Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Super Healthy, Super Tasty Avocado Dip

Super Healthy, Super Tasty Avocado Dip


My mother's recent food of conversation is the avocado.
She has a tendency to talk about her newest healthy discoveries.
I'm glad.  
It keeps me informed,
intrigued,
and trying new things.

Somethings,
like her love of lentils,
are a flat-out miss in my family.


But I try to find substitutes in other healthy alternatives.


Avocados are super foods.
They have health benefits that include:
good for the eyes;
good for the heart;
lowers cholesterol;
prevents strokes;
prevention of cancers such as prostate, breast, and oral;
helps enhance nutrient absorption;
slows the aging process;
and is high in Vitamin E, which is an overall disease resister and super-curer.
(source click here:> Healthdiaries.com<)


It is considered to be one of the healthiest foods on earth,
as it 
"has an excess of 25 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."


When I saw the following recipe on a blog,
I decided to purchase one of these curious olive-green crusted creatures,
and give the super-food a chance.
(If it was your blog that I read this on,
please tell me,
so I can give you credit).


For this dip I used:

1 ripe avocado,
about 1/4 cup of fresh lemon (or regular) basil leaves
(thanks to my new herb garden),
2 1/2 cloves of garlic (use 1 if you don't like it HOT)
1/2 tsp. salt
2 Tbs. lemon juice

Puree these all up in a food processor
adding a Tbs. or two of olive oil to desired consistency
and pepper to taste.


I have no doubt if I ate this dip every night,
I'd live to be 120 years old.
It just has that shock value to it
(I have to attribute a good part of the heat to the excess garlic)
that makes it taste like it's burning your insides of every toxin that ever lurked there.

Really.


What a tasty treat to eat with a light dinner
and fresh picked berries
on a summer night.


My farmer said he didn't like it much...
but I know I didn't eat all that!

So next time your in the grocery aisle
and you see one of those bad boys in the avocado bin peering at you,
snatch him up and give this gusto of a dip a try.

You'll thank me for it later,

 I hope.


Come see my favorite recipes during my 31 days in October series.



Linking to these great places:
Kellyskornerblog.com: Tailgating-recipes

Boomama 






This book looks like a GREAT one to me.
It's gone on my "Most Wanted" list.

13 comments:

  1. i think i just might have to try that ... leaving the garlic out though ... i'm having enough heat flashes right now without adding more hot stuff to my body! :) thanks for an informative post!

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  2. I've discovered the avocado recently too. My mom never used it so I had no idea what it's like...I did know I didn't like guacomole from a jar, so that means I don't like avocado. WRONG! You DO want a ripe one, and it's not likely to fine the perfectly ripe in the store. I read up and common/best way to ripen the avocado is the brown bag method.

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  3. I recently discovered the avocado too! Since starting the GAPS diet, I have used it a few different ways. The dip doesn't keep well in the fridge for long, but I read a tip that you can freeze it in ice cube trays and it stay perfect for the next time you want some. I also love it just sliced with a slice of tomato and cheese. Yum. Very good for you!

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  4. You are so right about how healthy this is. And good!!

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  5. I'll have to give this one a try. I love avocados. Yum. I've been known to throw them on everything I can think of.

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  6. Looks good! Think I'll be giving it a try :)

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  7. Gosh, I can't believe you have only just discovered avocado. Delicious and versatile, aren't they? When my children were babies, 12 and 10 years ago, their staple food was an avocado and banana mashed together - so portable in a handbag, not processed goo in a jar but simple healthy, nourishing fare and so quick to prep, no heating, cooling etc. Now, no salad is complete without one! They go with everything, are lovely in salsa if you make those or simply with tomatoes and a good glug of extra virgin olive oil,a dash of balsamic vinegar and lots of torn basil - great with fish! Enjoy embracing and experimenting with your new found taste sensation!!
    Katie x

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  8. One way to keep anything avocado fresher in the fridge (if any leftover survive!) is when you cover it, have the lid rest directly on the stuff. If you use plastic wrap, don't just cover the bowl, but actually tuck it in so it's right on top of the food. We love them, but they can be expensive! I wish I could grow an avocado tree!

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  9. Looks wonderful. Sure wish I had a berry bush to pick. Maybe next year :)

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  10. That sounds absolutely delicious! I LOVE avocado and I LOVE dips so this sounds right exactly up my street!!!

    I'm wondering if the health-factor stays if it's crisps I dip into it!?!

    Sarahx

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  11. It is good to be back at last catching up with your blogging activities, I love avocado although it has quite a high calorific value I think! Your herb garden is looking good and will fill out quickly.

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  12. Thanks for all the GREAT comments!!! It is GREAT to find all these different ways to try the avocado. On my facebook page, someone said something about using them with cocoa and stevia to make chocolate pudding. Also, another friend said she likes this recipe better if the avocado is just chopped instead of pureed. So many GREAT suggestions!! Thanks so much!! :)

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