When I crave something rich, creamy, savory and satisfying, I immediately think
of an avocado.
It’s distinct, creamy texture and rich, nutty flavor make it a popular ingredient in many dishes.
Although it is probably most well known as a key ingredient in the Mexican dip “guacamole”,
avocado adds an amazing texture to mouthwatering wraps, sandwiches and salads due to its
high-fat content.
But what makes avocado so good for us?
More than just a fabulous, fatty fruit, avocados have been labeled a nutritional powerhouse for
good reason–they contain more than 25 essential nutrients.
Health & Nutritional Benefits
Some of the health benefits associated with eating avocados on a regular basis include lowering
cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of diabetes, promoting lower body weight, and preventing cancer.
Avocados are rich in vitamin K, Vitamin B9, vitamin B6, vitamin B5 vitamin C, and vitamin E, copper,
iron, phosporous, magnesium, and potassium and dietary fiber.
Plus they provide fiber, protein, and several beneficial phytochemicals such as beta-sitosterol,
glutathione and lutein, which may protect against various diseases and illness.
The average avocado contains about 4 grams of protein–more than most other fruits.
And did you know that avocados provide more potassium per weight than bananas?
Healthy fats account for nearly three quarters of the calorie count of an avocado.
Most of it is monounsaturated fat–in the form of oleic acid–a “good fat” that helps to reduce
levels of bad cholesterol in your blood and lower the risk of stroke and heart disease.
That fact alone, got my attention!
Are You Getting Enough?
Getting enough avocado into my diet is never a problem.
I add avocado to most of my salads and smoothies, but most of all I love to dip into a thick,
creamy bowl of freshly-mashed guacamole.
In fact, I have been known to gobble up the “whole thing” in a matter of minutes.
Getting hungry for your own bowl of homemade guacamole?
Try this easy recipe for Mexican-Style Guacamole.
Chunky Mexican-Style Guacamole
Ingredients:
2 ripe organic Haas Avocados
1 ripe fresh organic tomato, seeded and diced
1 large clove fresh garlic, finely minced
1 fresh lime, juiced
1 tablespoon (+ extra for garnish) fresh, organic cilantro leaves, stems removed and finely chopped
Salt and pepper, to taste
Directions:
With a sharp knife, slice the avocado from top to bottom, cutting all the way around the fruit.
Place the avocado in the palm of your non-dominant hand and gently the top half clockwise
until it easily separates into two pieces.
To remove the seed, “whack” the seed with your sharp knife so the blade sticks into it.
Gently turn the knife until the seed pops out.
To dice, score the avocado while still in its skin but cutting equally sized slices from top to bottom.
Then, rotate 90 degrees and do the same thing going side to side.
This combination of horizontal and vertical cuts will give you equal sized chunks of diced avocado.
To remove from skin, take a spoon and gently scrape all on the bottom of the flesh (where it meets the skin)
until all your diced chunks are removed.
Place diced avocado in bowl.
Add diced tomato, garlic, lime juice and fresh cilantro to bowl and combine with a fork.
Season with salt, pepper and additional lime juice, if desired.
Serve with favorite Mexican entrees or on its own with crunchy tortilla chips.
I like to eat my guacamole with zesty dehydrated flax seed crackers.
Enjoy!
Are you an avocado lover?
Do you make a mean guacamole?
Share your favorite ways to enjoy avocado with us.
“Shared on #wowlinkup Workout Wednesdays”
SO simple and delicious!! I love 🙂
Love, love love avocado and guacamole! You just made me start craving it. (which I guess really isn’t that hard to do, since I want it every day anyways!) Thanks for sharing. #wowlinkup
Hi Lara,
I am so glad that you love avocado too! Thank you for hopping by and sharing with me. I appreciate it.
Mmmmm love this recipe! I LOVE avocados, especially guacamole =D
I will be honest – I hate avocados. BUT I can take them in guacamole before it turns brown. Otherwise I can’t stand the taste. #wowlinkup
I’m like Diatta, I don’t like avocados and I don’t like guacamole either but it is a healthy fat and good to eat as long as you don’t consume too much of it. Visiting from the #wowlinkup.
Not huge fan of guacamole but this one sounds kind of good will give it a try.
This looks fantastic and as soon as my tomatoes are ready for picking I’m making it. Thanks for sharing at Tuesdays with a twist, I’m featuring this post tomorrow over at GardenUp green. -Carole
Hi Carole,
I love partying at Tuesdays with a Twist! Thank you so much for featuring my Mexican Style Guacamole post! I am so delighted and appreciative! All the best, Deborah
What’s not to love about guac and chunky at that!? Pinned to my Eating the Real Rainbow board. =)