Add an Avo, and a taste of Mexico, to your Plate this Avo Season

According to the THP 2020 Flavour & Trend Forecast*, Michelin star restaurants around the world will be increasingly seeking out traditional ingredients from some of the oldest civilizations this year, particularly Central and South America.

The SA Avocado Growers’ Association (SAAGA) has taken its cue from this prediction, and in 2020 is celebrating the ancient origins of homegrown South African avocados (South Africa is one of the world’s major avo producers, after all) with a nod to Mexico as the undisputed primordial homeland of the avo.

Researchers believe that people in Puebla, South Central Mexico, were tucking into avos as long as 10 000 years ago, while evidence suggests Mesoamerican tribes first domesticated the avocado tree 5 000 years ago. This makes avo cultivation as old as the invention of the wheel!

Avos’ ancient Mexican roots also include alleged super powers. The Aztecs, for instance, believed the fruit gave supernatural strength to whoever ate it. The Mayans too believed the avo held mystical powers, calling it the fruit of the gods.

Today avos still have magical powers – they miraculously transform any dish, taking it from gaudy to glam in seconds!

Nachos Salad Jar  

A great work lunch that can be prepared ahead (meat or chicken may be added)

Makes 2 large jars

Ingredients

  • 1 large ripe avocado, deseeded
  • 4 tablespoons guacamole
  • 1 cup salsa of choice
  • 1 cup grated carrots
  • ½ can sweetcorn kernels, drained
  • ½ can black beans, drained and rinsed
  • 1 large red pepper, sliced
  • ½  red onion, diced
  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • ½ cup cucumber, diced
  • ½ cup fresh coriander roughly chopped
  • 1 clove garlic, crushed
  • Salt and pepper
  • 1 lime, halved
  • Nachos chips to serve

Method

  1. Place a tablespoon of salsa in the bottom of each jar, and top with guacamole.
  2. Divide the vegetables between the two jars, layering first the carrots, sweetcorn, black beans, red pepper, onion, tomatoes and cucumber.
  3. Roughly chop the avocado, and mix with half the coriander, garlic, salt and pepper.
  4. Place spoonfuls of avocado on the top, and squeeze over the lime juice. Garnish with extra coriander and serve with nachos and extra salsa.

Green Avo Sauce, mega Veggies & Avo on Hard shell taco with charred Pineapple & pickled red Onions   

Ingredients for the Green Avo Sauce

  • 1 avocado
  • 1 clove garlic
  • 1 jalapeño, ribs and seeds removed
  • 1 bunch/30g  fresh coriander
  • ½ bunch  fresh parsley
  • ¼ cup shelled pistachios
  • ⅓ cup avo oil (or olive oil)
  • ⅓ cup water
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • pinch of sea salt

Method for the Green Avo Sauce

  1. Place all ingredients in a food processor and pulse to combine, allow to mix until the desired consistency is reached.
  2. Serve immediately or transfer to a small bowl and cover with a film of plastic wrap, pressing it gently into the top, and refrigerate until ready to use.

Ingredients for the Tacos

  • 1 pineapple, diced and charred on a grill pan
  • ½ English cucumber, diced
  • 20 cherry  tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red onion, sliced
  • Shredded cabbage
  • Grated carrot
  • Shredded lettuce
  • 12 tortillas, toasted
  • Lime wedges and fresh coriander to serve

To assemble:

  1. Lay out the tortillas and top with the veggies.
  2. Serve drizzled with green avo sauce and garnish with lime wedges and extra coriander.

Vegan Breakfast Tostadas with refried Beans, Mushrooms, Baby Potatoes, Cherry Tomatoes, and Avocado

Serves 4

Preparation time

40 minutes

Cooking time

10 mintues

Ingredients

  • 8 Tortillas
  • 2 avocados, ripe
  • 150g refried beans
  • 200g baby button mushrooms, grilled
  • 200g new potatoes, roasted
  • 200g cherry tomatoes, halved
  • Salsa and coriander to serve

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 200°c and spray two large baking sheets with cooking spray.
  2. Lightly spray both sides of the tortillas with cooking spray and place them in a single layer on the prepared baking sheets. Lightly season them with salt.
  3. Bake for 5 minutes, flip them over and bake for another 5-10 minutes, until the tortillas are crispy like a chip. Alternatively the tortillas can be deep fried in hot oil, although we recommend the healthier option of the oven .
  4. To serve: peel and dice the ripe avocados. Place spoonfuls of the refried beans on the tostadas , and top with the remaining ingredients.
  5. Garnish with fresh coriander and serve with salsa of your choice.

Written by Marvin

Founder of many things but FoodBlogJHB FoodBlogCT, FoodBlogDBN being my biggest project to date. UCT marketing graduate, Star Wars geek and Arsenal & Dortmund supporter. That's me!

[g1_socials_user user="1" icon_size="28" icon_color="text"]

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get 2 Medium Meals at Burger King for only R100

Col’Cacchio launches new ‘Heat & Eat’ gourmet Pizza Range via Buyfresh.co.za