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
Bruffin (Brioche Muffin) with Avo Butter Recipe
Makes 6
Preparation time: 35 minutes + rising
Cooking time: 35 minutes
Ingredients:
FOR THE DOUGH
- 390 ml (1½ cups + 1 tbsp) bread flour
- 125 ml (½ cup) lukewarm milk + extra
- ½ x 10 g packet instant yeast
- 15 ml (1 tbsp) sugar
- 2.5 ml (½ tsp) salt + extra
- 1 egg
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) soft butter + extra
FOR THE FILLING
- ½ avocado, diced
- 200 g crispy diced bacon
- 80 ml (⅓ cup) Feta, crumbled
- 45 ml (3 tbsp) sundried tomatoes in vinaigrette, drained and chopped
FOR THE BUTTER
- 100 g soft butter
- ½ avocado, chopped
Method:
- For the dough, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) of the flour and 45 ml (3 tbsp) of the milk on medium in a small saucepan for about 3 minutes, while whisking, until a smooth paste forms.
- Combine the yeast, remaining 375 ml (1½ cups) flour, sugar and salt. Make a well in the centre. Add the remaining 80 ml (⅓ cup) milk and egg, mix until just incorporated.
- Mix through the cooked flour paste and small knobs of the butter. Stir with a wooden spoon or in a kitchen mixer fitted with the dough hook for about 8 minutes or until smooth. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside for about 2 hours or until double in volume.
- For the filling, roll the dough out into a 1 cm thick rectangle. Evenly scatter over the filling. Roll up into a long log. Cut with a serrated knife into 6 pieces. Place, cut side up, in a greased jumbo muffin pan. Cover loosely with plastic wrap and rise for about 1 hour or until puffed.
- Preheat oven to 180°C. Brush the bruffin tops with extra milk. Bake for about 25 minutes or until golden and cooked.
- For the butter, blitz the avocado until smooth. Beat in the butter and season with extra salt. Serve with the warm bruffins.
Optional:
For extra shine, brush the bruffins with avocado or olive oil when they come out of the oven. Serve with extra avo.
