Take your avocados for a dip
Avocados often have a bad reputation as the fruit that’s high in fat. But the kind of fat in avocados is monounsaturated, the kind that is good for you. Avocados also contain lots of nutrients including antioxidants. This makes avocados an excellent fruit for snacking.
- - - - -
Guacamole
2 ripe avocados
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 tablespoons chopped onion
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
Cut the avocados in half. Remove the pits and scoop out the pulp into a small bowl. Use a fork to mash the avocado. Stir in lemon juice, onion, salt, and olive oil. Cover the bowl, and refrigerate for 1 hour before serving. Makes about 2 cups.
- - - - -
Quick and Easy Avocado Salsa
1 ripe avocado
1 cup salsa, mild or spicy
Mash avocado; mix with salsa. Serve with tortilla chips or baguette slices. Makes about 1-1/2 cups.
- - - - -
Avocado Dip
2 avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
1 19-ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 11-ounce can whole kernel corn, drained
1 medium onion, minced
3/4 cup salsa
1 tablespoon chopped fresh cilantro
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 tablespoons chili powder
Salt and pepper to taste
In a bowl, mix the avocados, black beans, corn, onion, salsa, cilantro, and lemon juice. Season with chili powder, salt, and pepper. Makes 12 servings.
- - - - -
Taco Salad Dip
1 16-ounce can refried beans
2 avocados, peeled and pitted
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1 16-ounce container sour cream
1 1.25-ounce package taco seasoning mix
2 tomatoes, diced
1 2.25-ounce can sliced black olives, drained
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 16-ounce package Cheddar cheese, shredded
In a 12x12-inch or larger dish, evenly spread the refried beans in a thin layer.
In a medium bowl, mix the avocado and lemon juice until almost smooth. A few avocado lumps are desirable. Spread the avocado mixture over the refried beans. In a medium bowl, blend the sour cream and taco seasoning; spread over the avocado mixture. Sprinkle the tomatoes in a layer over the sour cream mixture, followed by the olives and the green onions. Top the dip with a layer of cheese. Makes 56 servings.
- - - - -
Pantry Pointers
To remove the pit from an avocado, begin but cutting the avocado lengthwise around the pit. Pull the halves apart, and then carefully make another cut lengthwise on the half that has the pit. Expose the pit and then use a spoon to scoop it out.
The Practical Pantry ©2007 Tammy P. Olson
http://www.practicalpantry.com
Next entry: Bite into fresh sugar snap peas
Previous entry: Spice up your sandwiches