I’m currently stuck in an avocado love affair.  Anyone else with me?  Maybe I need to purchase an avocado tree?  I stop at Pedrick Produce regularly.  They have the best deals….but shhhhhh, don’t tell everyone.

What’s worse than spending $3 on one avocado?  Getting home and it’s not ripe.  Pisses me off, big time.  Until I figured out how to do the ripeness test.

How to find the perfect avocado?

You have to do the ripeness test!

Before you purchase here is a little tip.  Remove the stem of the avocado.

Green – under ripe

It may feel OK from the outside, but the inside will be hard as a rock…..no bueno.

Dark Brown – overripe

When you cut the avocado open it will be brownish, sometimes smelly and super squishy with the pit un intact …gross!

Yellowish – just right

Avocado perfection.  The pit will be intact and it will have the perfect shade of green 🙂  Enjoy!

4 things you probably didn’t know about the Avocado:

1. Avocados are a fruit…say what?
2. An avocado has more potassium than a banana
3. Speaking of bananas, avocados will ripen more quickly when placed by bananas.
4. Avocados are one of a few, high-protein fruits.  That’s bananas!!

This high-protein, potassium loaded fruit isn’t just for topping salads, sandwiches and tacos anymore.  The options are endless!!!  Here are a few of my favs!

Guacamole..yes please!  I haven’t met a guac yet that I didn’t love.  This one is an easy everyday recipe.

What you’ll need:

• 3 avocados
• 1 lime
• 1/3 cup red onion
• 1 small clove garlic
• 1 tbsp chopped cilantro
• salt + pepper

Place the pulp from the avocados in a bowl and slightly mash with a fork leaving some larger chunks. Add lime juice, salt, pepper, cilantro, red onion, garlic and mix thoroughly.

It’s the most simple recipe and turns out perfectly every time.

Avocado Toast

I’ve already declared my love for avocado toast.  If you haven’t tried this yet, stop what your doing right now and throw this deliciousness together stat.  You will thank me later.

Here’s what you’ll need:

• slice of whole wheat bread
• 1/2 avocado
• chili pepper flakes
• salt + pepper

I don’t think directions are necessary 🙂

Baked Avocado Egg Bowls

(unfortunately I didn’t get a photo of the finished product, I ate it too fast…oppps)

Here’s what you’ll need:

• Avocado
• 2 eggs
• salsa
• salt + pepper

Preheat oven to 425.  Cut Avocado in half and scrape out some of the pulp.  Enough to hold an egg.  Place avocados on a lined baking dish.  Lightly dust with salt + pepper.  Break one egg into each avocado half.  Bake 15 minutes or until egg whites are set (be careful to not over cook).  Lightly dust with more salt + pepper.  Top with Salsa.  BOMB.COM!!

Avocado Tomato Cucumber Salad

What you’ll need:

• 3 roma tomatoes
• cucumber
• 1/4 red onion
• 2 avocados
• 2 Tbsp EVOO (extra virgin olive oil)
• 1 lemon
• Cilantro
• Salt + pepper

Directions:

Place chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, diced avocados and cilantro into a bowl.  Drizzle with EVOO, 2 Tbsp lemon juice, salt + pepper.  Toss gently to combine.

I’ve seen avocados in baked goods in lieu of butter.  Crazy, huh?!?!  In smoothies, dressings and sauces.

Man, I hope I’m not the only one currently living in this avocado love affair??

The manuals, cookbook and guides can be overwhelming. Come to your BRIK orientation and your coaches will walk you through the important parts, help you set up a simple plan, and get you started for week #1 with K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Sister!

Gotta go….and make some Avocado Toast:)

xoxo stacyb