One of my favourite memories ever, is a sitting in the jungle in Maui, cutting open an avocado the size of a rugby ball. Followed by four of us tucking in with spoons, savouring every bite, whilst the rest of the world fell away. That was our whole meal. Bliss. It was so divine that I didn’t even need an avocado recipe haha! Anyway, avocado’s let’s go!

In this article we are going to look at…

1. the health benefits of avocado
2. tips on how to select your avocado
3. the best way to dice an avocado
4. some delicious avocado recipes (dessert, smoothie, salad and dips)

When it comes to avocado, I am a massive fan. My mam (one of my favourite people in the whole world) who lives on the rather paradise-like-avocado-heaven-island of Kauai,  loves avocado too and is rather blessed to have her very own avocado tree in her garden. When it’s not in season, someone else’s tree always is.

This still doesn’t explain why my mum’s tree is NEVER in fruiting season when I go visit! The most I have ever achieved with an avocado tree here in the UK is those cute little, self-seeding pits that spring up from the compost pile every year.

A very happy Anastasia, in Hawaii, about to enjoy this delicious avocado!

Noteworthy health benefits of Avocado

Avocados are laden with health benefits, so it is no wonder that they rank at the top of every discerning health seekers menu.

Nutrient richness of avo’s

Some of the most noteworthy benefits are it’s superfood, nutrient richness. Avocado contains an abundance of potassium (twice as much as a banana), copper,  folate, fibre and lots of vitamins B5, B6, K and C.

A good source of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds

Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds are highly beneficial for health. Protection from tissue damage and inflammation are key to health in our bodies. In turn this helps us to maintain heart health whilst preventing many degenerative and chronic diseases.

Avocados contain significant amounts of the plant phytonutrient polyphenols and flavonoids, work as a good anti-inflammatory agent.

Avocado is a health plant fat

Eating healthy plant fat instead of animal fat ensures healthy cholesterol levels. This naturally lowers the risk of heart disease.

Avocados are thought to help keep the brain, eyes and blood pressure healthy too.

Tips on choosing a good avocado

After observing people who were definitely better at avocado finding than I have developed a sense for a good avocado. Before we get to the avocado recipes, here are a few important things to know…

Different types of avocado

You’ll find different varieties of avocado around the world; some taste undeniably divine (generally the rich, fatty, butter-like varieties like the world’s most common variety, Hass) and others are more watery, working best if they are jazzed up a little before eating.

How to select a good avocado?

Before we get to the avocado recipes, here are some tips on choosing a good avocado:

1. Your avocado should feel heavy-ish in weight.
2. Avoid ones that looked bruised with signs of decay or loose skin.
3. Little minor blemishes or scuffs that come from being on the tree are natural and fine.
4. If it’s not ripe then it will feel solid and won’t ‘give’ to your fingers when you press it – but if you buy from a reliable source then it should ripen within a few days at home at room temperature.
5. A ripe or semi-ripe avocado is essential for a divine avocado experience. You know it is ripe when it yields softly to gentle pressure on its skin. You can usually buy them in the store either ripe or unripe (sometimes you don’t get the choice).

How to ripen an avocado?

• Avocados will usually continue to ripen at room temperature once picked.
• To speed up ripening, place in a paper bag (with a ripe banana if you have one); or in a fruit bowl with bananas.
• To slow down ripening, place in your fridge.

Why won’t my avocado get ripe? Ughhh!

Avocadoes don’t ripen on the tree. They are picked hard and then ripen afterwards. If they are picked too soon, befor a certain stage of maturity they will fail to ripen. If they are picked too early they will stay dissapointingly hard and rubbery. Ughhh!

Will my hard, unripe avocado ripen after I’ve opened it?

No!

Unforunately your avocado won’t ripen if it is hard after you have opened it.

What’s the best way to open an avocado?

1. Make sure your avocado is ripe first.
2. Slice it right down the middle, length-ways, cutting around the seed.
3. Twist both halves in opposite directions to separate both sides.
4. Pop out the pit with a spoon or quickly hit sharp knife blade into the pit and twist it out.
5. Scoop out the buttery flesh with a spoon as it is or mark out squares with a sharp knife and then scoop.

Ways to eat or use an avocado

For me, scooping it right out of the skin is one of the most divine human experiences I know! There are however, lots of different things that you can do with an avocado…

• Use avocado as a spread on a cracker
  
• Make a dip or guacamole with it
• Add as an ingredient in a salad dressing
• Toss your avocado into a salad
• Use a as a fat replacement in cooking/baking
• Pop your avocado into a smoothie to make it ultra creamy
• Make a super healthy plant-based dessert with your avocado
• Some people even use avocado as a skin moisturiser, face-mask or for sun protection.

The limit is your imagination. Be sure to let me know any more ideas in the comments below and I can add them here.

Delicious recipes with avocado…

My perfect guacamole recipe

Guacamole is thought to have originated in Aztec, Mexico, evolving from whatever was available locally.Most people I know adore the rich, fatty, creaminess from avocado.
There are lots of different versions of this healthy dip using whatever is available.

Perfect Guacamole – a healthy avocado dip

Parsley & Lime Guacamole

This recipe is a delightful twist on regular guacamole inspired by parsley and lime. I made this when visiting Hawaii with local herbs and limes straight from the tree.

Parsley & Lime Guacamole Recipe

Raw Chocolate Avocado Mousse

Avocado might sound a bit odd in a dessert, but it really works. It brings in a luxurious creaminess like nothing else could. This is really popular with all my friends.
A super easy raw chocolate mousse recipe using raw cacao, avocado and banana, ready to eat in a few short minutes.

Raw Chocolate Avocado Mousse

A tasty avocado salad with mint

Avocado works particularly well with the zingy, playful mint. Add in a few other highly nutritious gems like kale and sweet pepper and you have an extra delicious and enjoyable rainbow salad.
Nothing like avocado in a salad.

Rainbow Kale & Avocado Salad with mint dressing

 A thick green pineapple smoothie with avocado

If you are looking for a filling, nutrient-dense smoothie then you could try creating an avocado smoothie. This one creates a rich creamy blend that leaves you feeling really satiated.

Green pineapple, kale & avocado smoothie recipe

If you have any fascinating avocado facts or conscious recipe ideas
then feel free to share in the comments – do tell more!

with love
Anastasia x