Food Challenge: Avocados
The avocado is appropriately named the alligator pear for its tough alligator looking skin and for the delicious center (non-fruit like in my opinion, but still really tasty). This fruit packs a punch of nutrients that are beneficial when consumed or even when applied cosmetically.
If I am being honest, I wasn’t a fan of the avocado until last year. It wasn’t until my friend and fellow military spouse Johanna brought over a delicious dip (recipe below) that I started to reconsider a new relationship with the avocado. If it weren’t for her creating this delicious dip that she brought over to my house one afternoon, I may not be the lover of avocados that I am today.
Since falling head over heels for the avocado, I have had a hard time picking out a “good” avocado. After some research and a few disappointing avocado purchases, I started following the steps below. Hopefully these tips will help you the next time you visit the commissary or grocery store.
To find which types of avocados are in season in your area click here.
Johanna’s Avocado Dip
Johanna’s original recipe
2 ripe avocados (cubed)
2 vine ripe tomatoes (diced)
1 garlic clove (crushed/minced)
1 can black beans (rinsed well)
1 red onion (diced)
2 tbsp olive oil
Juice of half a lemon
Salt and pepper to taste
Preparation:
Mix the first five ingredients together in a large bowl. Then mix in olive oil, lemon, salt, and pepper.
Tips:
One of my new favorite things to eat with this delicious dip are blue corn chips. It not only adds another color to the mix, but for me I love their taste.
You can also use beans from a bag if you don’t like using canned beans.
This dip seems to disappear whenever I make it, so feel free to scale for generous servings.
Avocado and Chia Pudding
via The Iron You
Tips:
The texture of this pudding is similar to regular pudding, but a little different. When it sets, it is like a dense mousse in my opinion.
I am not able to eat much gelatin so this was a great way for me to enjoy a sweet, healthy alternative to regular Jello pudding. No gelatin means it’s great for vegetarians as well.
I am not always a chocolate lover, so I started with a small portion but found it surprisingly delicious. My husband enjoyed dipping some shortbread cookies into his pudding. No matter how you plan on eating it you won’t be disappointed!
Turkey-Corn Soup with Tortilla Chips and Avocado
via Big Oven
Tips:
This makes about 4 servings.
After the chopping of everything, this is really a quick and simple recipe.
I boiled a turkey breast and used the water as a substitute for the chicken broth. You can use vegetable broth if you prefer.
One of the things I wish I had added to the soup was fresh black beans. I think it would have gone really well with the other ingredients, so feel free to try it and let me know how it worked out.
Since I ate all the blue corn chips with Johanna’s dip, I didn’t have any on hand to eat with the soup as it recommends.
To make the soup spicier, add jalapenos into the mix or as a garnish.
Show us your avocado dishes! #IDfoodchallenge