 steps a day. Take the stairs, park your car at the far end of the lot, or walk the few blocks to the grocery store instead of driving. It all adds up! And when cold weather and icy sidewalks make walking outside unpleasant or even hazardous, head to your local mall to get your walking in. Avoid the food court, and if you spot any sales you just can’t resist, you can reward yourself after you’ve completed your allotted steps for the day.

Take a Class

Is there an activity you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t gotten around to doing? Whether it’s salsa dancing or kickboxing, sign up for a class this winter so you can add a new skill to your repertoire. Doing something new is exciting and adds spice to your life and can be just the incentive you need to keep moving throughout the cold days ahead. You might even make some new friends!

Be Active at Home

Heading out to the gym may not be appealing when the weather is unpleasant, but you can just as easily stay active at home. Try a new video workout, or set up a playlist of upbeat tunes to rock out to as you do housework. Remember: From sweeping the house to shoveling snow, any way you can keep active counts. Need a snack between activities? Avocados From Mexico are available year-round and you can turn into a number of amazing snacks and meals. Check out the recipe section of Avocados From Mexico for lots of fresh ideas!

Go Ice Skating

Skating is both fun and physically challenging, so find a rink near you, and get out on the ice. Check the free skating schedule, plan it as part of your weekly activities, and invite some friends to join you to make the skate a social activity as well as a workout. Whether you’d like to brush up on your skills or it’s your first time on the ice, winter is the perfect time to channel your inner Olympian!

Play in the Snow

Take your cue from the kids! They don’t let the cold weather stop them from going out to play. Bundle up and get outside, make a snowman, build a snow fort, or challenge your friends to a snowball fight. If there’s a hill near you, you can grab a sled (or improvise one) and have some fun sliding and running back up. You’ll get your physical activity and a dose of adrenaline to get your heart pumping. Being out in the sunshine can improve your mood and give you more energy for other activities, too.

Whatever activity you choose, you’ll find wintertime far more enjoyable if you spend it keeping active. When the warmer days come around, you’ll be ready to meet them with a spring in your step!

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Is your kids' room so overflowing with toys and gadgets that you worry they have more things than they can possibly use . . . and nothing that encourages them to play with other people?

As parents, grandparents, and other adults involved in kids' lives, we may yearn for "the good old days," when kids could — and did — entertain themselves with simple pleasures. If that describes you, then it's time to get creative! It's possible to capture the interest of even the most digitally-connected kid with household items — like avocados! — that can be turned into fun-for-the-whole-family diversions.

Grow an Avocado Tree

Once you've whipped up a big batch of kid-friendly guac, take the seeds and gather a few supplies: toothpicks, glass jars, and water. Watch our video and build your own avocado seed sprouting system! With a bit of indirect sunlight, patience, and time, you will soon have your very own avocado sprout to plant! While you're working on this project, tell your kids where and how Avocados From Mexico are grown. Learning where their food comes from and how it's produced will likely make them more aware and grateful for all the food they eat.

AVO TIP: Want to whip up a guacamole that your kids are sure to love? Chef Pati Jinich shares her kids' favorite guac.

Carving Crafts* & Jewelry

There are so many craft creations that can come from playing around with avocado pits. Pull out the paint and other supplies! If you want the kids* to try their hand at carving avocado pits, make sure they're fresh. The longer the pit is allowed to dry, the harder it will become, and the sharper the tools you use will need to be. Just remove the skin, maybe split the seed in half, and start creating designs.

If you would rather avoid the potential pitfalls of carving, consider making broaches, pendants, or other beautiful table art, like these place card holders.

Games Day and Night

You can use your decorating skills to fancy up avocado pits before using them to play any number of games. You can keep it simple with a game of checkers, or go all out to make your own chessboard. If you're excited about getting the kids outside, break out the drill and make an avocado version of the ladder game! And if you're lacking in the power tools department, you can put together just about any kind of ball toss with points and prizes for the winners.

Tie Dye T-shirts

One of the most interesting things you can do with avocado pits (and skins) is to use it as a natural dye. Surprisingly, rather than green, the color ranges somewhere from light pink to dark coral. The paler colors are fairly easy to achieve, just by boiling the skins and chopped seeds in water, then soaking your fabric for a few hours to a few days. Both the length of the soak,and the type of fabric you use will impact the final color.

If you want to get the very dark colors, the dye needs to be treated (with ammonia, so probably best for the grown-ups to handle this part) and then fermented for several days. If you want to play with color, there are several natural dyes you can whip up in the kitchen. What else do you have in your kitchen? Try yellow onion skins (rusty orange, or try mixing it with the avocado) or walnut shells (brown or black). While roots like turmeric and beets give off a beautiful color initially, they aren't colorfast - use them for Easter eggs, but not t-shirts. Anything with a lot of tannins (think black tea) is ideal.

The Ornamental Avocado

If you have a lot of sparkly and festive craft supplies or household goods to play with, why not get the family in on making some holiday gifts? You can string painted avocado pits along with other dry flowers, seeds, pods, grains, fruits, and more, to make garlands (popcorn and rose hips are also good items to use) or decorative wind chimes. Look for some large bells to make this one perfect for the holiday.

If the kids would rather literally DIY and avoid family teamwork, they can each create their own unique ornament to hang on the family's Christmas tree. Older kids can carve the pit, while younger kids should stick to string, stickers, glitter, or other small objects that can be stuck to the surface. If the pits are still moist, bake carved pits to dry them before finishing them off. You can varnish the pits to keep them looking natural, or rub on gold or silver leaf for a brilliant finish.

AVO TIP: Only had enough room in your stomach for half an avocado? Find out how to keep the other half fresh and delicious.

*Carving an avocado pit can be dangerous and should only be performed under adult supervision. 

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Día de Muertos, or “Day of the Dead,” is a Mexican holiday that honors family and friends who have passed. It’s about remembering and celebrating the good things in life: the people we love.

It’s similar to Halloween in that it focuses on spirits and the afterlife. Yet, while most Halloween traditions center around warding off evil spirits, Day of the Dead welcomes the spirits of returning loved ones. The symbols of these holidays differ, too. Witches, ghosts, goblins, and carved pumpkins dominate Halloween décor, whereas skeletons, coffins, brightly colored flowers, and elaborate sugar skulls are common symbols associated with the Day of the Dead.

Like a batch of delicious guacamole, good things happen when you mash things together. Why not give your Halloween pumpkins a Día de Muertos flair with these fun design ideas?

Skull Jack-o’-Lanterns

The simplest way to rock a Day of the Dead vibe with your pumpkin is to forego the traditional triangular eyes and gap-toothed grin and opt for a more realistic skull look instead. To accomplish this, you’ll want a long, tall pumpkin for the best effect and a thin, sharp knife to get the rounded eye sockets and teeth. Print out a skull pumpkin carving pattern, then tape the stencil to your pumpkin and make pin pricks through the paper onto the skin of the pumpkin that you can then follow with your knife.

Sugar Skull Pumpkins

Sugary skulls decorated with colorful icing are a popular craft for Day of the Dead. You’ll need special molds and plenty of time to make them from sugar, but another option is to carve a pumpkin in a sugar skull pattern. Besides the eye sockets and teeth, you’ll carve thin lines, circles, and flower shapes as decoration.

Painted Sugar Skull Pumpkins

If you’d rather not take a knife to your pumpkin, another option is to paint it to look like a sugar skull. This is much safer for little kids, since no sharp knives are involved. Be sure to choose a pumpkin with a smooth, even surface to make your no-carve sugar skull pumpkin. Paint the shape of the skull in white. Then, let your creativity loose as you decorate with colorful fine-tipped markers. Finish off your design by applying some glitter.

Surface Pumpkin Carving*

Another alternative to hollowing out and carving up your pumpkin is to simply carve a design onto the surface skin. The best tools for this kind of job are linoleum blades and wood chisels: They’ll allow you to scrape off thin sheets of pumpkin skin and flesh so you can create a relief pattern of a sugar skull or anything else you can dream up.

If you just can’t give up the Halloween tradition of carving, here are some tips that will make your experience easier and safer:

• Choose a pumpkin that has a flat base. If you’re having trouble finding one, put a few small balls of modeling clay underneath it to create a base so your pumpkin won’t roll.
• Use an ice cream scoop to empty out the pumpkin’s guts — and don’t forget to save and roast the seeds for a tasty treat!
• Map out your design on the pumpkin with a dry-erase marker before you start cutting. You can erase and start over again if you make a mistake and wipe off marks left on the pumpkin after carving.
• Smear petroleum jelly on cut areas to help preserve your design and keep it from drying out too quickly.

Check out these Halloween-themed snacks, perfect for a pumpkin carving party!

*Please be advised that using knives to carve pumpkins and avocado pits can be dangerous and should be performed with the utmost caution and only with adult supervision.

The post Día de Muertos-Inspired Halloween Pumpkins appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Halloween brings with it more treats than most sane parents and caregivers could possibly want their kids to eat.

So, what do you do?

May we suggest adding a new trick to the holiday book by making your own avocado-inspired Halloween treats for a little balance to all the festivities? If this sounds a little too "out there" for your favorite little ghoul, it's not ... honest! We're talking about delectable treats made creamy, decadent, and delicious by everyone's favorite green fruit — avocado. Here's how you go about it!

Cool Treats

Kids love pudding, so why not mix up a scratch-made, no-cook chocolate pudding (we're looking at you, non-dessert makers!)? This is so easy, there's no need to even turn on the stove or take out a pan! Instead, take a whole, ripe, and pitted avocado, scoop out the flesh, and add into a blender with four tablespoons of good quality, raw cocoa powder, three to four tablespoons of honey or agave syrup (depending on preferred sweetness), and a half cup of almond or cashew milk. Add a pinch of sea salt and a half teaspoon of vanilla extract, then blend until smooth. Pour into fun little skull-shaped cups or something equally frightful, chill and serve. Sprinkle with dark chocolate chips and toasted almond slivers or gummy eyeballs and watch the kids devour your treats.

If your kids are adventurous and like tapioca, then try a chia seed pudding. To make the pudding, use a preserving jar with a lid and add about two cups of your favorite milk (nut, soy or dairy), the zest of one organic lemon, a sprinkling of cinnamon, a handful of washed, red, seedless grapes, and half a cup of chia seeds. Stir in four tablespoons of coconut sugar and the mashed flesh of one avocado. Make sure all is well combined and refrigerate overnight. Miniature "fish eyeball" pudding is served! Gross and good, right?

Dip'n Donuts

There's nothing like a freshly made donut, fritter, or churro to excite any kid on Halloween. Instead of the typical hot fudge dipping sauce, stir up a cauldron's worth of a ghoulishly grand green dipping sauce! Combine one avocado (peeled and pitted) with vanilla flavored yogurt, a drizzle of maple syrup, and a squeeze of lemon juice. Use a hand mixer or immersion blender to combine until silky smooth. Dip your heart out or use the dip to drizzle on Angel's Food Cake, Devil's Food Cake, or cupcakes, and decorate with gummy worms.

The Devil's Own Cakes

Dark chocolate cake, brownies as black as night, or "lava" cakes all benefit from the addition of creamy, dreamy avocados. For some who don't consume dairy products, avocados, even in baked goods, easily take the place of cream, eggs, and butter. If dairy and lactose don't bother you, you can still add the decadent goodness of avocados into your next batch of black-out cupcakes or brownies. If you don't tell the kids, it's pretty much guaranteed they'll never know!

Savory Solutions

Who says all Halloween treats have to be sweet? Why not take the savory route and give deviled eggs a gory makeover? Take hard-boiled egg yolks and combine with avocado flesh, a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce, green onion slivers, salt, pepper, and mayo. Fill in the egg whites and drop a slice of a black olive on top (to resemble an eyeball). Drizzle Sriracha down the egg yolk, and voilà: a treat that's gory and great!

Feeling really adventurous? Hollow out the center of a cauliflower and fill it with an avocado and salsa based dip made with mashed avocados, finely chopped red onions, tomatoes, cilantro, diced and de-seeded jalapeño, and a good splash of lime juice. Add salt, pepper, and your favorite hot sauce and serve your home made salsa in your "brain" bowl. Don't forget the tortilla chips.

Have a spooktacular time this Halloween!

The post Avocado-Inspired Halloween Treats appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

As far as snacks go, it's hard to beat the satisfying, salty crunch of chips. They hit all the right notes of taste and texture and can take on a seemingly endless variety of flavors. While they're easy to buy (just grab a bag and throw them in your shopping cart) and serve (open the bag and pour them into a bowl — salsas and dips optional), did you know they're also easy to make? And not just potato chips, either. In less than an hour, you can turn a wide range of vegetables and fruits (like the avocado!) into delicious crisps.

Here are a few of our favorite ways to turn vegetables and fruits into a tasty snack that your whole family will love.

Beet Chips

Beets come in a gorgeous array of jewel-toned colors — ruby, garnet, and carnelian among them — so they make for some particularly eye-catching chips. Grab three or four (or five or six—depending on the number of people snacking with you) beets and scrub their skins well, making sure to remove all the dirt. Next, slice them thinly, ideally with a mandolin slicer, as it will create a uniform thickness. Just be careful with your fingers!

Move your oven's rack to the center position and preheat the oven to 375 F. Place the beet rounds in a large bowl and add a generous glug of olive oil, as well as an extra-generous pinch of salt. If you want to add other seasonings, fresh chopped herbs, such as rosemary or thyme, are great options. Once you've added the ingredients, toss the beets to ensure they're coated with the oil, salt, and herbs.

Spread the beets out in a single, even layer on baking sheets; bake for 15 to 20 minutes or until crispy. Be sure to keep an eye on the oven so the chips don't burn.

Kale Chips

If you grow kale in your garden or if you're a member of a CSA (community-supported agriculture) program, you've likely asked yourself, “What do I do with all this kale?" Fresh kale, like many leafy greens, is bulky and can seem a little intimidating, especially after you've had it for several weeks in a row and you can't bear the thought of more steamed or sautéed versions. When you've hit that low point, it's kale chips to the rescue!

What looks like a big batch of kale will cook down considerably when you make chips, so don't be afraid to select a big handful … or two! As with all leafy greens, you'll want to make sure you wash them thoroughly, knocking off loose dirt. Once you've done this, clip the stems and compost or discard them.

Next, you'll need to make sure the leaves are completely dry. Whether you use a salad spinner or a towel-dry method, be sure you've rid the kale of any dampness; otherwise, you'll have soggy chips (and wasted kale).

While you let the leaves get an extra few minutes of drying, make an oil rub. Take a ½ to 1 tablespoon of olive oil and put it in a bowl and add a generous pinch of a spice of your choice. We like pimentón (Spanish smoked paprika) or cumin, but there are no rules here, so take a look at your spice rack and be adventurous! Once you've whisked the oil to ensure the ingredients are mixed, pour the oil over the kale and rub each leaf to make sure you've distributed the coating well.

Next, spread the kale leaves in a single layer on a baking sheet and place in an oven that's been preheated to 300 F. After 10 to 12 minutes, rotate the baking sheet to ensure even cooking, and give the chips another 10 to 12 minutes. Don't stray far from the kitchen, though; the chips can go from perfection to inedible quickly.

Once you pull the chips from the oven, sprinkle some salt on top, (only if you didn't add salt to your oil mix) and give them a few minutes to cool before serving.

Plantain Chips

Plantain chips are a staple snack or side dish in many countries, from the Caribbean to India. If you've never tasted them, you'll soon see why their popularity is nearly global in reach. Yes, they're that good.

Preheat your oven to 425 F and line a cookie sheet with parchment paper. Slice three to five (again, depending on how many people you'll have snacking along with you) plantains (the hard green ones — not maduros, or ripe, plantains) into thin rounds. A mandolin comes in handy for this job, ensuring even cuts.

Mix ½ to 1 tablespoon of olive oil with the spices of your choice, whisking well. Add some coarse sea salt, toss the plantain rounds in your oil mix and spread them evenly in a single layer on the baking sheet. Let the chips bake for 20 minutes or until crispy, rotating the baking sheet halfway through the baking time. Check for crispness before pulling from the oven and serving.

Tortilla Chips

Whoever coined the phrase “easy as pie," never made tortilla chips. Pie-making isn't exactly simple, but tortilla chips? Anyone can make them, and they're the ultimate DIY indulgence.

Take five to seven store-bought tortillas and snip them into triangle-shaped pieces. Lay them on your baking sheet in a single layer and place them in an oven you've preheated to 350 F. Bake them for five to six minutes and then turn them over with a pair of tongs. Let that side bake for another five to six minutes; then, pull the tray out and sprinkle with salt, paprika, cumin, cayenne, or any other favorite spice.

And serve with guacamole, of course!

Avocado Chips

You might be thinking that an avocado's texture doesn't lend itself to becoming a chip, and truth be told, you're not entirely wrong. You won't get the thinness of a traditional chip with an avocado (not unless you've got pro-level knife skills and a dehydrating machine, in which case, you probably don't need our help with a recipe!), but, with a little ingenuity, you can achieve the crispness of a chip.

Slice two or three avocados from top to bottom, scoring the fruit into wedges. Dredge them in some flour (add a pinch of salt to the flour first), then dip them into a beaten egg, and finally, dredge them in panko (Japanese bread crumbs) or homemade bread crumbs. You can also mix in spices of your choice — cumin, paprika, garlic powder, or onion powder are all delicious. Then, place the wedges on a baking sheet lined with parchment and bake at 450 F for about 20 minutes. The panko or bread crumbs should be golden brown.

The post DIY Chips: How to Make Tasty Chips at Home appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

As far as party games go, there's nothing more fun than gathering your guests and smashing a piñata, then watching as everyone dives to the ground to compete for the biggest haul of goodies. And sure, you could buy a piñata at the party store, but why would you do that when you could have even more fun making one?

Here's a step-by-step guide for a DIY piñata. Ours is avocado-shaped . . . of course!

1. Organize your supplies.

You'll need balloons, tissue paper, flour, and newspapers, as well as scissors and craft glue. If you want to make an avocado-shaped piñata, be sure to purchase a pack of 9"- to 12"-inch latex balloons (buy a package that has a few in case one pops) and green tissue paper.

2. Tear newspaper into strips.

You'll need about a week's worth of newspapers to cover your balloon. Tear the newspaper into strips that are about an inch across. Make sure you have these ready BEFORE you make your flour and water mix.

3. Gather the whole family and prepare to get dirty!

Crafting a homemade piñata really is fun for the whole family . . . if you do it right! Make sure everyone is dressed in clothes that can get dirty; you'll inevitably have your flour paste drip and cake on your clothes (don't worry; it will wash off).

If you have the option to do so, move all your supplies and your helpers outside. If you need to stay indoors, no worries! Just line a patch of your kitchen floor with some paper bags or extra newspaper so clean up will be faster once the papier-mâché work is done.

4. Make a paste for papier-mâché.

The amount of paste you'll need to make will depend upon the size of your balloon, but the recipe couldn't be easier: the ratio will always be one cup of flour to two cups of water. Mix with a whisk or spoon until the paste is smooth, without lumps, and the consistency of pancake batter.

Let the kids mix; there's no way they can mess it up and they LOVE having a hand in the process.

4

When your paste is done, it will look like this:

5. Blow up your balloon.

Take a deep breath and get ready to inflate your balloon. If its shape doesn't quite evoke an avocado, use masking tape to train the balloon into a better approximation.

6. Hang the balloon and prepare to get messy!

If you're working outside, find a pole or tree branch from which you can hang your balloon; this will make covering the balloon with papier-mâché much easier. If you want to keep the balloon at eye- and hand-level for smaller kids to help out, place it atop a flower pot.

7. Papier-mâché the balloon.

Dip the newspaper strips into the paste and place them in a single layer on the balloon, with the strips running vertically from top to bottom. Then, you'll want to cover the balloon with a second layer of newspaper strips. This time, the newsprint should encircle the balloon like a belt, with strips wrapped horizontally around the balloon.

8. Leave the balloon to dry.

You'll want to leave the balloon to dry for two or three days; it shouldn't feel damp to the touch at all.

9. Get ready to decorate!

Once the balloon is completely dry, it's time to decorate! Use the tissue paper to create an avocado look. It's as easy as wrapping the balloon in a couple layers of green tissue paper.

Want to go the extra mile? Make an Avocados From Mexico label to paste on your avo-piñata! This is another great part of the piñata-making process when kids can get involved.

10. Fill the piñata.

When your piñata looks party-ready, clip the knot of the balloon so that you create a hole into which you can pour candy and any other fillings (money and small party favors are good options). You may need to use scissors to make the hole slightly bigger.

11. Get this party started!

Now the only step left is to enjoy the fruit of your labors! Make sure the papier-mâché paste has been washed out of your hair, hang the piñata in a place where your guests will be able to hit it, find a stick that's just right, and have at it!

Don't forget to share your party and piñata photos with us! Use @AvocadosfromMexico or #AvocadosFromMexico.

And don't forget the guacamole! Chef Pati Jinich teaches you how to choose avocados for the perfect party guac.

The post How to Make a Piñata appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Yes, it's true. After years of being neglected and overshadowed by all kinds of foods, from shish kebabs to sushi, the voice of the pueblo was heard and an avocado emoji has finally been approved by the Unicode Consortium, the nonprofit organization that standardizes software and data worldwide. This means that in its next update, Unicode 9.0, our beloved avos will be represented in the digital world with a beautiful image of a ripe avocado cut in half, its seed showing. To celebrate such a wonderful event, and because we just can't wait, we've put together a list of a few fun ways you can use the #AvoEmoji:

1. Give your shopping list a splash of green.

Going for groceries isn't always fun, especially after a long day at work. The new avocado emoji is great for brightening your trip to the store. There are tons of apps that can help you organize your shopping list; most of them allow the use of emojis. Next time you're running out of avocado, you have a new, quick and easy way to add the beautiful fruit to your shopping list.

2. Use it as a term of endearment when texting your significant other.

Why does "pumpkin" get all the love as a nickname? Why do we use "sugar", "cookie", or "peaches" to refer to our significant others? Why not the avocado? If you really want to stand out from the crowd with a cute nickname for your partner, call him or her “Mi aguacatito" (My little avocado). If Mexico's national soccer team forward, Javier Hernández, pulled off an impressive career with the nickname, Chicharito (Little Pea), imagine what you can do with “Aguacatito"! Just think of all the texting fun you'll both have with the new avocado emoji. Phrases like “You complete me" will have a whole new meaning!

3. Communicate your avo craving when traveling abroad.

From now on, whenever you travel to another country, you'll have a new visual aid that will help you communicate across language differences. Who cares if you are in a gorgeous faraway restaurant and the server only speaks French, Russian, Mandarin, or Turkish and you don't? If you want to satisfy your avocado craving, just point to the avo emoji! No foreign language skills required!

4. Invite your best pals to a spa day.

Avocados are a favorite ingredient in facials and other spa treatments. Avocados contribute 4% of your daily value of vitamin E. Vitamin E is an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage and helps keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria. Whenever you feel like having a detox and pampering day, invite friends to come along by texting them an invite featuring the new avocado emoji. There's no doubt they'll instantly understand that the word "spa" plus the emoji means that they're in for a real treat.

5. Share your favorite guac recipe.

Guacamole is everybody's favorite dipping dish. It's not only nutritious, but also full of flavor. Traditional guac is made of mashed avocado that's dashed with hints of salt, lime, and some fresh cilantro, but be brave and experiment! Share your best discoveries and creations with your friends and family. Text your new recipe with the avo emoji—no doubt, you'll leave their mouths watering.

6. Text some friends for a last-minute guac night.

While we're on the subject, guacamole is a great reason to plan a last-minute get-together. Since it is so easy to make, and so delicious to eat, if you're in the mood to improvise a small party, the avocado emoji will be the ideal icon to use to invite everyone over. Accompany the night with chips, some refreshing drinks, and great music, and no matter what season it is, it'll feel like summer.

How will you use the avo emoji? Let us know! Tag your tips with #AvoEmoji or tweet us at @AvosfromMexico.

The post Top 6 Ways to Use the #AvoEmoji appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You’ve spent time hand-picking the prettiest produce — weighing your options, scrutinizing ripeness, and even pitting crops against their own kind — only to watch your purchases wither away uneaten in the crisper drawer.

Wish there were a trick to keeping your produce fresher longer? Spoiler alert: There is!

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations has found that roughly 45 percent of fruits and vegetables are ending up in trashcans and garbage bins around the world. Whether you stash them in the fridge or display them for all to see, there’s no reason your prized produce needs to become a food waste statistic. Keep your produce where it counts with these simple dos and don’ts of food storage.

• Do: Remove any wilted leaves from bags of prewashed lettuce to keep the slimy leaves from spoiling the rest of the bag. Store the bag in the crisper drawer of the refrigerator for best results.
• Don’t: Refrigerate produce like avocados, unripe bananas, nectarines, peaches, pears, plums, or tomatoes. Hint: If your avocados or peaches are unripe, store them in a closed paper bag (or wrap them in newspaper) for one to four days, checking daily for ripeness.
• Do: Refrigerate produce like apples, apricots, cantaloupe, figs, and honeydew.
• Don’t: Store vegetables and fruits together. Most fruits produce a gas that causes vegetables to ripen and spoil faster.
• Do: Give your produce some space. Don’t overfill those produce bags at the store, and give your fruits and vegetables room to breathe by storing them in reusable mesh bags or by poking holes in the plastic bags.
• Don’t: Clean your fruits or vegetables until you’re ready to use them. Damp produce increases the chance for bacterial growth and makes your vegetables and fruits more likely to spoil.
• Do: Store ripe fruit in the refrigerator if you want to lengthen its shelf life. For example, placing a ripe avocado in the refrigerator should keep it fresh for another two to three days.
• Don’t: Throw out veggies before inspecting them for usable pieces. You can safely chop off overripe sections of carrots, broccoli, cabbage, cauliflower, potatoes, garlic, apples, or bell peppers and use what’s left in stir-fries, salads, or soups.

Now that your produce storage questions are answered, sort through your recipes with these top apps for recipe organization.

The post Spoiler Alert appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Guacamole may be the most popular way to eat avocados, but did you know you can grill them, too? It's true! Surprise friends and family at your summer BBQ by showing off your new grilling skills! Here's everything you need to know about how to grill avocados.

Prep Your Grill

Preheat your gas or charcoal grill on medium. After a few minutes, let your hand hover above the grill. When it becomes uncomfortable after five seconds, you've got the right temperature for grilling avocados. The same technique applies for stovetop grills.

Prep Your Avocados

Cut a large avocado in half lengthwise. Twist the two halves in opposite directions — gently! — and pull apart. Don't remove the skin: Since the flesh of the avocado is very delicate, it may crumble if you slice it before grilling. For best results, grill unpeeled halves.

You can either remove the seed with a spoon or, if you have impressive knife skills, you can pierce it with a knife and pull it out. If it's going to be a few minutes before you get the avocados on the grill, squeeze some fresh lemon juice on the cut sides of each avocado half. This prevents browning of the fruit.

Grill Your Avocados

Just before you put them on the grill, brush each avocado half with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the avocado halves on the grill, cut side down. After two or three minutes, the avocados will be ready, bearing the telltale sear marks that BBQ aficionados typically associate with meat.

Activate Plan B If Needed

If a sudden summer thunderstorm rains on your backyard bash, don't worry! You can still "grill" your avocados by using your oven's broiler.

Place each avocado half cut side up on an ovenproof dish and then place the dish under the broiler. The gratification is nearly instant: In just 2-3 minutes, the avocados will be ready to serve.

Serve Your Grilled Avocados

If you can resist tucking into the fresh-off-the-grill avocados (We know; it's tough!), you can use them in a variety of ways.

You can scoop up the buttery flesh, mash it, and make smoky guacamole. Simply mix the grilled avocados with seeded and diced tomatoes, finely diced onions, chopped cilantro, a pinch of salt, and a squeeze of lime juice. Add some heat with chopped jalapeños to taste and serve with tortilla chips.

Make toast with thick slices of good quality bread, spread mashed grilled avocado on top, add a poached egg, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

Serve the grilled halves with some tangy homemade pico de gallo. Finely chop 4 seeded tomatoes, 1 small onion, 1/2 cup cilantro, and 2 jalapeños. Mix the ingredients and add 1 tablespoon lime juice and salt.

Garnish with chopped fresh basil or cilantro and serve with grilled chicken.

Surprise your guests with an avocado bar. Place the grilled avocados halves on a large serving platter and lay small bowls filled with toppings around it. Toppings might include roasted corn kernels, black beans, grilled or boiled shrimp, chile powder or paprika, smoked salmon, chopped tomato, chopped red onions, or crumbled feta cheese.

The post Grilling Avocados: What You Need to Know appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

This April Fools’ Day, turn the tables on mischievous coworkers or family members by serving up some special surprise treats. Imagine the look on your friend’s face when she bites into something “special” you’ve prepared just for her.

Forget what mom said — it’s time to play with your food. Here are five harmless but hilarious ways to fool a few people along the way.

• Make “ice cream” out of mashed potatoes. Use an ice cream scoop to place it in waffle cones and then serve the “dessert” to your unsuspecting guests.
• Serve “sushi rolls” made out of bread and vegetables. With a rolling pin, flatten slices of white bread, then lay matchsticks of carrots and celery and slices of avocado at the bottom of each slice. Roll up the bread, press to seal it, and then cut each roll into four to six pieces.
• Make a “drink” out of Jell-O. Prepare Jell-O like you normally would, but place it in tall glasses with straws before letting it gel. Serve as if it’s a beverage.
• Replace the frosting in Oreos with toothpaste. This one’s self-explanatory. Bonus: You can eat the extra frosting as you prepare your trick!
• Surprise someone with a sweet grilled cheese sandwich by toasting two thin slices of pound cake on the stove. Lather on a layer of orange-colored cream cheese icing in between and serve!

FACT-CHECKING:

http://greatideas.people.com/2014/04/01/april-fools-day-pranks-foods-jokes/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/arielknutson/21-totally-sneaky-food-pranks-for-april-fools-day#.muXv2dxe9

https://www.delish.com/cooking/recipe-ideas/recipes/a16992/sushi-surprise-recipe-mslo0911/

https://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/giada-de-laurentiis/chocolate-avocado-mousse-recipe-2110024

The post Food Pranks For April Fools’ Day! appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Admit it: Every time you scroll through Instagram, you can't help but wonder, how do other people make their food look so amazing? You've tried and tried, plating food differently and playing with the app's filters, but no luck: your meals still look boring. What's the secret? What does everyone else know that you don't?

Don't worry: We're here to let you in on all the tricks. You're just six easy steps away from posting your own gorgeous, appealing food photos on Instagram!

1. Establish mood through lighting.

Lighting is everything in an Instagram image. What kind of mood do you want people to feel when they see your photo? For a breakfast shot, make the scene bright so it feels like morning. Natural light is always best, so take the picture by a window if you can. If your image looks a bit dark, turn up the brightness in the Instagram app. Tip: Take advantage of golden hours, the times just before sunrise and sunset, when natural light is warm; it's the perfect time for taking photos outdoors. (Picnic, anyone?)

2. Take progress shots.

People love to see "progress shots" of a meal, especially dishes that are made at

home by real people — not like those meals made by robots. Prepping a salad topped with avocado? Take three shots: one with your ingredients, one showing your prep work, and one revealing the perfectly plated salad. Tip: Presentation is everything — place everything in separate bowls and on separate plates — and don't overwhelm the shot with packaging.

3. Shoot from above.

The best way to take photos of food with a phone is to shoot from overhead. Smartphones don't have the best depth-of-field, so the bird's-eye view ensures the whole dish will be in focus. This is why you see food bloggers teetering on chairs in restaurants, holding their phones over their plates. (Annoying? YES. Gorgeous photos? DEF.) When taking an overhead shot, the entire plate or bowl of food is visible, so it's important to fill the space. Tip: Use smaller plates so the meal looks bigger.

4. Use Instagram's filters.

Instagram's editing tools are the foodie photographer's secret sauce. Playing with brightness and contrast features should be your first attempt to make an average image graduate to greatness, but filters are where it's really at. Choose a filter that accentuates the color of the photo, making it pop. Tip: The Clarendon filter, set to 30 percent – 50 percent, does this well.

5. Develop an authentic voice.

Other Instagram users might love your nice food photos, but they'll stick around for more shots because of you. The best advice anyone ever gave you — Be yourself!

— is the best advice for Instagram, too. Stand out as someone who's interesting to follow. People love to see the good, the bad, and the hilarious, so don't be afraid to let your personality shine through in your food photo captions.

6. Use hashtags.

Hashtags are necessary if you want new people to find your content. They allow other Instagram users to find photos of things they love. In the food world, you have to think big and small. The tag #vegan has over 26 million posts, so yours could get lost in the shuffle easily. But using the tag #veganlove will put you in a pile of fewer than 300,000 posts, and your photo is much more likely to be seen.

This works for any kind of niche you are targeting. You can start by typing in the first part of your niche (e.g., vegan, paleo, clean eating, etc.) or the type of food you're shooting — avocados! — in the Instagram search bar, and a list of all tags associated with it will appear. You can use 30 hashtags per post so use them wisely and add them in the comment section below your initial caption. Tip: Less is more. You may be able to use 30 hashtags, but don't, because that’s annoying.

Now go get shooting! Practice makes perfect in food photography, so head over to Instagram and get started. Be sure to tag @avocadosfrommexico to show the world how you're using avocados!

The post Avotastic Instagram Tips for Foodie Photography appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The heat is on! It's time to get outdoors for sun and fun, and there's nothing that says "Summer!" more than a picnic. Grab a blanket and some friends, and pack your mosquito repellent, sun block, bat, ball, and Frisbee. And don't forget the picnic!

The perfect summer picnic always features avocados, which offer all sorts of fast, easy, and delicious options for delectable, memorable outdoor meals. Here are a few picnic-friendly dishes that will have your pals raving!

1. Make salad-in-a-jar.

Fill glass preserving jars with your favorite salad ingredients, keep them cool in an ice chest, and serve when it's time to eat. Start by layering a homemade dressing, like a green goddess vinaigrette made with sour cream or yogurt, your favorite fresh herbs (chives, tarragon, or perhaps some parsley), lemon juice, and avocado pulsed in a food processor. On top of a base layer of salad dressing, add hard veggies, such as grated carrot, celery slivers, cucumber slices, and crunchy radishes. Then, sprinkle the salad with some crumbled feta cheese or grated cheddar, and finally, your choice of lettuces. When you're ready, give everything a good shake or use a fork to mix it up before digging in!

2. Prep delicious avo-dips.

Pack a sealable container full of fresh veggie crudité — carrots, broccoli and cauliflower florets, celery, jicama, bell peppers, and whole cherry tomatoes — for a colorful and varied appetizer. You can't have veggies without dips, though! Try making your own avocado hummus with canned chickpeas, tahini, olive oil, garlic, lemon juice, parsley, and, of course, avocado. It's smooth, cool, creamy, and has enough heft to stick to the veggies.

Another great accompaniment is homemade avocado-ranch dip, a blend of parsley, dill, avocado, sour cream, mayonnaise, garlic, paprika, black pepper, hot sauce, and Worcestershire sauce. It's the perfect dip for just about any vegetable. Remember to keep your dips in your portable ice chest until you're ready to snack on them.

3. Stock the cooler with sandwiches.

You could go British-style, preparing your favorite sandwiches on crustless bread triangles if you have the time. If you're feeding a larger crew, grab a package of tortillas and let the hungry hoard make DIY-wraps. Bring ripe avocados ready to slice, pre-sliced cheese, alfalfa sprouts, and chicken salad for a tasty combo. If you have vegans or vegetarians in the crowd, skip the chicken salad and replace with marinated, cooked tofu cubes, or amp up the greens with spinach, your favorite micro greens, and a generous dollop of the avocado ranch dressing.

4. Dazzle up those deviled eggs.

Deviled eggs are a picnic staple, but that doesn't mean you can't experiment! Spice things up and mash the cooked egg yolks with some avocado, Greek yogurt, fresh dill, chives, your favorite hot sauce, and some sea salt before re-stuffing your egg halves. You'll thank us later! For fresh spring rolls, use rice paper wrappers (found at most Asian grocers), and stuff with a rainbow of shredded vegetables, smoked salmon, and avocado slices. Keep cool, slice at an angle, and dip in some soy sauce for a quick, fresh snack.

5. Surprise with sides.

If you can't have a picnic without a potato or pasta salad, make sure to dress it up with avocado cubes or slices. Farfalle pasta is a crowd-pleasing shape that tastes great tossed with fresh lemon juice and zest, oregano, Feta cheese, spring peas, and cubed avocado.

For an out-of-the-ordinary potato salad, dress your spuds with apple cider vinegar, mayonnaise, salt, pepper, celery salt, paprika, lemon juice, and diced cornichons (French baby pickles). Add slivers of avocado and fresh herbs, then toss and serve. Keep both cool in your portable ice chest.

6. Don't forget dessert!

The creamy smooth texture of avocados makes them the perfect stand-in for dairy and avocado can play a star role in a number of desserts. You can whip up terrific puddings using avocado puree. One of the best is a chocolaty affair, made with raw cacao powder, avocado, coconut milk, vanilla extract, and a natural sweetener like agave or maple syrup. Whip up a batch in your food processor, portion out in individual, sealable containers, refrigerate, and you're good to go! You can play around with the flavors by adding nut butters, mint extract, fresh berries, or banana slices — whatever you fancy.

After lunch (and a siesta?), get up and go for a swim or bike ride. Breathe deeply and, most of all, enjoy summer wherever you are!

Looking for more avocado recipes? Avocados from Mexico has plenty of them right here!

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UPDATE: April fools! We dream of the day when fortune avocados replace plain-old cookies as the future-teller of choice, but this April Fools’ Day announcement hasn’t become a reality just yet. Besides, we love our pits as much as we love the delicious green fruit itself — without those life-giving seeds, there would be no avo trees!

There’s no luck involved in finding a perfectly ripe avocado — Avocados from Mexico are always fresh and always in season — but now there’s luck to be found inside your avocado.

That’s right, starting next month you can get your hands on the first ever Fortune Avocados from Avocados From Mexico. These little green oracles look, feel, and taste the same as regular Avocados From Mexico, but they hold a fortuitous little paper fortune inside.

Through the use of a groundbreaking horticultural technology, the team of scientists and growers with Avocados From Mexico developed a new genus of avocado tree that can grow an avocado without a pit inside. The first trees took about four years to produce fruit, but today new pitless avos are forming on the branches daily.

Not wanting to stop there, we used our proprietary insertion technique to place a fortune-cookie style fortune printed on edible wafer-paper inside the avocado without disturbing the integrity of the fruit.

You can find your fortune soon, as more than 150,000 pounds of Fortune Avocados are expected to hit produce aisles in May. Good luck and may your next avocado bring you good fortune!

Think you can predict the future? Share your best avocado fortunes with us on Facebook.

The post AFM Launches New Fortune Avocados! appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The secret to grilling excellence is applying the proper amount of heat. If you use propane, you can easily control the temperature of your grill. If you're a charcoal purist, allow plenty of time to get an even white ash. The coals should have no visible black pieces and not too many glowing red pieces. It is also a good idea to have a meat thermometer on hand to check the internal temperature of your foods.

High heat (the kind that puts a good sear on steaks) is 500 degrees Fahrenheit; medium is 350 F; and low is 300 F. At 500 F, you should be able to hold your palm six inches above the coals for just 3 seconds, medium for 7 seconds and low for 12 seconds.

The post How to Grill an Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

As I try to work on the eating habits for my family, one go-to item for my husband in particular is Avocados. He loves to use them in guacamole, but he also enjoys them in a variety of recipes!

Did you know that Avocados from Mexico are 'Hass' avocados? This is the most common and it produces fruit year round that is rich in flavor with a nutty finish.. Avocados are grown in fertile orchards and are very nutritious.

Recently I learned that a great way to save avocados is to freeze them. My sister actually gets that entire delicious avocado out of the skin then she freezes it flat in the freezer, to sort of pause the avocado until she is ready to consume it. Then, she makes great guacamole for parties or simply a family snack. That is a great idea too for the upcoming holidays, freezing it ahead will save you time in making dips later.

Avocados from Mexico make for a great snack especially during party season. I know for us we are gearing up for holiday parties and that means I'll be stocking up on avocados for dips. I love that they are so versatile and easy to work with. It gives me a great go-to guacamole dip without all the hassle.

Avocados make for the perfect family treat for any occasion, plus typically even picky eaters enjoy them when used in recipes. This little fruit holds a plethora of cooking options, even grilling too! Not to mention they are great for toddler fingers!

I thought I’d share with you a quick list of my top 5 ways to use Avocados. My family loves each of these so much, I’m sure yours will too!

5 Perfect Ways to Use Avocados

1. Frozen Avocados
2. Avocado & Salsa Hot Dogs
3. Avocado Salsa
4. Avocado & Apple Chicken Salad
5. New World Chili
What are some of your favorite ways to use avocados? Be sure to share them with us, I'd love to whip up some more recipes with them for my family.

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This year, ditch the temporary diet stints and establish "SMART" goals for a better eating plan that works for you. "SMART" stands for Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Results-Focused, and Time-Bound. By thinking of your New Year's resolutions this way, you are more likely to achieve them. For example, instead of resolving to eat healthier in 2015, resolve to bring your lunch to work at least three days a week.

Think of your resolutions as goals; not as changes that will happen overnight, but rather healthy habits you work on to achieve your goals.

Come 2015, commit to (at least!) one of these three goals:

1. Start your day the smart way, with a bite to eat.

By now, most of us have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Think of it as the opportunity to kick start your body's metabolism and energy needed for the day. If you are not too keen on having a heavy meal in the morning, no problem. A quick spread of mashed avocado on top of toast, seasoned with salt and pepper, can be a great option as you head out the door. And if you are not a fan of breakfast foods, it is ok to choose an item like a sandwich or leftovers in your fridge.

Recipe idea:

Ham, Cheese, Egg and Avocado Breakfast Burrito with Chipotle Crema

- Take the classic breakfast burrito up a notch with the addition of creamy avocados and a spicy chipotle sauce

- Omit ham to make vegetarian; swap for corn tortilla for gluten free option

2. Eat 5 fruits and vegetables each day.

Eating fruits and vegetables is an essential part of living healthfully. They are loaded with vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and are good sources of fiber. Assess where you are at in terms of fruit and vegetable intake on a given day. Which meal is it easiest to include a couple fruits and vegetables? Which meal is it the most challenging? Think of your routine meals and find ways to add an extra fruit and vegetable…or two. For example, add zucchini and bell peppers to your next casserole dish and garnish with avocado slices.

Recipe ideas:

Roasted Green Bean Medley with Avocado Vinaigrette

-Simple side dish packed with flavor; use the avocado vinaigrette for your next salad too

-Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan

Asparagus, Avocado and Roasted Tomato Salad

-Roasting the tomatoes really brings out their flavor in this dish

-Gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan

3. Commit to savvy snacking.

There is absolute value to savvy snacking. By choosing nutritious foods—in controlled portions—in between your meals, you are making sure your body is fueled throughout the day. Snacks can even help prevent you from overeating at your next meal. Be sure to include at least one fruit or vegetable as part of your snack.

Dipping carrots and celery into guacamole is a delicious midday snack option. Don't forget about Avocados From Mexico's Guac Fiesta Sweeps! It's a chance to win a $3,500 prize pack from us and Old El Paso. Click here for more information.

Recipe ideas:

Avocado, Ricotta, and Sundried Tomatoes

A delicious snack that is quick to assemble

-Vegetarian, can eat with gluten free toast

Easy Avocado and Grapefruit Salad

-This unique salad is a great combination of sweet and savory

-Vegan, vegetarian, gluten free, dairy free

Reference

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Do you know how to have a perfectly ripened avocado? If you don't, I will teach you how to get your Avocado From Mexico on your schedule!

If your avocados are green and you want to speed up the ripening process, there's an easy way to do it. And if you have a ripe avocado but you are not ready to eat it just yet, you can keep it beautiful and fresh for a few more days following these techniques that I show you in my video.

To see more of my tips and recipes click and visit my corner.

About Pati Jinich

Jinich is a cooking teacher, food writer and chef at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D. C. She hosts a public television series broadcast nationwide and released her first cookbook, Pati's Mexican Table, in March 2014.

Born and raised in Mexico City, she enjoys focusing her culinary expertise on bringing the diversity of tastes and foods that her Mexican homeland loves, to the masses in the US and around the world. She absolutely loves to use Avocados From Mexico in nutritious and flavorful recipes for her husband and three boys.

The post Speed Up or Slow Down Avocados Ripening Process appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

So you have two halfs of an avocado but you will eat only one. That's a good poblem to have if you know how to preserve the half that you won't eat.

By following these easy tips, you can preserve your avocados and keep them fresh and beautiful to eat them whenever you want!

To see more of my tips and recipes click and visit my corner.

About Pati Jinich

Jinich is a cooking teacher, food writer and chef at the Mexican Cultural Institute in Washington, D. C. She hosts a public television series broadcast nationwide and released her first cookbook, Pati's Mexican Table, in March 2014.

Born and raised in Mexico City, she enjoys focusing her culinary expertise on bringing the diversity of tastes and foods that her Mexican homeland loves, to the masses in the US and around the world. She absolutely loves to use Avocados From Mexico in nutritious and flavorful recipes for her husband and three boys.

The post Preserving Your Avocados appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Three Quick Avocado Snacks

When you’re on the go, Avocados From Mexico are nutritious, filling, and easy to prepare. Here are a few ideas for light avocado meals that give your body key vitamins and minerals while giving you back few minutes in your busy day:

• Savory halved avocado: choose a ripe avocado and slice it in half. Drizzle a little lime juice and a bit of salt on it, then dig in with a spoon! This is a super quick avocado snack.
• Avocado with ricotta cheese and sundried tomatoes: Remove the skin from half of a ripe avocado and slice. Add a few teaspoons of ricotta to the avocado slices, then a few sundried tomatoes for sweetness. This fast avocado meal takes longer to describe than it does to make!
• Quick avocado taco: This snack is ready in the time it takes to warm up a tortilla and slice an avocado. For a more rustic taste, let a corn or flour tortilla crisp before adding a sliced avocado from Mexico.

If you have a bit more time to cook, check out other yummy avocado recipes like Shrimp Scallop Ceviche with Avocado or Classic Mexican Guacamole.

The post How to Use Avocados to Prepare a Filling Meal in a Snap appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Breakfast kickstarts your metabolism and gets you on the correct track straight away.

You can’t eat anything for breakfast though. A crème-filled donut, a bagel with cream cheese, or a chocolate chip muffin are not recommended. Instead, opt for some Avocados From Mexico, which are full of good fats, and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

If you don’t want to eat them plain, we’ve got you covered. Here are three ways to add Avocados From Mexico into your breakfast:

Avocados and scrambled eggs

Eggs and avocados are a fantastic way to start your day. Try adding a Hass avocado to your scrambled egg and cheese dish.

Take four large eggs, and whisk them with one tablespoon of water and a pinch of salt and pepper. Melt two tablespoons of butter in a pan and pour in the eggs. Cook until the eggs are fluffy, and then add in half of a sliced avocado with half a cup of grated cheddar cheese.

If you want some carbohydrates to go with the eggs, try them with two slices of toasted whole wheat bread or a whole wheat tortilla.

Baked avocado and eggs

Another easy recipe is baked avocados with eggs. Take two ripe Avocados From Mexico, slice them in half, and remove the pits. Crack an egg into each of the halves. Bake them for 15 to 20 minutes and then add some salt and pepper for flavor. You’ll receive 54 percent of your daily-recommended fiber with this meal.

Try them in pudding form

If you’re rushing out the door in the morning, and never have time to eat breakfast, you can make avocado breakfast pudding and take it with you. Grab one avocado, half a cup of milk, and one tablespoon of honey. Blend them all together and then garnish with two to three tablespoons of crushed almonds or granola. If you put the mixture in the refrigerator an hour before you leave the house, it’ll be even more refreshing.

Avocados From Mexico are easy to eat and can add nutritional value to any meal. At breakfast, they serve a crucial purpose, which is to get your day going on the right foot.

The post 3 Ways to Incorporate Avocado Into Your Breakfast appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

What does it take to grow a luscious and creamy Hass avocado? Well, like anything else worth having, it takes time, patience, and amor if you want the very best.

Naturally, all of the magic starts with the Hass avocado tree. Healthy and mature avocado trees can grow to be more than 50 feet high. They have dark green, glossy leaves and form a rounded umbrella shape as they grow. One tree can produce hundreds of pounds of avocados in just one year.

Avocados From Mexico

Mexico is the world’s largest producer of Hass avocados. The state of Michoacán in west-central Mexico is where 85 percent of Mexico’s avocados are produced. Avocado trees are a common sight in the area. You can find lush, green avocado groves flourishing on flat terrain and on the region’s steep hillsides.

The Hass avocado trees of Michoacán do very well because of the ideal climate, which includes warm summers with plenty of rain. Because of this, they produce fruit (yep, avocados really are a fruit) all year long.

But climate isn’t the only key ingredient required to successfully grow avocados. The soil has to be just right. In Michoacán, the secret ingredient is volcanoes. Yes, volcanoes. There are 1,350 volcanoes in this Mexican state. Over the course of millions of years, their eruptions have produced an incredibly rich soil that fuels the growth of the avocado trees.

Goodness that’s worth waiting for

Avocados From Mexico take an entire year to mature on the tree. Only after those 12 months have passed is the aguacate ready to be picked and delivered (usually within days) to a produce department near you.

Because avocados don’t start to ripen until they’re picked off the tree, harvesting has to be timed correctly in order to ensure that the fruit is not picked too early. If avocados are harvested too soon, they won’t ripen to their ideal creamy texture. Once the ideal avocados are harvested, they can take up to a week to ripen to a soft, buttery goodness at room temperature.

Who knew so much work went into growing such a tasty fruit?

The post Avocados From Tree to Table appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Although avocados are a fruit, just like most vegetables, Avocados From Mexico get even better when grilled. Why? Because the heat warms and softens the flesh and the addition of the smoke and other ingredients meld for a taste that is truly one-of-a-kind.

Basic grilled side dish

Do you love grilling? Great! Because this is grilling time! Cut a Hass avocado in half and remove the pit. Squeeze lemon or lime juice across the flesh. Coat the outside shell liberally with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place halves flesh-down on the cooler top grill rack for about 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and grill for another 2 or 3 minutes until you see sizzling on top. The timing depends on the heat of your grill, distance from the heat, and thickness of the avocados, so you need to keep an eye on it.

Use slightly firmer Avocados From Mexico because you don’t want a mushy mess all over your grill grates. It’s an easy recipe to prepare, and they’re a great side dish for entertaining.

Italian-style filled grilled avocados

Start with the same basic recipe above using lemon, and stuff it Italian-style. Fill the halved avocado with 2 or 3 tablespoons of diced tomatoes and 1 minced garlic clove. Sprinkle it with shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese and drizzle prepared pesto over the top. Grill until the ingredients are softened, sizzling and the smell makes you swoon. Scoop out and spread atop warm, grilled rustic bread.

Mexican-style filled grilled avocados

Start with the same basic recipe above, this time using lime juice, and stuff it Mexican-style. Add a mixture of 1 tablespoon salsa, 1 tablespoon canned corn, 1 tablespoon black beans, and top with cheese. Grill until cheese is melted and sizzling. Garnish with fresh chopped cilantro. Scoop out with chips or serve alongside any Mexican dinner as a topping.

You can follow Naomi on Twitter at @NaomiMannino.

The post Grilling time! 3 Amazing Ways to Grill Hass Avocados appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Who doesn’t know an avocado lover or two? Those special people who understand the wonders of this delicious fruit — from its nutritional value to its ability to add oomph to everything from appetizers and salads to desserts.

With the holidays around the corner, we set out to find fun, unique holiday gifts for those exceptional avo-lover friends and family in your life. It is never an easy task to find that special something that gets oohs and aahs, but we think we found it with these avo-themed gift ideas. They’ll make everyone wish they were on the top of your list.

Avocado Socks — Socksmith

$7.50
Wiggle your toes in these soft, green, calf-high socks adorned with halved avocados. A fun gift for anyone, including yourself. Just looking at the socks makes you want to add a little slice of avocado to your breakfast taco.
Grab This Gift

Guacaholic Flip-Flops — CafePress

$17
It’s hard to resist the urge to wear these amusing, yet comfortable sandals every day. The waterproof, rubber-soled flip-flops with matching contoured straps are sized for your kids, aunts and uncles, or other family members.
Grab This Gift

Avocado Swivel USB 3.0 Flash Drive — Zazzle

$23
Who doesn’t need a flash drive for work, school, or home? This is the perfect gift for college students, your husband, father, sister, or any avo lover. It features a swivel cap to keep the USB port protected and accessible. Choose from 8GB to 64GB.
Grab This Gift

Good Grips 3-in-1 Avocado Slicer — OXO

$10
Whether your good friend makes guacamole, avocado chicken salads, or avocado slices for snacks, this three-in-one slicer is the perfect tool. It splits, pits, slices, and scoops fast and effectively. She’ll love it.
Grab This Gift

Avocado Saver — Williams-Sonoma

$7
When your recipe calls for half of an avocado, there is nothing worse than being unable to save part of this delicious, creamy fruit. Check out this handy gadget, which reduces oxidation and browning with the help of an adjustable rubber strap. It makes a great gift for yourself, or anyone in the family.
Grab This Gift

Avocado Kitchen Timer — Amazon by Supreme Housewares

$10
This decorative kitchen timer lets you keep a perfectly ripe avocado on your kitchen counter at all times. It looks like a real avocado, measures time up to one hour, and is simple to operate.
Grab this Gift

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It’s 5 p.m., and you’ve just spent the past two hours in the kitchen preparing a masterpiece to bring to your friend’s potluck dinner. Now all you have to do is drive to her house. Easier said than done, right? Ensure your culinary creations arrive at their destinations in one piece with these handy transport tips, plus some delicious recipes made for travel.

Hot Dishes

Find a cardboard box roughly the same size as your dish, then line the bottom with beach towels. Seal the top of the dish with foil, then place the entire dish in the box. Pack more beach towels or dish towels around the dish until it’s snug, then drape a few more on top for good measure.

Cold Dishes

Use the same method as for hot dishes, except instead of towels use newspaper. Slip icepacks into each side of the box to keep the dish cool while you’re in transit.

Desserts

For pies, place an extra pie tin upside-down over the pie, then seal the two tins with a layer of foil or tape. For cakes, insert a few toothpicks into the top of the cake, then cover it with plastic wrap. For extra safety, put it in a cake box as well. Place both pies and cakes on a yoga mat or other grippy surface in your trunk and voilà, you’re set!

Potluck Recipes

Whet everyone’s appetite with a delicious avocado bruschetta: Roast tomatoes and then add diced avocado, red onion, and basil. Transport separately and top toasted baguette slices with the mixture and a balsamic reduction on-site.

Or make a delicious pasta salad with bowtie pasta, roasted eggplant, and tomatoes in a creamy avocado sauce. Simply combine avocados, lemon juice, garlic, basil, and salt and pepper to taste in a food processor, then mix into your pasta salad for a creamy treat.

Finished cooking, but still have avocado to spare? Use this method to preserve unused avocado halves.

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