Playoff season has kicked off! Are your football party dishes planned out for the Big Game?

Adding more avocados to your football party dishes is a big win for all. They’re delicious, a source of monounsaturated good fat, and have nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Naturally gluten- and cholesterol-free, avocados are a nutrient-dense fruit everybody can cheer for!

So, find a spot on a comfy couch, turn on the big screen to watch the Big Game, and grab a cold beverage to cheer on your team. Don’t forget to have plenty of crowd-pleasing snacks on your football party menu to nourish friends, family, and football fans all game long.

Football Party Dishes to Add to Your Menu

Spoiler: Almost every guest at your football party is looking forward to a big batch of guacamole as they walk in the door. Guacamole and the Big Game are inseparable, and you can never have too much avocado on the table. In fact, approximately 250 million pounds of avocados are consumed in the weeks leading up to the Big Game — that’s enough to cover a football field with 75 feet of guac! But that’s nothing compared to the record-breaking 2.48 billion pounds of Avocados From Mexico exported to the United States in the 2022-2023 fiscal year. It’s a fact: Football enthusiasts and Americans alike love to eat avocados!

From finger foods to main courses, sides, and desserts, avocado adds to every dish’s flavor, texture, and nutritional profile. If you’re unsure what football party dishes to serve, don’t worry; we have you covered.

Avocado Starters for Kick Off

1. Avocado Chicken Poppers
Finger foods are the name of the game during football season. Nobody wants to miss a fantastic play fiddling with a knife and fork! These chicken poppers are coated with a mixture of Parmesan and pistachios. Simply dip into avocado-honey mustard sauce to score a Big Game watch party touchdown.

Main Course Ideas

2. Avocado Fajita Pizza
Pizza is a game day lifesaver because it’s one of the easiest football party dishes to prep ahead. Dress a frozen pizza crust with pizza sauce and Mexican blend cheese and top with Tex-Mex fajita flavors. Pop in the oven when guests arrive, and before you know it, a finger-licking good meal is ready to be enjoyed. Don’t forget to add diced avocados just before serving for an extra kick.

3. Jalapeño Popper Sliders
Calling all grill masters! Game day is your day. So, grab a kitschy apron and throw something meaty on the grill. When burgers are sizzling, everyone is happy, especially when said burgers are bite-sized sliders topped with a spoonful of creamy guac!

A Side for Any Football Party Dish

4. Avocado Rainbow Slaw
The more fruits and veggies on the table, the less likely guests will feel a third-quarter slump. Avocado rainbow slaw provides fiber, antioxidants, and even protein to boot! The avocados in this recipe alone contribute nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, as well as heart-healthy “good” fats!

Decadent Avocado Dessert

5. Chocolate Avocado Brownies
Celebrate your win (or sweeten the loss) with perfectly moist brownies made with delectable mashed avocados. The instant coffee powder gives these brownies a little kick, while the crushed almonds provide a delightful crunch.

Why Are Avocados From Mexico So Special?

Avocados From Mexico are grown in rich, volcanic soil. They’re grown during four different bloom cycles up and down the mountains in Michoacán, which means they’re ripe and available year-round to make every day and dish better! So don’t wait for Cinco de Mayo — add Avocados From Mexico to your shopping list today and hear cheers from family and friends when you wow them with your avocado creations.

Avocados are the key ingredient to a good time with those you love! Find more football party dish ideas, games, and inspiration in our Big Game Guide.

The post Football Party Dishes Supercharged with Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

We will always be believers in the power of a good guac, but there are all kinds of delicious dips for football games worth, well, dipping into. There are hundreds of guacamole recipes (and we love them all equally), but guac is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to great football party dips!

These innovative spins on guacamole and game day dips will have football fans cheering around the country from kickoff to halftime and beyond.

6 Football Party Dips

The beauty of dips is that they’re so versatile. No matter what your crew prefers, there’s a dip out there for everyone. From vegetarian avo hummus to indulgent cheesy goodness, these six dips belong on your game day roster.

1. Game-Winning 7-Layer Dip

The name says it all, and this game day special is always a winner. With a bit of everything in every bite, this dip may need to make an appearance in every game day spread. Layer after layer of classic taco toppings such as beans, olives, salsa, and cheese support a layer of creamy guacamole made with spicy jalapeño, fresh cilantro, and tangy lime. Be sure to serve it with sturdy chips that can withstand a hefty dip!

2. Last-Minute Football Party Dip

Is it game day, and you have no time to bake a football party dip? Worry not: This no-bake, double-cheese dip has your back. Just combine the following:

• 2 c. shredded cheddar cheese
• 2 c. shredded mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 c. mayonnaise
• 3/4 c. Dijon mustard
• 1 red onion, minced
• 1 green pepper, minced
• 1 tbsp. horseradish (optional)

No need to bake, microwave, or even chill this creamy concoction — it’s ready to be served up with crackers, cocktail shrimp, or anything else you can dip with.

3. Avo Hummus Recipe

For those always on the lookout for excellent vegan options, this recipe earns its place in any plant-based diet as a natural crowd-pleaser. Brimming with the bold flavors of lime, garlic, and smoky adobo, this pureed spread of avocado, garbanzo beans, and tahini is filling and oh-so-smooth.

4. Maryland Crab and Avocado Dip

Any East Coast fans out there? Whether this dip fits your team’s region or your cravings, your squad won’t be able to get enough. It’s the perfect topping for crostini, crackers, and fresh green salads. Plus, the avocado featured in this recipe is a heart-healthy fruit that provides naturally good fats, is low in saturated fat, and is cholesterol-free. Score!

5. Easy-Cheesy Artichoke Football Party Dip

Artichoke dip is at the heart (get it?) of any legendary spread of football party dips. It’s also super easy to make it super cheesy. Just mix the following ingredients:

• 1 c. canned artichoke hearts
• 1 c. cream cheese
• 1 1/2 c. shredded or grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 c. sour cream
• 1/2 c. mayonnaise

Add the mixture to an oven-safe pan. Sprinkle it with extra cheese and your favorite seasoning (we like Cajun or taco seasoning for an extra kick) and bake for 20-25 minutes at 350°F or until the dip starts bubbling. Mmm. Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips, or slices of freshly baked bread.

6. Avocado and Tropical Fruit Salsa

Mango, pineapple, and lime dance a sweet and zesty tango through fresh avocado and cilantro, while jalapeño adds a flare of spice to this recipe. Complete the salsa by throwing in a few toasted pumpkin seeds for some crunch — it will be the spotlight of your game day table! Serve it as a topping to chicken or fish, or let it stand alone next to a bowl of salty, crispy tortilla chips.

Before you cut into your avocados, be sure you know how to tell if an avocado is ripe. This trick will also help you pick out dip-ready avocados on your next trip to the supermarket.

Discover more game day dips, appetizers, and ideas here.

The post The Top 6 Football Party Dips (That Aren’t Guacamole) appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

In the history of legendary football parties, there are two things that set the best above the rest: 1) a last-minute, game-winning play and 2) a delicious spread of party food. Come to think of it, dessert is really a combo of those two awesome things: It’s the last-minute, party-winning food that makes that win all the sweeter.

Football party desserts like brownies, cookies, and cupcakes are always good, but that just scratches the surface of sweets you can end the game on. So, when the clock strikes “fourth quarter,” be sure to have these five football party desserts on hand for the crew.

5 Football Party Desserts

1. Muddy Buddies Recipe

A sports fan’s classic, muddy buddies (or “puppy chow”) is a crazy-easy football dessert to dish up to the gang on game day. Finish up your burgers and guac early so you can dig into this stuff by halftime. To make it, all you need is four ingredients:

• 8 c. rice cereal squares
• 1 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 3/4 c. peanut butter (or almond butter)
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar

Melt the chocolate chips and peanut butter in a pot over medium heat and combine well. Turn off the heat and add the cereal, mixing until every piece is coated. Scoop the mixture into a large plastic bag and add powdered sugar. Seal the bag and shake until the gooey chocolate cereal is coated in sugar. Let cool, then chow down — just be ready to lick your powdered fingers after every bite.

2. Avocado Cookies

There’s a saying that goes, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” and it was first said about how homemade cookies are at all the best parties. We totally agree, but we’re talking about football party desserts. Avocado makes a game night better, even more so when it’s for dessert. Check out our recipe for Avocookies, a buttery, creamy dessert that can be easily decorated with icing or sprinkles in your team’s colors.

3. Homemade Brownies

The other must-have football dessert: brownies. Although box-mix brownies are great, this is a big game — step it up with this dark chocolate avocado brownie recipe made all the creamier with Avocados From Mexico and all the chocolatey-er with extra dark chocolate chips. Serve it up with a hearty scoop of vanilla ice cream, and you’ll be able to keep your cool in the red zone for those final 15 minutes (if your dessert lasts that long).

4. Football Cupcakes

What’s not to love about a cupcake? It’s a small, portable cake you don’t have to share. Dig into our recipe for avocado chocolate cupcakes, made extra special with fresh and creamy Avocados From Mexico AND with a drizzly treat: cajeta, or Mexican caramel. It’ll turn that already-amazing cupcake into a dulce de leche masterpiece. Win or lose, they’ll be there for you.

5. Chocolate Truffles Recipe

Bite-sized and easy to make, chocolate truffles add a delicious sense of luxury to your football party’s dessert table. We have two recipes we think pair perfectly with a Big Game watch party. The first is a super simple cookies-and-cream truffle, made with just four ingredients:

• 18-oz. package of chocolate sandwich cookies, crushed
• 8 oz. light cream cheese, softened
• 2 c. semisweet chocolate chips
• 1 tbsp. shortening (or coconut oil)

Blend the crushed cookies and cream cheese thoroughly until evenly distributed. Form small balls (each one a bit smaller than a golf ball) and refrigerate to help them solidify. Meanwhile, melt chocolate chips and shortening until pasty. Dip each truffle ball into the melted chocolate until coated. Add to a tray and refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened into a candy coating. If you can resist eating more than one, let us know.

Our other favorite truffle recipe includes a twist ingredient. Can you guess what it is? See if you guessed right by getting the recipe here. ( 👀 🥑 )

Now that you’ve planned out your football party desserts, you need apps. Find our favorite game day appetizers, dips, and more here.

The post The 5 Sweetest Football Party Desserts appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The best football party appetizers are the ones that disappear by halftime. So, whether you’re hosting a Big Game watch party or looking for a football game appetizer to share at a tailgate, these recipes won’t disappoint.

Football Party Appetizers Everyone Will Love

Not only will your guests not be able to resist these finger foods, but these apps are so easy to make you’ll almost feel guilty accepting all the praise. Almost. These recipes will save you some time and stress, which means more time watching the Big Game.

From sliders and dips to deviled eggs, here are the best easy football party appetizers around.

Better Deviled Eggs

Deviled eggs are a classic football party snack, but they get an extra kick of flavor when you add avocado, cilantro, and jalapeño. Use a food processor to mix the cooked yolks from half a dozen hard-boiled eggs with the flesh of one avocado, lime juice, jalapeño, and a couple tablespoons of chopped fresh cilantro. Blend until smooth, and use a pastry bag to refill your halved hard-boiled eggs. Check out other leveled up deviled egg recipes here!

Bacon Burger Bites

These Cheeseburger Bacon Bites are like mini burgers without the bun. Dress up turkey meatballs with bacon, cheese slices, and avocado, then add a dill pickle slice, a bit of lettuce, and cherry tomato on top. A toothpick will hold it all together and make it easy to grab. If you’re unsure how to dice avocado, this video will give you a how-to.

Buffalo Chicken Dip Recipe

Hot, gooey, creamy, and spicy — yep, buffalo chicken dip is heading to the football party appetizer Hall of Fame. You can make a simple five-ingredient version of buffalo chicken dip in your slow cooker. Combine 1 cup of your favorite buffalo sauce with 2 cups of shredded rotisserie chicken and heat it over the stove. Mix in 8 ounces of cream cheese and a 1/2 cup of ranch and stir until well-blended. Pour the mixture into your slow cooker and (generously) top with shredded cheddar or Mexican cheese. Cook on low for 30-45 minutes until bubbly, then serve it with tortilla chips.

Mexican Potato Skins

These Overloaded Mexican Potato Skins pack in a ton of flavor thanks to the bacon, cheese, and smoky chipotles in adobo sauce in this recipe. Fill your baked potato skins with a mixture of chipotle sauce and Mexican crema, cover with cheese, and place back into the oven until melted. Top them with bacon, avocado slices, and chives. The crowd will keep coming back for more!

7 Layer Dip Recipe

There’s a bit of everything (well, seven things) in this time-tested, fan-approved football party appetizer. Plus, this crowd-pleaser is easy to make well ahead of kickoff. In a glass pan, simply stack the following seven layers (listed here in order of bottom layer to top):

• Refried beans
• Sour cream or Greek yogurt
• Guacamole (lots of it!)
• Red or green salsa
• Shredded cheese
• Black and/or green olives
• Lettuce

Voila, seven layers of heaven! Get even more non-guac dip ideas here.

Easy Cucumber Roll-ups

Friends with dietary restrictions will be happy to see these Cucumber and Avocado Roll-ups as part of the football party appetizer spread. Both vegan- and gluten-free, these appetizers are a fun way to get in some vegetables. Thinly slice a cucumber lengthwise into ribbons, spread on a mixture of hummus, avocado, and lime juice; add a couple of carrot matchsticks, and roll them up. Easy to make, tasty, and nutritious — does it get any better?

Want to add even more WOW factor to your football party appetizer spread? Check out our guide to decorating your guacamole dip like a miniature football stadium.

The post 7 of the Best Football Party Appetizers appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

It’s game time! And you, the host, are the MVP of your watch party. Like a coach strategizing a winning play, you’re about to orchestrate the ultimate football party food lineup that will have your guests cheering for more. Consider this your playbook for good times during the Big Game, from touchdown dance-inspiring appetizers to game-winning desserts.

So, put on your apron, fire up the grill, and prepare to serve up football party food that will be remembered long after the final whistle blows. You’ve got this!

Football Party Appetizers

Kick off your football feast by bringing your A(vocado) game to the table — avocado appetizers! Just as the first quarter sets the tone for the game, football party appetizers are your first opportunity to build excitement and anticipation for your guests.

Game Day Guacamole Recipes

Is it even a football party food spread without guacamole? No appetizer compares to classic Mexican guacamole. But why not start the party with extra bravado by mashing up a bowl of championship guac made with crispy bacon and, of course, creamy, delicious avocados? Alternate move: Kick it up a notch with this spicy guac perfected by quarterback-turned-commentator Jesse Palmer.

Sometimes, an unexpected play turns into a big win. Tart pico de guac, for example, incorporates green apples and cucumbers, giving guacamole a tangy, cool zing. Then there’s jambalaya-style guacamole, which blends spicy andouille sausage with creamy avocado, or mango guacamole, which gives a sweet nod to the tropics.

Finger Food Ideas

Finger foods make for some of the best football party foods because you won’t miss any action fiddling around with a fork! Whip up a batch of avocado broccoli tots made with nutrient-dense avocado, sweet potato, and sumptuous seasonings. For some crunch factor, try out these avocado shrimp bites served on fresh cucumber slices. Or put together a plate piled high with avocado sweet potato nachos drizzled with avocado lime ranch sauce.

Football Party Dips

It's time to huddle up for the next crucial play of the party: dips! Just as a versatile quarterback adapts to every play, good football party dips are your all-stars, ready to tackle every chip, cracker, and veggie stick thrown their way. Here are just a few game day dip ideas.

This goat cheese, bacon, and avocado dip is a flavor-packed powerhouse, blending creamy avocado, bold spices, and a sour kick that’ll have your taste buds doing a victory dance. Is it still snowing outside? Warm up with Mex-Tex three-cheese avocado dip — the creamiest, cheesiest chili dip you’ve ever put on a tortilla! Can’t imagine a game day table without French onion soup? This avocado French onion dip will satisfy your craving with a delightful, lighter texture.

Pro tip: To prevent dip-hogging fouls, put your dips into single-serving containers, like the kind in this recipe for spicy seven layer dip.

The Best Football Party Dishes

Just like a team relies on its core players to carry the game, main football party dishes are the heavy hitters of your party spread. Remember, big plays move the ball forward in the heart of the game. This is your moment to shine, so go bold!

Better Burgers and Hot Dogs

Football is synonymous with grilled meats, and if you’re looking to tackle your guests’ hunger, look no further than a hearty hot dog topped with avocado relish or guacamole (a guac dog). Other easy crowd-pleasers include guaki-burgers made with Takis® rolled tortilla chips or smoky avocado and chipotle sliders piled high on Hawaiian buns.

Winter Chili Recipes

Certain events in the middle of winter (like a Big Game watch party) call for hearty football party food like chili. Try classic chunky beef chili topped with avocado, which proves that beans belong in chili once and for all. For a little lighter fare, try this amazing white chili with chicken.

Flavorful Sandwich Ideas

Mexican sandwiches are called tortas, and they’re a torta-ly fantastic football party food option. Check out the crazy chicken and plantain torta, which hits every flavor palate from salty to sweet. Looking for a kid-friendly sammie? With their fun pinwheel design, ham, cheese, and avocado rolls are a sure bet. Its grown-up cousin, bacon and avocado grilled cheese, will fly off the table, too!

All-Star Pizza Toppings

Casual get-togethers beg for pizza, right? Skip the delivery and create a gourmet-style pie in your kitchen instead. Avo fajita pizza looks fancy, but it’s easy to assemble and pop into the oven when guests arrive. You also can’t go wrong with a classic Margherita pizza with big slices of tomato and brilliant green avocado. Kids will especially dig into this chicken avocado pizza topped with feta cheese.

Tasty Taco Recipes

There’s a taco for every occasion, but when it comes to football party food, it’s best to bring out the classics, like carne asada tacos loaded with flavor and topped with creamy avocado or grilled chicken tacos that bring the sizzle in a super soft tortilla. Step things up a notch with sophisticated avocado pulled pork tacos made with kale and caramelized onion. Are pescatarian fans joining the party? No problem when you’ve got baja fish tacos or sweet salmon tacos on the table.

Football Party Desserts

Finally, it’s time for your football party food victory lap — dessert! As they say, heroes are made in the final quarter, and avocado-infused football party desserts will seal the deal and leave a lasting impression. Here are a few game day food ideas featuring avocado, the secret ingredient for sweet, sweet triumph.

Finish strong with a chocolate, cherry, and avocado fudge cake. The avocado makes this cake extra moist and adds a layer of nearly 20 vitamins and minerals. Is the clock running out before the final horn blows? Whip up this no-bake avocado cheesecake in no time. Or keep your cool with this avocado flan, sweetened by pineapple juice.

There’s no shortage of ways to score points with chocolate fanatics. Consider avocado pistachio pudding, double dark chocolate avocado cookies, or creamy dark chocolate avocado mousse. Many consider chocolate brownies made with avocado the ultimate culinary touchdown, turning a great party into a legendary one.

Tackle These Game Day Food Ideas!

The best football party foods have two things in common. The first, as you can see, is avocado. The second is that the dish is made with pride — for your team and the family and friends who bring more goodness to game day. So, gather your ingredients, and get ready to bask in the glory of a party well played, avo-fans!

Feel like a champion all the time by working more nutrient-dense avocado recipes into your day.

The post Football Party Food for the Big Game appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

When we think of mole verde (MOH-lay VER-day), only one thing comes to mind…FIESTA! Mole verde, known for its rich flavors and distinctive bright green color, is the perfect main dish to serve for special occasions, parties, holidays, and of course, at the dinner table. Unlike mole poblano (mole verde’s famous cousin), mole verde is a culinary celebration of delicious, fresh ingredients, including jalapeños, romaine lettuce, tomatillos, cilantro, and the star of this tasty recipe, Avocados From Mexico!

We know what you’re thinking: Is this another guacamole recipe? Far from it, but if that’s what you’re looking for, we have an extensive repertoire of delicious and innovative guacamole recipes on our recipe page, such as Hatch Chile Guacamole and Rocking Ranch Guacamole.

Adding avocado to this mouth-watering mole verde recipe creates a silky, smooth texture and a unique taste to the traditional Mexican mole verde, a spicy sauce made from a flavorful combination of vegetables, herbs, spices, and chiles. Just imagine the creamy texture of the Avocados From Mexico and the savory, spicy flavors of classic green mole. Tasty!

How to Make Mole Verde with Avocado

Ingredients:

• 1 1/2 c. pumpkin seeds, peeled
• 1 c. tomatillos, peeled and cut in half
• 1 ea. Avocados From Mexico, large, diced
• 1/2 c. white onion, chopped into large pieces
• 1/4 c. jalapeños, cleaned and roughly chopped
• 1/2 c. cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1/4 c. romaine lettuce, roughly chopped
• 1 tsp. garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. lime juice, fresh
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• 1 tsp. ground cumin
• 1/2 tsp. cilantro, chopped
• 1 c. chicken broth, unsalted
• 1 tsp. kosher salt

Instructions:

• Place the pumpkin seeds in a cast-iron skillet over medium heat and toast for about 5 minutes or until the seeds turn golden. Be sure to shake the pan occasionally to prevent the seeds from burning!
• Then, remove the pan from the stove. Let the seeds cool for 5 minutes. Once cooled, add them to a blender.
• Cut your Avocados From Mexico in half, lengthwise, and remove the pit. Then, add a cup of diced avocado to the blender. Store the other half of your avocado in the fridge.
• Add the tomatillos, onion, jalapeños, cilantro, lettuce, and garlic to the blender. Blend the mixture until the sauce reaches a smooth consistency.
• Heat your saucepan over medium-high heat and add a spoonful of olive oil. Add the ground cumin and cilantro and cook until aromatic (approximately 30 seconds).
• Add the blended sauce mixture to the saucepan and stir for 5 minutes or until reaching a consistency similar to tomato paste.
• Add the chicken broth to the pot, stirring until the sauce starts to boil. Reduce heat and let the mixture simmer for about 2-3 minutes.
• Remove the green mole from the stove.
• Add salt and lime juice to taste. ¡Que rico! (Yum!)

How to Serve Mole Verde

Traditionally, mole verde is served with chicken, turkey, or pork and a side of white rice. For a celebratory dinner, we recommend our delicious Christmas Rice, known for its notes of smoked bacon, green onions, and red pepper. There are endless ways to enjoy mole verde!

Start your day with a flavor fiesta and add our green mole to some of your breakfast favorites, like Loaded Guac Breakfast Burrito or Breakfast Polenta with Shredded Chicken and Avocado. Mole verde can also be used as a savory sauce to add more sazón (flavor) to your favorite dishes, such as Achiote Short Rib Tostada or Chicken Flautas. And of course, you can’t finish any meal without dessert! Our delicious Avocookies, accompanied by home-brewed coffee, are the perfect treat to satisfy your sweet tooth after a savory meal.

Visit our avocado recipes page for even more culinary inspiration! Indulge in our extensive library of recipes and cooking tips inspired by Mexican cuisine and global flavors. ¡Buen provecho! (Bon appétit!)

The post How to Make Mole Verde with Fresh Avocados From Mexico appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

What’s avocado salsa? Isn’t that just a fancy name for guacamole? A lot of their ingredients can be the same (and they both taste goooood) but they’re different. Let’s break down the fundamental difference.

GUACAMOLE (or “guac,” as the cool kids call it) is an avocado-based dip. SALSA, meanwhile, is (by its truest definition) a tomato-based sauce or dip. Avocado Salsa, then, is the best of both worlds — it’s a dip with a base of avocado and tomato. Both are equally in charge.

However you slice it, you can’t have too much of a good thing (that is, Avocados From Mexico). So if you’re working up a party spread, football appetizers, or a Taco Tuesday, guacamole and avocado salsa are both delicious options. The more options, the merrier!

Speaking of options, here’s a simple avocado salsa recipe. But if you consider yourself a Big League Blender, scroll down for recipes that are even swankier.

Beginner’s Avocado Salsa

Chunky and perfectly seasoned, this is an easy go-to when your avocado salsa cravings kick in. Here are the basic ingredients for avocado salsa.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium Avocados From Mexico, diced
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1/4 onion, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp. cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. jalapeño, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. lime juice
• 1/2 tsp. salt

Directions:

For a chunky texture, gently toss all ingredients in a medium bowl until mixed. For a smoother texture, put everything in the blender and pulse until it reaches your desired consistency. (Add water, olive oil, or more lime juice for a runnier salsa.) Pro tip: If you decide to lick the bowl clean afterwards, make sure no one is around to avoid an embarrassing explanation.

Spice Junkie’s Avocado Salsas

Got that itch for something spicy? The avocado salsa recipe below is a versatile dip that will get you sweating — but creamy avocado and Mexican crema will temper the spice just enough to cool you down and keep you wanting more.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium Avocados From Mexico
• 3 husked tomatillos
• 1 chile serrano (include seeds for more heat)
• 1 clove garlic
• 4 tbsp. Mexican crema
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt, to taste

Directions:

Blend until smooth. If it’s too thick, add a couple tablespoons of water or lime juice for a little extra tang until you get your desired consistency.

Crank the 🔥🔥🔥: You can spice things up in this recipe (or any avocado salsa) by adding more hot peppers — jalapeño, serrano, habanero, you name it. Just be careful not to overdo it, since hot peppers pack a mighty punch.

Sweet-Tooth’s Avocado Salsas

Sweet and spicy can be a good match, which is why adding fruit to salsa is not a new concept. One of the most common fruits in salsa is mango since its sweetness doesn’t overpower other ingredients and its texture is awesome for dicing and blending.

Ingredients:

• 1 Avocado From Mexico, diced
• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1/2 habanero (remove seeds)
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/4 c. cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp. fresh squeezed lime juice
• 1 tbsp. olive oil
• Salt, to taste

Directions:

Before you do anything, make sure you know what kind of heat you can handle. Habaneros are about 40x spicier than jalapeños — remove the seeds unless you’re trying to cause serious mouth-fires. Add all ingredients to a blender and pulse until desired consistency.

Sweet, Sweet Salsas: You can get as creative as you like with the fruits and sweet flavors. Try springing for recipes like Strawberry Avocado Salsa with Cinnamon Tortilla Chips, or this Avocado and Tropical Fruit Salsa. They’re unique for sure, but you won’t be disappointed.

That’s Salsa, Folks!

All of these salsas are easy to make ahead of time and store for later. Just cover them with plastic wrap or pour them into sealable container like a Mason jar or glassware. Keep your avocado salsa in the refrigerator to preserve it for up to a week. (Don’t worry about the avocado turning brown; the citric acid in the lime juice will prevent oxidation and keep their fresh colors from getting dull.)

All of these salsa go great with tortilla chips or dippable veggies like carrot and celery sticks. They’re also super good as sauce on tacos, loaded quesadillas, taquitos, enchiladas, or chicken tortilla soup.

For more good eatin’, head to our full avocado recipe archive.

The post The Complete Guide to Avocado Salsa appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The days are growing shorter, so why spend more time prepping dinner than you have to? Here are our favorite easy fall dinner recipes, each one containing Avocados From Mexico, and each ready in 30 minutes or less!

Related: Warm up on cool nights with our Mexican-Japanese fusion ramen recipe.

8 Easy Fall Dinners

1. Sweet Potato and Turkey Burrito with Avocado Pico de Gallo
   A new take on a true classic, this burrito is bursting with fall flavors. Sweet potatoes and ground turkey are topped off by a bright pico de gallo made from fresh avocado, tomato, and jalapeño, all wrapped up in a cozy and warm flour tortilla.
2. Ham & Swiss Panini With Apples, Honey, and Avocado-Mustard Spread
   Honey crisp apple, black forest ham, and a creamy avocado mustard spread you’ll want to put on everything — this crisp panini has it all. It’s easy to assemble, and when you’ve grilled it to peak-melty goodness, it’s guaranteed to you and your lucky family in a haze of autumnal contentment.
3. Beef Chili With Avocado
   As the weather cools down, our kitchen is heating up with this hearty beef and avocado chili! Delightfully seasoned with cumin, garlic, chili powder, and other cozy flavors, this chili packs in the protein with beans, cheese, and ground beef. On top of it all are diced, nutrient-dense avocados that contain 20 vitamins and minerals in every bite.
4. Lentil Apple Avocado Soup
   This easy fall dinner recipe just became the new apple of your eye. It’s brimming with the earthy flavors of lentils, shallots, ginger, and thyme and is beautifully dressed with an airy mix of finely chopped avocado, apple, cilantro, and mint. It’s perfect for especially cold nights!
5. Cheesesteak Taquitos With Avocado Cream
   These cheesesteak taquitos are ready in minutes! Complete with sweet bell peppers, sizzling steak, and toasted corn tortillas, they are packed with comfort and flavor. Topped with cool and smooth avocado cream, this dish finishes with a zing of lime.
6. Avocado Enchiladas
   Happiness comes from the simple things in life — like these quick and delicious enchiladas. Sprinkled with Manchego cheese and fresh cilantro, these creamy, flavorful chicken enchiladas are a perfect weeknight dinner for your family. Plus, the healthy avocado featured in this recipe is a good source of fiber and a great way to add fruit to your plate.
7. Harvest Bowl Salad With Balsamic Vinaigrette
   Fall is the perfect backdrop to enjoy this harvest bowl of delicious fruits, nuts, grains, and greens. Avocado, sweet potatoes, and apples sit on a bed of quinoa and kale, all topped with pecans, cranberries, and a zesty homemade avocado balsamic vinaigrette. Delish!
8. Roast Beef and Caramelized Onion Panini With Avo-Horseradish Sauce
   Gooey Swiss cheese, sweet, caramelized onion, and savory roast beef all make this delicious panini an instant family favorite. Topped with a spicy avocado horseradish spread and grilled to golden-brown perfection, this filling sandwich is all things fall.

It’s time to get cooking! Include Avocados From Mexico in your next grocery run, and be sure you know how to tell if an avocado is ripe, so you can select the best one every time.

Head over to our recipes archive to discover more easy dinner recipes that are always good, regardless of the season!

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Nothing makes happy hour happier than adding a delicious appetizer to the menu. Our app of choice is always guacamole, so we've gathered up a fistful of smashing guacamole cocktail recipes to give you the best of both worlds. After all, what could possibly be better than a guac-tail?

Related: Keep calm and sip on with this classic avocado margarita recipe.

5 Guacamole Cocktail Recipes

1. Strawberry Margarita Guac

   Fruity and refreshing, this guacamole is a burst of sweet summer time flavors! Blend up strawberry, lemon, and lime with your favorite tequila and loads of smooth avocado. Although this is one sweet dip, unlike most varieties of fruit, avocados are sugar-free. Trust us: One dip and this guacamole will have you sitting poolside.

2. Dry Martini Guac

   This guac-tail comes shaken, not stirred. Well, to be honest, it's more like mashed, but you’ll still feel like royalty while dipping into this vodka-laced delicacy. Rich blue cheese, salty olives, and zesty lemon will have you coming back, chip after chip.

3. Mojito Guac

   Drawing on inspiration from the classic Cuban highball, this minty guacamole is both invigorating and satisfying. Sweet cantaloupe and crisp jicama dance amid swirls of creamy avocado. And since avocados are a healthy, nutrient-dense fruit, there’s plenty to “cheers” with this guacamole cocktail. (Hint: This recipe is nonalcoholic, but feel free to add a tablespoon of your favorite white rum for some extra flavor.)

4. Mezcal Guac

   This recipe takes you to the hot, agave-studded wilds of Mexico with each bite. The cool, smooth waves of avocado are a lush oasis from the sizzling flavors of tomatillos, onions, and habanero. Meanwhile, lime, cilantro, and Mezcal (the smoky cousin of tequila) bring all the other ingredients into perfect harmony. It’s a guac-tail with a kick.

5. Piña Colada Guacamole

   Head straight to paradise with this tropical guac. Hear the call of the seagulls and the crash of waves in this blend of shredded coconut, delightful pineapple, and rum. To top it off, a perfect blend of cilantro, lime, and habanero will make you wish you were caught in the rain.

In case you’ve got any guac left at the end of your happy hour, be sure you know how to keep guacamole from turning brown, so you can enjoy your guacamole cocktail another time.

If these dips have got you craving avocado, explore more of our favorite guacamole recipes.

The post 5 Recipes for Guacamole Cocktail Hour appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Hearty and perfect for any meal, great for two or for a crowd, and never out of style, egg salad is among the most adaptable dishes you can make. But instead of using a traditional egg salad base such as mayonnaise, why not opt for creamy and delicious Avocados From Mexico?

Fresh avocados are a heart-healthy fruit. They provide naturally good fats, are low in saturated fat, and are cholesterol-, sugar-, and sodium-free. Not to mention that their delicious, green, creamy flavor is the perfect substitute for traditional salad spreads. It ain’t your grandma's egg salad, but it’s just as good!

Related: For more easy recipes, check out our five favorite shrimp and avocado salads.

Here are three unique ways to make avocado egg salad.

3 Avocado Egg Salad Recipes

1. The Simple Way

   Eggs-cercise your taste buds with this simple avocado egg salad. Diced celery gives a small crunch among the creamy egg and avocado mixture while onion, pepper, and Dijon provide a tasty kick! This salad keeps you content and helps defend against aggressive hunger cravings.

Did You Know? Avocados are a good source of fiber and are a great way to add variety to the diet. Dietary fiber adds bulk to the diet and can help you feel fuller faster and help manage your weight.

2. The Fruity Way

   This fruity avocado egg salad is stuffed with sweet pomegranate seeds, tangy orange, and Avocados From Mexico (because they’re a fruit too!). In fact, fresh avocados are essentially the only fruits with good fats. They are low in saturated fat and provide 6 grams of unsaturated fat per serving. You can see why they're our favorite!

3. The Meaty Way

   Now here's a chicken and avocado egg salad to fight off even the biggest appetite. Tossed with a garlicky, onion-mustard dressing, this recipe is too good to ignore. Crunchy lettuce and smooth, delicious avocado strike a perfect texture balance. And since it's packed with hard-boiled eggs and strips of roasted chicken, this salad is a great addition to any high-protein dietary regimen. Plus, all the ingredients also fit perfectly with a gluten-free diet!

These delicious avocado egg salads may be easy to whip up, but they won’t make themselves. So next time you’re at the store, don’t forget the avocados! Or make it easier on yourself by ordering avocados online and having them delivered to your door.

Hungry for more? Head to our recipe page for hundreds of ways to satisfy your appetite.

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You don’t have to wait for Taco Tuesday — chicken-avocado tacos are terrific seven days a week! The following five recipes are easy to assemble and customize to fit with a vegan or gluten-free diet. In 20 minutes or less, you can whip up a scrumptious taco dinner. Plus, the delicious avocados inside add nearly 20 vitamins and minerals — talk about a powerhouse meal!

Here are our five favorite chicken-avocado tacos, plus tips for adapting them to gluten-free and vegan diets.

Related: For some extra green, top your tacos with this avocado salsa verde.

5 Chicken-Avocado Tacos

1. Grilled Chicken Tacos

   You can’t go wrong with a classic. This recipe is piled high with juicy chicken, red bell pepper, and creamy avocado slices. The jalapeño will give you a little pep in your step!

Diet Modifications

• Gluten-free: Use corn tortillas.
• Vegan: Substitute chicken with sliced portobello mushrooms.

2. Avocado Chicken Fajita Tacos

   As they say, sizzliness is next to godliness. These seasoned tacos contain multitudes of flavor. Inside, you’ll find irresistible avocado, buttery queso Oaxaca, tender chicken breasts, and more.

Diet Modifications

• Gluten-free: Instead of a tortilla, stuff the ingredients inside a whole or halved bell pepper and roast in the oven.
• Vegan: Nix the queso Oaxaca. Replace the chicken with a medley of veggie fajita favorites: baby bella mushrooms, sliced bell pepper, broccoli, and cauliflower.

3. 20-Minute Easy Chicken Tacos

   Whether you’re short on time or patience, these easy-peasy chicken tacos will curb your craving quick. They’re quick to make but sacrifice no flavor — you’ll utilize a large share of your spice rack.

Diet Modifications:

• Gluten-free: You’re good to go!
• Vegan: Use the same marinade on diced potatoes. Roast them in the oven on a well-oiled baking sheet for 20 minutes at 400 degrees.

4. Traditional Pollo Taquito With Avocado Drizzle

   Taquitos are technically not tacos … but they’re close! These made the list because they’re overflowing with chicken and avocado goodness and authentic Mexican flavors. Not to mention refried beans and cheddar cheese!

Diet Modifications:

• Gluten-free: Don’t change a thing.
• Vegan: Skip the cheese. Replace the avocado crema drizzle with slices of fresh avocado tucked inside the taquito.

5. Lime-Rubbed Chicken Tacos With Corn Guacamole

   These tacos will put a little zip in your day! Fresh lime juice brightens the tacos with a sour bite, while the avocado helps cool down the fire of roasted jalapeño.

Diet Modifications:

• Gluten-free: You’re all set with this one.
• Vegan: Use extra-firm tofu or chickpeas for the main source of protein.

Chicken-avocado tacos are just the surface — there’s a whole world of avocado taco recipes ripe for the picking.

The post 5 Chicken-Avocado Tacos appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

A classic summer side dish, the cold pasta salad has never been more delicious than on lazy days. We’ve rounded up a few of our favorite avocado pasta salad recipes to keep your mealtimes cool and calm.

Whether you’re making these pasta salads as meal-prep lunches or for a lazy weekend dinner, remember that when you include Avocados From Mexico, you’re adding nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients to your family’s meal. That’s what we call using your noodle!

Related: You’ll never go back to regular mac after you try this avocado mac ‘n’ cheese recipe.

5 Avocado Pasta Salad Recipes

• Avocado Tomato Basil Pasta Salad

  Looking for the perfect recipe? Remain chill; this vegetarian pasta salad has got you covered. Made with whole-wheat rotini pasta, cherry tomatoes, avocado cubes, red onion, chickpeas, feta, and Kalamata olives, this avocado pasta salad is bursting with colorful veggies. Once it’s been topped with a hearty helping of avocado basil dressing, you’ll be in pasta heaven.

• Elbow Pasta Salad

  Sun-dried tomatoes, olives, and mozzarella cheese = good. Adding a dressing made from orange zest, raspberry chipotle hot sauce, and honey = even better. The final part of the formula: Topping it all with diced Avocados From Mexico. Now that’s perfection.

• Mediterranean Avocado Pasta Salad

  This chilled pasta salad filled with garlic, cucumber, red onion, and feta will have your tastebuds sailing away off the shores of Santorini. Add cherry tomatoes, basil, and avocados and you might just never come back. This recipe calls for rotini, but you can use any of your favorite short pastas to make it truly yours.

Pro Tip: Try substituting quinoa or brown rice to make any of these recipes perfect for a gluten-free diet.

• Avocado Pesto Pasta Salad With Oaxaca Cheese

  This avocado pasta salad is fantastic warm or cold. It features a homemade pesto and is topped with Oaxaca cheese — the perfect combo fora vegetarian entrée but just as great when served with salmon or grilled chicken. Just don’t forget to add the fresh avocado to help increase your family’s fruit and vegetable intake. They're delicious, heart-healthy, and a source of naturally good fats!

• Spicy Pasta Salad

  Though refreshingly cool, this chilled pasta salad still brings the heat in its own way. Roasted chicken, cucumber, feta, and black olives are tossed in a bed of delicate orzo. The jalapeño dressing lights a fire in your mouth, but creamy avocado soothes the flames. It’s the perfect pasta to eat by the spoonful!

When the feasting is finished, be sure you know how to keep cut avocados from browning so you can enjoy the leftovers for the next few days. Hasta la pasta!

Discover more exciting recipes like these on our recipe page.

The post 5 Cold Avocado Pasta Salads appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

There are few things we love as much as avocados, but a good brunch may just be one of them. And getting out of bed has never been easier than it is when you know there’s an avocado breakfast sandwich with your name on it.

To get you started, here are five avocado breakfast sandwiches that will have you rising and shining every morning. Each one pairs perfectly with a cup of coffee, a glass of OJ, or a sparkling mimosa. Cheers!

Related: Don’t want to get out of bed to enjoy your avocado breakfast? We get it. We can help with that.

5 Avocado Breakfast Sandwiches

1. Bacon, Lettuce, Avocado, and Tomato Breakfast Sandwich

   It’s the classic BLT — with a little something more. Tangy mayo melds with creamy avocado to create a perfect spread while crisp, salty bacon and sweet, juicy tomato dance on your taste buds. If that doesn't say “good morning,” nothing does.

2. Loaded Breakfast Banh Mi With Toasted Sesame Guac

   Bursting with a fusion of flavors, this brunch sandwich will make your tummy happy. Instead of popular sandwich spreads or condiments, this breakfast banh mi uses a spread of creamy sesame guac. (Virtually the only fresh fruit with good fats, avocados can play a dual role in helping people meet both fruit and good fat recommendations.) And when your stomach gets a load of the spicy honey-roasted bacon, crunchy cabbage slaw, and hard-boiled eggs all atop a light, airy Vietnamese baguette, don’t be surprised if you feel tempted to burst into song.

3. Mini Brioche Avocado Breakfast Sliders

   The early bird gets the breakfast sliders! This vegetarian-friendly brunch option includes fried halloumi cheese, scrambled eggs, and creamy Avocados From Mexico, all cascading over toasted, buttery mini brioche buns. Totally worth getting up and at 'em.

4. Topper Breakfast Sandwich

   This avocado breakfast sandwich starring chorizo was created by Pati Jinich. Its co-stars are homemade pico de gallo, two fried eggs, and (of course) the ever-delectable Avocados From Mexico. It’s all stacked between a crisp, buttery English muffin. Is your stomach grumbling yet? If you know the best ways to ripen an avocado, you won’t have to wait so long to try this delicious breakfast sandwich.

5. Bloody Mary Avocado Breakfast Sandwich

   If you’re looking to spice up your regular brunch game, we present this masterpiece of breakfast innovation. Hearty and satisfying, this sandwich will crush your hunger beneath strips of flat iron steak and cheddar-topped scrambled eggs. Then comes the kicker: Bloody Mary avocado salsa packed with all the classic flavors and spicy, crunchy veggies. After a breakfast like that, it’s never been such a great day to have a great day.

Each of these show-stopping avocado breakfast sandwiches is sure to wow at your next brunch, so shine the mimosa glasses and pick up some Avocados From Mexico — it’s brunchtime!

Wake up to even more avocado breakfast recipes here.

The post The Bruncher’s BFF: The Top 5 Avocado Breakfast Sandwiches appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Summer days may be long, but that doesn't mean your dinner prep has to be. We've gathered up our best summer dinner recipes that can be prepared in 30 minutes or less, and each one includes fresh avocados — our favorite heart-heathy fruit.

With these quick and easy recipes, you can spend less time in the kitchen and more summertime with your family and friends. Ring the dinner bell — it’s time to eat!

Related: For ultimate summer freshness, dig into these ahi-avocado poke tostadas.

5 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes

1. Thai Avocado Shrimp Bowl

   This quick dinner delivers the tastes of Thailand along with a fork full of fruits and veggies. And the best part? You don't even have to turn on the oven. Mango, cucumber, and mint keep things light while creamy avocado and sweet chili shrimp leave you wanting more. Bursting with flavor, this recipe is also a great option for anyone sticking to a gluten-free diet.

2. Shredded Chicken and Avocado Pizza

   Throw a curveball at your regular family pizza night by topping it off with nutritious avocado. This pizza starts with a zesty tomato sauce and is topped with piles of delicious mozzarella cheese and shredded chicken. Baked to perfection in just 14 minutes, and topped with chunks of our favorite green fruit, it's everything you've avo wanted.

3. Pineapple Hotdog Wraps With Spicy Avocado Dip

   Combining tropical with homestyle, this dinner cooks up fast and is perfect after an evening of backyard baseball. Since it takes less than 30 minutes to assemble these puppies, you’ll be dipping them into a spicy avocado-pineapple mash in no time.

Did You Know? Most Americans do not eat enough dietary fiber. Avocados to the rescue! Not only are they a heart-healthy fresh fruit, they’re also a good source of fiber and taste delicious — a triple win when you add them to your summer dinner recipes.

4. Baja Fish Tacos

   Hear that? The beach is calling! Whether you’re on vacation or just dreaming of island living, you can bring the beach to your dinner table with these fantastic fish tacos. Crunchy red cabbage and fresh cilantro tilapia swim in a creamy, zesty yogurt sauce. Easy to assemble and a rainbow of colors, these tacos will have you sailing away on your very own flavor wave in no time.

5. Tropical Chicken and Avocado Salad

   Go green and go grilled with this wholesome summer salad. Pineapple adds a crisp, tart twist to traditional salad, and avocado slices are an absolute must. The best part? You can mix up this tropical treat for the whole family in a matter of minutes.

With these quick and delicious summer dinner recipes, you won't have to sacrifice taste for time. And by adding heart-healthy avocados to your diet, you won't have to sacrifice delicious for nutrition.

Discover more avocado inspiration on our recipes page.

The post 5 Easy Summer Dinner Recipes With Heart-Healthy Avocados appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

For members of the gluten-free crowd who still like to enjoy a nice wrap from time to time, lettuce is a solid replacement for a tortilla. With a fresh taste and crunchy texture, it’s easy to see why lettuce wraps are exploding in popularity.

Add avocados into the mix, and you’ve got a recipe for flavor nirvana. The American Heart Association tells us that fresh avocados are a heart-healthy fruit. They provide naturally good fats, are low in saturated fat, and are cholesterol-, sugar-, and sodium-free. What’s not to love?

So jump headfirst into the avocado lettuce wraps below for some awesome lunchtime flavor.

Avocado Lettuce Wrap Recipes

• Beach Vibes Avocado Shrimp Wrap

  Just in time for summer but delicious any time of year! A potent avocado-mango salsa joins forces with shrimp in these lettuce wraps, creating a flavorful synergy and groovy beach vibes. The flavor profile is rounded out by a long list of quality ingredients, including garlic powder, red onion, lime juice, and apple cider vinegar. You’ll also need diced avocados — if you’ve never diced an avocado before, here’s the easiest way to do it.

• Mango Wrap

  With a range of ingredients, including mint, avocado, gorgonzola, jalapeño, basil, and orange juice, this wrap delivers a bountiful cornucopia of flavor. And if you’re trying to stay gluten-free, good news — you won’t find a trace of gluten here.

Related: Discover more ways to add avocado to lunchtime with these hearty avocado bowl recipes.

• Crisp Avocado Barbacoa Wrap

  Who is the real hero of this wrap? Is it the adobo sauce, with its rich and intense flavor? Is it the beef brisket, cooked to perfection? Is it the avocado, with its creamy texture and abundance of good fats? The truth is, all of the ingredients are important, and the real hero of the recipe is teamwork. This avocado lettuce wrap works just as well as lunch or as dinner, and if you decide you want the leftovers as breakfast, well, who could blame you?

• Buffalo Chicken Avocado Lettuce Wraps

  With a much shorter ingredient list than the rest of these recipes, this lettuce wrap helps you spend less time in the kitchen and more time in the flavor zone. When you take that first bite, you’ll feel the crunch of lettuce, the smoothness of avocado, and the fire of buffalo sauce. (To make this recipe truly gluten-free, opt for grilled chicken nuggets.)

Well, that’s a wrap…unless you want to check out even more avocado wraps. If so, head on over to our avocado wrap recipe page.

The post Add Good Fats to Your Lunch With an Avocado Lettuce Wrap appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Long gone are the days of boring salads! Avocado and shrimp is the perfect pair of powerhouse foods to liven up your plate. The following shrimp and avocado salad recipes are delicious and easy to whip up for potlucks, BBQs, and family meals on the fly.

Related: Learn the right way to slice an avocado in seconds.

Leafy Salads

Avocado and shrimp can make leafy greens go down easy, even for the pickiest eaters. The buttery texture of avocado softens a mouthful of hard greens, while shrimp delivers a satisfyingly savory bite.

• Shrimp, Avocado, and Winter Fruit Salad

  This heart-healthy recipe is packed with delectable fruits available year-round: creamy avocado (yes, avocado is a fruit!), tangy mango, and juicy red grapes, colorfully arranged on a bed of fresh greens.

• Thai Avocado Shrimp Bowl

  Feeling like Thai tonight? Make dinner a feast of Eastern flavors with this salad bowl, which combines a hearty helping of shrimp, mango, cucumber, peanuts, and avocado, drizzled all over with a homemade ginger-infused chili vinaigrette dressing. (And if you’re looking to whet your appetite, try one of these Thai guacamole recipes.)

• Grilled Prawn Salad With Tomatoes & Avocado Aioli

  While prawns aren’t exactly shrimp, they’re close cousins and taste identical. Try this savory recipe, made with fragrant garlic, turkey bacon, and tomatoes. No prawns? No problem! Substitute shrimp instead.

Lump Salads

Lump salads are an excellent choice for appetizers or an easy-peasy lunch. Only, instead of mayonnaise, which is commonly used in tuna salad or chicken salad, it’s creamy avocado that holds all the ingredients together in these delectable recipes.

• Avocado Shrimp Salad

  You can’t go wrong when you start with the basics. This classic recipe is easy to assemble in a pinch. It’s mostly made of—you guessed it—avocado and shrimp. Scoop it with pita or tortilla chips for an afternoon snack or scoop a spoonful onto crackers or lettuce leaves as an appetizer for party guests.

• Avocado Shrimp Salad Open-Faced Sandwich

  Tired of same-old, same-old sandwiches for lunch? Go bold! This shrimp and avocado salad-wich is a delightful change of pace. It’s served on rustic rye bread, and layered with sizzling bacon, arugula, and slices of ripe avocado.

Make Your Own Shrimp and Avocado Salad

One of the best things about salads is that the possibilities are endless. You really only need two ingredients for a great avocado and shrimp salad—the rest is up to your imagination (and vegetable drawer).

Mix and match ingredients to make your very own salad recipe at the Avocado Salad Center, or scoot on over to our avocado salad recipe page.

The post Shrimp and Avocado Salad Recipes appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Sandwiches have been go-to lunch and dinner options since the dawn of sliced bread for carnivores and vegetarians alike. So if you’re looking for meatless sandwich options that are anything but boring, assembling a vegetarian avocado sandwich is the place to start.

To get the most out of a vegetarian diet, choose healthy plant-based foods, such as avocados, which provide a good source of fiber, vitamin K, folate, pantothenic acid, and copper per serving. That’s why we’ve pulled together four of our favorite recipes for you to try out. Enjoy!

Related: Learn more than a dozen new ways to make vegan guacamole here.

4 Vegetarian Avocado Sandwiches

• Spicy Feta Avocado Sandwich Mash

  If you’re in a rush but don’t want to skimp on flavor, this ‘wich is definitely worth a try. You can make this recipe with just four ingredients (or three, if you want to ditch the feta and take it from vegetarian to vegan). This recipe is fast, easy, and features heart-healthy avocados front and center.

• Cucumber Avocado English Tea Sandwiches

  These decadent tea sandwiches are sure to make you feel like royalty. Buttery avocado and crisp cucumber work well as a team, creating a pleasant contrast in texture. Alfalfa sprouts lend a subtle crunch and add to the refined feel of these handheld treats. Add in the tang of whipped cream cheese and you’re at the tippy-top of the tea sandwich game. Pinky out!

• Tahini Avocado Grilled Cheese

  Avocado and tahini in a grilled cheese? You might be surprised by how good this one is. In this recipe, the classic grilled cheese soars to new heights with the help of avocado, tahini, and garlic. The result is a tasty vegetarian grilled cheese with some Mediterranean flair.

• Avocado Chickpea Salad Sandwich

  This vegan-friendly sandwich features hummus, avocados, and chickpeas to create a hearty textured spread that feels right at home atop a slice of fresh whole-grain bread. Green onions and spinach add a vigorous crunch, and a spritz of lemon juice ties it all together. Consider toasting your bread for maximum enjoyment.

Looking for more vegetarian avocado sandwich recipes? Check out our recipe archive.

The post 4 Vegetarian Avocado Sandwiches appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocados From Mexico are an American kitchen staple for a reason. A mild flavor profile, creamy texture, and year-round availability make avocados the perfect base for nearly anything — even ice-cream cake!

In the heat of summer, we’ve often got a hankering for a cold, creamy treat. So when the long day comes to a cool down, grab a couple of ripe avocados and make this no-bake avocado ice-cream cake with a chocolate-cookie crust.

Related: Satisfy your sweet tooth with these other chocolate avocado desserts.

No-Bake Avocado Ice-Cream Cake with a Chocolate-Cookie Crust

Crust Ingredients:

• 25 chocolate cookies with white-cream filling
• 4 T. butter, melted

Avocado Ice Cream Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico
• 1 ⅓ c. condensed milk
• 2 c. heavy whipping cream
• Juice of 1 lime

Fudge Topping Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. heavy cream
• 1/4 c. cacao powder
• 1/4 c. brown rice syrup (or corn syrup)
• 1/3 c. semisweet chocolate chips

Directions:

For the crust:

1. Pulse the chocolate, cream-filled cookies in a blender or food processor for approximately 1 minute; the crumbs should have a fine texture. Combine with melted butter.
2. Firmly press the mixture into and along the sides of a 9-inch pie plate, creating an even surface on the bottom. (Pro tip: Use a large spoon or measuring cup to firmly press the mixture into the plate.)
3. Place the crust in the refrigerator until solidified.

For the avocado ice cream:

1. Wash, peel, and pit the avocados. Puree the avocado flesh in a blender or food processor.
2. In a medium mixing bowl, stir in the avocado puree, condensed milk, and lime juice. Mix the ingredients at a low speed using an electric hand or stand mixer for about 2 minutes or until well mixed. Place mixture in the refrigerator.
3. In a large mixing bowl, add the heavy whipping cream and slowly whip the mixture for approximately 4 minutes. Gradually increase the speed until fluffy with some formed peaks.
4. Slowly fold the avocado puree mixture into the whipped cream until fully merged.
5. Gently spread the avocado ice-cream mixture into the refrigerated cookie crust. Smooth the top with a spatula.
6. Return ice-cream cake to the refrigerator.

For the fudge topping:

1. Bring the heavy cream, cacao powder, and brown-rice syrup to a boil in a small pot. Reduce the heat; simmer for approximately 5 minutes or until slightly thickened. Remove from heat and stir in chocolate until smooth.
2. Allow the fudge sauce to cool to room temperature before spreading on top of the avocado-ice-cream cake.

Freeze for 4 to 6 hours or overnight. Thaw for 5 minutes before serving.

Whip up more sweet treats with inspiration from our avocado desserts recipe page. Or make it a meal with ideas for everything from appetizers to main dishes on our avocado recipes page.

The post Summer’s Night Avocado Ice-Cream Cake Recipe appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Foodies around the world are talking: Air fryers are hot right now. Of course, we wanted to get in on the action, so we’re sharing our very own recipe for air-fried avocado frites. These golden-brown morsels are delicious appetizers at any event — and they’re made even more appetizing by our favorite dipping sauces!

Related: Explore all the ways to serve guacamole as an appetizer here.

Air-Fried Avocado Frites Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ea. Avocados From Mexico, sliced lengthwise
• 4 large eggs
• 1 c. all-purpose flour
• 1 c. panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. black pepper
• Nonstick cooking spray as needed

Instructions:

1. Slice your Avocados From Mexico lengthwise. (Here’s how to do it like a pro.)
2. In a medium bowl, whisk together the eggs with salt and black pepper. (Like it hot? Add cayenne pepper and chili powder to this bowl for a spicier batter.)
3. Separate all-purpose flour and panko breadcrumbs into two bowls.
4. Dredge each avocado slice in flour, shaking off the excess. Dip the floured avocado slice into egg mixture and then dredge in the panko breadcrumbs, pressing lightly to adhere. Repeat with all slices.
5. Place the avocado wedges into the air fryer’s basket and cook at 400°F for 9 to 11 minutes. Turn them over halfway through cooking. Let cool before eating.

Feelin’ Saucy?

These five fantastic dips and dunkers are our gift to you, so you don’t have to go looking all over the Internet for the perfect sauce to dip your avocado frites in. Each one is easy to make and incredibly delicious.

• Spicy Avocado Ranch: Ranch is the king of dipping sauces, made all the more dazzling with avocado.
• Avocado Green Chile Crema: Velvety, green, and the perfect cooling companion for piping hot avocado frites.
• Avocado Chipotle Sauce: Adobo adds a spicy punch to this sauce.
• Garlic Avocado Aioli: Pleasantly pungent, this four-ingredient aioli tastes great as a dip.
• Avocado Salsa Verde: Salsa time! Keep things green with this recipe.

Happy dipping! If you’re still hungry for more, check out the extensive catalog of recipes over at our avocado recipe page.

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If you haven’t heard, avocado pizza is in. With a crispy crust, ripe avocado, and gooey cheese, how can anyone resist? The best days begin with avocado breakfast pizza or end with a decorate-your-own avocado pizza with the kids. To help you have more days just like that, we’ve assembled a list of six of our favorite pies your family will fall in love with at first slice.

Related: Bonus recipe! Here’s how to make a Margherita pizza with avocado.

6 Avocado Pizza Recipes

• Avocado Pita Breakfast Pizza

  Start your day sunny-side up with a personal-size avocado breakfast pizza. This recipe is so simple, you can start it well before your first cup of coffee. No oven necessary. Sub out the pita bread crust for whole-wheat toast or naan bread for a heartier bite.

• Braised Brisket Skillet Breakfast Pizza With Egg, Avocado, and Chimichurri

  If your favorite pizza order is meat lovers, you’ll eat this up. This recipe begins the night before, with brisket simmering in a slow cooker. The next morning, you wake up to juicy, mouthwatering brisket ready to join freshly chopped avocado, tomatoes, and eggs on a pizza crust baked in an iron skillet.

• Avocado Fajita Pizza

  Tell the kids it’s pizza night… and fajita night! This pie features familiar Tex-Mex flavors, such as fresh avocado, bell peppers, and fajita beef. Instead of mozzarella, use a Mexican blend of cheese, then drizzle with homemade avocado crema.

• Chicken Avocado Pizza

  Sometimes, making the pizza is half the fun. Let your kiddos call the shots with a supervised night of top-it-yourself avocado pizza. Start with a premade, frozen dough and let your kids sprinkle on the toppings: diced avocado, feta cheese, cherry tomatoes, roasted chicken, and more!

• Avocado Cauli-licious Pizza

  One more reason to love the gluten-free life: avocado pizza on a cauliflower crust. This pizza is layered with complex flavors from nutty avocado to bitter arugula, sun-dried figs, and slices of salty prosciutto. That’s one sophisticated pizza!

• Chicago-Style Avocado Chicken Pizza

  If you like your pie layered sky-high, this Chicago-style avocado pizza is for you. This recipe shows you how to make your own deep-dish crust and fill it with a savory mix of classic ingredients. It’s all held together with a thick avocado-cilantro sauce.

Avocado pizza is versatile by nature. These recipes are just a starting point to get your creativity flowing. Add your favorite ingredients and improvise in the kitchen for a personalized avocado pizza experience!

Explore more clever ways to eat avocado from sunup to sundown on our recipes page.

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No matter how you slice it, Margherita pizza is a classic staple for pizza-makers everywhere. Our original recipe has all the great things you come to expect from this traditional style of pizza — paper-thin crust, garlicky tomato sauce, leaves of basil, and globs of mozzarella. But we’ve taken it a step further: We added creamy Avocados From Mexico to push it over the edge, and we are never going back.

Related: Guacamole has a soft spot for pizza too. Here are five ways these two can be paired.

Margherita Pizza with Avocado

Ingredients:

Dough

• 2 c. all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp. sugar
• 1/4 oz. instant yeast
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 3/4 c. warm water
• 1 T. olive oil

Pizza Sauce

• 15 oz. canned tomato sauce
• 6 oz. canned tomato paste
• 3 garlic cloves, minced
• 1 tsp. olive oil
• 1 T. dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Toppings

• 4 oz. fresh mozzarella cheese
• 6-8 fresh, large basil leaves
• 1 Roma tomato, sliced thin
• 1 Avocado From Mexico, sliced thin
• Crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

How to Make Margherita Pizza with Avocado:

1. Prepare the sauce. In a medium mixing bowl, combine all sauce ingredients and mix until smooth. Set aside.
2. Make the dough. Put 3/4 cup warm water in a large mixing bowl. Be sure the water is warm but not boiling. Boiling water will kill the yeast and leave your dough flat. Add the sugar and yeast and stir until well mixed.
3. Allow to sit for 5 minutes until the yeast begins to bubble. Add olive oil and combine.
4. Add flour and salt and mix well until ball of dough forms. Dough should be slightly tacky and soft. Add water or flour to adjust the consistency as needed.
5. Assemble the pizza. Roll out a section of parchment paper that will cover your pizza stone (or flat cookie sheet). Gently but firmly, shape and stretch the dough until it’s 1/4-inch thick and the desired shape. Brush dough with olive oil.
6. Spread sauce to cover the dough, leaving roughly 1inch of border around the edge.
7. Arrange all toppings evenly over the sauce-covered area.
8. Bake. Place pizza in the oven at 475 F. (Pro tip: Use a pizza stone for an extra-excellent crust!)
9. Bake until crust is golden and cheese is melted and bubbly, roughly 8-10 minutes. Cut, serve, and enjoy!

Still have an appetite for more? There are so many ways to use avocado every day, and it is always worth it! Find out just how many different ways we can spin this fantastic green fruit at our recipe page.

The post Scratch Kitchen: Margherita Pizza with Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

When combining the cuisines of different cultures, exciting new flavors await you at every turn. Avocados From Mexico and chicken curry might be one combination you weren’t expecting, but we’re serious when we say avocado is delicious with everything.

Slow Cooker Chicken Avocado Curry (Serves 4)

Avocado Curry Ingredients:

• 4 chicken breasts
• 2 c. Mexican rice blend
• 14 oz. (about 1 can) coconut milk
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, diced
• 1 white onion, chopped
• 4 tbsp. red curry paste
• 2 jalapeños, sliced thin
• Cilantro, chopped rough
• Tortilla chips

Pro Tip: Learn how to cut, slice, and dice an avocado like a pro.

How to Make Avocado Curry:

1. Chop your chicken into bite-size cubes and add to slow cooker with coconut milk, red curry paste, and chopped onion.
2. Set the slow cooker on low and let cook for 4 hours.
3. About 30 minutes before mealtime, cook Mexican rice by following directions on the package.
4. Distribute the cooked rice evenly between four bowls and top with chicken. Use a slotted spoon to remove the chicken from the slow cooker while leaving the sauce.
5. Ladle the sauce out of the slow cooker and into a blender. Add half of your diced avocado to the blender and pulse until you’ve achieved a smooth, even sauce. If you’re having trouble getting it to blend, you can add a bit of coconut milk or water, but be careful to not add too much. You’ll end up with a thin sauce — thick, rich, and creamy is what we’re going for.
6. Pour the blended avocado curry sauce over each bowl.
7. Top each bowl with chopped cilantro, sliced jalapeños, diced avocado, and crushed tortilla chips.

Chef notes: Try pairing your avocado curry with Indian guacamole. Serve it with your meal on naan bread for a delicious twist!

With both Mexican and Indian cuisines known for hearty helpings of spice and flavor, this chicken avocado curry is a scrumptious fusion of both. And with the aid of a slow cooker, it’s a convenient meal to prepare.

Related: Discover more culinary breakthroughs on our blog, such as our avocado ramen recipe.

If you enjoyed this recipe, have we got a treat for you! We’ve got all kinds of avocado recipes for you to explore, from guacamoles and salads to tacos and desserts.

The post Mexican-Indian Fusion: Slow Cooker Chicken Avocado Curry appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

We created this Mexican-Thai fusion for those who love both cuisine styles and don’t want to choose. It unites the warm, delicious comfort of pad thai with the handheld convenience of Mexican burritos — complete, of course, with Avocados From Mexico.

So the next time you've got cravings for both Mexican and Thai, don't choose. Fuse!

Related: Thai isn't the only fusion-worthy cuisine. Try this Mexican-Japanese take on homemade ramen with avocado.

Pad Thai Burritos with Avocado

Pad Thai Sauce Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. Thai fish sauce
• 1 tbsp. soy sauce
• 4 tbsp. light brown sugar
• 2 tbsp. tamarind paste
• 1 tbsp. sriracha (add more to taste)

Pad Thai Burritos Ingredients:

• 3 tbsp. vegetable oil
• 8 oz. raw chicken, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 4 oz. shredded carrots
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 1 c. bean sprouts
• 4 scallions, cut into 2-inch pieces
• 1/4 c. dry-roasted peanuts, crushed
• 4 large flour tortillas, warmed
• 1 Avocado From Mexico, sliced
• 1 lime, cut into fourths for garnish, optional
• 1/2 c. fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish, optional

Directions:

1. For the sauce: In a small bowl, stir together the sauce ingredients. Set mixture aside.
2. In a large wok, heat 1 ½ tbsp. of vegetable oil on high. Evenly distribute the oil.
3. Add the chicken, minced garlic, shredded carrots, and bell pepper to the pan. Cook for approximately 4 minutes, flipping the chicken once, or until the vegetables are tender and the chicken's internal temperature is at least 165 degrees Fahrenheit.
4. Slide the mixture to one side of the pan. Add the remaining 1 ½ tbsp. of vegetable oil and 2 beaten Scramble to desired consistency.
5. Turn the heat to low. Add sauce, bean sprouts, scallions, and half of the dry-roasted peanuts. Stir to combine. Set aside.
6. Place 1 tortilla in a clean, stainless steel pan over medium heat. Warm the tortilla for 30 seconds on each side. Repeat for each tortilla.
7. Spoon a hearty helping of the stir-fry mixture onto the flour tortillas. Place crushed peanuts, avocado, and cilantro on top before folding the tortilla into a burrito.

From Pad Thai Burrito to Bowl

Adding creamy guacamole is a quick, easy way to transform this into a delicious burrito bowl. Instead of a tortilla, load your mixture into a bowl and add a dollop of one of these delicious guacamoles:

• Rich Roasted Garlic Guacamole: More garlic and avocado? It’s a win-win.
• Simple Smooth Guac: Use leftover garlic and cilantro to whip up this classic.
• Spicy Guacamole: Turn up the heat with this dip that’s packed with habanero and serrano chiles.
• Thai Sweet Chili Guacamole: Coconut cream carries this guacamole to another Mexican-Thai level.

Looking for more ways to use creamy, versatile avocado? Check out our avocado recipe page.

The post Mexican-Thai Fusion: Pad Thai Burritos with Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocado Bowl Recipes

Lunch takes center stage in your day, whether you’re at work, at home, or working at home. In fact, lunch break is probably the most anticipated time of most people’s workday (except maybe for 5 p.m.). As such, it’s important to enjoy that break with a delicious, nutritious meal.

But finding something to satisfy your hunger at work — or meal prep in general — can be the pits. That’s why we’ve gathered five avocado bowls that are perfect for lunches. These diverse recipes are simple to prep for the week and contain everything to keep you going through the day. Bon appétit!

Related: More of a brown-bag-lunch person? Check out these turkey and avocado sandwich recipes.

5 Lunchtime Avocado Bowls

• Avocado Mediterranean Bowl

  Brimming with tastes of the Mediterranean, this bowl is jam packed with chickpeas, feta, cucumber, tomato, and olives, all laid out on a bed of bulger. Top with tangy avocado hummus and lemon vinaigrette for a wholesome bowl of “yum!”

• Avocado California Bowl

  Turn your workday doldrums into lunchtime daydreams with this tasty California bowl. Full of pistachios, currants, golden raisins, and pine nuts, this nutty bowl of couscous is what California dreams are made of. Just add basil pesto vinaigrette made with Avocados From Mexico and juicy chicken to this bowl for lunch with a punch.

• Avocado Ancient Grains Bowl

  Whether you’re going meatless or just have a hankering for something rustic, this bowl is a delicious vegetarian option. Quinoa, farro, and hemp hearts dance to the snap of snow peas with portabella mushrooms and garlic-honey sweet potatoes. Crown your creation with Avocados From Mexico and a drizzle of balsamic vinaigrette.

• Avocado Fajita Bowl

  An instant classic, this lunch bowl is loaded with sizzling fajita beef, black beans, yellow corn, and onions. And like any great fajita skillet, it’s topped with cilantro, sour cream, and guacamole so creamy your appetite won’t stand a chance. Mix it together and top it with your favorite hot sauce for a satisfying lunch.

• Thai Avocado Shrimp Bowl

  Sweet and spicy, fresh and tangy, it doesn’t get much better than this. Shrimp, mango, cucumber, and red onion share a bed of mixed greens while peanuts add a nutty punch of crunch. Fresh mint, sweet chili vinaigrette, and smooth Avocados From Mexico take this bowl (and lunches forever) to new heights.

Try your hand at any of these lunchtime avocado bowls or get creative by mixing and matching. As long as it’s got avocado, your lunch will be a great lunch. Check out more of our avocado recipes for new meal inspiration!

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Whether you grew up with it or discovered the instant version in college, ramen is about as heartwarming as it gets. That’s why we’ve combined a classic Japanese ramen with Avocados From Mexico.

This recipe is a fusion cuisine like nothing you’ve tried before. Beginning with the simple umami of broth and classic ramen noodles, this recipe is made unique by its flavorful twist: jalapeño heat, cilantro, and smooth, creamy Avocados From Mexico.

So if you can’t decide between Mexican and Japanese — don’t! With this Mexican-Japanese fusion bowl, you won’t have to compromise your cravings.

Related: Discover more fusion fun with Jax’s list of international guacamole recipes.

Avocado Ramen Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1/2 tbsp. sesame oil
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 3 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 tbsp. ground ginger
• 3 tbsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 32 oz. reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 16 oz. dried ramen noodles
• 1/2 c. shiitake mushrooms
• 4 sheets seaweed snack
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, sliced
• 1 jalapeño, thinly sliced
• 1/3 c. cilantro, chopped
• 3 green onions, thinly sliced
• Salt to taste

Directions:

1. To soft-boil the eggs, place them in a small pot and cover with about 1 inch of cold water. Bring the water to a boil and cook for 1 minute. Cover pot and remove from heat. Let stand for 8 minutes. After 8 minutes, peel the eggs and slice them in half. If they are still hot, run under cold water until manageable.
2. Heat the oil and butter over medium heat in a large pot until butter is melted. Add garlic and ginger and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute, stirring constantly. Stir in the soy sauce, chicken broth, and mushrooms. Bring to a boil and allow to simmer for 8 minutes or until mushrooms are soft. Season broth with salt to taste.
3. Add ramen noodles to broth and cook as directed, usually around 2-3 minutes. In the bottom of each serving bowl, place one sheet of seaweed snack. Divide noodles between serving bowls and place atop the seaweed snacks. Add broth to each bowl, leaving room for generous toppings.
4. Top each serving with half an egg, avocado slices, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and green onions. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Feeling adventurous? Find more inspiration on our avocado recipe page. Let’s get cookin’!

The post Homemade Ramen with Avocado: Mexican-Japanese Fusion appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

When the holiday season is right around the corner, sweet tooths of all ages start tingling for festive desserts. Of course, we’re looking forward to sharing in these holiday desserts that all feature Avocados From Mexico.

From pies to puddings to eggnog, these avocado holiday dessert recipes are just what you need to get into the holiday spirit. Here are our six favorites.

Related: Keep the holiday season feeling relaxed with these DIY avocado spa hacks.

Our Favorite Avocado Holiday Desserts

• Lemon Avocado Pie
  This pie recipe throws a delicious curve into your traditional holiday meringue. Citrusy and sweet, the cream of this pie is made fluffy and light by avocado, condensed milk, and whipped cream. It rides into your mouth on a buttery, flaky pie crust.
• Chocolate Dipped Avo Mints
  These confectionary morsels unite a few traditional tastes of the season, pairing the crackle of peppermint candies with an avocado and white chocolate filling. And given that it’s wrapped up in a dark chocolate coating, you won’t be able to eat just one.
• Avocado Flan
  Sweet, refreshing, and beautifully bright, this creamy avocado flan will stand out at any holiday celebration. A smooth blend of avocado and yogurt is perked up by the tropical notes of pineapple. It’s a perfectly balanced masterpiece. It’s flan-tastic.
• Avocado and Pistachio Pudding
  Oh, bring us an avo pudding! Oh, bring us an avo pudding! Truly a delight, this recipe brings together velvety chocolate with the round, nutty flavors of pistachio and avocado. Topped with toasted coconut, the dish is sweetened up with a warm, gooey finish of honey. We won’t go until we get some.
• Dark Chocolate Avocado Truffles
  Good things come in small packages, especially these truffles. Beneath the indulgent dark chocolate shell lies a silky, decadent filling. Top with festive sprinkles, coconut shavings, or coarse sea salt and this dessert will have you feeling merry and bright all season.
• Coconut Avo Eggnog
  Coconut milk and avocado come together to make this eggnog thick yet airy, frothy and smooth: a perfect combination for a cold night. Top with nutmeg and serve with or without coconut rum for a timeless holiday treat.

If we’ve got your sweet tooth aching for more, here are even more avocado dessert recipes. Or head over to our avocado recipe page to find more apps and entrees for your holiday feast.

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Attending the annual state fair is a tradition in many families around the country, but it can be just as much fun at home. With a little imagination (and a couple of blue-ribbon-worthy avocados), you and your family can recreate the joy of the state fair right in your own backyard.

It shouldn’t surprise you that we put an avocado twist on traditional state fair grub. From corn dogs to ice cream, each of these recipes is made with fresh, creamy Avocados From Mexico. And as a special bonus, we’ve also included three DIY state fair games you can play at home. Step right up!

Related: As the weather cools down, turn up the heat! Learn the ins and outs of making spicy guacamole.

Guac Out with State Fair Guac

It sounds corny — or rather, corn-doggy — but State Fair Guacamole is easy to make and even easier to devour. All you have to do is mash a couple Avocados From Mexico with lemon juice and throw in some hot mini corn dogs for a festive dip.

If you prefer hot tots to hot dogs, Guac Tots are for you. These fried appetizers unite creamy avocados and classic cornmeal, and they’re topped with a double-whammy kick of spice: jalapeño and Louisiana-style hot sauce.

Chill Out with Frozen Avocado Treats

Cool down after you work up a sweat playing carnival games by enjoying a frozen treat. The night before your DIY state fair, gather pineapple chunks, frozen bananas, honey, and avocados to churn into Tropical Avocado “Nice” Cream that hardens overnight. Serve in a waffle cone — and don’t forget the sprinkles!

Popsicle lovers in your home will love these Coconut Avocado Popsicles. They’re perfect for carrying around the backyard while enjoying the festivities.

Deep Fried and Gone to Heaven – Deep Fried Avocado Snacks

State fairs are known for fantastic fried foods. If you don’t own a deep fryer at home, don’t worry — you can still make plenty of crunchy, golden-fried foods. These Tempura-Fried Avocado Bites, for instance, can be fried in a deep pan or cast iron. Just dice your avocados, toss them in batter, and fry until golden brown. Pro tip: Sprinkle them with powdered sugar for an authentic state fair touch.

Air fryers will get a kick out of these Air-Fried Avocado Fries with Chipotle Mayo. Avocado is the new potato — haven’t you heard?

DIY State Fair Games

You can make a surprising number of midway games using common household objects — including leftover avocado pits. Making the games is all part of the at-home amusement!

• Build-A-Guac: Host a contest between the members of your household to see who can make the most unique guacamole recipe. Points are awarded based on creativity, deliciousness, and presentation.
• Tin Can Toss: Wrap six empty tin cans in colored paper. Let the kids decorate them with markers and stickers. Stack the cans into a pyramid and take turns trying to knock them over with a tennis ball, a beanbag, or even an avocado pit.
• Let’s Go Fishing: Get the whole family to draw colorful fish on pieces of paper. Cut them out and place them into plastic cups on a folding table. Take turns tossing a leftover avocado pit (or a similarly sized object) into the cups. Every time a player succeeds, they remove the cup and keep the fish. After the last cup is removed, the player with the most fish wins!
• Beanbag Toss: Use sidewalk chalk to draw boxes on the ground — the more variety in size and shape, the better. Designate a point value for each box. Make your own beanbags by filling old socks with dried beans and sewing the opening shut. Take turns throwing the beanbags and tally up the points. After 10 throws each, the player with the most points wins! (Maybe their prize is a second helping of guacamole?)

Whoever says “Don’t play with your food” clearly never encountered an avocado. Try these kid-friendly avocado recipes that are both fun to cook and delicious to eat, or browse our recipe archive for more inspiration.

The post DIY State Fair: Avocado Recipes and Games appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The chefs at the AvoEatery at Trinity Groves in Dallas are channeling the traditional summer cookout energy through a newly famous menu-item: a chicken avocado sandwich. And it’s no wonder why this spicy creation is taking Texas by the horns.

The AvoEatery at Trinity Groves, a groovy restaurant marketplace in West Dallas, offers a vast selection of lunch and dinner items you can’t find anywhere else. There is an uncontested star in each dish, and it’s the twist on food we’ve all been waiting for: Every meal features Avocados From Mexico.

At the heart of this menu-nirvana is the Hot Chicken Sandwich, a piquant handheld that leaves diners with sweat on their brow and tears of joy on their cheeks. The crispy fried chicken is doused in a house-made hot sauce — not for the timid. On its own, this blazing hot sauce has enough fire to make a dragon cry “uncle.”

Don’t chicken out: This saucy inferno is tamed by the cooling nature of avocado. Its role is twofold: The sandwich is topped with pickled avocado slices that bring relief to your tongue, with a little help from leaves of baby spinach. Together with a velvety avocado ranch, the fire is quenched in a masterful deluge of flavor.

These are romantic descriptions of a chicken avocado sandwich, but the AvoEatery isn’t a place to refrain from embellishments. Its concept is avant-garde, its food is artisanal, and the Hot Chicken Sandwich is, in a word, exceptional.

Related: Are you a Texan at heart? Check out these five Texas guacamole recipes you can make at home.

You’re still here? Get yourself down to the AvoEatery at Trinity Groves in Dallas for pick-up, takeout, or dine-in and ask for the Hot Chicken Sandwich. And if you’re not in town, check out our avocado recipes archive in the meantime for new ways to satisfy your avocado cravings.

The post Our Choice for World’s Best Chicken Avocado Sandwich appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche

There are a lot of options to consider while searching for the right ceviche recipe, but with Avocados From Mexico you can’t go wrong. Made with citrus fruit juice, avocado, shrimp, and fresh, crunchy vegetables, this ceviche is the perfect appetizer for a family party or afternoon snack.

Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche Ingredients:

• 1 lb. raw small shrimp, peeled and deveined
• Juice from one lemon
• ¾ c. fresh lime juice
• ¼ c. fresh orange juice
• 2 large Roma tomatoes, diced
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1 jalapeño, diced
• ½ c. chopped red onion
• Corn tortillas
• 1 large avocado, diced
• ½ c. cilantro, roughly chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 3 t. olive oil

How to Make Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche:

1. In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook the shrimp for 2 minutes, or until cooked through. Remove shrimp from the water and place to the side in a large bowl. Dice up the cooked shrimp to desired size or leave whole.
2. In a small bowl, mix together the lemon, lime, and orange juices along with salt and 2 t. of olive oil. Pour mixture over shrimp, stir together, and place in the fridge to marinate for 30 minutes.
3. Dice tomatoes, cucumber, jalapeño, and red onion. Add to the shrimp and juice marinade and marinate for another 20 minutes.
4. Brush corn tortillas with 1 t. olive oil, and place under broiler until crisp. For tostadas, leave the tortillas whole, or slice into strips before broiling for chips.
5. Add diced avocado and chopped cilantro to the mixture. Add salt and pepper to taste.
6. Serve immediately on tostadas or with tortilla strips.

Related: Can’t get enough ceviche in your life? Follow this recipe to make ceviche guacamole, perfect for dipping on any occasion.

Whether you’re cooking for yourself or preparing this shrimp and avocado ceviche for a crowd, this impressive recipe is easy to make and delicious to eat. If you’re itching to make this shrimp and avocado ceviche recipe but your avocados aren’t quite ripe, here’s how to speed up the ripening process.

Visit our recipe page for more avocado recipes.

The post How to Make Shrimp and Avocado Ceviche appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Date Night Recipes

There’s no better way to show your special someone how much you care than with a romantic, homemade dinner. To make it a truly special night, and one you and your date will never forget, invite everyone’s favorite nutritious third wheel: Avocados From Mexico.

Whether you’re celebrating an important anniversary or just looking for an excuse for a weeknight date, adding avocado to the menu is a guaranteed way to add some thrill to your romance.

From appetizers to dessert, peruse these romantic avocado recipes to get started in crafting your own three-course meal.

Appetizer Course

Avocado Bruschetta with Feta

Some of the most romantic evenings begin with bruschetta, and this one is topped with a delightful mix of avocado and tomato for a unique flavor and brightness. Serve to candlelight and enjoy a lovely beginning to your romantic meal.

Crostini with Whipped Goat Cheese, Pear Chutney Guacamole, and Crispy Prosciutto

This exceptional crostini recipe is a delicious way to start off any date night. Savory goat cheese and a slightly sweet pear guacamole are served with a topping of crisp prosciutto to balance it all out. Pair with amorous violin music for best results.

Cantaloupe with Avocado and Prosciutto

Sweet meets savory in this charming appetizer, combining juicy cantaloupe, fresh mint leaves, salty prosciutto, and nutty avocado. Drizzle with a balsamic glaze to start off the night with hint of extra sweetness.

Related: For another simple yet classy appetizer, arrange a beautiful avocado and cheese board by following this guide.

Main Course

Cheesy Avocado Risotto with Shrimp

This singular risotto recipe is bursting with flavor and color, thanks to rich avocado, garlic, shrimp, and arborio rice. Uncork some extra romance with a bottle of chardonnay, the perfect pairing to creamy avocado and seafood risotto.

Red Snapper Grilled with Dressing of Yogurt and Avocado

Bring out your inner grill skills with this delicious red snapper, grilled and then topped with a flavorful drizzle of yogurt and avocado dressing. Garnish with coriander leaves and serve with a flourish and impress your date with your style.

Spare Ribs with Minced Sauce

To really class things up on date night, try these spare ribs, seasoned with lemon and pepper and topped with a sauce of fresh tomatoes, ripe avocado, chiles serranos, onion, and cilantro. Light some candles and enjoy your homemade cuisine with a glass of red wine to compliment the avocado and savory ribs.

Dessert

Lime Meringue with Avocado Mascarpone Cream

When the candles have burned down to waxy stubs, that’s the signal to serve dessert — these lime meringues sandwiched by a stunning cream of mascarpone and avocado offer the perfect end to your lovely evening in.

Café de Olla Cheesecake with Avocado

Plan ahead of time to make this delicious homemade cheesecake, which uses sweetened condensed milk and avocado for a delicious filling, alongside a caffeinated topping of café de olla. Really, what could be more romantic than homemade cheesecake?

Berry Avocado Chocolate Mousse

Dim the lights and top off the wine glasses one last time before enjoying this mousse, which combines creamy avocado with cocoa and berries for a delightful touch of decadent sweetness.

If you end up with leftover avocado at the end of the night, use it for avocado toast the next morning by storing it the right way.

Visit our recipe page for more irresistible avocado recipes.

The post You & Me & Avocado Makes Three: Recipes for Date Night appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

4 Avocado Chili Recipes

Chili has been a favorite comfort food for a long time, and it’s no wonder: It’s satisfying, easy to make, and allows for a wide variety of ingredients — like avocado. With its mild, nutty flavor and creamy composition, topping any bowl of chili with a healthy helping of avocado will put a unique twist to your beloved, hearty mixture.

Much like avocado, chili is adaptable to nearly any palate or preference. So when it’s a chilly winter night, your annual chili cook off, or just an excuse to use up leftover avocados, get creative in the kitchen with these four avocado chili recipes.

• Amazing White Chili

  Seasonal lager, sweet onions, and poblano peppers are standout ingredients in this flavorful take on traditional chili. A generous helping of diced avocado adds smooth, velvety bites to the overall flavor profile — an unexpected delight alongside the dish’s thick, roux-like texture.

• Beef Chili with Avocado

  A blend of cumin, garlic, and chili powder — and a hint of fresh garlic — prove why this recipe is traditionally superior. Add chilled avocado as a topping for a complimentary contrast. For a thicker, smoother consistency, try smashing the avocado before adding it to the chili.

• New World Chili

  Hold the meat for this vegan variation of chili. Crumbled soy, salsa, pinto beans, and lima beans form a tasty base, but diced avocado is the true star in this recipe.

• Mex-Tex Three Cheese & Avocado Chili Dip

  This traditional dish is how chili was meant to be served — piled high on top of a perfectly salted, crunchy tortilla chip. Serve this dip in individual coffee mugs or ramekins for a perfectly portioned appetizer or keep it in a casserole dish for a free-for-all delight. No matter how you serve it, don’t forget to top it off with freshly diced avocado.

Related: If these got you craving a hearty stew, try our pozole recipe, a Mexican stew complete with diced avocados.

Hungry for more? Check out our avocado soup recipes page for more avocado soup and chili recipes.

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There are any number of possibilities for eating avocados with breakfast, lunch, and dinner, but would you believe that they can also be in desserts? You’re not dreaming — thanks to their natural creaminess avocados can be a unique ingredient to mix into your next batch of cookies.

Feeling creative? Pull out your apron and get ready to mix up some sweet avoca-dough!

6 Avocado Cookie Recipes

Avocookies

A creamy twist on classic shortbread, these buttery cookies are mixed with avocados, cream cheese, butter, and walnuts. With their stylish design, avocookies are always partyready, even as part of the most refined dessert spread.

No-Bake Avocado Coconut Bites

Fresh shredded coconut mingles with avocado, cardamom, and condensed milk to create these easy-to-make dessert balls. Rich in texture and light in effort, these bites are coated in finely chopped cashews to add a satisfying crunch.

Double Dark Chocolate Avocado Cookies

Chocolate and avocado might seem an unlikely pair, but they complement each other nicely. The avocados provide a creamy, nutty taste,which harmonizes with the cocoa powder and rich dark chocolate chips.

Pro tip: Saving your baking for a later date? Don’t let those avocados go bad — slow down their ripening by storing them in the fridge!

Chocolate Avocado Energy Bites

Indulge your sweet tooth with this hearty alternative to traditional cookies. The simple, no-bake recipe combines honey, rolled oats, and peanut butter with mashed avocado and banana to create these nutritious and tempting treats.

Mexican Avocado & Walnut Cookies

These sweet and simple avocado walnut cookies are a great option for bake sales or seasonal gifts. Keep them in the cookie jar for after-school snacks or load them up with powdered sugar and festive sprinkles and leave them for Santa alongside a glass of milk.

Lime Cookies with Chocolate Glaze

Avocados, lime, and chocolate provide a uniquely sweet-and-sour surprise. Dipped in chocolate for a bit of decadence, these cookies look as good as they taste.

Related: Try our recipe for avocado matcha gingerbread cookies to indulge in even more cookie creativity.

Check out our recipe page for even more avocado desserts.

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Whether it’s for you or for your kids, finding ways to add variety to daily brown-bag lunches can stretch your creativity — but you don’t need to reinvent the wheel. Adding new toppings to classic sandwiches can offer an easy way to change up the flavor and texture of your family’s daily lunches.

Easy-to-spread avocados pair well with a variety of turkey-sandwich recipes, adding mild flavor and creamy texture. Try these five turkey-avocado sandwich recipes next time you’d like to mix up your midday meal.

Related: Read how to upgrade Thanksgiving-turkey leftovers with avocados.

Here are 5 Turkey and Avocado Sandwich Recipes:

Avocado, Turkey, Cranberry, and Grilled Brie Sandwich

This sandwich combines tart cranberry sauce with mellow and creamy avocado in a turkey lunch reminiscent of a Thanksgiving meal. Brie cheese brings a buttery flavor and texture sure to make everyone in your family feel as though you’ve packed a treat.

Pepper and Turkey Sandwich

Three peppers and three cheeses combine in this turkey-avocado sandwich. Cayenne, jalapeño, and red bell pepper add heat, while cream cheese, Monterey Jack, and cheddar contribute a creamy texture that compliments sliced avocado.

Turkey, Tomato, and Dry Arugula Sandwich

Gouda cheese, sundried tomatoes, and arugula top ciabatta bread in this turkey-avocado sandwich featuring Mediterranean-food flavors. Mash your avocado for a savory spread or stack sliced avocado on top of the other ingredients for a tasty topping.

Avocado and Turkey on Cucumber Boats

Replace your favorite bread with cucumber slices in this green take on a turkey sandwich. Avocado, yogurt, and Dijon mustard combine in a savory spread, while Swiss cheese, tomato, and radish provide complimentary turkey toppings.

Hatch Green Chile and Turkey Grilled Cheese

Try this spicy take on a classic grilled cheese for an easy lunch you can reheat on the go. Hatch green chiles add heat balanced by smoked gouda slices, mozzarella, turkey, and avocado.

Turkey and Avocado Takeover

Whether you opt for a turkey sandwich with chiles, cranberry spread, or classic cheese, avocado is sure to offer the perfect creamy compliment. Store any avocado leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge so you can try more than one of these turkey-avocado sandwich recipes.

Once you master these five recipes, visit our avocado recipe page for more turkey-avocado sandwich ideas to help you and your family add variety to your meal plan and become the envy of any lunch table.

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If you hear the words “avocado pie” and get weirded out, bear with us for a minute: Avocados are a fruit, just like cherries, blueberries, apples, and your other favorite pie fillings. Not to mention, they’re always good — that means their creamy texture, delicious flavor, and cool color bring a lot to the pie table. To prove it, we rounded up the best avocado pie recipes, both sweet AND savory.

And, as a bonus, we included our original recipe for an all-purpose avocado pie crust — scroll to the bottom!

6 Dessert Avocado Pie Recipes

1. Lemon-Avocado Pie

Citrus combines with ripe, creamy avocado in this cool confection. Condensed milk and a whipped cream topping complement the tart taste and the fluffy cloudlike texture. It’s like a little green slice of heaven.

2. Vegan Avocado Key Lime Pie

Creamy without cream, sweet without sugar. Oh yeah, that’s the good stuff. Watch this recipe video for the fluffiest and greenest key lime pie you’ve ever had.

3. Avocado Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Instant espresso gives a little extra something-something to this chocolate avocado pie filling. Smell those hints of almond and coconut? How about the bourbon, vanilla, and pecans? Those are the kinds of smells that make holiday get-togethers or dinner parties awesome.

4. Avocado Chocolate Pie

Chocolate cookie crumble crust. Do we have your attention? Just wait, there’s more: avocado and dark chocolate cream cheese filling. And to top it all off, coconut whipped cream. Serve this one up alongside a hot cup of evening coffee to make any day end on a good note.

5. Tropical Chocolate Pie

Another chocolate pie, but this time with a graham cracker crust and a lighter, fluffier filling. Drizzle each slice with a sticky-sweet coconut syrup to satisfy that sweet tooth in just one bite — though, you will want to eat the whole thing, of course.

6. Pumpkin Avocado Pie

Replace the butter with avocado in this pumpkin butter recipe for a new take on a fall favorite. Add the avocado-pumpkin pie filling to a premade pie pastry before baking for an hour at 350 F. Then, top each slice with whipped cream and a sprinkle of cinnamon and nutmeg for a creamy, autumnal avocado creation any time of the year.

3 Savory Avocado Pies

1. Chicken Corn Pie

This savory avocado pie recipe uses chicken breast as a crust of sorts, holding in a gooey cheesy interior stuffed with corn and topped with red peppers and avocado slices. And if you think that sentence is the most delicious thing you’ve ever read, just wait till you taste this pie.

2. Avocado Pizza Pies

These Mexican hand pies are stuffed with a meat trio: chorizo, beef, and pork. The best part, however, is dipping them head-first into a creamy avocado aioli. Mmm.

3. Avocado Picadillo Hand Pies

These Mexican hand pies are stuffed with a meat trio: chorizo, beef, and pork. The best part, however, is dipping them head-first into a creamy avocado aioli. Mmm.

Homemade Avoca-dough

Looking for a new homemade pie crust recipe? This one uses avocado for an extra dose of goodness and is an awesome swap for premade crusts. This avoca-dough is good for dessert pies, savory pies, hand pies, pizzas, and quiches. Just be warned: Once you go avoca-dough, you’ll never go back.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 an Avocado From Mexico
• 2½ c. all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp. salt
• 1 tsp. sugar
• 1/2 c. butter, diced
• 1/4 c. shortening, diced
• 1/3 c. ice cold water

Directions: In a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, cream the avocado. Add the flour, salt, and sugar and blend until combined. Add butter and shortening and mix until the dough has the consistency of pebbles. With the mixer running, add ice cold water until the dough comes together in the center of the mixer. Remove dough from bowl, wrap in plastic, and refrigerate for at least one hour.

Pie, Pie for Now 👋

After reading this blog, we bet that getting a pie in the face sounds way more delicious — as long as it’s one of our avocado pie recipes.

For more avo inspo, visit our recipe page to discover more avocado desserts.

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Chocolate Avocado Recipes

Whether you are putting together a single sweet or an entire treat table, finding new and unexpected ways to vary your dessert spread can seem daunting. But decadent and pleasantly unpredictable desserts are far from outside any home chef’s reach.

Mild and creamy, avocado combines seamlessly with chocolate to create new takes on treat favorites. Try incorporating these four chocolate-avocado treats into your recipe repertoire to showcase the variety and depth of sweet-treat expertise.

Related: Add this avocado dark-chocolate mocha pudding to your menu too!

4 Chocolate-Avocado Recipes

Avocado Chocolate “Pudding” Cups

Frozen blueberries, maple syrup, and Avocados From Mexico combine in this sweet pudding surprise. Top each cup of pudding with crumbled cookies to add taste and texture.

Chocolate-Avocado Brownies

Crunchy almonds top this avocado take on a classic party treat. A pinch of instant coffee creates a caffeine boost perfect for facing morning madness or engineering post-dinner productivity.

Dark-Chocolate and Avocado Truffles

Lemon zest adds an unexpected citrus zing to this vegan dessert. Brown sugar, vanilla, and unsweetened cocoa powder combine with avocado for a rich flavor sure to wow family and friends.

Chocolate Guacamole

Bananas, peanut butter, and avocado create a smooth texture, while cocoa powder and agave offer a touch of sweetness. Serve this chocolate creation with pretzel sticks for a sweetened version of a savory snack favorite.

Sweeten the Deal

No matter the sweet-treat need, chocolate-avocado desserts are sure to elevate your last-course layout. As you prepare each treat, be sure to cut your avocados safely by firmly holding the top of the fruit with one hand and using a paring knife to cut around the middle.

Once you have mastered the tricks of the avocado-preparation trade, set out your chocolate-avocado dessert delights for family and friends to enjoy.

Visit our avocado recipe page for more chocolate-avocado recipe ideas.

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Whether you ease into the day over a hot breakfast or rush out of the house with a smoothie in hand, including whole fruits, like avocados, in your morning meal can help make it a breakfast of champions.

Try these six recipes to incorporate whole fruits into your morning routine, no matter what it entails.

Related: Learn more about why whole fruits are important for your diet.

Here are 6 quick breakfast recipes with whole fruit, including the avocado:

Spinach and Avocado Smoothie

Blend spinach, avocado, peach, and flax seed with a scoop of your favorite protein powder for a green breakfast on the go.

Avocado, Chia, and Frozen Fruit Smoothie

If you fear fruit because some goes bad before you get around to eating it, try incorporating frozen fruit. Blend with a fresh banana, avocado, and chia seeds for a dairy-free treat.

Chocolate Avocado Protein Smoothie

If you wake up craving sweets, try this blended beverage featuring cocoa powder, chocolate almond milk, and green avocados.

Avocado Toast with Pomegranate, Mint, and Walnuts

Pomegranate pieces add a pop of color to this avocado toast. Prepare your ingredients the night before for quick morning assembly.

Spicy Mango Lime Avocado Toast

Kick off your morning with some heat with this sweet and spicy recipe featuring lime, avocado, and chile lime salt.

Savory Avocado and Cottage Cheese Oatmeal

Save this savory recipe for mornings when you have time to relax. Avocado, garlic powder, and cottage cheese combine for a flavorful take on a breakfast classic.

No matter how you choose to start the day, talk to your doctor about how you can incorporate more whole fruits into your breakfast. He or she may provide you with a list of whole fruits, like avocados.

Visit our avocado breakfast recipes page for more avocado recipes.

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The word is out: Adding flavor and nutrients, getting green goodness into your smoothies is a must. With their creamy texture and ample health benefits, avocados are the perfect base — andfrom pineapple to horchata to almond butter, the flavor combinations are endless.

Read on for five nutrient-dense smoothie and shake recipes to try for your next on-the-go meal.

Related: Find out more about why avocados are a nutrient-dense food on our blog.

5 Easy Avocado Smoothie Recipes

5-Minute Avocado Horchata

Garnished with cinnamon sticks, this avocado-fueled take on a traditional Mexican beverage requires far less preparation than traditional horchata recipes.

Avocado Ginger Lassi

Cardamom and ginger spice up this frozen treat featuring creamy avocados.

Spicy Pineapple Avo Smoothie

If you’re brave enough to add jalapeño into your mixture, try this green blend of pineapple, chard leaves, lime juice, and avocado.

Indonesian-Style Avocado Coffee Milkshake

For an international take on a morning pick-me-up, blend avocados with strong coffee and condensed milk in this shake.

Avocado, Almond Butter, Green Smoothie

Mango, almond butter, and agave sweeten this spinach-and-avocado smoothie that gives a good dose of greens.

How ever you decide to shake up your mealtime routine, talk to your doctor about ways to incorporate nutrient-dense foods into your diet. He or she may provide a list of foods, like avocados, that you can easily mix into your next on-the-go treat.

Visit our avocado beverage and shakes recipe page for more ways to incorporate nutrient dense avocados into your daily routine.

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When life gets busy, it’s easy to let your usual eating habits go to the wayside. But whether you’re overdue for a trip to the grocery store or just running low on time, a few simple ingredients and a little ingenuity can make for a meal that’s not only quick and easy but delicious as well.

Versatile and a source of good fats, avocados are a great place to start. Next time you’re in a pinch, try these five simple avocado recipes.

Related: See what other nutrients help make avocados the star of your plate.

5 Simple Avocado Recipes

Grapefruit and Avocado Salad – 3 Ingredients

Slices of avocado contrast with tangy pink grapefruit in this fruit salad. A drizzle of dressing helps unify the strong flavors of the plate.

Avocado Toast with Ham – 4 Ingredients

York ham and aioli sauce top this Instagram-worthy favorite. Mash and spread avocados on whole wheat toast to form the picture-perfect base for this simple avocado recipe.

Avocado Butter with Sea Salt – 5 Ingredients

This spread can provide an alternative to nut butters that is filled with good fats. Garlic and chile de árbol combine with brown sugar for a sweetened spice.

Salmon and Avocado Crackers – 6 Ingredients

These bites are a tango of two textures with crunchy crackers and creamy avocados. Smoked salmon adds a protein punch.

Avocado Roll with Cucumber – 6 Ingredients

As a base ingredient in many sauces and dips, avocado provides a bold flavor that still mingles well with other condiments. Hummus, avocado, and red sauce work to season the savory vegetables that make up these roll-ups.

Whether you decide to use avocados as a spread, a sauce, or a centerpiece in your next simple meal, talk to your doctor about how you can healthfully include the good fats in avocados in your diet before preparing these recipes with avocado.

Visit our avocado recipes page to discover more easy ways to get the good fats from avocados into your diet.

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Awash in sunny skies and star-spangled decor, your summer gatherings deserve a dish as American as the season’s holidays themselves. And what’s more classic than rounding everyone up in the backyard to grill hamburgers?

As you pile the patties high, don’t forget the fixings. A versatile and nutrient-dense super food, avocados — served as a spread, a relish, or a sliced garnish — provide the perfect burger topping.

Related: Read more about what it means to be a nutrient-dense food on our blog.

Here are five burger recipes with avocado toppings to try throughout this year’s cookout season.

5 Burger Recipes with Avocado Toppings

for Your Summer Cookouts

Beef Burger

If you go mad for mushrooms, try this beef and mushroom burger with “guacachurri,” starring cremini mushrooms topped with diced, seasoned avocados.

Veggie Burger

For a vegetarian version of an American cookout classic, try this white avocado burger topped with sliced tomato and avocado.

Bacon Burger

Substitute avocado for traditional condiments in this bacon burger with sweet &savory avocado-bacon spread that combines pepper, onion, and garlic flavors.

Shrimp Burger

Mix avocado, corn, and jalapeño to form a textured topping for this spicy shrimp burger with charred corn and avocado relish and citrus avocado aioli.

Salmon Burger

If you prefer seafood, try these grilled salmon burgers topped with an avocado spread. Lime juice adds a spritz of citrus flavor.

No matter which burger-and-avocado combination you choose for your summer cookouts, talk to your doctor before trying these recipes. He or she may provide a list of nutrient-dense foods, including avocados.

Visit our avocado recipes page for more ways to incorporate nutrient-dense avocados into your diet.

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If your host has five people covering party dips, how can you make sure yours steals the spotlight? Avocados pair well with tons of nontraditional ingredients, from bacon and garlic to wasabi and tuna, which makes them a perfect base ingredient for creative concoctions.

Add culinary cool-factor to any party spread with these five unconventional guacamole recipes.

Related: Create even more avocado dips with ideas from our blog.

 5 Unconventional Guacamoles to Try at Your Next Party 

For the Non-Chef Trying to Impress

Creamiest-Ever Easy Guacamole Dip

Creamy mayo makes this dip a great addition to dishes like baja fish & guac tacos, so leftovers need never go to waste.

For the Rebellious Traditionalist

Elotes Guacamole

This recipe combines two Mexican favorites. Fire up the grill and fuse Cotija cheese, Mexican crema, and ground chipotle chile.

For the Summer-Cookout Enthusiast

I Want to Know What Guac Is

Hickory-smoked bacon and green onion lend a smoky flavor reminiscent of a summer cookout, while jalapeño and cilantro round out this mix with spicy and savory flavors.

For the Lover of All Things Green

Spicy Green Goddess Guacamole

Divinely green, this variation includes scallions, limes, parsley, and jalapeño. A spicy green sauce pulls this concoction together with an extra hit of heat. This guac can also double as a salad dressing.

For the food Fusionist

Sushi Guacamole

Fresh tuna sits atop a blend of avocado, eel sauce, wasabi paste, and ground chipotle. This dip also works well as a delicious spread for lettuce wraps.

No matter what kind of chef you choose to be, these unconventional guacamole recipes are sure to mix up your party menu for the better. Now, go forth and guac!

Looking for more inspiration to help liven up your next party? Explore our recipe archive.

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Finding the perfect venue for your next festive gathering may be tricky, but finding the perfect appetizers for the occasion should be a no-brainer. Avocados provide a balance of delicious and nutritious, and they are easy to incorporate into any predinner menu.

To help get you started, check out five of our favorite avocado appetizers below.

5 Avocado Appetizers

For Any Assembly:

• Guacamole Bites. Your guests will love the Mediterranean flare of these bite-size appetizers featuring our favorite dip. Fresh tomatoes, olives, feta, and parsley perch atop fresh cucumber slices in these easy and pretty snacks.
• Avocado and Shrimp Quesadilla. This crowd pleaser is perfect for picky eaters or those looking for a fresh and flavorful predinner bite. Made with Monterey Jack cheese, onions, tomatoes, and a blend of Mexican spices, these shrimp quesadillas are easy to make and pair well with salsa.
• Cantaloupe With Avocado and Prosciutto. Refreshing cantaloupe and sprigs of mint meet creamy avocado and thin slices of prosciutto in this fruit favorite. Serve with slivered almonds and a honey drizzle for added pizzazz.

For Formal Festivities:

• Ceviche Acapulco. Serve red snapper, herbs, and avocado in a martini glass for a festive and formal way to munch. Serrano chilies, oregano, and cilantro complete the flavorful package.
• Mini Vegetable Focaccia. Top a base of focaccia, cream cheese and mozzarella with peppers, onions, and garlic. Freshly sliced avocado seals the deal and creates a beautifully colorful presentation.

No matter where summer takes you, time with loved ones is a time to celebrate. Whether you choose to get together at a family member’s home, in the park, or at a large, rented space, make unforgettable moments with family and friends as you enjoy one of these avocado appetizers.

Visit our recipe archive for more avocado appetizer ideas.

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A trip to the farmers market or a walk down the produce aisle are feasts for the senses this time of year. The colorful fruits and veggies piled high and toothpick-speared samples peppering the rows are enough to inspire any passerby to get creative in the kitchen, and one of the best ways to bring all those vibrant seasonal foods to the table is with a fresh spring salad.

Always in season, avocados are the perfect ingredient to start with. With nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, this superfood is a good source of fiber, which adds bulk to your diet and can help you feel full faster. That means that incorporating avocado into an overall healthy diet could help you control your hunger throughout the day and even help manage your weight.

Related: See what other nutrients avocados can bring to your table.

Spring is a prime opportunity to pair this cholesterol-free superfood with in-season fruits and vegetables like apples, kiwis, mushrooms, or radishes. These ingredients mingle well and offer versatility.

Try these five, spring avocado-salad recipes as a light lunch or a savory side dish.

Avocado-Salad Recipes to Put on the Menu This Spring

1. If You Heart Artichokes

Avocado, Artichoke Hearts, and Mushroom Salad With Parmesan Vinaigrette

Let this savory salad be the star of your next dinner party. Avocado, artichoke, and mushroom balance the heat from the toasted chiles de árbol.

2. For Tropical Taste buds

Avocado Pineapple Salad

This simple avocado-salad recipe packs a flavorful punch with juicy chunks of pineapple and smooth avocado scattered across a bed of romaine lettuce. It stands wonderfully on its own as a light lunch or pairs well with shrimp and avocado enchiladas in creamy red sauce for a heartier meal.

3. For a Kale Crunch

Crispy Kale Salad With Lemon-Lime Dressing

You’ll have to turn the oven on for this one, but it’s worth the extra step. Seasonal highlights in this salad include radishes, beets, and lemon juice. Garlic and jalapeño leave a flavorful impression.

4. If You Spring For Spinach

Fruit Spinach Salad

This sweet, crisp salad combines some of the season’s most anticipated fruits. Diced avocado complements red apple, kiwi, orange, and strawberry flavors.

5. To Sweeten the Deal

Superfood Green-and-Blue Avocado Salad with Avocado-Lime Dressing

Starring seasonal spring kale, this salad features blueberry, almond, and goat cheese flavors. An avocado-lime dressing with notes of mint and honey provides a slightly sweet accompaniment.

Avocado-salad recipes aren’t the only way to pair seasonal fruits and vegetables with our favorite green superfood. Avocados can be easily incorporated into a variety of recipes, but before changing your eating habits, talk to your doctor about healthy diets. He or she may suggest avocados in a list of healthy foods to help manage your weight.

Visit our recipe archive for more avocado meals.

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Many believe breakfast is the most important meal of the day, but not all breakfasts are created equal. Setting the tone for your day by pairing good fats and proteins is a great start. USDA’s My Plate recommends making half your plate fruits and veggies and varying your protein routine. One large egg contains 6g of high-quality protein, making it one of nature’s best protein sources. A 1/3 serving of a medium avocado is a good source of good fat. With a little help from our favorite green fruit, you can make an avocado frittata fit for your Sunday brunch Instagram post.

Egg Frittata with Green Garnish

Frittatas are a tasty family-favorite that are easy to prepare and can be decorated with avocado wedges. Crack 2 eggs per person and beat with a splash of milk and pinches of salt and pepper. Throw in a handful of shredded mozzarella and stir to combine. Cook in an oiled, non-stick skillet over medium-low heat until the bottom side is lightly browned and the top side is par-cooked.

While this egg-centric entrée bubbles away, prepare your toppings. Crumble Cotija or feta cheese and slice avocado wedges to garnish your morning masterpiece. Upon removing the frittata from the skillet, fan your avocado slices atop the frittata and sprinkle on the cheese. To ensure your avocado puts its best pit forward, you will need to wash and cut it correctly. Place your dish under the broiler for 5 minutes, then remove your avocado frittata and enjoy.

Green Eggs and Optional Ham

If you’d prefer a more integrated avocado flavor in your frittata, or you simply want to update your avocado recipe repertoire, mix half a creamy avocado into your eggs. It will substitute for the milk normally whipped into the eggs and make for a green, dairy-free break-feast. A perfectly ripe avocado is a must for this blending technique, so choose one with a dark skin that yields to slight pressure.

Whip 6 eggs with half an avocado using a hand mixer, then season with pinches of salt and pepper. You can add bacon bits for a crunchy texture and salty kick, or grated cheese and chopped grilled vegetables can create a cocktail of fresh, savory flavors. Stir your choices into the egg-and-avocado mixture to combine, and place in an oiled, non-stick skillet over medium heat. Once the base starts browning, place the frittata on a dish and put it under a broiler for 5 minutes or until the top begins to caramelize.

Green goodness inside or on top — your taste buds are winners either way with these egg and avocado breakfast bites.

For more breakfast recipe ideas featuring avocados, check out our recipe archive.

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Whether it's a Mother's Day celebration, a spring baby shower, or you simply feel like gathering the ladies for a spot of tea, the sweet cakes and savory bites served alongside your British beverages speak volumes of your party planning abilities. These tea party recipes for avocado sandwiches and cookies are sure to have your guests’ plates full and pinkies raised throughout your midday soiree.

A New Take on Finger Sandwiches

A tea party isn't complete without the requisite dainty sandwiches. We recommend this take on a cucumber sandwich with a creamy avocado twist. Mash half an avocado and a splash of lime juice into a bowl before spreading it on a slice of whole grain, crust-less bread. Top the other slice of bread with a layer of whipped cream cheese, thinly sliced English cucumbers, and a small handful of alfalfa for a rich, vegetarian delight. To add a protein punch, swap the cucumber slices for a layer of smoked salmon or egg salad.

Avocado and Dill Deviled Eggs

For a greener version of this favorite, hard boil a dozen eggs and let them cool. Peel away the shells, slice the eggs into halves, and carefully remove the yolks. Mash the hard-boiled egg yolks with one perfectly-ripened avocado in a mixing bowl. Add a dollop of Greek yogurt, chopped fresh dill, and white pepper, and stir until evenly combined. Pipe the green mixture into the egg-white halves and garnish with freshly chopped chives. If you're feeling fancy, a small, edible flower on each half will gild the lily.

Chocolate-dipped Dessert Bites

You'll want something sweet to round out this repast, and these lime cookies with a chocolate glaze are deliciously citrusy. Beat coconut oil and avocado at medium speed until smooth, adding powdered sugar, egg, vanilla, lime zest, and lime juice until fully incorporated. In another bowl, stir flour, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Combine wet and dry ingredients on a low setting and let chill in a log form for up to 24 hours. Slice into individually portioned cookies before baking. While these avocado-and-citrus-centered beauties bake, prepare the chocolate glaze that will sweeten the mix.

Melt the chocolate with coconut oil. After you bake and cool your cookies, dip each one in the bowl of chocolate glaze. Enjoy with a cup of Cream of Earl Grey or Buckingham Palace Garden tea.

Store any leftover avocados in the fridge for up to 5 days, and use this list of avocado recipes for ideas on how to incorporate the remaining green goodness into your daily routine.

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If you need snacks to pair with pre-dinner party drinks, a cheese board is a guaranteed crowd pleaser. Avocado complements the classic components of a charcuterie board and provides color that enhances presentation. It also contrasts well with sharp, aged cheese or highlights the flavors in smooth, mellow varieties.

Get ready to receive appetizer accolades with these globally inspired cheese board ideas that feature the green goodness of Avocados From Mexico.

A Cheese Board that is Très Bien!

Draw inspiration from France for this meat-and-cheese board that's an absolute beauty, especially when served with sparkling wine or a clean Chenin blanc.

A ripe wedge of French Brie, Époisses, or Camembert works wonders when paired with thinly sliced, ripe avocado slivers. You'll also get loads of complementary mileage with a bunch of fresh, green grapes, an herbed, tangy chèvre, and cucumber spears. Grill an olive-oil-brushed baguette cut into rounds to add crunch and include French olives.

¡Vamos a España!

Take your guests on a Spanish journey with slices of aged Manchego or Ibérico cheese from the country's dry, central region. Then, color outside the lines with Payoyo from Cádiz in the country's south. Pair with lightly glazed tortas de aceite: crunchy, thin, cracker-like rounds that you can find in many specialty grocery stores.

To amplify the color and texture of your board, add thin slices of dried Catalan sausage called fuet, dried, paprika-laced chorizo, jamón Serrano, cherry tomatoes, buttery arbequina olives, and dried figs. Try layering avocado slices on a torta with a slice of Ibérico and a round of fuet to make your own montadito, or open-faced sandwich. Serve alongside chilled cava or a dry manzanilla from Sanlúcar.

Per Chance, a British Blue

If you'd prefer some tried-and-true British favorites, grab a wedge of Stilton — a mature, crumbly cheddar — or some Shropshire Blue to pair with juicy apple and pear slices, avocado slivers, and oat or water crackers. The adventurous host can serve toasted slices of sourdough brushed with butter and create a spread by mashing avocado in with cooked green peas. Layer the spread on the sourdough slices and top with crumbled cheese before you place them under the broiler. Serve these gooey, open-faced goodies on a platter.

Have pickle spears, dry-roasted walnut morsels, slices of smoked ham or roast beef, and grainy mustard on hand, and serve it all alongside a pint of Porter or a British Stout.

For more avocado appetizer recipes, visit our recipe archive here.

The post How to Craft the Ultimate Avocado Cheese Board appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Salads can be so much more than a bowl of leafy greens! They’re irresistible when you put flavor, texture, and color in every bite!

Take a look at these incredible recipes I shared at a recent Twitter party on behalf of Avocados from Mexico (#AvoChat #AvocadoSalad). The ideas and recipes I tweeted will take your salads way beyond boring. There are side salads, main dish salads, salads rich with the array of crunchy vegetables and sweet fruits of Mexico, including, of course, the amazing avocado!

Avocado adds a nutritious kind of fat and a creamy goodness that helps salads hold together and gives dressing a decadence you’ll love!

Eating better is easy with the right recipes in hand. You may have missed the Twitter party, so here’s a recap! And don’t forget to check out the Salad Hub on the Avocados From Mexico site for more ideas.

Seafood Salads

Avocado blends easily with sweet crab, shrimp and surimi. Here are a couple of my favorite seafood salads.

• Crab, Avocado and Cashew Salad. This is a great alternative to your everyday chicken salad! Enjoy sweet crab, creamy avo and the crunch of cashews.
• Surimi and Avocado Salad with Jícama and Cucumber. This seafood-and-avo-combination works with crunchy jicama chopped matchstick-style, served over greens.

Fruit Salads

Don’t forget that avocado is a fruit and combines beautifully with other fruits.

• Morelia Style Gazpacho Fruit Salad with Avocado. In Mexico, we love to eat fresh fruit topped with lime and ground chile! And this Gazpacho salad with fruit hints at that delicious concept!
• Red Leaf Salad with Candied Pineapple, Spiced Pepitas and Avocado Dressing. I adore the sweetness of the candied pineapple and the crunch of the spiced pepitas, or pumpkin seeds, in this one!
• Watercress, Mango and Avocado Salad. Creamy avocado bridges the flavors between the slightly bitter watercress and sweet mango. And three cheers for watercress! It’s a wonderful, sometimes overlooked green that I find delightful.

Entrée Salads

• Wild Rice, Sweet Potato, Turkey and Avo Salad. This one’s great around the holidays, when you can use leftover turkey and sweet potato to put it together with ease.
• Cannellini, Roasted Squash and Avo Salad. This hearty salad makes a great lunch or simple supper. And it holds together beautifully in your fridge for days!

Great Dressings

Salad dressings can work in many ways!

• Lime-Honey Vinaigrette. The dressing for my Tri-Color Salad also works well with chicken and more!
• Pico de Guac. This topper mixes tart tomatillos and green apples with a little heat—mellowed by creamy avo! Perfect for adding a little something to chicken dishes or greens.
• Avo Dressing. This is positively decadent! It’s part of the recipe for my Boston Lettuce Salad, but I use it on sandwiches, wraps, and more.
• Pumpkin Seed Dressing. I use this one in Chayote Salad with Avocado but for drizzling on other things, as well.
• Parmesan Vinaigrette. You’ll find this pairs perfectly with the Artichoke Hearts and Mushroom Salad, but it’s delicious over chicken and potatoes, too!
• Ancho Chile Vinaigrette. I refer to this as candy because it has a sweet-and-spicy flavor that’s addicting!
• Everyday Green Salad This is a go-to salad in my house, and the dressing just gets better and better when you store it in the fridge. The sliced red onions pickle in the vinaigrette, adding tang and crunch whenever you use it

Handheld “Salads”

Finally, not all salads are eaten in a bowl. The same ingredients on a skewer or in a warm tortilla offer nutrition on the go.

• Veggie tacos. My Calabacitas and Avocado To-Go Tacos are great to pack up and take with you!
• Avo Hummus. This blend of avo and garbanzo beans offers a savory combination. Try it with pita chips or veggies!
• Avocado, Mozzarella and Tomato Skewers. Serve these as an appetizer or snack with Balsamic Dipping Sauce.

Before you make any of these recipes with avocados, learn how to choose a ripe one. You also need to know how to ripen them in a hurry: sunlight can help, or put them inside a bag with rice.

It’s easy to plan for eating more nutritious food with the Salad Hub from Avocados From Mexico!

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With about 83% of American households owning a slow cooker, it's safe to say it's one of our favorite inventions. These time and energy efficient kitchen appliances allow you to produce warm, nourishing, and complete meals that would otherwise take a lot of effort – all of this while you're out of the house or doing something else!

Take credit for being the ultimate dinner multi-tasker with these wonderfully avo-licious twists on classic slow cooker recipes.

Slow Cooker Chili

There are few things as heart- (and belly-) warming as a good chili, especially when it's freezing outside. This vegetarian twist makes for a dinner that is not only tasty but nutrient-dense as well.

Using a classic 4-quart slow cooker, combine some soy-based ground "meat," a cup of your beans of choice, corn kernels, and a jar of tomato salsa, spicing it up to your own preferences with some chili powder, hot sauce, and/or black pepper.

Set the temperature to low and pat yourself on the back – you're 4 to 6 hours away from a delicious meal! Once the chili is cooked, add a dash of salt and then transfer to individual serving bowls. Add some creamy freshness by topping each serving off with some diced onions and ripe avocado.

To ensure that your avocado is perfectly ripe and ready to eat, look for a dark-skinned fruit which gives under slight pressure. Here are some visual cues to help you out!

Slow Cooker Tacos

You can also use your slow cooker to create the basis for a lot of tasty fun to come, like a delicious pulled-chicken filling that the whole family can enjoy in their own custom-made tacos.

All you need is 2 boneless chicken breasts, 3 tablespoons of taco seasoning, and a cup of chicken broth. Dissolve the taco spices in the chicken broth and then pour it over the chicken breasts you've placed in your slow cooker. Set the heat to low and let it cook for 6-8 hours, which leaves you lots of time to shred some cheese, chop some tomatoes, and create a deliciously zesty avocado crema to drizzle on top.

To start on the crema, you'll need to slice your avocado open and scoop out the pit using an avocado scoop or tablespoon.

Once you have the fruit scooped out into a bowl, add half a cup of sour cream and the zest of one lime, and then whip it all together in a blender. Once your chicken is cooked, shred the meat using 2 forks and warm up some fresh corn tortillas. Build your taco according to your own preferences, topping it off with some crema – presto! An interactive (and nutritious) dinner for the whole family!

Now you've spruced up some of your favorite slow cooker recipes with a little help from Avocados From Mexico.

The post Easy Slow Cooker Recipes Featuring Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Looking for a great combination that will appeal to nutty palettes and chocolate-lovers alike? Try this chocolate bourbon pecan pie (with a creamy lift from Avocados From Mexico) at your next get-together.

Chocolatey from cocoa powder, creamy from your favorite green fruit, a nice crunch from roasted pecans, and salty, thanks to a bourbon-date-caramel sauce, this pie is everything you never knew you needed in your life. Plus, it's easy to make.

First, you need perfectly ripe Avocados From Mexico to achieve a creamy interior texture. This video shows you how to spot (and feel!) the perfectly ripe fruit for your pie. Once you have the perfect avo, this video can show you how to peel, cut, or chop your avo for the recipe.

Then, bust out your pie tin and get baking!

Avocado Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie

Yield: 6-8 servings

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Filling

3 ripe medium (6-8oz) Avocados From Mexico

½-c. cocoa powder, sifted

1 t. instant espresso powder

⅔-c. sifted powdered sugar

¼-c. melted coconut oil

2 t. pure vanilla extract

¼-t. almond extract

½ t. kosher salt

Crust

1 store bought pie crust, partially-baked

Topping

1 c. pitted dates

½-c. water

1 T. bourbon

Kosher salt to taste

½-t. vanilla extract

1 c. roasted pecan halves

Directions

In a food processor, puree the avocados until smooth, then slowly add the coconut oil. Add the remaining ingredients and puree until smooth. Taste, and add more powdered sugar, cocoa powder, or salt as needed. Pour into the cooled baked pie shell, then place in the fridge to solidify, 1-2 hours, depending on how low the temperature is set on your fridge. No need to further bake the pie, the pie shell should be crispy enough to hold up to the filling.

Soak dates in ½ cup water for a half-hour, then drain, saving the water. Put dates in the food processor, add the bourbon and 3 tablespoons of reserved water, and puree until you reach a spreadable consistency. If too thick, add a tablespoon of water at a time until achieved. Season with salt to taste (start with ½ a teaspoon and increase as needed) and vanilla. Spread on top of the filling, then top with pecans and a sprinkle of salt. Store in the fridge for at least 2 hours, until the pie firms up.

Leftovers can be stored in a covered container in the fridge for two days.

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Add some green to your red, heart-filled Valentine's Day dinner this year, with the creamy, luscious presence of Avocados From Mexico. We've got an inspired menu all planned out for you, including accessible, delicious recipes to boot. You'll have your partner saying “more, por favor” with these Valentine's Day dinner ideas.

Spicy Apps

Wake up your taste buds with gourmet avocado deviled eggs. Avocados give the egg yolk filling a pale, green hue, and jalapeño peppers add a spicy hit. If that's not enough spice for you, up the ante by topping your deviled eggs with crushed red pepper flakes.

It's as easy as taking boiled, cooled egg yolks, avocado, and lime juice and mashing until smooth. Then, add your finely chopped jalapeño, salt, pepper, and cilantro before spooning onto each boiled egg white half. Top, chill, and serve for a spicy start to your Valentine's Day dinner.

You'll need to have some ripe avocados on hand to make this recipe and the ones that follow. If you're in a rush, speed up the ripening process with a brown paper bag.

The Main Event

Woo your sweetheart by whipping up this easy and fabulous chicken Parmesan recipe, topped with a zesty avocado crema, for your Valentine's Day dinner main course.

Start by pounding two, boneless chicken breasts to 1/4-inch thickness. Season both sides with salt and pepper and set aside. In a medium bowl, combine 1/4 cup of bread crumbs and 1/4 cup of grated Parmesan. In another bowl, beat two eggs with a tablespoon of milk. Dip each chicken piece into the egg wash and then coat with the bread crumb and cheese mixture.

Heat 2 tablespoons of avocado or olive oil on medium-high heat and fry in large skillet for 4-5 minutes on each side or until cooked through (the internal temperature should reach 165°F).

While your chicken cooks, combine one avocado, a pinch of salt, zest of half a lemon, 1/2 cup of sour cream and 1/4 cup of chopped parsley in a blender. Blend until smooth and pour over your chicken when you're ready to serve.

Serve with a fresh, crisp green salad and a quick tomato and avocado salsa. Combine a diced large, ripe tomato, half an avocado (also diced) and half a finely chopped shallot with a squeeze of lemon juice and a good drizzle of olive oil. Toss in a pinch of salt and pepper, mix to combine, and pour over your washed, dried salad greens and enjoy.

Sweet Endings

End your Valentine's Day dinner with a classic, rice cereal treat cut into the shape of a heart. This version features half a pureed avocado, which also reduces the butter without sacrificing taste.

Start by melting 4 cups of mini marshmallows with 2 tablespoons of butter. Add a teaspoonful of vanilla, a pinch of sea salt, your pureed avocado, and mix in your 6 cups of rice cereal until fully combined. Press into a buttered baking pan (9x13 inches works), with wet hands and smooth the cereal out. Cool, slice, and enjoy with a glass of bubbly, because, there's no such thing as “too sweet” on Valentine's Day!

And because we know you'll want to make all of these sweetheart recipes, here are some handy tips to help you pick your avocados for the week, so that you get perfectly ripe avocados at home, every time.

The post Roses are Red, Avocados are Green: Valentine’s Day Dinner Ideas appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Believe it or not, avocado pits can make themselves perfectly at home in your favorite mole, that quintessential Mexican dish whose namesake means "sauce" in the Aztec Nahuatl language. Avocado pits are not only easy to integrate into your favorite mole, but they add flavor, too!

Más Mole

Depending on the chiles used and methods employed, moles can range from light green, fresh and herbaceous, to the deeply smoky, almost mystical coloradito (red) and dark moles like earthy, inky chichilo. These usually contain anywhere from 20 to 30 or more ingredients, and are a labor of love to make from scratch. But the results are oh-so-worth-it. Bonus ingredient: adding grated avocado pit adds another layer of depth and complexity to these beautiful sauces.

First, you'll need to source a perfectly ripe avocado, and, once you have your delicious avocado at home and washed, you'll want to remove the pit.

Preparing the Pit

Now wash the pit (with water only) and let the seed dry so that it doesn't slip out of your hands while you handle it. While the pit is drying, you can continue to make your mole, beginning with toasting your chiles and spices. Here's a Sizzling Red Mole Chilaquiles recipe you can use to give this idea a try! Once you're done with the toasting process, sift ingredients through a strainer and set them aside to cool.

At this point, you can grate your avocado seed*. Note that it may turn orange during this process. You'll need only about a tablespoon of the grated seed, which you can add directly to your toasted peppers and spice mixture. A tablespoon of the grated seed will add just the perfect amount of nutty bitterness to your moles.

Note: Adding any more avocado seed can lead to an overly bitter taste.

Use the delicious green fruit to garnish or snack on as your mole cooks, building the complex flavors that have made moles such a staple across Mexico - and beyond!

*Grating an avocado pit can be dangerous and should only be performed by an adult with the utmost caution.

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It's time to ring in the New Year, and there’s no better way to do this than with traditional New Year dishes like cabbage and black eyed peas with the added flair of Avocados From Mexico.

Luck of the Cabbage

In the South, greens are a central part of culinary culture, but especially in the new year. As the old saying goes, "Peas for pennies, greens for dollars, and cornbread for gold." Cabbage, and all long cooking greens, are considered to be lucky New Year dishes because they represent money and wealth. Double your investment in this New Year tradition with the added green of a perfectly picked avocado.

For this New Year's meal, look no further than this tasty guacamole with pickled cabbage. The cabbage and avocado duo is positively addictive with a crunchy, bright flavor that pairs well with fatty meats or even a rich, runny fried egg.

Fortunate Peas

The tradition of eating black-eyed peas on the first of the year goes back to the Jewish Talmud, which lists five traditional New Year dishes to eat for good fortune in the Rosh Hashanah. Some historians say Sephardic Jews brought this custom to the American South as early as 1733.

If you're looking for a creative new black-eyed pea recipe this year, check out this black eyed pea guacamole. Try raw veggies and crackers to carry this perfectly diced and mashed dip.

With a boost from Avocados From Mexico, start your new year with some good fortune and your favorite fruit in traditional New Year dishes.

The post Boost Your Traditional New Year Dishes with Avocado appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

There comes a time when your game day snack repertoire needs a reboot. We get it! It's not easy to keep the hungry hordes happy, but we've unlocked one sure way to reach snack nirvana.

Creamy avocado bacon poutine skins are the ultimate party food that doubles as snack. These golden, cheesy, creamy boats are nearly magical. Here's how you make them the star of your game day snacks.

But First, What's Poutine?

Bien, oui! Poutine is one of Quebec's most admired Canadian treasures. It's usually made with French fries, cheese curds, and a healthy ladle of hot, flavorful gravy.

To make this oven-baked, more portable-friendly version, you'll need to start by selecting perfectly ripe avocados.

Ingredients:

3 ripe Avocados From Mexico, peeled and pitted

8 baking potatoes, cleaned and dried

2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Sea salt

2 cups cheese curds or grated Monterrey Jack Cheese

6 slices smoked bacon, fried, drained, and chopped

2 stalks green onion, thinly sliced

1/2 cup full-fat Greek-style yogurt

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon chili powder

Salt & pepper to taste

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 400°F.
2. Using a fork, pierce each potato, ensuring you've covered all sides. Put potatoes on a baking tray, then place in hot oven. Bake 45-50 minutes, or until you pierce a potato and it feels soft. It's OK if the skins are a bit crisped at this point.
3. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool for 15-20 minutes.
4. Turn the oven function to broil.
5. In the meantime, cut each potato in half, lengthwise. Using a grapefruit spoon or a melon baller, make a well in the potato. Leave roughly 1/4 inch of potato on all sides.
6. Brush oil over all sides and inside of each potato. Sprinkle skin-side with sea salt.
7. Place potato halves evenly spaced on a baking tray and broil 2-3 minutes or until you see the potatoes begin to crisp. This happens quickly, so don't let your attention wander or you'll end up with burnt potato shells and you'll need to start over.
8. Once crisped, remove from oven and fill with green onion and bacon and top with cheese.
9. Broil once again for 4-5 minutes or until cheese is bubbly and golden.
10. Remove from the broiler.
11. Sprinkle more green onion on top.

For the Avocado Sauce:

1. In a blender, combine avocados, yogurt, lime juice, garlic powder, chili powder, salt and pepper to taste, pulsing until smooth. Drizzle avocado sauce over each potato half, reserving some for a dipping sauce.

These game day snacks are sure to delight fans and families alike.

The post Game Day Snacks: Creamy Avocado Bacon Poutine Skins appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

As the colder weather starts spreading its frosty tentacles northward, we instinctively turn toward the comfort foods that nourish our bodies and provide us with the warmth we crave.

And what better way to start the day off than with a wholesome breakfast that is quick, easy, and delicious? Enter avocado oatmeal! Bonus points for being tasty enough to snack upon whenever the mood, or a growling stomach, strikes.

Oats-so-easy

The beauty of oats is the fact that they are equally delicious in sweet or savory dishes. Chilly winters compel anyone to yearn for comforting, filling meals, and a hearty avocado oatmeal is just the ticket. This recipe for avocado oatmeal provides an already wholesome meal with a burst of green freshness and adds variety to a breakfast classic.

First, you'll need to make sure that your avocado is perfectly ripe in order to ensure you have the creamy topping your oatmeal deserves. To choose the perfect avocado, look for a dark green bumpy skin and a fruit that gently yields to light pressure without caving in.

Using a little bit of oil in a saucepan, toast up some chili flakes, garlic powder, and any other favorite spice. Once they're sizzling, add a cup of water and bring to a boil, adding the rolled oats once it comes to temperature. Reduce the heat and then chop up half of the avocado while you wait for your oatmeal to finish cooking.

Once your oatmeal is just about cooked, add the spring onion and an egg, stirring vigorously to incorporate and cook the egg. Tip the contents into a bowl and gently spoon the diced avocado out of its skin and into the bowl.

There you have it – a scrumptious, hot breakfast in no time at all.

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With the holiday season coming up, why not gift loved ones with a decidedly new twist on a Christmas classic... Avocado Matcha Gingerbread Cookies! We know, it's a mouthful, right? And a delicious one at that since you get the delicate flavor of Japanese green tea with gingerbread spices and the creamy goodness of avocado.

Enjoy a more nutrient dense version of the original iteration and a tasty treat you can make with the kids. And bonus? The final product has a hint of festive green to dress up any dessert table, countertop, or gift basket.

The Edible Gift

To make these tasty treats, you'll need to set out all of the ingredients listed below before you start mixing. Also bust out your favorite cookie cutters, a couple of parchment-lined cookie sheets, and line up your willing little helpers.

Crank up the holiday tunes and get baking, little Elves!

Avocado Matcha Gingerbread Cookies

Makes approximately 30 cookies

Ingredients

1/2 Avocado From Mexico, mashed

1/2 c. buckwheat or wild flower honey

2 T. butter, unsalted

1/4 c. raw cane sugar

1/4 t. sea salt

1 large egg

1 t. vanilla extract

2 c. all-purpose flour

1 T. matcha powder

1 t. baking powder

1/2 t. ground cinnamon

2 t. ground ginger

1/8 t. ground cloves

1/4 t. grated nutmeg

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350º F.
2. In a small saucepan set on medium-low heat, combine honey, butter, sugar, and salt, warming until the ingredients are melted and combined. Take off the heat once melted and set aside to cool.
3. In a large bowl, beat together eggs, vanilla extract, and mashed avocado with the cooled honey mixture using a hand mixer until light and creamy.
4. In another bowl, whisk together flour, matcha powder, and spices until combined.
5. Add the dry ingredients to the wet ingredients and stir to combine using a spatula.
6. Gather your dough using your hands and form into a disc. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or more.
7. Once chilled, flour a work surface and roll the dough until it's approximately 1/4" thick.
8. Use your favorite cookie cutters to create shapes and place the cookies on a parchment-lined cookie sheet.
9. Bake 8 minutes or until the bottom edges begin to get a bit golden.
10. Gently move to a wire rack to cool.
11. Box up in a pretty tin or container, tie with a decorative ribbon, and take a bow for a tasty Christmas treat, well done!

What to do about the other avocado half? Make a double batch for a crowd or store it to enjoy later. Simply fill a glass or plastic container with water and submerge your avo half, flesh side down, in the water. Cover and refrigerate and your avo will stay fresh for another two days until you're ready. Need some ideas on how to devour your remaining avocado? We've got plenty of those, too! Check out these delicious ideas.

The post Avocado Matcha Gingerbread Cookies for the Holidays appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Do your sandwiches and snacks need an upgrade? Look no further than this delectable avocado aioli.

Prepare Your Avocado Aioli

As any avo fan knows, there are a few steps you need to take to ensure you are getting the ultimate Avocados From Mexico experience. The first is picking a perfectly ripe piece of fruit. It helps to know the best way to cut your avocado before turning it into delicious aioli in the food processor. Chopped avocados will blend easier and quicker than large chunks of fruit, which will help ensure a smooth aioli.

This perfect avocado aioli recipe is super versatile. Toss the ingredients in a food processor, and in seconds, you'll have a creamy, bright spread to use on your favorite sandwiches and the perfect dip for raw veggies. Want more garlic? Up the amount in the recipe to 1 tablespoon of finely minced garlic for more flavor power. Enjoy the avocado aioli with fries or crispy mashed potatoes.

Other Avocado Aioli Uses

Want a meaty spread for your burgers? Blend some chopped crispy bacon into the spread.

Want a little smoky heat? Add one canned chipotle pepper to the food processor.

Need a quick salad dressing? Slowly pour in ¼ cup of avocado or olive oil until it thins to a pourable sauce. And don't forget to taste as you make changes, adjusting the salt, pepper, and lemon juice until it makes you happy.

You're just one avocado away from your newest obsession – avocado aioli on everything!

The post Spread Made Perfect: A Delectable Avocado Aioli appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

The holiday season (a.k.a. baking season!) is almost upon us and you may be planning to whip up all sorts of baked goods, including cakes, cookies, and breads. While you're in planning mode, consider making avocado nut bread along with all your other traditional goodies.

Avocado nut bread is a perfect treat for the holidays: it's slightly sweet and has a wonderful velvety texture. The combination of nuts and avocado make it very satisfying, as both contribute good fats and fiber.

Baking With Avocados

Of course, you're familiar with banana bread and pumpkin bread. But avocado also makes an excellent addition to a wide variety of baked goods. Avocados From Mexico are always in season and, besides adding a wonderful velvety texture to baked goods, they are a great nutrient-dense addition to any recipe.

As a general rule, you can substitute half the amount of butter or shortening in your recipe with pureed avocado. Even better, by adding avocados, you'll be adding in 11 percent of the daily value for fiber and good fats (6 g per 50 g serving) as well as nearly 20 vitamins and minerals — all of this without losing any of the rich texture and moistness that make baked goods so delicious.

Before you start, be sure to have some ripe avocados on hand. To use in baking, they should be quite ripe so that they mash well. To check if an avocado is ripe, gently press it with your finger. It should give a little. If your avocado isn't quite ready, you can speed up the maturation process by putting it in a brown paper bag with a banana for a day or two.

How to Make Avocado Nut Bread

Avocado nut bread is easy and quick to make. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups of flour, ¾ cup of sugar, 1-½ teaspoons of baking powder, ½ teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt, and mix well. In a separate bowl, beat together ½ cup of pureed avocado (about one medium avocado) and one egg. Stir in ½ cup of buttermilk and a teaspoon of vanilla. Fold the wet ingredients into the dry. Stir in ½ cup of chopped pecans or walnuts and pour the batter into a greased 9" x 5" loaf pan. Bake for 50 minutes to an hour or until a toothpick inserted in the center comes out clean.

Avocado nut bread is perfect for sharing. Bring a loaf to a holiday party or make several and wrap them up to give to your family and friends. They'll be thankful you did!

The post Go Nuts for Avocado Nut Bread appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

You've got the basics covered for Thanksgiving – turkey, cranberry sauce, green bean casserole. And, of course, you can’t forget the stuffing! Give this traditional favorite a tasty twist with help from the buttery, creamy goodness of Avocados From Mexico.

The avocado stuffing features avocados, cornbread, and Mexican chorizo. And you'll find a bonus tip and recipe to get more satiating fiber into the mix too, if you're looking for flavorful stuffing sans guilt.

This Southwestern-inspired dish marries the flavors of jalapeño cornbread, Mexican chorizo, fire-roasted corn, and avocado.

Making the Jalapeño Cornbread

Start by making the cornbread with cornmeal, flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt, to which you'll add buttermilk and eggs. Pop that into a greased baking dish until golden, then allow to cool before cutting into cubes.

Crafting Chorizo and Corn Components

Now, onto making the meaty component of the stuffing. Take the chorizo out of its casings and sauté until it begins to brown. Add finely chopped carrots, celery, onion, and garlic, stirring occasionally until softened. To this mixture, add the corn and cilantro, season with salt and pepper, and set aside.

The Final Touches

Toss the cubed cornbread with a blend of eggs beaten with chicken stock. Add chorizo to combine and pour into a prepared baking pan and cook until golden (approximately 25 minutes). Right before serving, blend one ripe avocado with sour cream and drizzle over the top alongside some diced avocado.

Avocado Storage Tips

You'll likely have more than one avocado on hand, so to store them, place ripe avos in your fridge for 2-3 days to keep them fresh. If you need to ripen yours, leave them out on your countertop and within a few days, they should be ready for you to enjoy- check daily for peak ripeness. You're looking for a little give when gentle pressure is applied. Check here for more storage tips.

And if you've got half an avocado and want to keep it fresh, simply submerge it in a water-filled container, cover it and place in your fridge. You're good to for up to three days!

Bonus: Upping the Ante

Turn your stuffing into a show-stopping side by giving it personal-sized healthy vessel – acorn squashes. Half and deseed the acorn squashes, brush the inside with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper. Scoop a spoonful of this delicious stuffing into each half and bake until softened, approximately 40-50 minutes.

For a gluten-free alternative, stuff each half with vegetable broth cooked quinoa, cubed avocado, black beans, chopped jalapeño, green onion, corn, and roasted garlic.

Now, pass the gravy and enjoy an avocado stuffing your loved ones will thank you for.

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We know what you're thinking: a veggie platter can be an unwelcome party guest. But it doesn't have to be that way. A carefully prepared vegetable crudité platter – a French appetizer of raw, cut vegetables with a dip – can be the perfect pre-dinner plate.

There are a few tricks to curating a beautiful platter, and one of them includes a naturally creamy, flavorful avocado-based dip. We bet our radishes you'll not only delight but impress your guests at your next dinner party. Here's how.

Putting Together the Perfect Platter

There are a few key tips and tricks to pulling together a fresh, beautiful arrangement of crudité. The first is to use whatever veggies are in season so they're at their peak when you buy them. You want a mix of textures, from crisp cucumber spears and crunchy radish slivers to pop-in-your-mouth cherry tomatoes. Chop and slice no more than two hours prior to serving so that they remain crisp on your avocado veggie crudité.

If you're using green vegetables like French green beans or snap peas, be sure to blanch them first to bring out their vibrant green hue and to give them that tender-crisp snap. Separate small lettuce heads such as Belgian endive or radicchio, and include at least four vegetables, including some that are pickled, to provide another layer of briny flavor.

You can even do as the French do and mix in some charcuterie (fine deli meats) and cheese along with crostini or fresh baguette slices. The final piece to your avocado veggie crudité is the avocado itself – in the form of a delicious dip.

The Dip

The ideal dip will have enough heft to stick to the vegetables, character of its own, and a pleasing mouth-feel so that you want to dunk another time or two.

This Spicy Avocado Dip harnesses the naturally creamy texture of Avocados From Mexico by combining it with cream cheese, cilantro, jalapeño chile, lime juice, salt and pepper. This gets whirled in a food processor until creamy and served to complete your avocado veggie crudité.

The Perfect Avocado

To ensure you're buying a perfectly ripe specimen, just hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze. The fruit should yield a little (don't press hard — a little pressure is all you want here). Watch this handy video to see how it's done.

But if you've already purchased your avocados and found they're a bit under-ripe, simply put your avocado in a bowl and cover with rice. The grain will do the trick in a couple of days.

This avocado veggie crudité will be the talk of the party.

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Shrimp scampi is one of those classic summer recipes, offering a breezy mix of fresh seafood and bright citrusy flavors. Sometimes, though, the dish can feel heavy in the summer heat. Why not liven up your plate with this shrimp scampi and avocado sauce over some zucchini noodles, instead? You get all of the flavor without the density.

Green and Fresh

Avocados have good fats, and this avocado sauce uses light sour cream and zesty lime juice to lift up the flavors while doubling as the perfect summer sauce thanks to the fruit's natural creaminess.

Make sure your avocado is perfectly ripe by checking to see if the skin is a dark green to almost black color, bumpy in texture, and gives a little when gently squeezed — or just view this video for a clearer picture. When you've picked a medium Avocado From Mexico, simply combine with 2 tablespoons of lime juice, ¼ cup of light sour cream, and cilantro to taste. Pop it all into a blender and presto! Set the sauce aside while you work on the rest of your dish.

Get some salted water boiling in a medium pot and spiralize a zucchini or two. Once the water is boiling, drop the zucchini in and lightly toss with tongs, making sure you don't overcook it — about 3 or 4 minutes and the spirals should be perfectly al dente. Drain the zucchini and layer on a plate to form the base of your meal — you're just 5 minutes away from deliciousness!

Super Scampi

Shrimp is a perennial favorite in many summer dishes, and for this one, we suggest using the wild caught version for an even better-tasting dish. You'll want these little guys to be deveined. Then, simply cook them in a splash of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Watch them sizzle until they turn pink, adding some sea salt, pepper, and chopped garlic. Once cooked, scatter the shrimp over your plated zucchini noodles.

Your final touch will be to drizzle your light, citrusy avocado sauce over the shrimp, giving you the luscious finish you desire. If you have any sauce left over, you can make it last longer by pouring a thin layer of milk over it and putting it in the fridge.

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As soon as kids arrive home from school, they're starving. Having nutritious, tasty snacks on hand can go a long way toward keeping kids happy and avoiding run-ins with hangry ones. Avocados are a great food to include in after-school snacks because the fiber helps keep kids satisfied and fueled until dinner time. They also help kids add good fats to their diet.

To select avocados that are perfectly ripe, look for ones that have dark green or black skin with a bumpy texture. Give the avocado a gentle squeeze. If it yields to gentle pressure, it's ready to eat. If it's still hard, you can speed up ripening by placing it in a paper sack with a banana or an apple for a day or two.

Here are three avocado recipes that are ideal after-school snacks.

Avocado-Tomato Skewers

Foods served on a stick are easy to make and fun to eat. For these Avocado-Tomato Skewers, you'll need some cherry tomatoes, fresh mozzarella cheese balls, and cubed avocado. Make sure to use the right technique when cutting your avocado cubes so they stay on the skewer — this video tip shows how. Once you have the ingredients prepared, the kids can help by assembling the skewers. You can serve them as-is, or drizzle some balsamic vinaigrette over them for an extra dash of flavor.

Watermelon-Avocado Fruit Medley

Avocados pair very well with other fruits, like watermelon. The contrast of textures between the crisp, fresh sweetness of watermelon and the creamy, mild flavor of avocados makes this fruit duo a delicious combination. All you have to do is mix cubed avocado and watermelon, squeeze the juice of half an orange over it, and enjoy! You can also add any other fruit you have on hand — strawberries, blueberries, or grapes for more variety of tastes and textures.

Avocado-Honey Ice Cream

Combining avocado and honey into this frozen treat results in a sweet flavor, from the honey, with velvety texture from the good fat in avocados. Puree the flesh of two medium avocados with 2-1/2 cups of whole milk and half a cup of honey in a blender until smooth. If you want to make it extra creamy, substitute a cup of cream for one of the cups of milk, or for a vegan option, use coconut milk and coconut cream. If you have an ice cream maker, proceed according to the manufacturer's instructions. If you don't have an ice cream maker, pour the mixture into a chilled metal pan and place it in the freezer, taking it out to stir every 30 minutes until your ice cream is firm and perfectly smooth. Your kids may enjoy helping to make it almost as much as they enjoy eating it, making it ideal for an after-school snack.

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The avocado has always been a staple in the California roll, but that's not where the green goodness ends. There are countless ways to incorporate avocado into fresh sushi rolls. Need some inspiration? We'll give you a tutorial on how to roll your sushi, and we'll teach you how to make some of our favorite rolls, too.

Setting the Stage

For a good sushi roll, you need short-grain Japanese rice. Cook the rice according to package instructions and use Japanese rice vinegar, heated with sugar and salt, to season it. Once the sugar and salt are dissolved and heated through in the vinegar, pour it over the rice, gently folding and stirring (try to keep the grains intact) until all liquid is absorbed. Use a rice paddle for this step and a fan to cool the rice as you go.

Cover your sushi mat with a piece of plastic wrap and lay your nori (seaweed) shiny-side down. On top of that, with damp hands, gently spread a layer (about 3/4 cup) of the sushi rice over the nori. Spread rice to about 1 inch from the far end of the sheet; the exposed nori will "glue" the roll together. Press the rice down with your hands so it sticks to the seaweed, then arrange ingredients in a horizontal line in the center of the rice.

Add Your Favorite Fillings

Before we begin, a quick tip on choosing perfectly ripe avocados: Look for the ones in the store with dark-green or even black skins that are a little bumpy to the touch and 'give' a little when you squeeze them.

Roll Your Meal

Avocado and Cucumber Roll

For a fresh avocado and cucumber roll, peel, pit, and slice half an Avocado From Mexico, and have thin cucumber slivers on hand. Lay across your prepared rice and nori (add micro greens if you're feeling fancy). Top with toasted sesame seeds and roll, slice, and serve with a good Japanese tamari and pickled ginger.

Wasabi Shrimp Roll

If you're a seafood fan, use cooked shrimp — sliced in half crosswise — in your roll, along with sliced avocado, fresh chives, and a drizzle of mayonnaise mixed with wasabi.

Golden Avocado Roll

If you prefer a Golden Avocado Roll, try tinting your rice with the anti-inflammatory benefits of turmeric and filling it with surimi, diced avocado, and tobiko roe for a truly golden roll. Or go vegan and opt for slivers of yellow pepper, mango, avocado, tofu, and toasted sesame seeds.

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A smoothie bowl is what it sounds like: A smoothie in a bowl. But it's got much to offer, serving as an actual meal, a nutrient-dense snack, or a post-workout fortifier. A few customizable key ingredients and toppings round out these bowls to make them taste as good as they look, and trust us: You'll want to share the finished product on Instagram. Here are three of our favorites.

Let's Talk Toppings

Your smoothie-bowl toppings can be tailor-made to your taste. If you like the sweetness of fresh fruit, try berries, pineapple chunks, slices of apple or pear, or cubes of watermelon. Nuts work wonders, as do shredded coconut, chia seeds, cacao nibs, dried fruit, or dark chocolate chunks. Your only limits are your pantry and your imagination.

Recipe 1: The Super Green Smoothie Bowl

If you're a fan of foods that taste good, look good, and make you feel good, this bowl is for you. But first, you need to ensure that you've got a perfectly ripe avocado to do the job. Look for a dark green or almost black avocado with bumpy skin that yields to gentle pressure. For visual cues of avocado ripeness, you can watch this video.

To make the green smoothie bowl, take half a ripe, peeled, pitted, and sliced Avocado From Mexico and put it in a blender. Add a small bunch of washed and dried kale, spinach, and parsley. Sweeten the deal with half a mango, your choice of nut or dairy milk, a cup of crushed ice, and a teaspoon of Spirulina. Blend until creamy. If you'd like it sweeter, add agave or maple syrup. Top as you like.

With half an avocado left, here's how to store this fruit: Place your exposed-side down into a small bowl of water and refrigerate. (Here are a few other ideas to keep your halved avocado fresh.)

Recipe 2: The Straight-Up Green Avocado Smoothie Bowl

For this beauty, take two peeled, pitted, and diced Avocados From Mexico, one peeled and sliced kiwi and apple, and 10 ounces of almond milk and honey. Put all those ingredients into a blender and process until smooth. Pour into a bowl and add your favorite toppings.

Recipe 3: The Avocado-Pineapple Smoothie Bowl

This one's a cinch: one avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced, one 20-ounce can of pineapple chunks in their juice, and two cups of ice, all blended until smooth. Garnish to your liking and dig in.

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Crisp yet creamy, salty but sweet — when french fries found avocados, it was a match made and heaven.

For the perfect avocado french fries, you need firm, ripe Avocados From Mexico. As this helpful guide shows, one of the best ways to determine ripeness is holding an avocado in the palm of your hand and giving it a gentle squeeze. It's best to find fruit that has the smallest give to it — this will ensure the avocado is ripe enough to eat but sturdy enough to handle the breading process. If you are buying your fruit a few days before you plan on using it, prevent it from ripening too quickly by storing it in the refrigerator.

Once you've picked the cream of the crop, you're ready to fry this delicious fruit to perfection.

Yields: 2–3 servings of fries

Difficulty: Medium

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 17 minutes

Ingredients:

2 firm, ripe, medium-size (6–8 oz.) Avocados From Mexico, peeled, halved, and quartered

1/2 t. and 1 T. chile lime salt, divided

3 T. all-purpose flour

1 egg

2/3 c. panko breadcrumbs

Cooking oil (spray is best, or liquid oil, applied with brush)

1. Cut avocados into wedges.
2. Preheat broiler to 500°F. Place baking sheet in the oven to heat it up.
3. Gather 3 bowls large enough to fit a wedge of avocado in the bottom. Place the flour in one bowl and season it with 1/2 teaspoon of chile lime salt, stirring to mix it in. Beat egg well in the second bowl. Toss panko with remaining chile lime salt in the third bowl.
4. Drop one wedge into the flour bowl and gently shake the bowl to coat it in flour. Shake off the excess and drop the wedge into the egg bowl. Use a fork to help coat it in egg, then lift it out slowly. Place it in the breadcrumbs, and shake the bowl for a few seconds until it's coated. Set it on a plate and continue with the remaining wedges.
5. Remove the baking sheet from the oven, spray it with oil, then top with wedges, spread 1–2 inches apart. Spray the avocados with cooking oil. Set the pan under the broiler for 5 minutes, until the top of the wedges are lightly brown and crisp. Then, flip the wedges and cook for another 2 minutes. Enjoy immediately with your favorite dipping sauce.

Took the edginess out both up here and in the SoMe. Thank you.

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If you're a guacamole lover, you should definitely consider adding avocado to a sweet, creamy, and delicious milkshake. Join the club who already know that the avo milkshake is an especially welcome treat during steamy summer months when a refreshing, nutrient-dense drink does wonders to quench your thirst. And the best part? Apart from the ice, there are only five ingredients.

Easy and delicious? What more could you ask for?

The Avo Shake

If you've never used avocado in any sweet recipe, you've been missing out! Don't forget, an avocado, while a fruit, is really versatile. It adds creaminess to vegan treats and smooths out a milkshake like few other fruits can. It can also be used in other desserts, serving as a substitute for eggs or butter.

Pick Perfection

First, you'll want to pick the perfectly ripe avocado for this recipe. To do that, make sure the skin is dark green to black in color, bumpy in texture, and gives a little when gently squeezed (the key word here is "gentle" — don't squeeze the fruit too enthusiastically or you'll bruise it). Give this video a view to get the whole scoop on picking the ripest avocado.

The Recipe

In this Avocado Pineapple Milkshake recipe, you add one peeled and pitted Avocado From Mexico into a blender. We definitely recommend cutting up the avocado first and this video will have you slicing and dicing in no time! Once you've got your avocado in the blender, add two cups of milk, an 8 oz. can of pineapple chunks along with its juice, four tablespoons of sugar (or try some condensed milk instead), a pinch of salt, and one cup of ice. Pulse until smooth, pour, and enjoy.

Looking for more interesting ways to use your avocados in tasty recipes? Here are some more ideas to get you started because with avocados, there's a whole world of recipes to discover!

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A Buddha bowl is one of the most convenient all-in-one dish meals.

Where did this delicious idea come from? Well, according to legend, Buddha often relied on the charity of neighbors for food. He would go out every day with his bowl and people would put whatever they had to offer in it, resulting in an assortment of foods.

Nowadays, more planning goes into a Buddha bowl, and it usually contains a grain such as brown rice or quinoa, a lean protein, and lots of fresh fruit and vegetables - some raw and some cooked. Drizzle a sauce or dressing over it and you have the perfect one-dish meal that's both tasty and nutritious.

Here are three Buddha Bowl ideas to inspire you:

Vegan Buddha Bowl

Cook up some brown rice as your grain and cover it with roasted broccoli, sweet potato, and chickpeas. Roast the broccoli florets and cubed sweet potato along with the chickpeas by tossing them with olive oil, salt, black pepper, and paprika, then laying them out on a baking sheet and popping them in the oven for about 45 minutes, turning a couple of times during the process.

Top your bowl with about one-third of an avocado to add some good fats. Choose an avocado that's perfectly ripe by looking for avocados that are dark green skins with slightly bumpy textures and give a little when squeezed in the palm of your hand. If it yields to light pressure, it's ready to eat. A cilantro mango dressing is great on this bowl. Choose a ripe mango and put the flesh in the blender along with some fresh cilantro and a squeeze of lime juice. Blend until smooth and add honey, cumin, salt and pepper, and chili flakes for a bit of heat.

Buddha Bowl with Avocado and Quinoa

Red quinoa and roasted acorn squash topped with a variety of colorful chopped veggies and a splash of tahini dressing make for a delicious Buddha bowl. Roast diced acorn squash in the oven while you cook the quinoa with vegetable broth, then slice your vegetables. Cabbage, bell pepper, carrot, red onion, and parsley are good, but you can also use whatever you have in your fridge.

Top with some diced avocado for a tasty touch. Sometimes slicing and dicing avocados can be a bit intimidating. Here is a simple video demonstration that will show you how. Add grilled chicken breast or tofu for protein. For the dressing, blend tahini with some apple cider vinegar, cayenne pepper, honey and freshly grated ginger, and add water until you get the desired consistency.

Kale and Avocado Buddha Bowl

With wild rice, kale, and avocado, this Buddha bowl is a source of fiber and nutrients to help keep you feeling fuller, longer. Start with a base of wild rice, then add some kale that's been lightly sautéed with onion and garlic. Add a sliced hardboiled egg and half a sliced avocado. Orange segments, pomegranate, and pumpkin seeds make for an eye-catching and delightfully unexpected flavor combination.

Get a double serving of avocado by topping this bowl with some avocado-lime dressing. Blend half a medium avocado with 3 tablespoons of lime juice and some fresh mint leaves along with a bit of water until smooth. Add salt to taste.

Here's on last quick tip: if should happen to only use half of an avocado, here's you can easily preserve half of it for later by squeezing some lemon or lime juice on it, covering it with plastic wrap and placing it in the fridge.

Buddha bowls are wonderful because of their versatility: it's easy to make them vegetarian, vegan, or gluten-free. You can swap out ingredients and add what you happen to have on hand (it's a great way to re-purpose leftovers). Don't be shy to try out unexpected combinations!

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Few dishes are as comforting as a plate of layered, sauce-drenched noodles crowned with a nest of grated Parmesan. You know what we're talking about: lasagna! And while this plate isn't traditionally laden with the nutrient-dense goodness of avocado, we've got a few tricks for using this superfood to take your lasagna game to the next level.

The Secret's in the Sauce

Here's what we love about this recipe: You get a decadent-tasting, nutrient-rich, béchamel-like sauce that's avocado-based, vegan, and easy to prepare. By taking one ripe avocado and blending it with lemon juice, garlic, olive oil, fresh basil, salt, and pepper, you get a base-sauce suited to replace tomato sauce.

In the meantime, roast a tray of sliced mushrooms, carrots, zucchini, bell peppers, and cherry tomatoes that have been drizzled with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Roast for about 15 minutes at 425°F.

Start assembling your masterpiece by first spreading a layer of your avocado béchamel. On top of that, arrange your oven-ready lasagna sheets, then more béchamel, roasted veggies, and grated mozzarella. Continue layering until done, then cover with foil and bake. (If you’re serving vegan guests, opt for vegan cheese.)

If you're about to attempt this (or any avo-based recipe) but realize that your avocado is not fully ripe, try putting it in direct sunlight — on a windowsill, kitchen counter, or wherever the sun shines brightest in your home. Warm temperatures help fruits ripen faster. Here are a few other tips to get your avocados to peak ripeness stat.

Cheesy Goodness

If you'd rather prep a full-on, multi-cheese lasagna, try combining your favorite Italian cheese blend with a large tub of ricotta, a large egg, salt, pepper, a minced garlic clove, Italian seasonings, and one ripe, mashed avocado. Feel free to add a handful or two of wilted spinach if you want more green in the mix. Mix well.

Whip up a batch of your favorite marinara or meat sauce and add a few ladles of sauce to the bottom of your baking dish. Top with oven-ready lasagna noodles and layer your cheese filling, more noodles, and sauce, repeating until done.

If you have a leftover avocado or avocado-half after your lasagna is complete, no problem. To preserve the avocado-half, coat it with lime juice or olive oil, cover it with plastic wrap, and place it in the fridge. For an uncut avocado, just pop it in the fridge — it should stay fresh for the next five days.

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The new star of the cake show? It's avocado! While you may associate avocado with savory dishes, the green fruit is also great in desserts. Maybe best of all is that you can make this recipe all year long: Avocados From Mexico are always in season.

Ingredients:

For the cake:

1 – 1–1/2 Avocados From Mexico

1 t. lime juice

1 c. butter, room temperature

1 c. sugar

1 t. vanilla extract

Pinch of salt

4 eggs

2–3/4 c. all-purpose flour

3–3/4 t. baking powder

1/2 c. ground almonds

3–1/2 T. milk

For the glaze:

1/2 c. powdered sugar

3 T. lime juice

2 T. chopped pistachios

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat the oven to 350˚F. Put the avocado flesh in a bowl and use a mixer or fork to mash the avocado along with the lime juice until the mix is smooth. You did buy a ripe avocado, right? If you're not sure how to tell when an avocado is at its optimal ripeness, check out this video for a simple three-step test. You’re looking for avocados that are dark green (almost black), have a bumpy texture, and give slightly when you squeeze them.

Add the butter, vanilla extract, and salt, and mix until all ingredients are blended. In a separate bowl, mix the baking powder, flour, and ground almonds. Fold this mix into the avocado in two or three parts, alternating with the milk.

Grease a 12-inch bread pan and dust it with flour. Pour the mix into the pan and use a spatula to smooth out the surface. Bake for one hour or until a toothpick comes out clean. Allow the cake to cool in the mold for a few minutes.

While the cake is in the oven, prepare the glaze. Mix the powdered sugar with the lime juice. When you unmold the cake, set it on a plate and cover the top with the glaze, dappling the cake with the chopped pistachios.

Finally, prepare tea or coffee and sit down to enjoy this delicious cake with family or friends!

By the way: If you have a leftover avocado-half that you want to save for another delicious recipe, you can learn how to preserve it by coating the open half with lime juice or olive oil, covering it in plastic wrap, and refrigerating it — along with other tips — here.

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When Mother's Day arrives, treat the special lady with a little TLC, whether it’s a homemade breakfast in bed or the whole gang around the kitchen table. It's easy with these delicious, avo-enhanced recipes.

The Sweet Life

If Mom's got a sweet tooth and loves a fluffy pancake with her coffee (or tea), we've got just the recipe for you. These banana-avocado pancakes almost make themselves. Bonus: They’re flourless, which means they’re also gluten-free. This recipe replaces wheat flour with oats, which are blended with avocado, banana, egg, vanilla, and soy milk for a silky-smooth batter. Just pour a few tablespoons into a nonstick heated pan, flip to golden brown perfection, and serve with fresh blueberries and maple syrup.

Need some help making sure you have the perfect avocados for the morning of Mother’s Day? Here’s a quick three-step test for choosing ripe ones. Look for dark green avocados (almost black) that have bumpy skin and give a little when you gently squeeze.

Should you get home and have some avocados that aren’t quite ripe, you can speed up the ripening process by placing them in a brown bag with a banana; placing them in a bowl of rice; or simply placing them in direct sunlight.

And if you buy avocados that are already ripe and need to preserve them for a day or two, you can keep simply place them in the refrigerator.

Eggs Benny with Avocado

Few dishes say brunch better than eggs Benedict with hollandaise. Start with a sweet corn cake and enrich the hollandaise with avocado, and Mom is sure to be pleased. Start by whisking 1/2 cup of whole-wheat flour with 1/3 cup of cornmeal, 1/2 teaspoon of baking soda, and a pinch of salt and ground pepper. Add just under a cup of sweet, cooked corn kernels; 1/2 diced red pepper; and 1 minced shallot to the mix, along with the wet ingredients: 1 egg, 1 cup of buttermilk, and 1 tablespoon of avocado oil. Mix until everything just combines.

Heat a nonstick oiled pan over medium heat and spoon out 1/3 cup of the batter to form your cakes. Fry up the batch and set aside on a parchment-lined baking sheet that you can keep warm in the oven on low heat while you prepare the rest of the dish.

To make the hollandaise, add 1 ripe avocado (which you'll be able to spot with its dark-green-to-black bumpy skin; it will be firm to the touch when you apply gentle pressure), juice of 1 lime, and 1/3 cup hot water to a blender. Pulse until smooth. Add 1/4 cup of avocado oil in a steady stream while the blender is running and season with salt and pepper.

To assemble, start with your warm corn cakes, top with a poached egg and any other garnishes you like (such as smoked salmon or bacon), spoon the hollandaise over the top, and serve with love.

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Enjoying spring can mean a lot of things: the new season, a spring in your step, an extra hour of sunlight, or spring rolls. We hope you get a chance to enjoy all of the above this season, and, if you make some delicious spring rolls (or their cousin, the egg roll), kick them up a notch by adding some of our favorite green fruit: avocado.

Keeping it Fresh

You're probably familiar with deep-fried egg rolls, but let's keep things a little lighter while taking advantage of the warmer weather by giving you a fresh take on these bite-sized favorites. In this avocado, mango, and tofu spring roll recipe, the addition of sweet mango contrasts with the saltiness of soy sauce, while the crunchy carrot and fresh cilantro get enrobed in deliciously creamy avocado.

As an added bonus, it's all about the chopping and assembly here – cooking is limited to putting some vermicelli noodles in hot water! Once they soften, fill your rice paper with shredded carrots, cilantro, mango, and half a ripe avocado.

To ensure your avocado is at its peak readiness, look for one that is dark green to nearly black and yields to the gentlest pressure without being mushy. Take a look at the visual cues here. Add some finely diced tofu and then roll it all up. You'll want to make sure the accompanying dipping sauce is ready so you can dig in with abandon.

Snackable Bites

If you're craving something a little more crispy, then this terrific version of the classic finger and party food, the egg roll, might just be the ticket. This baked bacon and avocado egg roll recipe also allows you to be as decadent or health-conscious as you like. Being good? Bake up some turkey bacon. Feel like indulging? Then fry up some smoked bacon. The recipe also lends itself to playing with flavors that work for you. Don't like cilantro? Then grab a bunch of parsley or some chopped chives for your filling and add a chiffonade of mint into your yogurt dip. The same goes for spices, whether cumin calls to you or paprika beckons.

Best of all, you bake these egg rolls, which saves you from having to use the deep fryer (and extra calories). Be playful with your flavors while still getting your protein fix, paired alongside creamy, satisfying avocado. Ever wonder how the experts easily dice an avocado? Wonder no more, and use this technique in the above-noted egg roll recipe. All you have to do is cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, slice through the meat in squares, and, voila, a perfectly dice avocado!

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Cinco de Mayo is fast approaching, and you're probably wondering what to serve at your get-together. Margaritas, palomas, and a taco bar buffet sound like a no-brainer. And you'll definitely want plenty of guacamole and chips and salsa to keep the party going. To spice up your salsa game, these avocado-based salsas will give your guests delicious options that will keep them coming back for more. Just make sure you keep the chip bowl full!

Basic creamy avocado salsa

This salsa is very versatile. You can play around with it, adding more heat or spices, like earthy cumin. Choose ripe avocados (don't know how to select them? Check out our how-to video that shows you the process: make sure the skin of the avocado is dark and yields to gentle pressure) because they mash more easily. Put all of the following into a blender: the flesh of 3 ripe Avocados From Mexico, 3 dehusked tomatillos, 1 chile serrano (leave the seeds if you want a spicy salsa,) 1 clove garlic, 4 tablespoons Mexican crema, the juice of 1 lime, and salt to taste. Blend until smooth. If it's too thick, add a couple tablespoons of water or lime juice for extra tang until you get the desired consistency.

Mango and avocado salsa

This sweet and tangy salsa will leave your taste buds tingling. Simply combine 1 diced avocado , 1 finely diced red onion, 1/2 minced habanero (remove the seeds if you want your salsa less spicy), 1 diced ripe mango, 1/4 cup finely chopped cilantro, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon oil, and salt to taste. Serve with chips or raw vegetables.

If dicing avocados is something a little foreign to you, this how-to video will help you out. Simply cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and slice through the avocado meat creating little squares.

Avocado black-eyed pea salsa

This chunky and delicious salsa will satisfy the most demanding palates! Dice 2 ripe Avocados From Mexico and combine with 1/2 chopped green onion, 1/4 cup chopped cilantro, 1 can black-eyed peas, 1 jalapeño (seeded and diced), 1 can sweet corn, 1 cup diced tomato, 1/4 cup red wine vinegar, 1/4 cup olive oil, salt, 1 teaspoon cumin, and 1 teaspoon minced garlic.

Make these salsas ahead of time, cover tightly with plastic wrap and chill in the refrigerator to allow the flavors to meld. Don't worry about the avocado turning brown; the citric acid in the lime juice will prevent oxidation.

Have a salsa-ful Cinco de Mayo!

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Popcorn without butter? Is that even legal? Seriously, I know it sounds odd, but have you ever considered putting an alternative to butter on your popcorn like avocados?

That's right; avocados and popcorn go together like peanut butter and jelly. Avocados are not only tasty and creamy like butter, but one-third of a medium avocado (5o g) contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients making it a healthy nutrient-rich choice.

Is your curiosity piqued? Here are a few helpful tips to get you started:

The key to a great bowl of avocado popcorn is choosing a perfectly ripe avocado. This video explains the three quick ways to find a ripe avocado, which include looking for dark green or black skin, skin with bumps, and finding an avocado that yields to gentle pressure.

Once you have a perfectly ripe avocado, you'll need to dice it for the popcorn recipe.

To help you, check out this video, which explains how easy it is to slice and dice, which requires you to cut it in half, remove the pit, and gently slice it while it's still in the skin. Just run a large spoon between the flesh and the skin, and you'll have a diced avocado ready to use in your bowl of avo popcorn.

And yes, the addition of avocados in your popcorn may make things a little messy, but with a few extra napkins nearby, trust us, no one will mind! The next time you want to binge your favorite streaming program or need a quick, flavorful snack for the kids, check out our avocado popcorn with chile lime salt!

Avocado Popcorn with Chile Lime Salt

Yield: 3 cups

Difficulty: Easy

Prep time: 5 minutes

Total time: 8 minutes

Ingredients

1/2 ripe Avocado From Mexico, peeled, pitted, and diced

3 cups of plain popped popcorn

1 teaspoon olive oil

1–1/2 tablespoon chile lime salt

Directions

1. Put the popcorn in a medium-sized bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Toss with your hands until popcorn is evenly coated.
2. Sprinkle the chile lime salt on top of popcorn and toss with your hands until evenly coated.
3. Gently toss in the diced avocado. Enjoy immediately with lots of napkins on the side.

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Few combinations are as enduring as a good old grilled cheese sandwich. Two slices of bread, some butter, your cheese of choice, and a hot grill — that's all it takes to turn out a beloved American staple. Feel like taking this classic to another creamy, dreamy level? Take our advice and add some gloriously good avocado and taste the difference for yourself!

A Twist on a Timeless Classic

Maybe you're saying, "Why mess with a good thing?" To that we say: because some rules are meant to be deliciously broken. Try mashing a ripe Avocado From Mexico with freshly squeezed lime juice and a bit of salt and pepper, and spread that on the unbuttered side of two buttered slices of bread. Add a slice or two of pepper jack cheese and grill butter side down until your bread is crisp and golden. But be warned, these are so good your family will be clamoring for more.

To ensure your avocado is always ripe and ready when you need it, you need to know a few indispensable tips and tricks. One of our favorites requires a paper bag and a banana. Take the green, unripe avocado and place it in the paper bag with the yellow banana. Check every day for four to five days, and you'll have a delicious, ripe avocado ready for use. To learn more, watch our quick how-to video!

Sweet Version

Feeling like a sweet version of a classic grilled cheese with avocado? Try this tasty turkey, cranberry & Brie grilled cheese recipe that uses cinnamon raisin swirl bread and cranberry sauce to bring a sweet nuance to this classic dish. It's perfect for any turkey or roasted chicken leftovers, too!

And if you're lucky enough to have several ripe and ready-to-eat avocados on hand, remember that there are loads of ways to enjoy them. Beyond guacamole and sandwiches, you can also combine them with egg for a nutritious breakfast, use them in place of croutons for your salad, or just sprinkle a little salt and paper on top and enjoy. Check out this video for some new inspiring ideas on how to use avocado for your next meal.

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There's no better time to pair the luck of the Irish with the glorious, green goodness of an Avocado From Mexico than St. Patrick's Day. How? Why, with a beautifully green-hued, nutrient-dense cheesecake, of course!

We've got a few tasty, easy ideas to make this happen for you in a snap, and all of them are perfect for sharing with friends. These are practical, make-ahead options that are fridge and freezer storable and ready when you are. St. Paddy would approve!

Tropical Sensation

A ripe avocado, lime juice, and cream cheese are a cheesecake trifecta. One of our favorite versions includes preparing a traditional graham cracker crust, using one sleeve of crackers with 5–6 tablespoons of butter, 1/3 cup of sugar and a pinch of salt to line an eight- or nine-inch pie plate. The avocado cheesecake filling combines one and a half ripe Avocados From Mexico with 6 ounces of cream cheese, the zest of one lime, ½ cup of lime juice and a pinch of salt. Pulse in a food processor until smooth.

If you accidentally bought a few too many avocados (though we've never heard of having "too many" avocados) and want to slow down the ripening process, simply put your avocados in the fridge to keep them fresh for up to five days.

In a sauce pan, add 1 1/2 cups of heavy cream and 3/4 cups of raw cane sugar, warming on medium-low heat until the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat, let cool, and add to avocado mixture. Pulse until fully incorporated and smooth.

If you feel like giving this cheesecake a flavorful twist, try adding dark chocolate mint chips to the cheesecake filling. Or simply pour the mixture as is into the prepared pie plate, smooth, cover, and put in your freezer for several hours or overnight. When you're ready to serve, let it thaw before garnishing with mint, dark or white chocolate curls and a sprinkling of lime zest. Pair the cheesecake with a good cup of Irish coffee.

How do you store the remaining half of an avocado? Squeeze a few drops of lemon juice on top of the exposed half, spread around the avocado flesh and cover it tightly in plastic wrap before popping into the fridge. It will be good to go for a few extra days.

Speaking of simple, here's a gluten-free take on a cheesecake that's refreshing and creatively served in individual cups. Try this Cheesecake Avocado Gelatin recipe that serves 8 and sets in the fridge, ready to be devoured after any mid-winter meal. Happy St. Paddy's Day!

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With spring break fast approaching, you might be concerned about how closely you've stuck to your New Year's resolutions. Fortunately, the year is still young and there's still plenty of time to hit the reset button and make changes to your diet and exercise plan to hit your end-of-year goals.

Rather than taking extreme measures like severely limiting your caloric intake, the best way to recover from winter indulgences is by eating a variety of fresh foods each day and gradually increasing the amount you exercise. Of course, avocados are an excellent addition to any diet reboot. Their smooth and creamy texture is both tasty and extremely satisfying thanks to their good fats and fiber. In fact, one serving of avocado (about a third of a medium fruit) contains 3 grams of dietary fiber, which is 11% of the recommended daily intake. They also contain nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant coumpounds that can enhance the nutrient quality of the diet.

One way to avoid making poor food choices is the out of sight out of mind approach by keeping plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables on hand. Buy avocados and other produce for the week so you have the ingredients to prepare healthy meals and snacks. Choose avocados at the perfect stage of ripeness: dark green or black avocados that yield to gentle pressure are ready to eat right away, whereas lighter green avocados that are hard to the touch will be ready in a few days. Take a look at this video to learn more.

Make an Avocado Soup

An avocado soup is an ideal food to include on your menu when trying to get your eating back on track. It's quick and easy to prepare and you probably already have all the ingredients you need in your kitchen. Peel and remove the seeds from a medium-sized cucumber and put it in the blender along with the flesh of one Avocado From Mexico, a tablespoon of diced onion, a squeeze of lime juice, a dash of salt, and half a cup of water. Blend on high until it's smooth. Then, with the blender on low, add a drizzle of olive oil to give your soup an even silkier texture. You can add some apple cider vinegar and chile powder to taste, and garnish with cilantro. Serve by itself or with some kale chips for a refreshing and light meal that is surprisingly satisfying.

If you have any leftover avocado from your recipe, keep it from turning brown by squeezing lime juice on it and pressing some plastic wrap against the flesh. Pop it in the refrigerator and it will stay green and keep until you're ready to eat it.

This soup is ready in minutes, and since it's served cool, it's convenient to take with you on the go, so you won't be tempted by high calorie snacks while you're out and about. By improving your food choices and increasing your activity level in the weeks leading up to spring break, you can feel confident come bathing suit season.

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February 14, a day full of chocolates, flowers, and greetings cards full of romantic platitudes, Valentine's Day is a day for new love, old love, those in committed relationships, and even star-crossed lovers. But rewind one day to February 13, and we have Galentine's Day — a time for single females to gather and celebrate one another. As it continues to be intimated often throughout pop culture, this is truly a day about ladies celebrating ladies.

And what does every good celebration need? Appetizers! Foods you can share and pass around while catching up with your favorite gals. If it also needs to be affordable and easy, then we recommend whipping together a crescent roll ring stuffed with your favorite fruit, avocado. With just a can of pre-made crescent rolls, your favorite meat or vegetable, and cheese, you're less than 30 minutes away from a crave-able, shareable snack that will make all of your lady friends feel loved.

But first, you'll need to find an avocado that is ripe, but still a little firm. Check out this video, which demonstrates how to find avocados that are ready by looking for dark green ones that give a little when you squeeze them in the palm of your hand. Once you have the perfect avo, you'll need to peel and dice it for the recipe. This handy video will help you accomplish the perfect dice.

Chicken Avocado Crescent Ring

Serves: 8

Difficulty: Easy

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

1 medium (6-8 ounce before pitting) firm but ripe Avocado From Mexico, peeled, pitted and diced

1-8 ounce tube of refrigerated crescent rolls

2/3 cup of your favorite shredded melting cheese

1 cup of cooked chicken, medium diced (you can replace the chicken with your favorite cooked meat of choice, or toss the meat with 1/4 cup of your favorite salsa or hot sauce)

1 egg for egg wash

Kosher salt for topping

Add-ins (pick one): 3 slices of crispy, cooked bacon, chopped; 3 tablespoons chopped, rehydrated sun-dried tomato, 3 T. chopped olives; 1 c. finely chopped baby spinach; 1 tablespoon of your favorite fresh herb chopped (rosemary or thyme would be great).

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375 F, and prepare a baking sheet by spraying with non-stick oil or lining with parchment paper.
2. Unroll dough, then layer the triangles in a circle on the baking sheet, overlapping in the center.
3. Sprinkle on half of the cheese, then the meat and avocado, followed by remaining cheese and any add-in you like.
4. Roll the outer part of each roll toward the center and tuck it under to help seal the dough. Beat the egg with a few tablespoons of water, then lightly brush the top of the ring with the egg wash. Sprinkle kosher salt on top, then bake for 15-20 minutes, or until lightly brown and golden on top. Serve warm and pair with your favorite dip or condiment (try honey mustard!).

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Italy and Mexico, while residing on separate continents and whose culinary fares are distinct in both flavor and presentation, can merge to form a delectable meal. In the middle of the coldest winter weather, we've got elegant comfort in a bowl with an avocado-based version of a traditional pasta Alfredo dish.

The Basics

Alfredo always incorporates generous amounts of butter, cream, and cheese in its repertoire. But if you're vegan or simply crave that luscious creaminess the dish is known for without the dairy, you'll be happy to know you can achieve that velvety goodness with nature's green fruit, the avocado. If you feel like adding Parmesan shavings, that's perfectly delicious, too!

A few other key ingredients like toasted pine nuts or walnuts, olive oil, lemon juice, freshly cracked black pepper, basil or parsley and, of course, ripe avocados, make this a simple wonder.

And, if you're buying a bunch of avocados to make this delicious pasta for a large family gathering, keep these handy tips in mind: Ready-to-eat avocados have dark green to black skin that yields to gentle pressure. If you're holding out for a couple of days, look for green fruit with black speckled skin. Here's a handy video to walk you through all of your tasty avo-purchasing options.

Whiz Kid

The beauty of this recipe, apart from ease and accessibility, is it's a one-blender or food processor marvel. You combine everything until creamy smooth, later tossing the pasta with your avo-alfredo and a little bit of the pasta cooking water to loosen your "alfredo."

Have some leftover sauce that you haven't tossed with pasta yet? Treat it like guac by pouring a little water over your sauce before covering with cling film and storing in the fridge for a day or two. Easy-peasy and ready for your next snack or meal.

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This Valentine's Day, delight your loved ones with creamy, fudgy, tasty chocolate avocado truffles. Now, we know what you're thinking: avocados and truffles sounds like a combination made by someone with a severe lack of taste buds. But, you naysayers will be surprised with how delectable swapping heavy cream for avocado can be.

The beauty of these chocolate avocado truffles is that you can customize them however you like, and they'll be sure to please every member of the family. But, first, the basic recipe!

Ingredients

1 rich and creamy Avocado From Mexico (darker green avocados that give a little when you squeeze them in the palm of your hand are perfect…watch this video to see how to pick the best one!)

6 ounces of chocolate chips

Pinch of sea salt

1/4 teaspoon of vanilla extract.

Directions

Melt the chocolate chips in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds, stir, and put back in the microwave for another 20 seconds or until the chocolate chips have melted. Place in a food blender with the avocado flesh (this video shows you how to slice and dice it first), the salt, and the vanilla extract. Pulse until the mixture is well combined. Let it cool in the refrigerator for about a half-hour or until it has firmed up. Roll a tablespoon of mixture between your hands to form a ball.

Getting Creative

Now that you've mastered the basic recipe, you can get creative to cater to everyone's taste. Choose 90 percent cacao dark chocolate chips for dark chocolate snobs, or milk chocolate chips for younger palates. You can sweeten the truffles with two tablespoons of maple syrup or brown sugar if you prefer. Enjoy immediately. In the unlikely event that there are leftover truffles, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

The sky's the limit when it comes to toppings. Roll the truffles in cocoa powder or sprinkle a little smoky chipotle chile powder on them (or both!). Roll them in shredded coconut, graham cracker crumbs, sprinkles, or finely chopped nuts. Add some color with a sprinkling of green matcha powder or red beet-root powder. No matter what you choose, your edible gift will be a hit!

This February, celebrate love and chocolate with these mouthwatering truffles.

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There's nothing better to warm you up on a cold day than a cup of hot cocoa; and if you add avocado, it'll be even more nourishing, thick, and velvety. It may seem like a strange combination, but the subtle flavor of the avocado is practically imperceptible and it gives a creaminess to the drink that is both rich and satisfying.

This recipe is wonderfully flexible. You can make it sugar-free or vegan, and add some extra spice and flavorings depending on your tastes and the occasion -- the variations are limitless! Even though this is a treat, you can rest assured knowing that by including avocado in your cocoa, you're adding a good source of fiber (11% of your recommended daily needs!), good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals.

The Basic Recipe

Start with two cups of milk and one avocado. You can adjust the amounts depending on how thick you would like your cocoa. When selecting your avocado, you'll want to find one that's perfectly ripe. A gentle squeeze will let you know if your avocado is ripeenough. An ideal avocado should yield to light pressure, however, one that is a little too soft for slicing will work perfectly fine for this recipe as well. You can help speed up ripening a hard avocado by placing it in a paper bag with a banana and checking it daily until it's ready.

Once you've got your avocado, scoop out the flesh and blend it with milk in a blender or food processor until smooth. Add a third of a cup of natural cocoa and finish blending. Heat in the microwave or on the stovetop on low until just under a simmer. Sweeten to taste with sugar, add spices and topping to taste, and enjoy!

Go Sugar-free or Vegan

To sweeten your hot chocolate without refined sugar, you can use maple syrup or stevia, or soak a couple of Medjool dates in hot water for a few minutes to soften and add to the blender along with the milk and avocado (blend a little bit longer to completely pulverize the dates). You can make this hot cocoa vegan by using almond or coconut milk instead of regular milk.

Spice it up

This hot cocoa is delicious with the warming flavors of cinnamon, and cloves. If you're feeling inspired to try it as they did in the ancient times, add a dash of chile powder and cayenne to taste. This will definitely add a kick to your drink so just remember, add a little at a time, taste, and add more if desired. You can always add more later!

Top it or Spike it

Though delicious on its own, top it with some whipped cream, chocolate shavings, or mini marshmallows for extra decadence. And for the adult crowd, there's always the option to add a shot of tequila, mezcal, or coffee liqueur-- we won't judge!

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By Chef Pati Jinich

Looking for some new breakfast recipe ideas for Christmas morning? I shared a flurry of tried-and-true favorites — along with some new ideas — during a recent Twitter party (#AvoChat #SeasonsEatings). Consider it an early present from me!

Before we dive into all the muy delicioso recipes below, let’s make sure you’re in good shape to have ripe Avocados From Mexico on hand. Here’s a helpful video on how to choose avocados based on how many days out you buy them. The further out that you buy them, the lighter green and harder you want the avocados to be. For immediate consumption, you’ll want darker avocados that give a little when you squeeze them.

But let’s say your avocados are still a little bit hard to the touch a few days before Christmas. You can speed up the ripening process by putting them in direct sunlight or inside a bag with rice. If they are ripening quicker than you’d like, you can slow them down by putting them in the fridge!

Christmas Breakfast Recipe Ideas

• Breakfast Burritos. This easy Breakfast Burrito A La Mexico looks festive with red tomatoes and green avocados.
• Egg sandwiches. My boys adore the Señor Breakfast Sandwich, with eggs and a creamy chipotle béchamel sauce. Another simple egg sandwich features mashed avocados, eggs, and bacon inside a brioche bun.
• For a low-stress solution that you can put in the oven during gift exchange, look no further than the Baked Egg Casserole — a salsa ranchera blends with eggs, refried beans, and your choice of turkey or ham. Avocados cool down the spice of the charred tomatoes and peppers in my Eggs in Salsa Martajada. And for the really hungry crowd, fill a casserole dish with Big Brunch Enchiladas.
• This traditional Mexican comfort food gets an upgrade with Avocados from Mexico. Green Chilaquiles start with tortilla strips piled high with fresh tomatillos, cheese, avos, and more — delicioso!
• Avocado toast. So popular these days — and healthy! How about Christmas tree-shaped Avo Toast topped with pomegranate and mint? Or Avo Toast with Savory Seeds Crunch? And for me, I’ll have the citrus-tinged, sesame-flavored Avo Toast
• Want something light before a big Christmas dinner? Start the day with this beet-red smoothie that I call Vampirito, which blends avocados with beets, pineapple, and orange juice!
• Brunch fare. For a heartier mix, include Mexican Gravlax, an open-face sandwich with tequila-flavored salmon and avocado crema! Round out the plate with my version of Mexico’s Christmas Salad that features rows of avocado, jicama, beets, and oranges. A side dish of Oaxaca-Style Refried Beans is topped like a Christmas tree with toasted avocado leaves, fresh avocado, and queso fresco. [Look for avocado leaves in international markets or online.] Orange and Avocado Natilla, a sweet Christmas pudding, is the perfect way to end a brunch lineup.
• Want sandwich options? Consider the Crazy Torta, with its sweet surprise of fried plantains, or the basic ham-and-cheese hero, topped with avocado!
• No holiday morning’s complete without Mexican coffee, and for this occasion, this fun seasonal twist on eggnog made with coconut milk and avocado makes for a perfect Christmas breakfast.

For more holiday fun, visit Avocados From Mexico’s #SeasonsEatings page for more breakfast recipe ideas, to share pictures of you and your loved ones enjoying avocados this holiday season, and to enter to win a 7-day Princess Cruise in our #SeasonsEatings giveaway! Enter here!

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The holidays are just around the corner, and if you're like many people, you probably have some concerns about the health impact of chowing down on all your favorite holiday goodies. But if you eat in moderation, there's no reason to feel guilty about indulging in holiday favorites, especially if you keep up your exercise routine and you pair traditional holiday dishes with these delicious avocado pairings.

Yes, avocados go great with some of your holiday favorites — you may be surprised by how much of a supporting role they can play! Of course avocado slices or a creamy guacamole are a match made in heaven when paired with chicken tamales, or these sweet potato empanadas. But what about with a ham or turkey dinner?

Here are just a few quick tips for making avocados shine at your next holiday meal.

1. Start the meal off with this holiday avocado fruit salad, or make a thick and hearty avo dressing to fancy up your holiday greens.
2. Avocados aren't just for spread. Did you know that you can bake them right into your cornbread for an extra kick?
3. Whether you prefer potatoes or rice, you have some delicious options for adding avocados into the mix. Check out these two avocado pairings with these au gratin potatoes, or this festive Christmas-colored rice. You can even add avocados to your favorite baked veggie dish.If your avocados aren't quite ripe, you can use the dry rice you have on hand for this recipe to help soften them up! Watch the video here.
4. Great avocado pairings aren't limited to dinner! For the kids, try these tree-shaped avo toasts as part of your holiday-morning meal.
5. Do you love to make chocolates for the holidays? Avocado makes delicious, creamy truffles. Your guests will go wild for these!
6. Avocados also make an excellent base for a smooth, silky ice cream. This recipe is for pistachio ice cream, but you can flavor yours with vanilla, chocolate, mint, or your favorite holiday spices. Pair it with just-from-the-oven pie for best results!
7. If you like to go all out with your baking, don't forget that you can use avocados in your Christmas cookies! Try this simple walnut recipe, or the classic chocolate chip.
8. And, of course, it wouldn't be the holidays without a glass of frothy eggnog! Make your rompopo extra thick by adding avocados using this take on a classic recipe.

If you don't want to worry about ripening avocados at home, be sure to buy fruit at just the right ripeness. Consider both the color of the skin and firmness of the flesh to find the ones that are just right. Watch the video here to learn more!

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It's not news that we eat with our eyes first. This is especially the case when you gather family and friends around the table for a holiday meal like Thanksgiving. Well, something you're sure to be thankful for when the holidays roll around is our eye-pleasing presentation tips. We can also help you show off your newly-minted plating and table setting skills with a couple of crowd-friendly, avocado-based delights to boot!

Set the Scene

Whether you want casual elegance, high-end formality, or rustic charm, start by thinking about your table settings in terms of the food you'll serve. This is the time to bring out the good stuff, like that fine bone china that usually sits in your cupboard. Or, follow the lead of many high-end restaurants by mixing natural elements like slate or polished wooden boards with any of your fancier plates and silverware for family-style food service. If you're still not sure what plates to pull, stick to classic white.

For a terrific appetizer this Thanksgiving, try this in-season, colorful tortilla soup, topped with cubes of bright green avocado in a beautiful hand-thrown pottery bowl or wide-mouthed mug. To get that tidy dice, cut your Avocado From Mexico in half, use a spoon to remove the pit, cut length-wise to slice, and then dice into little squares. Check out our video for a quick tutorial.

While you're at it, bring in some elements from the outdoors. Pretty pine cones, twigs wrapped in festive ribbon that complement your table's color scheme, colorful dried corn on the cob, or mini gourds all make for interesting centerpieces.

Perfect Plates

Whether you're plating individual courses or platters, there are a few handy rules to keep in mind for plate success. First: Don't overcrowd a plate or platter. Food won't look as appetizing, and you'll have no "white space" left to admire your hard work. Try to keep big-ticket items, like a turkey or fish, whole. There's a "wow-factor" in a whole turkey arriving at the table.

If you're serving individual plates, remember: odd numbers look better than even ones. So that's three olives, not four, for example. And consider serving food using the old-school "clock" method: 11 o'clock is for carbs, 2 o'clock features veggies (covering half the plate), and 6 o'clock is for proteins, covering one-quarter of the plate.

And don't forget dessert — it's a holiday after all! Try these enticing Mint Avocado Brownie bites.

When looking for the perfect avocado, check that the bumpy skin on your avo is dark, and if it slightly yields to gentle pressure you can be sure you've got a good one.

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You know avocados are tasty in guacamole, salads, and sandwiches, but have you ever thought of avocados in cheesecake? Avocados can add an extra bit of creaminess to the batter and when spiked with a healthy dose of lime juice and zest (an avo's best friend!), the results are phenomenal. Bonus: You don't even have to turn on the oven for this cheesecake!

One of the key ingredients is a ripe avocado, so picking the perfect fruit is key. You'll want to look for one that isn't too green, and yields to gentle pressure (this video gives a great visual). If you can only find hard avocados, you can speed up ripening by storing them buried in a bowl of dried rice (this video shows you how).

The most difficult part of this recipe is whipping the heavy cream to stiff peaks. You can check to see what stage your whipped cream is at by dipping the whisk in and out of the mixture. If it slumps, keep whipping. If it stands up straight, you are there! And hey, if you decide to substitute a packaged whipped topping, no one will judge you.

No-bake Avocado Lime Cheesecake

Crust

1 ¼ cup graham cracker crumbs (you can use a food processor or rolling pin to crush the crackers)

Pinch of kosher salt

6 tablespoons of melted butter

1/4 cup sugar

Filling

2 cups of heavy whipping cream

1/2 cup powdered sugar

1 lb. cream cheese, softened

2 ripe Avocados From Mexico, peeled and pitted

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 teaspoons lime zest

1/2 cup sugar

Pinch of kosher salt

Directions

To make the crust, mix the sugar and salt into the graham cracker crumbs, then stir in the butter. Press evenly into the bottom of a greased and parchment-lined 9-inch springform pan.

Using a hand mixer, stand mixer, or whisk (if you like a work-out), whip the heavy cream and powdered sugar until it forms stiff peaks. Process the remaining ingredients in a food processor until smooth, then pour into a large bowl. Use a rubber spatula to slowly fold in the whipped cream, then pour the filling into the pan. Chill until firm, at least 4-5 hours. Run a knife around the rim of the pan before removing to separate the cheesecake.

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Who doesn't love avocado toast? It's a quick and filling fix for an anytime meal. But if you ever feel like changing things up a bit, there's a different combo you could try. You get to keep the creamy goodness of your favorite avocado topping while swapping out your toasted bread for...sweet potato! It's simple and it adds a touch of sweetness — as well as a different set of vitamins and minerals — to your default bread choice.

Here's how to make the most delicious avocado sweet potato toast:

The "Bread" Prep

First, you'll want to peel a large sweet potato and cut it length-wise into oblong slices. If you're a fan of a softer texture, you can make your sweet potato discs a little thicker, just shy of an inch. The thinner you cut them, the crispier they'll get. Another trick to getting crispier sweet potato is to ensure they are very dry and then to give them a very light dusting of cornstarch before roasting/toasting.

Once your oven is hot (450 F), give your sweet potato discs a sprinkle of olive oil, salt, and pepper, and then roast (or "toast") them on a baking sheet for about 15 minutes, or until the surface starts browning and blistering.

Top It

While the toast is baking, it's time to whip up your favorite avocado topping. Of course, you can start off with your classic guacamole by combining red onion, cilantro, lime juice, and jalapeño with your perfectly ripe avocado. Not perfectly ripe? If you want to ensure that you have a constant supply of ripe avocados, simply use one of our most popular hacks and put them in a brown paper bag with a banana. They'll be ripe in no time!

If you want to up the ante and add some protein, make your topping by mashing up an avocado with some salt and chili flakes, and then top it off with an over-easy egg. The heat from the chile pairs well with the sweetness of your toast, while the gooey yolk adds that little indulgence.

Textural Variety

You can also add a variety of textures to your topping by keeping your avocado sliced. To avoid bruising your avocado, simply cut them in half length wise and then safely remove the pit with a spoon, as described here.

Once your avo is cleanly sliced, top it with a combination of radishes, crumbly cheese, chives, and chile pepper sprinkles. For a vegan spin, replace the crumbly cheese with some alfalfa sprouts and a dash of salt for a crunchy, silky, salty, and sweet combo atop toast that delivers the most!

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It can be difficult to keep up with today's plethora of dietary restrictions and preferences. Luckily, there exist many options that make it easier to accommodate most dietary challenges so we can continue to enjoy eating good, delicious food!

Carbohydrate reduction is nothing new, but making reduced-carb breads usually has varying degrees of success. Enter "oopsie bread," home-baked, easy-to-make flatbread that reduces the wheat gluten, offers reduced carbs, and still satisfies with just-baked freshness. And if you're wondering, the name of this bread comes from — you guessed it! — a kitchen mistake that turned out to be quite tasty!

Skip the cheese

Most oopsie bread recipes make use of cream cheese or ricotta to provide moisture and body, so if you avoid dairy, this tasty flatbread wouldn't have been an option — until now. The deliciously healthy and versatile avocado lends moisture and good fats to the bread, but leaves out the lactose that causes some people issues. You'll need to have some ripe avocados handy, and if you're in a rush, a brown paper bag is all you need to bring them to maturation more quickly.

In fact, keep them around the kitchen to make sure you've got a steady supply of mashable avos on hand. No ripe avocados at your local grocery store? No problem! Brown bag your avos with a banana for up to four days (check in between for perfect ripeness). Problem solved.

As this recipe replaces the creaminess of cheese, it's important to start with the right avocado to give you just the perfect texture. Look for a dark avocado that's firm to the touch but not rock hard. For these and other handy avo-tips, check out the Avocados From Mexico how-to video guides.

The Process

Before you get going on your avocado, simply beat some egg whites to stiff peaks, adding some cream of tartar to help you get the right consistency. After that, peel, pit, and purée your ripe avocado in a food processor until it's completely smooth. Then, gently fold into the egg whites so as to maintain the fluffiness.

You can also add some almond flour and psyllium husks for additional texture and fiber; just be sure to fold everything in gently without whipping. After that, it's as simple as putting the mix on a parchment-lined baking sheet and waiting for the magic to happen.

Go ahead and use the bread as tasty substitutes for burger buns and sandwich bread. And don't worry if they dry out. You can make toast rounds for breakfast (and top them with a serving of avocado, of course!).

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Few dishes celebrate summer's delicious bounty better than a good pesto. The lack of cooking leaves its freshness intact, while the peak availability of herbs offers dishes a burst of sunny flavor. As an added bonus, pesto is so versatile that if pasta's not your game, there are so many other ways to use this deliciously green taste of summer!

The Classic – with a Twist

Generally, pesto includes a generous fistful of basil along with some garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, pine nuts, and Parmesan cheese, which come together for a beautifully blended sauce. But did you know that you can swap out two ripe avocados for the Parmesan to create a creamy, versatile pesto suitable for vegans and non-vegans alike?

You'll know your avocados are ripe when they yield to slight pressure (easy does it!) without caving in around your thumb. If your avocados aren't quite there, and you want to speed up the process, grab a brown paper bag and toss your avocados in it, along with a banana, and they'll be ripe in no time at all!

So Many Uses

Once your pesto is ready, you have a world of options to use up every last bit. You can take the classic approach and add your pesto to some freshly cooked noodles, topping it off with some grated Parmesan. If you find the consistency too thick, simply loosen it up with a little bit of warm pasta water.

Or try toasting up some baguette rounds and — presto pesto! — you have a tasty little hors d'oeuvres platter ready to go. Turn your flavor dial to maximum by substituting your newly blended pesto for other popular spreads on your sandwiches. Not only is it an added burst of flavor, but it's super creamy.

Flavor-Spike Some Classics!

While we're on the path of updating our pesto recipe, you can also use this delicious mix as a flavor enhancer on your grilled cheese sandwiches. Vibrant green and citrusy notes burst through all that gooey good cheese.

You can also use pesto as a dip instead of hummus. Just chop up some crunchy peppers and cucumbers, roll out the cherry tomatoes, and dip to your heart's delight. And if you feel like you need more green, add some spinach to your blender before you blitz your pesto.

Any leftovers can also be refrigerated for up to five days — just make sure to place a layer of plastic wrap directly on the surface of your pesto in order to prevent oxidization (and the brown color that follows).

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Getting kids to eat vegetables can be a struggle, but they also tend to love the unexpected, and having vegetables prepared in this way adds a new, playful element to dinner. So, if you're looking for a new nutritious, quick, and easy meal that the whole family will love, zucchini noodles with avocado sauce is a great choice!

Zucchini noodles are gluten-free and low-carb, and the avocado sauce adds a creamy texture that coats the noodles and makes them absolutely delicious.

Making the Noodles

A spiralizer is the best tool for making vegetable noodles, but if you don't have one on hand, a julienne peeler or mandolin slicer can also produce similar noodle-like strands. Let your older kids have a turn with the spiralizer while the younger ones enjoy seeing the vegetable ribbons that magically come out the other side.

Your zucchini should be fresh and firm. You don't need to peel or salt the zucchini beforehand; just wash it, cut off the ends, and spiralize. You can eat the noodles raw, but if you prefer them warmed, sautée them with a bit of olive oil in a skillet for 3 to 5 minutes, and avoid overcooking because they may become mushy.

Making the Sauce

To make the avocado sauce, you'll need some fresh basil, a clove of garlic, a bit of lemon juice and olive oil, and a ripe medium-sized avocado. If you're not sure how to tell if your avocado is ripe, this handy video shows you how: just check the color of the avocado's skin and press on it gently to see if the avocado yields to pressure. If your avocado isn't quite ready, you can help it ripen a little faster by placing it in a paper bag with a banana and leaving it for a few days. Check on it daily to see when it's ready.

Once your avocado is ripe, all you have to do is blend the flesh along with the other ingredients in a food processor or blender until smooth and enjoy on top of your zucchini noodles.

If you or someone in your family is gluten-free, spiralized veggies offer a great alternative to conventional pasta noodles. The avocado sauce adds great taste for a meal that's low in carbs and super tasty. Easy and fast, you can prepare this meal for your family in just a few minutes. Odds are, the kids (and adults too!) will be far more willing to eat their vegetables when they're in a fun shape and topped with this delicious avocado sauce.

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Who said fruit salad can't be savory? Summer means a plethora of delicious, seasonal fruit, and one great way to balance all of that natural sugar is with a savory summer salad featuring watermelon and avocado. A little lime juice brightens up the flavors, while a sprinkle of Tajín seasoning adds a little heat. Pepitas add some crunch and texture and cotija cheese gives the salad a salty, savory edge. The result? A salad that hits all the right notes: savory, sweet, and crunchy. It's a perfectly refreshing snack or side dish for a summer pool party or family barbecue.

Since the bulk of this salad is fresh fruit, knowing how to pick ripe fruit is essential. For watermelon, you want to choose one that sounds hollow when it is tapped, feels heavy, and has a yellow field spot (where it rested on the ground). If the spot is white, it's not ripe. For avocados, gently press your thumb into an avocado's skin. If it yields slightly, it's perfectly ripe. If it makes a large indentation, it might be too ripe.

If all you can find are hard avocados (which are unripe), store them for a few days in a paper bag with a banana to help it ripen faster. Once ripe, you'll want to slice the avocado in half by running a knife around the outside of the avocado (the pit in the center will tell you when you've inserted it far enough). Use a spoon to remove the pit, then make vertical and horizontal cuts in the avocado, taking care not to slice through the skin. A spoon helps you pop out the pieces of avo, and then you're ready to go!

The Tajín is optional, and the watermelon can easily be replaced with another type of melon (cantaloupe or honeydew would also be tasty). If you don't have Tajín on hand, you can sprinkle a little coarse sea salt and your favorite chile powder.

Watermelon Avocado Salad (Serves 4-6)

Ingredients

• 1 whole watermelon, cut into 1-inch cubes
• 2 ripe avocados, cut in 1-inch chunks
• ½ bunch fresh cilantro, finely chopped
• ½ red onion, thinly sliced
• ¼ cup crumbled cotija cheese
• 2 tablespoons salted pepitas
• 2 tablespoons fresh-squeezed lime juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• Tajín to taste OR salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Mix the first 6 ingredients together in a large bowl, tossing gently so the avocado doesn't bruise.
2. In a small bowl, whisk the lime juice with the olive oil.
3. Pour the dressing onto the salad and then sprinkle Tajín or salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, or chill for up to two hours.

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Working avocados into your regular rotation of family meals may be easier (and more delicious) than you ever imagined! Available year-round and abundant in American supermarket produce sections (check out how to identify them here!), Avocados from Mexico lend themselves to tasty dishes, no matter the time of day. And the even better news? You don't have to have a pantry or fridge full of ingredients OR endless amounts of time to produce creative, show-stopping dishes.

The key ingredient is avocado, of course. If you only really buy avocado for guacamole and you want to make sure you start buying avocados that will be ripe for a week's work of meal prep, check out this quick and handy video for a pro tip.

These three recipes — one for breakfast, one for lunch or dinner, and one for snack-time — are easy, fast, and practical, only requiring three ingredients. Talk to us online and let us know which ones are your favorites!

Breakfast: Baked Avocado Egg Boats

Even if you don't consider yourself a morning person, you'll want to hop out of bed to prep (and eat) these adorable avo-egg boats. All you really need for two servings is one avocado, two eggs, and some fresh lime juice; salt and pepper and paprika are optional. If you're feeling extra inspired, you can top with crispy bacon, tomatoes, or cilantro (or a combination of all three).

Lunch or Dinner: Avocado Chicken (or Tuna) Salad

Chicken and tuna lend themselves to seemingly endless variations when it comes to salads, and if you're a scratch cook, you probably change the ingredients you add each time you make one of these salads, adjusting ingredients based on what you have at hand. But if you're short on time (or ingredients), you can make a delicious chicken- or tuna-avo salad with just three items: the chicken or tuna, avocado, and cilantro or another leafy herb of your choice.

Mash the avocado, which takes the place of mayonnaise, so that it can bind the three ingredients together. Add cubed or diced chicken or tuna and a fistful of roughly chopped cilantro leaves, mix, and there you have it: a fast, delicious, and filling meal!

Snack: Dairy-free Mango Avocado Smoothie

Whether you're lactose-intolerant or you're just looking for a quick shake recipe that doesn't require many ingredients, this dairy-free mango avocado smoothie is a winner. With frozen, cubed mango as one-third of the ingredient trio, your actual prep work will be limited to slicing the avocado and scooping its flesh into the blender, adding orange juice (and a bit of water) and pureéing to perfection!

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Photo from Mexican Today: New and Rediscovered Recipes for Contemporary Kitchens by Pati Jinich (2016, Houghton Mifflin Harcourt).

About The Author: Pati Jinich, TV host of Pati’s Mexican Table, cookbook author, and ambassador for Avocados from Mexico

On Memorial Day, celebrating with cookouts is as American as the hot dogs we grill themselves. But while many consider hot dogs an American classic, they’ve long been entrenched in daily Mexican cuisine, too! Would you believe taco stands and hot dog stands pop up right next to one another all over Mexico?

It turns out that hot dogs and our Mexican ingredients merge beautifully. Our creative takes on Mexican dogs aren’t a forced fad or gimmick related to the fusion food trend. Not at all! The hot dog is something Mexicans eat every day — and have for more than a century! Just as Mexicans adapted Italian pasta to create Mexican-flavored dishes like pasta seca and French bread to make Mexican sandwiches like tortas, we put a genuine Mexican spin on hot dogs, giving them our sazón and topping them with all sorts of things like pico de gallo, spiced up salsas, charred jalapeños, and, of course, diced or mashed avocado.

Think avocados and hot dogs don’t mix? Think again! You’ve got to try these amazing options for relishes that you’ll really relish! But before you put those dogs on the grill, watch this quick video on how to pick out perfect avocados by holding them in the palm of your hand and giving them a gentle squeeze.

1. Red Pico de Gallo and Avo Relish

Mix red diced tomato, diced avocado, chopped white onion, chopped fresh jalapeño peppers, chopped cilantro, lime juice, and salt.

2. Green Pico de Gallo and Avo Relish

Combine diced tomatillo, diced avocado, sliced scallions, chopped cilantro, lime juice, chopped pickled jalapeños, and a splash of their brine, olive oil, and salt.

3. Semi-Homemade Relish

Start with a jar of store-bought pickle relish and stir in chopped white onion, diced serrano or jalapeño peppers, and diced avocado. Need to brush up on your slicing and dicing skills? Here’s another quick video on how to dice an avocado perfect for preparing this recipe. Bingo — amped-up flavor and a Mexican spin on your classic dill pickle relish.

These Mexican combos take your hot dog beyond the standard. After all, gourmet dogs have long included a Chicago-style version, New York-style, and other regional favorites. Add these Mexican twists, incorporating nutritious avocados from Mexico to your repertoire.

You can have even more fun by offering condiment dishes filled with crumbled queso fresco, grilled corn, or chicharrón (fried pork skin). Avocados From Mexico offers other recipes for avo dogs: Check out the recipes for the Pineapple Hotdog Wraps with Spicy Avocado Dip and Chilean Style Hot Dog with Avocado, Sauerkraut and Mayo!

Not very likely, but should you find yourself with some avocado leftover, here’s a really simple video tip on how to preserve half of an avocado by squeezing some lemon juice on it, wrapping it in plastic wrap and placing it in the refrigerator.

Happy Memorial Day — and happy day of hot dog eating!

The post Relish the Avo Dog: 3 Ideas for Avocado-Inspired Hot Dog Toppings appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Our name is Avocados From Mexico, but that doesn’t mean we don’t love recipes from all over the world. And while people typically associate avocados with Mexican cuisine (especially that oh-so-good dip called guacamole), the delicious fruit we grow in our orchards travel all over the world to inspire recipes in all kinds of cultures.

From salads and soups to smoothies and desserts, here are six unique avocado recipes from around the world — pack your passport, a selfie stick, and big ol’ appetite.

🇿🇦 South African Avocado Ritz

The avocado ritz was an iconic dish of the 1970s, but today it’s still a hit in South Africa. It’s a scrumptiously messy appetizer made by stuffing a creamy shrimp mix into half an avocado. Here’s our recipe. Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 c. small shrimp, cooked and chilled
• 4 tbsp. mayonnaise
• 3 tbsp. tomato sauce (or ketchup)
• 3 tbsp. heavy cream
• 2 tbsp. lemon juice
• Hot sauce, to taste
• 2 c. small shrimp, cooked and chilled
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, halved

Directions: Combine mayonnaise, tomato sauce, cream, lemon juice, and hot sauce, and mix well. Add cooked shrimp and toss. Remove the pits from your avocados and scoop 1/4 of the shrimp mixture on top of each half. Serve chilled.

🇨🇱 Chilean Palta Rellena

In Chile, avocado is called palta. Chileans have an avocado-based salad that looks as good on a plate as it tastes in your mouth. Sometimes it’s called palta rellena (“stuffed avocado”), but others call it palta reina (“avocado queen”). Either way, we call it gooooood. Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 2 c. cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 bell pepper, finely chopped
• 4 black olives, sliced
• 2 tbsp. mayonnaise
• Your favorite leafy salad base
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, halved and pitted
• Lemon juice

Directions: Mix chicken, bell pepper, olives, and 1 tablespoon of mayonnaise. Arrange salad leaves on four plates and place half an avocado on each. Fill each avocado hole with 1/4 tablespoon of mayonnaise and top with chicken mixture. Squeeze lemon juice on top. Snap a pic for the ‘gram and tag with #YassAvocadoQueen. Dig in.

🇨🇴 Colombian Sopa de Aguacate

Sopa de aguacate (“avocado soup”) is, dare we say, soup-er popular in Colombia. Creamy, subtly flavored, and satisfying, it’s crazy-easy to make and crazy-good to eat. Here’s our recipe. Serves: 4

Ingredients:

• 1 tbsp. butter
• 1/2 c. white onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 4 c. chicken stock
• 2 Avocados From Mexico, mashed
• Lemon juice
• 2 c. heavy cream
• 1/4 tsp. cumin
• Salt and pepper
• Garnish: 1/4 c. cilantro chopped

Directions: In the bottom of a pot, sautée chopped onion and garlic in butter. Once garlic is fragrant, add chicken stock, mashed avocado, and lemon juice, stirring regularly. Bring to a boil, then lower heat to a simmer for 2-3 minutes. Pour mixture into a blender, pulse for 30 seconds, then return to the pot. Add heavy cream, cumin, salt, and pepper. Serve in bowls, garnish with chopped cilantro, and tuck in.

🇪🇹 Ethiopian Spris

Spris is a refreshing drink and a summer staple in Ethiopia. It’s a three-layer smoothie of avocado, papaya, and mango garnished with mint leaves. It looks too beautiful to drink, but trust us — you’ll want to try it. Serves: 3

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 papaya, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 mango, peeled, pitted, and sliced
• 1 c. sugar
• 1 c. cold water
• 1 c. ice
• 3 mint leaves

Directions: In a blender, combine the avocados with 1/3 cup of sugar, 1/3 cup of cold water, and 1/3 cup of ice. Puree until smooth and distribute the mixture between three tall glasses. Clean the blender, then repeat the first step with the papaya. Pour the papaya mixture carefully into each glass, then repeat the process with the mango. Garnish each smoothie with a mint leaf then hit the pool.

🇵🇭 Filipino Avocado Dessert

In the Philippines, avocado is best known for being a sweet creamy treat, kind of like ice cream. This dessert only calls for four ingredients: avocado, sweetened condensed milk, sugar, and ice blended together. You can make this treat personal by adding chocolate syrup, mint chips, or fresh fruit, but it’s just as good when left simple. Get our full recipe here.

🇧🇷 Brazilian Crème de Abacate

Crème de abacate (“sweet avocado cream”) is another sugary treat, but this time from Brazil. Instead of sweetened condensed milk used in the Filipino version, Brazilians use vanilla custard, making this recipe more like a green milkshake. Mmmm. Serves: 2

Ingredients:

• 1 Avocado From Mexico
• Juice from 1 lime
• 2 scoops vanilla custard or ice cream
• Strawberries, chopped (optional)

Directions: Puree the avocado with lime juice. Add ice cream and blend until creamy, like a green cloud of sugary goodness. Pour the mixture into two tall milkshake glasses, garnish with chopped strawberries if desired, and say cheers in Brazilian Portuguese: “Saúde!”

These recipes are just the surface of avocado’s role in global eats. Discover even more recipes in our archive.

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You can't have a Fourth of July celebration without firing up the grill and letting your ingredients bring some heat of their own! Hamburgers and hot dogs are just about as patriotic as food gets on this holiday, though we'll bet our Yankee Doodle Dandy that these additions will set off some serious flavor fireworks!

Grilled Goodness

A ripe avocado is a perfect candidate for grilling. No, we're not kidding! With its firm yet creamy flesh, it's sturdy enough to take on some serious grill marks while natural fats prevent the green fruit from drying out. The first thing you need to do is halve each avocado and remove the pit. Next, you want to add some acidity and oil to the flesh, which will help it retain its fresh color and prevent it from sticking to the grill.

You can use lime juice and olive oil, or make a dressing with crushed garlic, chopped serrano chiles, cilantro, and olive oil for an extra hit of heat. At this point, you're ready to grill your avocado halves (flesh-side down) on a medium-high grill for about 4 minutes. If you want to have them look even fancier, you can start grilling them at 45 degrees to the direction of the grill, turning them 90 degrees at the halfway mark, and behold! Beautiful diamond shaped grill marks.

Once they're done, you can pair them or top them with anything your heart desires: quartered cherry tomatoes, roasted jalapeños or even grilled Halloumi, a wonderfully salty and squeaky cheese that can be grilled on the very same barbecue with just a light brushing of oil.

Grill the Guac

If you prefer to have your avocados in bite-sized chunks, quarter your avocados instead of halving them, and then grill each side of the fruit. While they're grilling, finely dice some red onion and toss it with lime juice, salt, and roasted garlic paste. Once your avocados are grilled, roughly chop them and add them to the onion mixture. Top them off with some finely diced tomatoes and chopped cilantro and serve with tortilla chips, as you patiently wait for your burgers and the next round of fireworks!

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Summer salads: YUM.

When the thermometer hits those dizzy summer highs, nobody wants to be stuck indoors cooking, much less turning on the oven. Combine that with the urge to quickly pull something together that's tasty and portable, and you've pretty much defined the summer salad.

You've probably made most of the classics — potato, egg, tuna, chicken — you name it, they're there, with their assortment of veggies and dollops of mayo. If you're looking to change them up a bit, here are some recipes that will let you keep the creamy while adding a subtle new flavor to your salad repertoire.

Magnificent Morning Pick-me-up

Egg salad is quite possibly one of the quickest, most delicious starts you can make to your day. Simply boil some eggs (which you can do the night before to save even more time) and then peel and chop them. Grab an avocado, cut it open, and mash the delicious flesh with some salt and a squeeze of lemon. Chop the eggs and stir them in, and there you have it — a protein-packed, portable breakfast (or lunch). Top off your favorite whole-grain toast with a helping of the green-hued goodness for a fabulous flavor explosion.

Perfect Potato Salad

Potato salad is one of those summer classics; it has to be in your picnic rotation! But if you're keen to try potato salad with a twist, adding avocado may be just the thing. First, roast your potatoes with a healthy sprinkling of herbs, and then let them cool. They'll be easier to transport (and eat!) while keeping some of that caramelized post-roasting goodness. While they're cooling, make your avocado-based dressing using lime, cilantro, salt, pepper and, of course, mashed avocados. Then add your cooled roasted potatoes and toss. The salad will be perfect as is, but if you want a bit of crunch, crisp some bacon and sprinkle the homemade bacon bits on top. Chopped fresh cilantro or other herbs can be used for a gorgeous green garnish.

Tuna Time – Like Never Before

Combining textures and flavors is the best way to keep things interesting in the kitchen, so try this recipe when you're ready to switch up your tuna salad recipe. Chop two stalks of celery and two dill pickles, adding these to half of an apple (diced) and a tin of tuna. Add some creamy zing with 1 tablespoon of grainy mustard and half of an avocado that you've mashed. Stir and use it as a topping for toast or some crisp romaine leaves. The tang of the mustard and pickles is balanced by the gentle sweetness of the apple and the freshness of celery, with the avocado lending just enough creaminess to make the tuna deliciously spreadable.

The post Replace Popular Spreads with Avocado in These Summer Salads appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocado toast: the combination, in its infinite varieties, has been popular fodder among Pinterest and Instagram users for a long time now. But we're not talking about just slicing up the green fruit, dressing it, and arranging it artfully on toast. No, we're talking about flavorful mashed avocado toppers that add that special touch to any sandwich creation.

Here are a few delicious versions to bring your sandwiches to a whole new level.

The Creamy Topper

Whether you're about to tuck into smoked turkey on rye, silky smoked salmon on a bagel, or thick slices of roast beef piled on a kaiser, consider adding a layer of flavor with a creamy avocado cilantro sauce.

The sauce is made super smooth thanks to a generous dollop of Greek yogurt and half an avocado. Add a small splash of apple cider vinegar for just a hint of acidity, then pulse it all, along with some garlic and fresh cilantro, in a food processor to whip up edible magic.

Slather it on your sandwich and experience the creamy goodness (Hint: It's great as a veggie dip, too!).

But now you've got half an avocado to store, right? Problem solved! Just rub the half with some lemon juice, wrap in plastic cling film, and store in your fridge for a few days.

The Chunky Topper

The same base ingredients that make the creamy topper so delicious can be used for a chunky variation on this theme. Add a dash of salt and a squeeze of lime or lemon juice to all of the ingredients above; then, take your fork, mash until chunky, and you're good to go. This tasty topper is perfect for a sandwich in which you want a little more substance and texture.

The Smashed Topper

Want your kids to stop staring at the screen and help out in the kitchen? With this topper, you can put them to work! They'll have fun playing sous chef as they smash a can's worth of chickpeas along with a perfectly ripe avocado, lemon juice, and a small handful of dried cranberries. You can keep it vegetarian or add some flaked tuna, hard-boiled egg slices, or smoked honey ham. The sky's the limit!

And because we know you'll eventually want to make all three, here are some handy tips to help you pick your avocados for the week, so that you get delectably ripe avocados at home, just when you need them.

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What came first, the chip or the dip? In the case of avocados, it was most definitely the dip, although the dip has now become the dipper! Yes, avocados can and do make the most delicious and crunchy fries, and with a few simple steps, you too can make this snackable green fruit your go-to dipper.

Avo 101

Before you race off to the kitchen, it's important to know how to buy just the right ripeness of avocado. If you learn how to buy your avocados for the week so you never run out, you'll pick a few avos at various stages of ripeness. For immediate eating as a spreadable topping or dip, you need a ripe avocado; look for a dark, almost black avocado that yields to gentle pressure (not too hard!). A couple of days out, your pick of avocado should be green with black speckles or patches, while your end of the week avocado will be green and firm. It's this last avocado, the unripe one, that makes the best fries.

From Dip to Dipper!

Now, to the kitchen. You'll need a little bit of seasoned flour (add a sprinkle of salt, pepper, and any other favorite spice), a beaten egg, and some Japanese-style breadcrumbs. Cut your avocados in half, lengthwise, and then remove the pit. Peel the avo and slice each half lengthwise into about 6 or 8 crescents, depending on size of the fruit. Dip each slice into the flour, then the egg. Finally, roll it in the breadcrumbs, which will give that delicious crunch that makes fries so delicious.

Place your avocado segments on a baking tray and then — this is important! — give them a good misting of cooking spray. Pop them into an oven pre-heated to 350F and bake them for 20 minutes or so, flipping them halfway through. Once they're golden brown, take them out of the oven and let them rest for 2-3 minutes before attacking them with gusto.

The end result is a crunchy exterior that gives way to a creamy center and holds up well to just about any of your favorite dips, from a zesty lemon-spiked aioli to a spicy salsa.

We know you'll be wanting to make this again and again. If you've stocked up on avocados and want to delay the ripening process in order to keep them firm, simply keep them in the fridge, where you'll extend their shelf life by up to 5 days. You'll get to introduce your tasty party piece again and, if by chance your avocado happens to ripen before you're ready, you already know that avocados are great for more than just making fries, right?

The post Making Avocado Fries appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Trying to decrease your salt intake? That's not a bad idea. Many Americans are consuming too much salt, even if they think they're not. Most of your sodium intake comes not from what you sprinkle onto your food using the salt shaker, but from sodium added during food processing. If you're concerned about your health and you want to cut salt, you don't need to worry that less salt = bland and boring. With these tasty avocado-based recipes, we guarantee there's no need to say, "Please pass the salt"!

Salads

An avocado and grilled shrimp with corn make for a perfect pairing atop a chopped salad of tomatoes, peppers, fennel, romaine, and red cabbage. The crunchy, sweet veggies are balanced by creamy diced avocado and a rich yogurt and apple cider vinegar dressing.

Egg salad with avocados, Granada, and oranges as well as a Gazpacho style fruit salad with avocados, jicama, and pineapple are a delicious twist on old favorites.

Avocado Tofu Toast

Baked rather than toasted, spiced blocks of firm tofu offer the perfect canvas for a topping of mashed avocado, without the added salt.

To make sure you always have ripe avocados on hand, place them in a paper bag with a banana and they'll ripen in a day or two. If you've cut it open only to find it's too firm, simply rub it with lemon, put the halves back together and in the fridge, wrapped in cellophane for later use.

Taco Stuffed Peppers

Cook up some ground beef, using only half of the taco-seasoning packet (trust us, it's enough). Once ready, core some sweet yellow peppers and stuff them with the beef, finishing off with some grated cheese and diced avo.

Dressings and Salsas

Avocados provide the perfect base for creamy salad dressings; whipped with yogurt, scallions, lime juice and your herbs of choice, this is a temptingly tangy salad topper. Avocados provide the perfect balance to spicy habaneros in a spicy avo-mango salsa, or go for some Middle Eastern flavor by adding creamed avocado to some chopped seasonal fruits and sweetened yogurt.

Sweet Treats

Avocados are no strangers to desserts either, especially in the luxurious form of a creamy, vegan chocolate mousse. Finally, Toddlers and babies 6 months and up will love them mashed up with bananas or with those perennial baby favorites, blueberries. Please note that when introducing new foods to your baby, be sure to talk to your pediatrician about what's right for your baby.*

* Based on recommendations from the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics.

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Hola amigos! Even though it's been a while, you might still be celebrating or getting over a heartbreak from that incredible end to the football season. What an amazing game! And what a fabulous time I had hosting the pregame Twitter party a few days before to help you plan your big-game party menus! But just because the football season is over, that doesn't mean you have to kick these amazing recipes to the curb. There are still plenty of occasions just around the corner to use them like college basketball watching parties.

Here are nine categories of the #SuperSnacks that I tweeted about just before the big game! Enjoy this recap of recipes that work for any gathering.

• Burgers and hot dogs: Mexicans love putting our twist on American classics! When I’m filming my PBS show on location in Mexico, my American crew members are always surprised to see as many hot dog stands as taco stands. Inspired by one of my childhood favorites, the Mexican Dreamboat Dog includes bacon, pickled jalapeños, and cheddar cheese. Or make an easy and delicious Avocado Hot Dog with diced avocados, tomato, onion, and lime juice.Mexican burgers are especial! For example, season ground beef with ancho chile and top with creamy lime aioli. For mini Mexican burger bites, make these sliders with ground pork and an avocado spread.
• All-star pizza: Casual get-togethers beg for pizza, right? But forget about the delivery guy — instead, create a gourmet-style pie in your own kitchen. My Carne Asada and Cebollitas Pizza with avocado features steak flavored with an incredible homemade marinade! Or peruse recipes from Avocados From Mexico, which include this Chicago-Style pie with chicken, cherry tomatoes, and avocados.
• Mexican finger foods: Snack foods called antojitos in Spanish include all the irresistible Mexican favorites, from tacos to enchiladas. I shared all sorts of recipes for my Twitter party but here’s a sampling of my favorites: Lime-Rubbed Chicken Tacos that pair perfectly with Corn Guacamole; Chiloria Burritas, which are made with pork and have citrus flavors that pair well with creamy diced avocado; hearty Steak Tacos that have a drizzle of delightful Jamaica and Jalapeño Syrup; Refried Bean and Cheese Chimichangas, which satisfy cravings for fried, gooey, yummy food; and big, beautiful, overloaded Mexican Potato Skins that put a south of the border twist on this appetizer menu staple.
• Guacamole: Have some fun with unexpected ingredients and experiment with a guacamole bar to serve several of these options. Tart Pico de Guac uses green apples and cucumbers to give the traditional dip a fresh and tangy zing. Or, go on a world tour with destination-inspired options like Jambalaya-Style Guacamole, which blends spicy andouille sausage with creamy avocado, or Mango Guacamole, which gives a sweet nod to the Caribbean. You can also take a trip to the Greek islands with Mediterranean Guacamole, which includes Kalamata olives and feta. Then there's the classic: My Chunky Guacamole is your basic, delicious version that will delight purists!
• Dips: Great players make great sports teams. Likewise, all-star ingredients blend together for winning recipes. Case in point: Goat Cheese, Bacon and Avocado Dip. Also, my Mex-Tex Three-Cheese Avocado Dip is the creamiest, most luscious dip you’ve ever put on a tortilla! To plan your dip prep properly, make sure avocados don’t over-ripen by preserving them in the fridge.
• Side dishes: I use game-day smorgasbords to get kids to try something new, but this trick works at any party that calls for a buffet.
• Sandwiches: I named one of my Mexican sandwiches the Crazy Chicken and Plantain Torta — crazy because it’s crazy good, combining refried beans, chicken, and avocados. Ham, Cheese and Avocado Spread Sandwich Rolls attract kids with their fun pinwheel design! Avocados top my open-faced Grilled Cheese and Bean Heroes.
• Chili and Wings: Certain events, like a football-watching party in the middle of winter, call for chili and spicy chicken wings. But you can serve these traditionally toasty foods anytime! Try my classic Tex-Mex Chili or Sam’s Amazing White Chili with chicken. Chipotle Agave Chicken Wings add Mexican spice to this American favorite.
• Drinks: Trust me on this quirky recipe and try an Avocado Martini, which includes vodka, vermouth, avocado, and sweetened condensed milk. It’s sweet and sensual. For the beer drinkers, offer micheladas — Mexico’s fancy way of dressing up a brew with a salt-rimmed glass, lime, and soy sauce.

Now, for any of these recipes with avos, make sure you know how to choose a ripe one by picking up an avo in the palm of your hand and squeezing it gently to see if it gives a little. If it does, you’ve got a winner. Like in football, winning makes all the difference, and you’ll have a winning spread all year long.

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Are you looking to cut down on sugary beverages or want to add variety to your usual morning coffee routine? Starting your day with avocados and tea, or better yet, avocado tea is a one-two punch to give you a little pep in your step while trying out a lifestyle change.

People have been drinking teas for millennia because of their invigorating and beneficial effects. Likewise, people have eaten avocados for the last 10,000 years for the same reason! If decreasing your coffee or soda intake leaves you feeling bereft, don’t worry! There are many delicious teas and avo treats that can replace your morning or afternoon fix.

Black Tea + Morning Glory Avocado Breakfast Muffins

Black tea is a perfect coffee or soda replacement because it is one of the most caffeinated teas available (but is still less caffeinated than coffee).

Black tea has a richly aromatic, malty taste — reminiscent of bread and caramel. That makes it a great drink to pair with morning glory avocado breakfast muffins, made with plenty of fiber and all the breakfast essentials: avocado, rolled oats, apples, bananas, and pumpkin seeds. Did you know just one serving of avocado (1/3 of a medium avocado) has 11% of the daily recommendation of fiber? Dietary fiber slows digestion and keeps you full and satisfied, giving you steady energy throughout the day.

Avocado Pit Tea + Avocado Fruit Salad

One recent study showed that the pit contains about 70% of an avocado’s antioxidant properties. While you can dry a pit in the oven and grind it into a powder to mix into smoothies, a faster, easier way to get your pit fix is to brew it to make an avocado tea.

Since avocado pits can have a slightly bitter taste, it’s a good idea to pair this tea with a light but sweet treat, like avocado fruit salad. Eating avocado with other nutritious fruits and vegetables is good because the naturally good fat inside avocado helps the body absorb vitamins A, D, E, and K without raising LDL (bad) cholesterol.

Chamomile Tea + Avocado Apple Scones

Chamomile is the “brew that soothes.” It has a gentle fragrance and mild taste suggestive of crisp apples, making it the perfect companion for avocado, spiced oat, and apple scones. This pairing is soothing in cold weather and refreshing when it’s hot — a year-round win! Plus, the avocado inside can help you combat “the Monday fog.” One serving of avocado (1/3 of a medium avocado) contains 10% of the daily recommendation of folate, a vitamin important for proper brain function.

Ginger Tea + OG Avocado Toast

Wouldn’t it be awesome to enjoy a delightful beverage and, at the same time, give your body’s immune system a turbo boost? Both ginger root and avocado naturally contain vitamin E, an antioxidant that protects body tissue from damage and keeps the immune system strong. One serving of avocado provides 6% of the daily value of vitamin E, which the body needs to keep the immune system strong against viruses and bacteria.

Ginger packs a punch of flavor, but the taste of avocado is much more subtle, making it a superb snack companion! Cleanse your palette between gulps with a delectably crunchy and creamy bite of avocado toast.

Avocado Green Tea Smoothies + Popsicles

Green tea has been used for medicinal purposes in the East for centuries, thanks to its antioxidant properties. It’s also got a hint of caffeine that will keep your senses keen. You can pair green tea with just about any avocado snack, but for a real treat, try blending the two into an ice cold avocado, green tea, and Greek yogurt popsicle or avocado superfood smoothie.

However you do it, you’ll be happy to know one serving of avocado delivers 4% of the daily recommendation of magnesium, which helps regulate glucose levels and aids in producing energy and protein.

Avocado Leaf Tea + Avocado Cottage Cheese

We know you love avocados, so we’ve got a surprise for you: You can use the leaves to brew a delicious tea! Because of the leaf’s delicate flavor, this avocado tea lends itself well to a powerhouse breakfast of avocado, cottage cheese, and fresh tropical fruits. Just one serving of avocado (1/3 of a medium avocado) contains 14% of the daily recommendation of pantothenic acid and 6% of the daily recommendation for niacin, a B vitamin that helps the body convert food to energy.

New Brew, New You

With so many delicious teas and avocado snacks overflowing with energy-supporting nutrients, any anxiety about your hiatus (or permanent abstention) from coffee or soda will soon melt away into the past.

Have your avocado and drink it, too. Browse our extensive library of avocado beverages.

The post 6 Invigorating Avocado and Tea Pairings to Replace Coffee and Soda appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Avocados are so good on so many levels. For example, they’re good-natured. They’re creamy, which helps them blend seamlessly into all kinds of foods, and their mild, nutty flavor brings out the best in sweet and savory dishes. If variety is the spice of life, the spice of spice … is avocado!

The following seven recipes for avocado-lovin’ spice mixes will save you time in the kitchen and bring a little extra kick or zip to your favorite recipes. Most can be made with pantry staples already in your spice rack.

1. Guacamole Spice Mix

Guacamole is the ultimate food for good times with good people, which is why you can find guacamole recipes all over the world inspired by cultures and cuisines from Mexico to Italy to Hawaii to Mumbai. That said, everyone loves a classic. If you want to stick with a traditional recipe, it’s easy to make your own guacamole mix. Once you do, you can store it in a dry glass jar with a tight-fitting lid, and pull it from the spice rack when you’re ready to whip up some dip for good times.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp. fine salt
• 3 tbsp. garlic powder
• 3 tbsp. onion powder
• 5 tbsp. cumin
• 3 tbsp. cayenne

Directions:

Stir all ingredients together and store in an air-tight container. Mix one tablespoon into 8 oz. of guacamole. Test and add more if desired.

2. Chili Spice Mix

Chili is the ultimate comfort food and like guacamole, it’s versatile. You can use any number of beans, not just the standard kidney bean, and switch ground beef, turkey, pork, or chicken for chorizo, or opt out of meat entirely. If you ask us, though, there are two non-negotiables: a spice mix to give the chili some kick and sliced or diced avocado served on top.

Regardless of the specific chili recipe you use, this basic chili spice mix is a great pantry staple to have at hand, especially during colder months.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. chili powder
• 1/4 c. cumin
• 1 tbsp. coriander
• 1 tbsp. cayenne*
• 2 tbsp. dried oregano
• 2 tbsp. garlic salt

Directions:

Shake well and store in an airtight jar. Mix into the chili while simmering, then ladle into bowls and top with avocado!

*In lieu of cayenne, you can use any other ground chile powder — ancho, chipotle, and guajillo are some common Mexican chiles sold in a dried form in supermarkets; you can grind them into a powder and add them to your mix.

3. Taco Seasoning

Few things bring joy to the heart like Taco Tuesday. It’s a weekly tradition every family can get behind, thanks to the versatility of build-your-own fixings. You can keep it simple with avocado, cheese, shredded lettuce, and diced tomatoes, or, if you’re feeling more adventurous, try avocado honey salmon or avocado pulled pork tacos.

Regardless, when it comes to the protein filling, you’re gonna need some spicy taco seasoning. Just a few minutes mixing a few basic spices from your cabinet will generate a month’s worth of taco night seasoning. So you can spend less time cooking and more time taco-ing.

Ingredients:

• 4 tbsp chili powder
• 1 tbsp crushed red pepper flakes
• 2 tsp paprika
• 6 tsp cumin
• 1 tsp oregano
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 4 tsp fine sea salt
• 4 tsp ground black pepper

Directions:

Mix and shake well so all the ingredients are blended. Store in an airtight jar until Taco Night!

4. Italian Herb Blend

Salads are full of goodness—especially when filled with superfoods (like, say, nutrient-dense avocados.) And there’s no need to buy salad dressing if you already have avocado oil, vinegar, and a few basic spices at home. Whip up this super easy Italian herb bled to dash into a homemade vinaigrette and serve an impressive salad topped with avocado at your next dinner party.

Get Expert Advice on Spice

Spicing things up is important. Just ask Jax, the world’s top Guacamole Expert. He’s overflowing with knowledge and ideas to keep things interesting in the kitchen.
 

The post 7 Delicious Spice Mixes appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Most people who include avocados on their regular grocery list use the fruit for the same role or recipe time and again: as a garnish on salad or soup, or as the main event in a bowl of glorious guacamole. Don't get us wrong: We LOVE the avocado in these go-to dishes! But what if we told you the avocado was so much more versatile than you could ever imagine? So versatile, in fact, that it has inspired entire cookbooks!

It's true!

There are at least half a dozen cookbooks devoted solely to our favorite fruit. Here are three of the best that you should keep on your shelf:

1. Absolutely Avocados

A delectable bowl of guacamole graces the cover of this cookbook by Gaby Dalkin, but don't be fooled: Between its covers, you'll find 75 ways to use avocados in new ways, from breakfast to dessert, and every meal and snack in between. We'll take an order of crab and avocado quesadillas, please!

In addition to recipes, there are helpful, well-illustrated guides to different avocado types, as well as primers on how to determine whether an avocado is ripe. Of course, if you're more of an audiovisual learner, Avocados from Mexico has a quick video about finding the perfect avocado that shows you how to hold an avocado in the palm of your hand and gently squeeze it to see if it's ripe. If it gives just a little, you know you're ready to go!

2. The Avocado Cookbook

More than 50 avo-centric recipes pack Heather Thomas's cookbook. You can expect to find some unusual preparations here, including Crispy Duck and Avocado Pancakes, which will wow guests who are lucky enough to sit around your dinner table. Thomas also includes a brief history of the avocado and its Mexican origins.

3. The Goodness of Avocado

Lucy Jessop's cookbook may be more tightly curated, with just 40 recipes, but nothing is sacrificed in terms of quality or variety of dishes. There are some lovely surprises in this well-illustrated volume, including green gazpacho shots and coconut chocolate truffles which feature —what else?!— avocado.

To take full advantage of all these recipe ideas and more, you'll definitely want to check out Avocados from Mexico's helpful “how-t0" avo tips page where you'll find several helpful videos, everything from how to ripen avocados quicker by burying them in rice for a couple days to how best to preserve half of an avocado that you'd like to eat later by rubbing it with lemon juice, covering it with plastic wrap, and putting it in the fridge.

The post Avocado Cookbook Round-up appeared first on Avocados From Mexico.

Are you looking for creative ways to eat avocados that go beyond guacamole? Is your palate begging for a new and exciting avo-venture? While some of these avocado combos might sound outlandish at first, the creamy texture and refreshing flavor of avocado plays nicely with almost anything, and you’ll find that it can be an incredibly versatile fruit.

Here are some of our favorite creative avocado pairings, both savory and sweet, to help you make the most of your avocado experience.

1. Avocado and Chocolate 🍫

Calling all chocoholics! It may come as a surprise to you, but avocado can play the role of butter or oil in certain dessert recipes. Why not try to whip up some chocolate avocado frosting the next time you make cupcakes?

Chocolate Avocado Frosting

• 2 ripe avocados (peeled and pitted)
• 1/2 c. honey or maple syrup
• 2 tbsp. coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract
• Pinch of salt

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in a food processor until blended. You can keep this frosting in the refrigerator for a couple of days but its creamy goodness may not last that long!

Before going on this sweet avocado adventure, you'll need to be sure you have the perfect avocados.

 
Other wonderful avo-chocolate combinations include decadent dark chocolate avocado brownies and dark chocolate avocado truffles, which are easy to make and fun to mix and roll with the kiddos. Fans of opulence will love this avocado, chocolate, and strawberry mousse, and bakers can test out these chocolate, avocado, dried cherry, and nut butter muffins. They may sound like unusual avocado pairings, but they are #AlwaysGood.

2. Avocado and Balsamic Vinegar 🍇

The tang and sweetness of balsamic are a great compliment to the fresh, creamy interior of the avocado. For a quick, fresh snack, cut an avocado into chunks and drizzle with olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper. To step it up to a side salad, add fresh mozzarella pearls and halved cherry tomatoes. Or if you're feeling extra fancy, you can use these same ingredients to make skewers served with a balsamic dipping sauce for a delicious hors d'oeuvre.

If you’re a salad savant, you’ll love our recipe for a creamified balsamic vinaigrette dressing (courtesy of avocado).
 

Avocado Balsamic Vinaigrette

• 1/2 Avocado From Mexico, diced
• 1 tbsp. avocado oil
• 2 tbsp. shallots, minced
• 1 tbsp. Dijon mustard
• 3 tbsp. white balsamic vinegar
• 1 tbsp. honey
• 3 tbsp. water

Directions:

Blend all ingredients until smooth and creamy. Drizzle generously over your favorite salad.

3. Avocado and Coffee ☕️

It may sound like the weirdest combo ever, but trust us: It’s GOOD. This avocado iced coffee shake is an out-of-the-ordinary refreshing pick-me-up. Just toss these ingredients into a blender and lay on that pulse button:

• 1/2 Avocado From Mexico, skinned, and pitted
• 1 c. espresso (or strong coffee)
• 1/2 c. sweetened condensed milk
• Handful of ice cubes

You can play with different levels of each ingredient until you find the perfect combination for your taste. Add chocolate syrup for a mocha twist. Mmm.

Wondering what to do with the other half of that avocado? Check it out:

4. Avocado and Honey 🍯

This avocado pairing is one for your Honey avocaDo list. It’s sweet, it’s creamy, it’s sticky, it’s green, and it’s good on anything. Ooh la la.

For starters, try out this avocado hot honey butter spread which is soooo good on a warm, homemade biscuit or fresh flapjacks. If you’re on a citrus kick for breakfast, this orange and avocado salad with honey dressing is a sweet way to start the day.

And if you’re looking for a sandwich spread, this creamy and spicy honey mustard is awesomesauce on burgers and hot dogs. It’s also a great dip for pretzels, crackers, and pizza crusts!
 

Spicy Avocado Honey Mustard

• 1 Avocado From Mexico, halved, skinned, and pitted
• 1/2 c. Dijon mustard
• 1/4 c. honey
• 1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper, or more if desired
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt

Directions:

In a small bowl, whisk all ingredients together until combined. Blend if needed. When mixture is a creamy consistency, feel free to slather it on everything you eat.

5. Avocado and Olives 🫒

A perfect balance between an aioli and olive tapenade, this quick and simple avocado and olive mayo will give burgers, hot dogs, or other sandwiches some good oomph. You can also serve it as a dip with crudité or pita chips, or you know, just eat it with a spoon.
 

Avocado Tapenade

• 1 ripe Avocado From Mexico
• 10 pitted black olives
• 1 garlic clove
• 1/4 c. lemon juice
• Salt and pepper

Directions:

Blend all ingredients in a food processor or blender. Once the mixture is fairly creamy, slowly trickle in 1/2 cup of olive oil until the mix emulsifies. Continue to purée to perfection.
 

These creative and unusual avocado pairings are sure to please your palate. Now comes the tough question: Which one will you make first?

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