Zesty Avocado Pesto
A fresh spread with endless possibilities!
2 cups fresh basil
1 handful spinach (optional)
2 garlic cloves, minced
Zest from ½ lemon
Juice from ½ lemon
¼ cup nutritional yeast (dairy-free, nutritious cheese alternative)
¼ cup pine nuts (sub for walnuts, slivered almonds)
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil* (+1-2 Tbsp oil or water)
¼ tsp salt, more to taste
1/8 tsp black pepper, more to taste
1/2 ripe avocado
Add all ingredients (except avocado) to a small or medium food processor and blend until well combined. Add more oil or water to adjust consistency. Add salt, pepper or lemon juice to taste. To obtain creamier, more spreadable pesto blend in avocado. Enjoy this fresh, zesty pesto with toast, sandwiches, burgers, pasta, quinoa, spaghetti squash, zoodles…you name it! Refrigerate and consume within 3-5 days.
Avocado Toast 5 Ways
A balanced meal in under 5 minutes!
Basic Avocado Toast
1 slice bread, toasted (Ezekiel 7 Sprouted Grains bread)
½ ripe avocado
½ tsp lemon juice
Pinch of salt & pepper
In a small bowl, mash avocado until chunky. Mix in lemon juice and spices then spread mixture onto toast. Add your favorite protein to make it a complete meal!
1.
2-4 Tbsp (1-2 oz) your favorite hummus (Sabra Roasted Pine Nut)
½ tsp extra virgin olive oil, drizzled (optional)
2.
1 packet (2.6oz) tuna (Starkist Chunk Light Tuna in water)
Pinch of lemon pepper (or salt & pepper)
1 lemon wedge
3.
Cherry tomatoes, halved
Fresh mozzarella, cubed
Fresh basil
Balsamic glaze, drizzled
4.
1/3 cup cottage cheese
Pepper to taste
5.
1 egg, cooked to your liking
Pepper to taste
Caprese Stuffed Avocado
An eye catching & satisfying snack or appetizer.
Serves 1-2
1 medium-ripe avocado
Fresh mozzarella (bites or chopped)
Tomatoes, sliced
Fresh basil
Balsamic glaze
Slice avocados in half. Top with mozzarella, tomatoes, fresh basil. Drizzle with balsamic glaze. Prepare prior to serving to avoid avocado browning.
Avocado Fudge Cookies
They won’t know there’s avocados inside!
Makes 20 small cookies
2 ripe avocados (200-220g)
2 eggs (100g)
1 large ripe banana (120g)
1-2 Tbsp. honey (21-42g)
1 cup unsweetened cocoa powder (80g)
1 tsp baking soda
3-4 Tbsp dark chocolate chips or chunks, divided (45-60g)
Instructions
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Summertime Salsa
Bet you can’t have just one bite!
Ingredients –Serves 4-6
2 medium-ripe avocados, diced
1 heaping cup pineapple, diced
1 fresh mango, diced
½ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup purple cabbage, thinly sliced (optional)
1 small jalapeño pepper, seeded, finely chopped
2-3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped
1 large lime, freshly squeezed
1 Tbsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy as is as a side dish, pair with whole grain tortilla chips or crackers, or enjoy over a bed of fresh greens. The sky’s the limit with this versatile recipe!
Note: Since avocados brown fairly quickly, prepare this recipe just prior to serving or save avocado prep for the last minute.