How to Use Avocado – 8 Creative Ways to Use Avocado in Your Cooking and Baking

Well many people love Avocados and some just do not like it. What is clear is that it’s a great source of many vitamins and beneficial fats that can help increase your health in many ways. This may include sources from C,E,K and B6 vitamins with other sources of good nutritional supplements such as niacin, riboflavin, folate, potassium and magnesium. There are many other healthy fats such as omega-3 which helps one feel fuller for longer and also helps with brain health. 

Fat is essential to every cell in the body. Never be discouraged to eat healthy fats as it’s very important to your health like there being benefits to skin health, helping by absorbing vitamins and minerals as well as improving the immune system so health wise its a no brainier. 

On a rough scale an avocado on average contains the following

• 14 g of fat
• 8 g of carbohydrates
• 6 g of fibre
• 160 calories
• Less than one gram of sugar 

Plus many more vitamins and minerals. In this article I will give you a few ideas on how to use avocado to its full potential. 

1. Avocado Toast 

One of the most simple ways I enjoy an avocado is using it on toast. There are many ways to make it this way and I feel that if you look around you can find the best way suited to you. Usually people can slice it up and add a little salt and pepper and this leads to a lot of pleasure on the taste buds. You can add a little more things to spice it up a little. Like garlic and lemon juice. You can slice it or mash it up. It’s all up to you at the end of the day. So I would start simple if you have never had this before and then work up to customising this aged old favourite of many. 

It’s always best to start with good bread and try to find the perfect avocado. Not too ripe, not too hard. You want a slight indent when adding pressure to it. Also try to avoid bruised or brown bits as that can taint the taste that you are looking for. 

2. Using it as a salad dressing

Many people love to use olive oil in their salad dressing and that is nothing new to add avocado oil to your salads. This is an easy way to add a lot of good enzymes, vitamins and minerals to a favourite bed of greens. You can make your own homemade salad dressing using spices and condiments such as black pepper, mustard or honey. This is a healthy alternative to many high calorie salad dressing we would assume are healthy. So try to keep that in mind with your next salad. You can also use it for dips and add it to sandwiches to get those extra nutritional benefits. 

3. Raw and seasoned.

This may be one of the most simple ways to enjoy an avocado. Many people eat it straight without making anything fancy out of it.It may be due to the rich and creamy flavour. Try to aim for a nice and ripe avocado. Cut it in half and season it to taste. It’s a great and simple addition to any meal or even on its own. 

The most common way for someone to enjoy this method is to simply cut it in half and add some salt and pepper to taste. Some people like to get fancy and add vinegar, paprika, balsamic vinegar or lemon juice to jazz it up a little. I would suggest going simple and working your way up to the most fancy of methods. 

4. Simply add them to your salads

With many studies showing that avocado has extra calories, fats and fibres may help salad make you feel a lot fuller for longer. Which can help you avoid overeating other foods that have a higher calorie count.  

To add them to your salad you need to keep in mind that avocados can brown when exposed to the air. So it’s best to add it last before serving it for a great  green and fresh presentation. This is an easy way to add “wow” to any salad dish.

Depending on the salad, sliced and diced work best in a more chunky salad. While when you have a more leafy type of salad you would want to use sliced avocado. As it’s said above do not forget trying to use avocado oil on your salads for a better boost of flavour and nutrition. 

It’s not only for leafy green or Greek type salads it can be easily added to an american favourite pasta salad. Many people will use pasta salad as a vegetarian option but it may not be as wholesome as you would like. Adding the rich and flavourful avocado may give it the kick that it needs and keeps the craving for more carbs down leading to a more satisfying experience with added good fats and vitamins. 

5.Good choice for smoothies

Many ways to make a smoothie and it’s also known as a perfect way to replace a meal or help you when you crave snacks. You can combine it with any number of ingredients and adding avocado to a smoothie is a great way to boost flavour and nutritional values.

Here is a simple recipe to get you started on your avocado smoothie journey.

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado
• 1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 1 banana
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
• A handful of ice cubes

Instructions:

1. Cut the avocado in half, remove the pit, and scoop out the flesh into a blender.
2. Add the almond milk, banana, honey, vanilla extract, and ground cinnamon to the blender.
3. Blend all the ingredients together until smooth.
4. Add a handful of ice cubes and blend again until the smoothie is thick and creamy.
5. Pour the smoothie into a glass and enjoy!

This smoothie has a creamy texture from the avocado, a sweet taste from the banana and honey, and a subtle hint of cinnamon. It’s a great way to start your day or to enjoy as a healthy snack.

6. Avocado Hummus 

There is more than one way to get some of your veggie intake for the day. Hummus is a wholesome and healthy dip that has been used for 100s of years. No one really knows where it came from originally but the earliest mentions are from 13th century Egypt. The hummus has been claimed by many nations and traditions. So with respect we added some avocado to give it a more rich and creamy texture that really gives the additional twist on this dish some justice. 

If you have to make this for a party you will likely have people licking out the bowl as it’s a truly tasty combination that has a lot of healthy nutritional value.  Here is a basic recipe to try but also keep in mind there are a lot of little tweaks that can be made to your taste. 

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 ripe avocado
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tbsp tahini
• 2 tbsp lemon juice
• 1/2 tsp cumin
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 2-4 tbsp water (as needed)
• Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling

Instructions:

1. Add the chickpeas, avocado, garlic, tahini, lemon juice, cumin, and salt to a food processor or blender.
2. Blend the ingredients together until smooth and creamy. If the mixture is too thick, add water, one tablespoon at a time, until it reaches the desired consistency.
3. Transfer the hummus to a serving bowl.
4. Drizzle a small amount of extra virgin olive oil over the top of the hummus.
5. Serve with your favourite vegetables, pita bread, or crackers.

This avocado hummus recipe is a healthy twist on traditional hummus, with the addition of creamy avocado. The lemon juice adds a bright, tangy flavour, while the cumin gives it a subtle spice. It’s perfect as a snack or appetiser and is sure to be a hit at any gathering.

7: In pasta sauces

Avocado is a very versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of dishes, including pasta and sauces. Avocado’s creamy texture and mild flavour make it an excellent substitute for cream or cheese-based sauces, particularly for those who are lactose intolerant or vegan.

Adding avocado to pasta dishes not only enhances the flavour but also adds a nutritional boost with its high content of heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, fibre, potassium, and vitamins. Avocado also acts as a natural emulsifier, helping to bind the sauce together and create a smooth and creamy consistency. Overall, using avocado in pasta and sauces is a delicious and healthy way to enjoy this nutritious fruit.

Here is a simple recipe for avocado pasta sauce that combines the rich flavours of avocado, garlic, and lime with the spiciness of jalapeno peppers:

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1/4 cup freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1/4 cup olive oil
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 pound of your favourite pasta

Instructions:

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil and cook the pasta according to the package instructions until al dente.
2. While the pasta is cooking, prepare the sauce. Cut the avocados in half, remove the pit, and scoop the flesh into a blender or food processor.
3. Add the minced garlic, chopped jalapeno pepper, cilantro, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper to the blender or food processor.
4. Blend the ingredients until the sauce is smooth and creamy. If it’s too thick, you can add a little bit of water or more olive oil to thin it out.
5. Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot.
6. Pour the avocado sauce over the pasta and toss well to coat. Make sure each strand of pasta is covered in the sauce.
7. Serve hot with a sprinkle of chopped cilantro on top. Enjoy!

8: Avocado pancakes.

Believe it or not, yes you can have it in your pancakes too. It gives the perfect combination of flavours with that healthy nutritional boost. Allowing you to get the most nutritional bang for your buck while consuming your favourite carbs. This can easily be converted to a gluten free option by using an all purpose gluten free flour. Usually the best combination is using frozen or fresh tasty blueberries.

Here’s a recipe for delicious and healthy avocado and blueberry pancakes:

Ingredients:

• 1 ripe avocado, mashed
• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1 tablespoon baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg
• 1 cup almond milk (or any milk of your choice)
• 1/2 cup blueberries
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed avocado, flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg, almond milk, honey, and coconut oil.
3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until the batter is smooth.
4. Fold in the blueberries.
5. Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
6. Pour about 1/4 cup of the batter onto the skillet for each pancake.
7. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, or until the edges are lightly browned and the pancakes are cooked through.
8. Serve the pancakes warm with additional blueberries and maple syrup on top.

These pancakes are not only delicious but also packed with healthy ingredients like whole wheat flour, avocado, and blueberries. Enjoy!

In conclusion, avocado is a versatile and nutritious ingredient that can be used in various ways in cooking and baking. From its creamy texture and mild flavour to its abundance of health benefits, avocado is an excellent addition to any recipe. Whether you use it as a substitute for dairy products or as a healthy fat source, avocado can take your meals to the next level.

With these 8 creative ways to use avocado in your cooking and baking, you can experiment with new recipes and incorporate this super-food into your diet. So go ahead and get creative in the kitchen with avocado – your taste buds and body will thank you!