Avocado Toast--the real deal

I’ve had avocado toast before, but this is a new and better spin on what most people think of. In this recipe, the avocado is the main ingredient. Top it with an egg, lettuce, tomato, onion, and breakfast is served.

Ingredients:

• 1 avocado

• 1 egg

• 1 cup mozzarella cheese or your choice of shredded cheese

• Everything Bagel Seasoning (optional)

Directions:

1. Mix everything together. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Drop two large spoonfuls of mixture onto the paper and flatten with another piece of parchment paper.

2. Sprinkle with seasoning (if using).

3. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes, or until toast is brown around the edges.

4. Store extras in an airtight container for up to one week.

El Salvadorian Dip & Chips

Recently, I met a fun couple from El Salvador who taught me their version of guacamole. Apparently, it’s a staple in their home. With only five ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and quite fun, especially if you fry your own tortilla chips. Since learning how to fry chips, it’s hard to go back to store bought ones. I especially love the way the warm chip feels with the cool guacamole.. This is a fun experience with older children who are interested in cooking and adults too. Plan to make a lot, because they go fast! For me, it was those in the kitchen cooking that kept eating them….oops! I do love a good crunch and some tasty guacamole. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine has.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced

• 3 vine ripe tomatoes, diced

• 1 lime, juiced

• handful of cilantro

• salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mash avocados.

2. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.

3. Serve immediately or refrigerate while chips are frying—recipe follows….

Fried Tortilla Chips

Ingredients:

• Fresh corn tortillas (The best place to get them is in a hispanic grocery store.)

• Avocado oil

• Mineral salt

Directions:

1. Add avocado oil to about 1/2 inch in a deep skillet. Heat on high.

2. Cut corn tortillas in half three times making 6 triangluar shapes.

3. Carefully place tortillas in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Turn over and continue frying until brown but not burned.

4. Drain on paper towels.

5. Sprinkle with mineral salt.

6. Serve with guacamole or salsa.

The Best Guacamole

A decade ago, I made guacamole an entirely different way. Ordinarily, I would mash the avocado then add prepared salsa and mix it up. It was easy and my go to. Then, my daughter, Joslyn, was home on college break and made her version of guacamole. Since then, I completely aborted my version. Her version is so addicting, I tend to use 3 or 4 avocados since this dip goes so fast. It has basic ingredients that can be omitted and adjusted to each person’s liking. Avocados are a unique fruit in that rather than being high in carbohydrates, they are high in healthy fats.

Numerous studies continue to show their nutritional benefits, including vitamin K, C, B, and E. They also contain folate and potassium (more than in a banana.) Avocados also contain fiber, which help with weight loss and lowers the risk of many diseases. Some people may think that eating fat will have a negative effect on the heart, however, avocados can help to actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. So enjoy avocados, if not in guacamole, sliced on the side with salad or morning eggs.

The Best Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados

• 1/4 cup red onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1-2 tsp pink salt

Directions:

1. Cut avocados in half, remove seed. Scoop out flesh with a large spoon and transfer to medium sized bowl. Mash with either a potato masher, fork, or mortar pestal.

2. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Adjust to your own taste.

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Summer gatherings and parties are a great time to enjoy deviled eggs.  This popular finger food can be served for just about any occasion.  Because most have mayonnaise in the recipe, caution must be used with keeping them cooled, otherwise, the fun will be traded for sickness.  Along my health and wellness journey, I have found myself not using mayonnaise very often, if, at all.  It's fun to experiment with different ingredients and textures.  In this version of deviled eggs, the mayo is replaced with an avocado.  It's not as creamy, but I'm okay with that.  I love avocados and eat them whenever I can. It's a source of good fat that promotes a healthy brain, skin, hair and nails.  

Avocado Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 12 eggs, hard-boiled

• 1 avocado, halved and seeded

• 3/4 cup pickles diced, plus juice

• 2 TBSP prepared mustard

• 1 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Cut eggs in half, scoop out the yokes into a bowl. Set egg whites aside.

2. Using a fork, mash yokes.

3. Scoop out the flesh of the avocado and add to the yokes. Using a fork, mash and mix avocado with the yokes.

4. Add pickles, mustard, and salt. Stir to combine.

5. If mixture is too thick, add juice from the pickles.

6. Using a cookie dough scoop or spoon, place the yoke mixture into the white part of the egg.

7. Keep refrigerated until use.

8. Sprinkle with paprika or cayenne pepper (if you like a little heat) to serve.

Falafel with Avocado Hummus

This recipe is a family favorite and so easy to prepare. Everything gets dumped into a food processor, mixed together, and pan fried to make a delicious meal. The patties can be served on a bun with lettuce, onion, and tomato as it holds together well if not made too thick. Serve with the avocado hummus for a nice flavor, plus adding the health benefits of good fat! I'm a sucker for anything with sun dried tomatoes and why I think I love it so much! I hope your family will enjoy it too.  Consider serving with sweet potato fries and fresh cut veggies to dip into the hummus!

Falafel:

• 1 15 ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained, divided
• ½ onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, quartered
• 5 sun-dried tomatoes packed in oil, drained
• ½ cup packed fresh Italian parsley
• 1 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp ground coriander
• 1 tsp sea salt
• ½ cup garbanzo or other flour
• olive oil

Avocado hummus:

• ¼ cup chickpeas, reserved from falafel
• 1 avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/3 cup packed fresh Italian parsley
• ¼ cup olive oil
•  1 clove garlic
•  1 TBS lemon juice
• ½ tsp sea salt
• ¼ tsp cayenne

Directions for Falafel:

1. Reserve ¼ cup chickpeas for the Avocado Hummus.  Place remaining chickpeas, onions, garlic, tomatoes, parsley, cumin, coriander, salt and flour in a food processor and pulse until combined, stopping frequently to scrape down sides.  
2. Using the palms of your hand, form mixture into 2-inch by ½ inch patties.
3. In a non-stick skillet, add just enough olive oil keep falafel from sticking, about 1 TBS.  Fry patties for about 3-4 minutes on each side or until browned.  
4. Remove and drain on paper towels.

Avocado Hummus:

Combine ¼ cup chickpeas, avocado, parsley, oil, garlic, lemon juice, salt and cayenne in food processor in puree.  Adjust seasoning to taste.

Serve on falafel on a bun with tomato and sliced onion. Top with avocado hummus.

Serves 4

Adapted from Chloe's Kitchen