Written by Mia Davis
Our home is where avocado comes to die. The instances when it actually made it to the point of being turned into a meal are so scarce; they’re not even worth mentioning. None of the members of our family is a fan, but I keep making bold plans and bringing it home, only to take it out of the fridge a week later and throw it away. By that time, it becomes a mushy disgusting thing.
But I am determined to get passed this phase and actually find a few ways to serve avocado because I don’t want my kids to be influenced by my picky nature when it comes to food (I mean healthy food, I don’t seem to have a problem with unhealthy delicious heart-stopping snacks).
Avocado Green
Don’t be fooled by my loudly declared aversion to broccoli, I actually love green in general, and also on my plates. But there are a few vegetables that cross me the wrong way, usually because they have a weird texture. That’s the case with avocado. It truly is a beautiful fruit, with those pretty shades of green and yellow and the big round seed in the middle. If you cut it correctly, it really turns any plate fancy. And part of my plan to eat better is to make my plates look more appealing, to trick my appetite.
But the most important thing is that avocado is so healthy. I get that there are so many avocado benefits that it’s really worth the effort of finding the right way to help it find its way into our menus. And the truth is, compared to the horrible broccoli, this one isn’t half bad.
It doesn’t have that yucky smell of cooked broccoli; in fact, you don’t even have to cook it, it’s easy to use in simple recipes that don’t require much effort. But it does have that not exactly creamy and a bit weird texture. Paired with the taste, it’s not a very attractive combination, in my opinion.
And avocado does have a taste, even if it’s ‘mute,’ as people say. To me, it’s like a strange paste with an incomplete flavor. But the most significant advantage of avocado is its versatility, the fact that it can easily borrow the taste of the other ingredients you mix it with. You cannot say that about broccoli; no matter what you add, you still know with certainty that it’s broccoli you’re eating.
So as part of my ‘Green, but not broccoli’ plan, I looked for the most appetizing avocado recipes, and I tried to find ones that are simple enough to make, even for a busy person. There are actually many options to choose from, from avocado breakfast treats to salads, dinners, and even desserts. I think these recipes below are something even my kids would try.
Appealing avocado recipes
Green goddess smoothie bowl
This is something I will definitely try. It looks delicious, though not exactly low on calories. But we cannot always keep our calorie intake to the minimum; sometimes, we need a treat. And the least we can do is make sure we also get nutritious elements along with those calories.
You need to blend avocado with spinach and nut butter to get a creamy breakfast in a beautiful shade of green. The rest of the ingredients are chopped and sprinkled on top. You can feel that it will be delicious just by looking and the picture. And it will give you a boost of energy and an infusion of vitamins and healthy fats.
Sweet potato, avocado, and feta muffins
This is a combination of ingredients I wouldn’t have thought to make, but it sounds delicious. And it would make an excellent snack for the kids or a breakfast on-the-go option. It’s one of the avocado recipes that aren’t precisely diet-suitable, not for a strict diet, that is.
But you cannot keep a caloric deficit for too long, and the goal is to get used to a balanced diet, which also includes treats and baked goodies every now and then. These muffins can be topped any way you want; there are so many healthy toppings you can sprinkle to make it crunchy and pretty.
Shakshuka
Love & Lemons have an exciting version of the yummy shakshuka. Traditionally a breakfast recipe, you can just as well use it for brunch or a light and healthy dinner. It’s not that often that comfort food can be so tasty, but for me, this avocado shakshuka looks genuinely fulfilling and satisfying.
And it’s incredibly easy to make and diet-approved. It’s also a great example of how avocado can find its way into a recipe, bringing extra healthy nutrients, without altering the taste or texture.
Guacamole Deviled Eggs
Now that sounds mouth-watering good! Deviled eggs are one of my favorite party snacks, but the way I usually make them is far from healthy, not to mention calories add up like crazy. But this version uses avocado instead of mayonnaise, but also many lovely flavors, so I cannot wait to try it. I’m sure it will taste as delicious as it looks.
Avocado and Grapefruit Salad
After all those calories, it’s time for an avocado salad to add a bit of flavor to our diet life. The combination of ripe avocado, grapefruit, and Dijon mustard, along with the rest of the ingredients, sounds amazing.
Grapefruit is one of my favorite fruits, but I have never tried it in such an exciting mix. I’m not sure my plate will look as good as the one that presents the recipe, but I can tell right now it’s going to become a regular dinner for this broccoli hater.
Avocado Tuna Salad
Tuna is my usual go-to ingredient when I cannot bear the sight of chicken anymore. It’s probably one of the most frequently used foods for anyone trying to lose weight. But even though I love tuna, I don’t have much imagination when it comes to creating new recipes.
This avocado tuna salad looks like something I would really enjoy, and the fact that it’s easy to make makes it even more attractive. Did I mention it also has dill pickles? That alone will convince me to try it.
Avocado Pasta
Pasta recipes usually have high-calorie ingredients, so I usually avoid them when I am on a weight loss spree. Or if they aren’t fattening, the taste is pretty bland. But this avocado pasta recipe seems to be a glorious exception. It’s basically a delicious pesto made with avocado, which will give it a rich and creamy texture, and you won’t need to use any butter or extra oil. It will be ready in no time, and it’s an excellent option for a quick dinner after a long and busy day.
These are just a few options that looked extra-yummy to me. I will try each of them in my efforts to turn us into an avocado-friendly family. My previous attempts were basically avocado toast varieties because it seemed the easiest choice. But with so many savory alternatives that are also easy to make, I see a brighter future for the avocado fruits on my grocery list. Well, a more heroic end, at least.
You can also check out the My Plates section and get the Avocado and Cucumber Dressing recipe