Unavoidable Flavors: Delicious ways to use Avocado

The Avocado is consumed by almost every person on the planet, and it's a very versatile food item in the culinary world.  It is also considered as part of the berry family (a single seeded berry). Unfortunately it's very toxic to domestic animals, especially cats, dogs and birds.

Holy Guacamole!

I was taught that this fruit is mostly used as an addition to salads, or mashed for the Mexican delight: Guacamole.  I never really thought of it as a main focus of a dish.  I remember from television the girls would make avocado masks and place cucumber disks over their eyes, looking really fancy!  In recent years I learned that the avocado can be used for more than what you think possible. Holy Guacamole! 

Avocados everywhere...

A few years back I worked in the Cape Town Central Business district, and the streets were filled with food stalls and fresh produce stands.  The one thing I could find for certain around every corner, at every food stop, was avocado - ranging from small to gigantic sizes.  It's very interesting how we associate certain foods with certain memories. 

1. The avocado originated in South-Central Mexico.
2. It is climacteric, and will not ripen whilst still attached to the tree.
3. Avocados are dichogamy, meaning they grow male and female flowers at different times to prevent cross pollination. 
4. Avocados contain more potassium then bananas.
5. There are numerous types of avocados, the most famous being the Hass avocado (named after Rudolph Hass, who presented it in 1953).
6. Guacamole is the number one purpose of the avocado in the world.
7. National guacamole day is celebrated on the 16th of September every year in the United States.
8.  The word "guacamole" originated from the Aztec word åhuacatl, literally meaning avocado sauce.
9. Avocados are full of lutein - a good antioxidant for the eyes.
10. This fruit is also a very good source of fiber, aiding the body in the digestive process.

Avocado Carbonara 

Preparation time: 7 minutes

Cooking time: 15 - 20 minutes

Servings: 2-4

Difficulty: 3 out 5

Ingredients:

• 1 large Avocado
• 1 Egg yolk
• 1 clove Garlic (crushed)
• 30ml Lemon juice
• 1/2 cup Cream
• 60 ml Milk 
• 3-4 pieces Bacon (diced) 
• 1/4 cup Feta Cheese 
• 1 tsp Chili Flakes
• 250g - 300g Pasta of choice 
• Salt & Pepper to taste

Method:

Pasta

• Bring a pot of water to boil.
• Add a pinch of salt and 15ml of olive oil to the water.
• Once the water has reached boiling point, add the pasta and cook until al dante (once the pasta is cooked, rinse with cold water and add a dash of oil - this helps the pasta from sticking to each other)
• Set aside.

Sauce

• While the pasta is cooking (usually anything from 8-15 minutes, depending on the brand), cut the Avocado into pieces - removing the the seed and the skin.
• Add the following ingredients into a food processor: chopped avos, crushed garlic clove, egg yolk, olive oil and lemon juice (a blender will also work, or even by hand).
• Blend on a medium to high setting, gradually adding the cream to achieve a sauce like consistency (if the sauce seems to thick, one can add the milk). 
• Set aside to use later.

Bacon

• On a medium heat, add 1 teaspoon of oil / butter to a pan, once the oil is hot add the diced bacon and fry until golden brown.
• Set the bacon aside on a paper towel to drain the oil. 

Now to assemble!

• Scoop the sauce over the pasta and gently mix together.
• Add the feta and bacon to the mix.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve with chili flakes (optional).

This dish is best served at Room Temperature. 

Avocado Ice Cream

Preparation time: 15 minutes

Freeze: Overnight

Servings: 8-12

Difficulty: 1 out 5

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe Avocados
• 250ml fresh Cream
• 1 can Condensed Milk
• 1 tbs Lemon Juice
• pinch of Salt

Method:

• Place a glass bowl into the freezer (this is for the cream).
• In a blender add the following: avocados (chopped into cubes), condensed milk and the lemon juice.
• Blend on a medium speed until it forms a paste like consistency.
• Add salt to taste.
• Place the mixture into the fridge.
• In the glass bowl, whip the cream until a firm peak forms.
• Gently fold the cream into the avocado mixture.
• Place into a rectangular dish and freeze overnight.
• Serve with crushed chocolate cookies or brownies.

The lemon juice will preserve the color of the ice cream, preventing it from turning brown.

The salt will "lift" the taste of the avocado, elevating it to new heights.

Enjoy!

Tin_Tin

PS.  don't forget about all the health benefits of Avocado!  Stay Safe.

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