Avos: the secret indulgence making life a little more blissful!
What does indulgence mean to you? To us it’s that secret treat that turns blah days into a blissful haze, rolled eyes into contented sighs, the mundane into the magical.
Life just seems more beautiful, bright and breezy when there’s a spot of indulgence involved. Our secret pleasure tastes like heaven and just one bite feels like sinking into a creamy cloud of pure delight. We’re talking about avocados, the ultimate foodie indulgence!
- Science tells us that spoiling ourselves and indulging in self-care can improve moods, reduce stress and boost self-esteem. It helps us prioritise our well-being, recharge our batteries, and potentially even become more productive and focused. It could even help us reframe healthy behaviours.
For some people that’s bubble baths, for others it’s bubbles of a different kind. For us, it’s those green pear-shaped bubbles of happiness that are grown right here in South Africa that put us on cloud nine.
Research shows that treats and indulgences can create positive moments in our days, leading to increased happiness and a sense of contentment. Well, one medium avocado contains 13 g of healthy monounsaturated fatty acids. Foods higher in good fats may lower the risk of depression, anxiety and other mental disorders.
Self-care spoils also reduce stress and help improve mental health. The good fats found in avos facilitate thought-processing, hormone-production and stress-reduction mechanisms within the brain. Avos are one of the original mood-boosting foods! They also contain essential fatty acids and nutrients, like lutein and fibre, which are essential to brain cognition and sound mental health.
Studies show treats can also make healthy habits more enjoyable and sustainable, like rewarding yourself with a little something special every time you do 50 burpees at the gym or stick to your healthy eating plan!
Both green-skinned and dark-skinned avos are equally nutritious as they are high in heart-healthy fats, vitamin K and biotin, and free from cholesterol and sodium. Avos can also form part of a successful energy-controlled diet for weight management, and they support overall health and wellbeing.
In other words your secret indulgence, when it’s creamy, dreamy avos, is actually just as good for you as your healthy habit. Talk about multitasking!
Another benefit of secret treats is a serious self-esteem boost. Prioritising yourself and engaging in activities you enjoy can lead to a greater sense of self-worth and confidence. We can assure you; you’ll find few greater pleasures in life than simply indulging in an avo straight out the skin with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
Speaking of which, there are a gazillion ways to immerse yourself in the joys of avos: for breakfast, lunch or supper; as toppings, stuffings or dips; warm, cold or frozen; mashed, diced or sliced; as a snack, a side or the main event.
Life’s too short to keep the best for later, especially when it comes to food. Haul out the good crockery, break out your favourite table linen, and savor the sweetness of life. Just make sure you add an indulgent avo or two to your menu!
For further information and avo recipes, visit www.avocado.co.za , like on Facebook @iloveavocadoSA and follow on Instagram @iloveavossa
- Breakfast / Brunch: Bruffin (Brioche Muffin) with Avo Butter
- Lunch: Sushi Snack
- Dinner: Baked Chicken Curry with Avo Crema
Baked Chicken Curry with Avo Crema Recipe
Serves 6
Preparation time: 25 minutes + marinating
Cooking time: 2 hours
Ingredients:
FOR THE MARINADE
- Juice of ½ lemon + extra
- 250 ml (1 cup) plain yoghurt
- 3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) mild curry powder
- 50 g melted butter
- 5 cm piece ginger, finely grated
- 10 chicken thighs and drumsticks
- Salt and pepper
FOR THE SAUCE
- Avocado or olive oil for cooking
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) butter
- 3 cm piece ginger, finely grated
- 2 garlic cloves, crushed
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) mild curry powder
- 10 ml (2 tsp) ground cumin
- 10 ml (2 tsp) paprika
- 50 g sachet tomato paste
- 410 g tin chopped tomatoes
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) sugar
- 250 ml (1 cup) cream
FOR THE AVO CREMA
- 60 ml (¼ cup) plain yoghurt
- 1 avocado, chopped
TO SERVE
- 1 avocado, chopped
- Handful coriander, chopped
- Basmati rice
Method:
- For the marinade, combine all the ingredients and mix through the chicken in an oven proof dish (in a single layer). Season with salt and pepper. Marinate for at least 3 hours or preferably overnight.
- Preheat the oven to 200°C. Bake the chicken, covered, for 1 hour.
- For the sauce, heat a splash of oil and the butter in a large oven proof frying pan. Fry the ginger, garlic, curry powder, cumin and paprika for 1 minute until fragrant.
- Add the tomato paste, tomatoes and sugar and cook for 5 minutes. Stir through the cream. Season with salt and pepper.
- Remove the chicken from the oven and add directly to the hot sauce (discard marinade). Cover and bake for 1 hour or until tender.
- For the avo crema, blitz together the yoghurt and avocado until smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
- To serve, combine the avocado with a squeeze of extra lemon juice and coriander. Season with salt and pepper. Serve with the curry, rice and avo crema.
