Browsing Tag

avocado

Squash Blossom Salad

November 12, 2012

Autumn has definitely fallen over Ireland and colder weather is blowing in. When I’m out wandering about town, I pull my collar up to keep the chill from slipping down my neck. Even though the sunshine has managed to pop it’s head through the clouds, I can’t seem to get warm.

This salad is a gorgeous starter for a comforting bowl of soup. Sometimes combining just a couple seasonal elements in a simple way, allows each ingredient to shine without a lot of fuss. It’s easy, uncomplicated and just the kind of food I like to eat every day.

Squash blossoms are a seldom seen treat in most super markets due to their incredibly short shelf life – several hours once plucked in worst cases and only several days in best cases if handled very carefully. Typically, you have to come by these bright and fragile delicacies at your local farmer’s market or even better yet, in your own home garden. Once these bright blossoms make their way into your kitchen, it won’t be long before your little finger foodie and family realize what a treat they’re in for – not only will you get quite a kick out of eating flowers, you will also reap a few health benefits. Squash blossoms are high in calcium and iron and especially high in vitamins A and C.

The easiest and arguably the best way to use squash blossoms is raw, eat them with a drizzle of great quality oil and salt or toss them into any salad. The squash blossom is simple, ethereal and easily over powered so try to go easy on the dressings and accouterments.

Squash Blossom Salad

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 Tbsp. lemon juice
  • 5 Tbsp. olive oil
  • pinch of sea salt
  • pinch of black pepper
  • assorted greens
  • tomatoes
  • 1 radish, sliced
  • 2 cups small squash blossoms, stems removed
  • 3 Tbsp. sunflower seeds
  • 1 avocado, peeled and sliced

Directions:

  1. Whisk together lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper in a small bowl.
  2. Divide greens, assorted vegetables and squash blossoms on two plates. Drizzle with dressing and top with sunflower seeds. Devour.

(Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

 

1 Comments

Peach Tostada

September 26, 2012

This might actually be too simple to call a recipe, but that’s ok. Most of my at home recipes are simple, and I know that most of you don’t have time for complicated anyway! The great thing about this dish is that you can customize it to suit your mood. More spice, less spice, different herbs.. the options are endless.

The crispy tortillas are the perfect contrast to the sweet, juicy peaches. They’re mixed together with lettuce, avocado tossed in tangy lime juice. This would be great as a side dish for a picnic but it’s also hearty enough to be a full meal. The plan was to save the leftovers for lunch the next day, but if you put a bowl of food between my fella and I, leftovers don’t stand a chance.

Peach Tostada

Ingredients:

  • corn tortillas or whole wheat tortillas
  • black beans
  • avocado, choped
  • romaine lettuce, sliced
  • 1/2 of a small red onion, finely chopped
  • juice and zest of 1 lime
  • 2 ripe peaches, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons chopped mint (or you could use cilantro)

Directions:

  1. Combine chopped peaches, mint and lime juice in a bowl and mix.
  2. Place tortillas in a pan over medium heat for a few minutes on each side, until warm and crispy.
  3. Top with all of the toppings.

(Photo Credit: my sister, Jenny Norris – jjnorris.com)

2 Comments

Key Lime Mousse

July 13, 2012
key-lime-mousse

I spend a lot of time experimenting in the kitchen tinkering with recipes, and I have to say that most of the time my tinkering turns out okay. But sometimes it’s a total failure never to be spoken of at home, on the blog, or anywhere. Then there are times when I simply need to use up produce we have in our kitchen and a new creation is made unintentionally… and wow. Amazing yumminess. That is how this recipe came to be.

Avocados give this luscious dessert its rich, creamy texture. Avocados are considered one of the healthiest foods in the planet because they contain in excess of 25 essential nutrients, including vitamins A, B, C, E, and K, copper, iron, phosporus, magnesium, and potassium. In fact, you would need to eat two or tree bananas to obtain the potassium content of one avocado. Avocados also contain fiber, protein and beneficial phytochemicals such as beta-sitosterol, glutathione and lutein, which help protect against various disease and illness. Although avocado is high in fat content, it is mostly the monounsaturated fat which is a healthy fat variety.

Avocados are Mother Nature’s skin moisturizer. With their healthy fats and phytonutrients, they offer remarkable benefits to human skin — both when eaten and when used topically. The avocado oil is added in many cosmetics because of its ability to nourish the skin and make your skin glow. Make your own skin mask by mashing avocado and spread on the face. Leave it on for 25-30 minutes and it’ll instantly reveal radiant skin.

This mousse makes for a healthy dessert or snack that tastes great alone or layered with crunchy graham cracker crumbs. I hope you enjoy this delightful creation.

key-lime-mousse-raw

Key Lime Mousse

Vegan, Raw, Gluten-free, Sugar-free

Serves 2

Ingredients:

  • 2 avocados, peeled and pitted
  • 1 ripe banana
  • 1/4 cup lime juice
  • 2 Tbsp. lime zest
  • 4-5 Tbsp. agave nectar
  • 1 tsp. vanilla extract
  • pinch of sea salt
  • stevia to taste
  • coconut flakes (optional)

Directions:

  1. In the bowl of a food processor, process all the mousse ingredients until smooth and creamy. Add stevia to taste and process.
4 Comments