easy avocado recipes

I got hooked on to this fleshy fruit called avocado during a visit to Dubai. Till then, whenever I saw them in the bazaars (marketplaces are commonly called bazaars in India), I turned my face & wrinkled my nose. What was there to love about a pear shaped fruit with wrinkly alligator skin? I even refused to dip my precious chips into a bowl of "that green dip" (Guacamole...yes, I did not even take its name).

One day, after indulging in "I-can't-feel-my-feet" kinda retail therapy at Dubai, I settled down at a cafe. I picked up the menu & there it was- the invincible avocado in various forms. The cafe had a variety of dishes paired with avocado & to top it up, they had avocado milkshakes too. Maybe my brain was mushy with all the shopping I had done & I ordered a avocado milkshake. Confident that the milkshake will be left untouched, I smirked. I sipped gingerly & went from "It's not that bad"...to "I can't stop sipping"....to"Let me have another one" in seconds!!! And since then, I have ardently loved avocados.

Avocados go about with just anything.....add them to salads, make interesting dips, spread them on toasted brown bread or blend them into a smoothie.....the possibilities are endless. They have many health benefits too (Avocado is Loaded With Heart-Healthy Monounsaturated Fatty Acids) but limit your consumption to 1/2 a fruit a day. Not convinced yet to rush to the market to find a perfect avocado? Wicked Spoon Confessions, tells you about 6 delicious ways to have avocados:

1. The Easy Avocados-on-toast breakfast

This for me is the healthiest & easiest breakfast ever. Toast brown bread slices & keep aside. Mash  one avocado & add salt & pepper to taste. Mix well. Spread on toasted bread. Top it up with sliced almonds.

2. The Super Healthy Avocado Salad

Place chopped avocados, tomatoes, cucumber & onions in a bowl. Make a simple dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, salt & pepper & drizzle on the salad. Mix well & serve. 

3. The Irresistible Avocado Guacamole Mushroom Combo

To prepare the Guacamole, mash two ripe avocados along with 1 tsp lime juice & a little salt. Add finely chopped onion & cilantro, pinch of pepper & little olive oil & mix well. Refrigerate for sometime. Slice Portobello mushrooms into 1/4 th inch slices. Warm 1 tsp garlic flavored cooking olive oil in a pan. Cook for 3-4 minutes on each side or till done. Place the cooked mushrooms on a plate, spread generous portion of Guacamole over it. Garnish with chopped tomatoes & serve.

Image Courtesy - Jennifer - Creative Commons License

4. The filling Avocado Sandwich.

Toast some slices of brown or multi-grain bread. Make a healthy spread by mixing thick hung yogurt with salt, pepper & chopped dill leaves.Spread on the toasted slices. Place sliced avocados & sliced tomatoes next & season with little salt & pepper. Add a slice of cheese. Add some lettuce or micro greens of choice. Top with a bread slice & enjoy your sandwich.

5. The Oh-so Smooth Avocado Smoothie.

Combine an avocado with 1 cup yogurt, little milk, 2 tbs honey & few ice cubes in a blender & blend till smooth. Chill a glass & pour the milkshake. Serve topped with a drizzle of honey. Add a banana for thicker milkshake.

Image Courtesy - Breville USA - Creative Commons License

6. The Delightful Avocado Ice cream

Blend two ripe avocados, little lemon juice, 1 1/2 cup milk, 1/2 cup sugar, 1/2 cup almond/coconut milk &1 teaspoon vanilla extract together till smooth. Place it in the ice cream maker or the freezer. Churn it at regular intervals if placed in the freezer till smooth & creamy.

Image Courtesy - Kimberly Vardeman - Creative Commons License

All images used for representation only.  Be sure to check your allergies and consult your Dietician/Nutritionist before you include avocados in your diet.