Avocado Adventures: 15 Delightful Summer Recipes to Keep You Cool and Nourished

 

Hello lovely readers!  Join me on my obsession with Avocados.

As the summer heat rolls in, it's time to embrace the season with fresh, delicious, and nutritious dishes. One of my favorite summer staples is the ever-versatile avocado. Packed with healthy fats, vitamins, and a creamy texture that elevates any dish, avocados are a must-have in your summer culinary repertoire. Here are 15 fabulous ways to incorporate avocados into your summer dishes, complete with recipes and resources. Let’s dive in!

1. Classic Avocado Toast with a Summer Twist

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 slice of whole-grain bread
• Cherry tomatoes, halved
• Fresh basil leaves
• A drizzle of balsamic glaze
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Toast your bread to a golden brown.
2. Mash the avocado and spread it generously over the toast.
3. Top with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil leaves.
4. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and season with salt and pepper.
5. Enjoy this vibrant and refreshing breakfast or snack!

2. Refreshing Avocado Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 lime, juiced
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Combine the avocado, cucumber, and red onion in a bowl.
2. Squeeze the lime juice over the mixture and toss gently.
3. Sprinkle with cilantro, salt, and pepper.
4. Chill for 30 minutes before serving for a cool, refreshing salad.

3. Creamy Avocado Smoothie

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 banana
• 1 cup of spinach
• 1 cup of almond milk
• 1 tablespoon of honey (optional)

Instructions:

1. Blend all the ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour into a glass and enjoy this creamy, nutrient-packed smoothie as a breakfast or mid-day refresher.

4. Grilled Avocado and Corn Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
• 2 ears of corn, grilled and kernels removed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, diced
• Juice of 1 lime
• 1 tablespoon of olive oil
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Grill the avocado halves until charred.
2. Scoop the grilled avocado into a bowl and add the corn, bell pepper, and red onion.
3. Mix the lime juice and olive oil, then drizzle over the salad.
4. Toss gently, add cilantro, salt, and pepper, and serve warm or chilled.

5. Avocado Ice Cream

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 can of coconut milk
• 1/2 cup of honey or agave syrup
• 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
• A pinch of salt

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients until smooth.
2. Pour the mixture into an ice cream maker and churn according to the manufacturer’s instructions.
3. Freeze for at least 2 hours before serving this unique and creamy dessert.

6. Avocado Gazpacho

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 cups of cucumber, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup of plain Greek yogurt
• 1 cup of vegetable broth
• 1 garlic clove
• Juice of 1 lime
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh mint leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Combine avocados, cucumber, yogurt, broth, garlic, and lime juice in a blender.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Chill for at least 1 hour before serving.
5. Garnish with fresh mint leaves.

7. Avocado Pasta Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 8 oz of cooked pasta (penne or fusilli work well)
• 1 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 cup of black olives, sliced
• 1/4 cup of red onion, diced
• 1/4 cup of feta cheese, crumbled
• 2 tablespoons of olive oil
• Juice of 1 lemon
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, combine cooked pasta, cherry tomatoes, black olives, red onion, and feta cheese.
2. Add the diced avocados.
3. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
4. Toss gently and season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve immediately or chill for later.

8. Avocado and Mango Salsa

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1 ripe mango, diced
• 1/2 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/2 red onion, finely chopped
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a bowl, combine avocado, mango, bell pepper, and red onion.
2. Squeeze lime juice over the mixture and toss gently.
3. Sprinkle with cilantro, salt, and pepper.
4. Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for grilled chicken or fish.

9. Avocado Deviled Eggs

Ingredients:

• 6 hard-boiled eggs, peeled and halved
• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 tablespoon of lime juice
• 1 tablespoon of Greek yogurt
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Paprika for garnish

Instructions:

1. Remove yolks from the eggs and place in a bowl.
2. Add avocados, lime juice, and Greek yogurt to the yolks and mash until smooth.
3. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spoon the avocado mixture back into the egg whites.
5. Garnish with paprika.

10. Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cup of fresh basil leaves
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/4 cup of pine nuts
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine avocados, basil, Parmesan, pine nuts, and garlic.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Gradually add olive oil and blend until combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve over pasta or as a spread.

11. Avocado Tacos

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, sliced
• 8 small corn tortillas
• 1 cup of shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup of diced red onion
• 1/2 cup of diced tomatoes
• Juice of 1 lime
• Fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Warm the tortillas in a skillet or microwave.
2. Fill each tortilla with sliced avocado, shredded cabbage, red onion, and tomatoes.
3. Squeeze lime juice over the top.
4. Sprinkle with cilantro, salt, and pepper.
5. Serve immediately.

12. Avocado Sushi Rolls

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sushi rice
• 2 tablespoons of rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon of sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 4 sheets of nori (seaweed)
• 2 ripe avocados, sliced
• 1 cucumber, julienned
• Soy sauce for serving

Instructions:

1. Cook sushi rice according to package instructions.
2. In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt until dissolved. Add to cooked rice and mix well.
3. Place a sheet of nori on a bamboo sushi mat.
4. Spread an even layer of sushi rice on the nori.
5. Arrange avocado slices and cucumber strips on top of the rice.
6. Roll the sushi tightly using the bamboo mat.
7. Slice into pieces and serve with soy sauce.

13. Avocado Hummus

Ingredients:

• 1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 tablespoons of tahini
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1/4 cup of olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine chickpeas, avocados, tahini, lemon juice, and garlic.
2. Process until smooth.
3. Gradually add olive oil and blend until combined.
4. Season with salt and pepper.
5. Serve with pita bread or veggies.

14. Avocado Pizza

Ingredients:

• 1 pizza dough (store-bought or homemade)
• 2 ripe avocados, sliced
• 1/2 cup of cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1/4 cup of red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded
• Fresh basil leaves
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven according to pizza dough instructions.
2. Roll out pizza dough and brush with olive oil.
3. Top with mozzarella cheese, cherry tomatoes, and red onion.
4. Bake until the crust is golden and cheese is melted.
5. Remove from oven and top with avocado slices and fresh basil.
6. Season with salt and pepper.
7. Slice and enjoy.

15. Avocado Brownies

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 1 cup of dark chocolate chips, melted
• 3/4 cup of coconut sugar
• 2 large eggs
• 1/2 cup of cocoa powder
• 1/2 cup of almond flour
• 1 teaspoon of baking powder
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt

Instructions:

1. Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
2. In a blender, combine avocados, melted chocolate, coconut sugar, and eggs. Blend until smooth.
3. Add cocoa powder, almond flour, baking powder, and salt. Blend until combined.
4. Pour batter into the prepared baking dish.
5. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean.
6. Let cool before slicing.

Resources for Avocado Lovers

For those who want to dive deeper into the avocado world, here are some excellent resources:

• California Avocado Commission: A great site for recipes, tips, and avocado nutrition information.
• Avocados From Mexico: Discover more recipes, avocado facts, and even an avocado-centric blog.
• Love One Today: A comprehensive resource for all things avocado, including health benefits and culinary uses.

Avocados are incredibly versatile and can elevate any summer dish. From refreshing salads to creamy smoothies and even ice cream, there’s no limit to what you can create with this green gem. So, get creative and enjoy the delicious, nutritious goodness of avocados this summer!

Happy cooking! 

Love, 

Trina