Barbara Bretton: Wish You Were Here

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The Food Goddess is in the Kitchen! I am delighted beyond words to present my friend, my pal, Kali Amanda Browne (daughter of the beauteous and talented Marie) aka The Food Goddess. Enjoy!

Avocado: richness beyond sin!

The avocado is a fruit native to Central America. Its name is a bastardization of the Spanish aguacate, which is a derivation of the Aztec word ahuacatl – which, in turn, is said to mean "testicle" because of its shape.

Nutritionally speaking, it is low in cholesterol, low in sodium, rich in fiber and protein, vitamins C and K. There are avocado groves all over the world now, with over 400 varieties in existence. The avocado is amazingly versatile, but according to the California Avocado Commission, only 43% of all households in the US buy avocados. It stands to reason that the majority of those buyers are of Latin American descent because the avocado is a staple in our diets. It also stands to reason that the other big group of buyers are guacamole fans. But there is so much more that can be done with the avocado!

In general, avocado is creamy and has the consistency of butter, soft and velvety. It is slightly sweet, a little nutty, with a hint of rich oils. The true beauty of the avocado is how it blends tastes to accentuate what was once too subtle to notice. The avocado is a natural taste binder that adds a bit of heaven to anything it touches!

Best served when they are relatively soft to the touch, so that the kind yields slightly under your thumb, you may buy them firm and keep for 2-4 days to allow them to ripen. You may accelerate the ripening by placing the avocado in a paper bag with an apple or a banana.

To use, cut lengthwise from the top, until you hit the pit and carefully go around. Twist the two halves and dislodge the pit by bringing down the knife on it and twisting off. To retain your dice, cut inside the skin (without piercing) and scoop with a large spoon. Avocado oxidizes quickly, to prevent it from turning brown, add lemon juice or cover with plastic wrap immediately.

I invite you to look into it and add avocado to your diet because there is a vast array of things you can do to it. You can eat it raw, bake it, fry it and grill it. You can serve it as a drink, in salad or soup, in a sauce or marinade, as appetizers as well as main courses, and even as dessert! And babies love avocado. Here I share a few new ideas for you to play with, for September, I want you to think of the avocado as a condiment… and we will revisit the topic for more exciting and delectable recipes later!

Avocado Mayonnaise
From The Sugar Reef Caribbean Cookbook

2 ripe avocados, pitted, peeled and mashed
1 cup of mayonnaise (can be reduced fat, if you wish)
1 pepper, seeded and finely chopped
4 or more cloves of garlic, minced
1 small onion, finely chopped
2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons freshly ground pepper
juice of 4 limes (2 or 3 tablespoons)

Place ingredients in a food processor or blender and puree until smooth and creamy. Chill for a few hours. Will last refrigerated for 3 to 4 days

You may serve at room temperature and use to top grilled fish, chicken or meats, or as a dip for vegetables.

Avocado Butter
From All Around the World Cookbook

1 stick of unsalted butter at room temperature
1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and cut in small chunks
1 tablespoon of limejuice
1 tablespoon of parsley, finely chopped
1 teaspoon of Worcestershire sauce
Minced garlic to taste
Dash of hot sauce to taste

Mix ingredients in a bowl. Transfer the mixture to a piece of plastic wrap and roll into a log, twisting the ends to seal. Refrigerate at least 2 hours. Slice and melt over grilled meats, chicken or fish.

Avocado Cream

1 ripe avocado, pitted, peeled and scooped in large pieces
Juice of 1 lime
1/2 cup of sour cream (can be reduced fat, if you wish)
Salt, to taste
White pepper to taste

Process the sour cream, juice and avocado in a blender until smooth. Season with salt and pepper and use to dollop quesadillas, eggs, or broth.

You can email me at kali.templeofdoom@gmail.com.