The Super Food Avocado

Avocados are one of my favorite foods. They were first used in Mexico nearly 10,000 years ago, also known as the Alligator Pear because of its greenish skin and rough texture. I just love the way they use the avocado throughout Central America. They have always been associated with good health. The oils are used in lotions to make skin look healthier and youthful. Eating an Avocado a day has been know to also help improve your skin. They can help reduce cholesterol levels and reduce your chance of heart disease and are one of the few fruits that provide good fats: 12g mono and 2g polyunsaturated fat per avocado. This nutrient dense food is truly one of nature’s super foods. Below are the recipes for a couple of my favorite ways to eat avocados:

Each Avocado                   

Nutrient                              AMOUNT                            Daily value%

VITAMIN K                           31.5 MCG                            40%

FOLATE                                135 MCG                              30%

VITAMIN B6                        .43 MCG                               20%

VITAMIN C                           13 MCG                               20%

VITAMIN E                           3 MCG                                 20%

POTASSIUM                         760 MCG                              20%    

Avocado Croutons

Ripe slightly firm Avocado                                            2 each

Lime                                                                                      1 each

Flour AP                                                                               2 cup

Eggs (beaten)                                                                    6 each

Panko Bread Crumbs                                                      4 Cups

Salt                                                                                         to taste

Black Pepper                                                                      tt

Directions:

First remove the stem from your avocado. (This is a hard stem that could break a tooth.) Using a knife push through the skin until the knife comes to the large seed in the center. Slowly cut the avocado around the seed working your way completely around the seed. Holding both halves in your hand slowly twist each half in opposite direction until the halves are separated. Remove the seed.

Remove the skin and dice into large dice.  Squeeze half a lime over the diced avocado and add a few pinches of salt.  Let marinate while you set up your breading area which is in three parts.

Breading station:

1. Flour with salt and pepper
2. Eggs with lime juice
3. Panko Bread crumbs

Directions:

Place diced avocado in flour and coat evenly. Tap off excess flour and place into egg mixture. Coat thoroughly.  Remove and drain excess. And roll into bread crumbs. Coat evenly and place on sheet pan.  Pan fry until golden brown. Serve warm over your favorite Caesar Salad. Or dip them into your favorite salsa as a snack.

Note: If you want them a little healthier you can toast them in a 375 degree oven until brown.

You can also make them ahead of time and freeze them until you need them.