How to Cut, Peel, Prepare an Avocado - Best Avocado Recipe Ideas


There are many ways to cut and peel an avocado, the method described below is simple and foolproof and avoids squishy bits and mess. It is simple, easy and fast. It is the perfect way to prepare avocado for the recipes included at the end of the article. Always start with avocados that are just a little firm. Avocados that are overripe are very hard to peel, cut and to prepare. To help pick a ripe one pick up an avocado that looks ripe up and look closely at the stem end. If you can pull the stem out very easily the avocado is rip. Otherwise gently squeeze an avocado - unripe one will feel hard to a gentle squeeze, the skin of an over-ripe avocado will feel a little loose.

The ripeness you choose when you buy them depends and how quickly you want to use the avocados. Choose softer ones for immediate use, firmer ones for delayed use.

Avocados are very healthy, but they have relatively high levels of fat and calories. 
  See the nutrition facts and health benefits of avocado here
Avocados are very healthy, but they have relatively high levels of fat and calories. See the nutrition facts and health benefits of avocado here. Source: Public Domain

Method for Cutting and Peeling an Avocado

Step 1. Grab the avocado gently with one hand and with a broad-blade sharp knife cut through the avocado to the seed all the way round.

Step 2. Rotate one half gently while holding the other tightly. Open the two halves to expose the seed.

Step 3. There are three ways to proceed depending on whether you want to keep the two halves of the avocado intact

Step 4. Removing the flesh - the method you use depends on whether you want to keep the avocado in halves or sectors or chop the avocado.

How to Stop a Sliced Avocado from Browning

Wonderful ways to Use Avocados

Avocado is much more than just a tasty addition to dips such as guacamole. It can be the base of a hearty satisfying meal when eaten in salads, added to pizza and tacos and in many other dishes.

Avocados contain many vitamins, minerals, active enzymes,soluble fiber, easily digested proteins and fats.

Avocados make a delightful addition and accompaniment to many meat and poultry dishes, and are ideal for snacks.

Detailed Nutrient Summary for Avocado (100g)

NUTRIENTS 100 g Whole Avocado
Units
Amount
recommended dietary intake and percent supplied by 120 g
Energy
kJ
862
8700
Protein
g
2
50
Fat Total
g
21.4
70
saturated
g
4.8
23% of total fat
trans
g
0
 
monounsaturated
g
12.8
 
polyunsaturated
g
4.7
 
Omega 3 (ALA)*
mg
115
200
Plant sterols (total)*
mg
83
 
Fibre, total dietary
g
5
30
Fibre soluble
g
2
 
Carbohydrate total (sugars)
g
0.5
 
MINERALS
 
 
 
Calcium
mg
14
800 (2%)
Iron
mg
0.64
12 (7%)
Magnesium
mg
27
320 (10%)
Phosphorus
mg
48
1000 (6%)
Potassium
mg
509
3800 (16%)
Sodium
mg
4
920 (<1%)
Zinc
mg
0.56
12 (6%)
Copper
mg
0.27
3 (11%)
Manganese
mg
0.23
5 (6%)
VITAMINS
 
 
 
Folate
mcg
120
400 (18%)
Biotin
mcg
4.9
30 (20%)
Pantothenic acid
mg
1
5 (24%)
Vitamin C
mg
11
40 (29%)
Vitamin E
mg
1.9
10 (23%)
Vitamin K
mcg
21
80 (31%)
OTHER
 
 
 
Beta carotene
Eq mcg
179
 
Lutein + Zeaxanthin
mcg
271
 
Antioxidant capacity ORAC
umol Trolox Equivalent
1922
 
Antioxidants Polyphenols
mg GAE
142
 
 
 
 
 

Avocado Recipe Ideas


A la carte - Prepare fresh slices of avocado and drench in lime juice and garlic salt as a light snack or an appetiser.

Avocado with Seafood Ceviche - Peel and remove the seed from an avocado. Halve it lengthwise. Trim the base of each half so it sits flat. Into each half, add de-veined, peeled and diced raw prawn and some raw scallops. Add segments of orange, lime and lemon. Add a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil, some lime juice, minced jalapeno pepper, finely sliced red onion, finely sliced fennel and a little coriander.

Chilled Avocado Soup - Blend avocado slicers with lime juice, sour cream, chicken stock, garlic, chopped tarragon and mint. Serve the soup with smoked chicken or crab tossed with a corn-and-cucumber salsa. Garnish with crushed tortilla chips or pieces of bread.

Guacamole Recipe - Mash a peeled and avocado until soft, then add minced garlic, serrano chilli, a finely diced red onion, diced tomato flesh, lime juice, coriander, chopped fresh oregano, a pinch of cumin and salt to taste. Mix until all combined and incorporated.

Japanese Tuna Salad with Avocado - Combine 125 m1 of soy sauce, 75 g of sugar and one small knob of ginger, finely chopped. Heat and mix until the sugar has dissolved. Then set aside to cool. Next, cube a peeled avocado and slice a piece of sashimi-grade tuna into cubes about the same size. Gently combine with the dressing. Add minced chilli, toasted sesame seeds and spring onion as a garnish. Serve with iceberg lettuce cups.

Pasta - Add fresh avocado cubes combined freshly graded Parmesan to boost the taste. Or smash the avocado and used as a lovely green sauce.

Soup - Avocado is perfect when added to hot soups as a garnish with freshly baked croutons or grated cheese.

Vegetarian Avocado Breakfast Recipe - Toast a slice of wholemeal bread or hard crusted olive bread. Top with slices of avocado, then garnish with sliced red onion, feta, cherry tomatoes, basil and parsley. Drizzle with lemon or lime juice and extra-virgin olive oil.

Avocado and Chocolate Pudding - Avocado with its rather neutral taste and creamy texture is just perfect for thickening a beautiful dessert. Avocado pairs well with chocolate, peanut butter and all sorts of fruits.

Stuff Avocado with various fillings - Stack your avocado with a variety of fillings for an easy snack or light lunch. Some suggestions are crab, chilli and mustard. Or try sun dried tomatoes, olives and spring onions topped with beans and cheese..

Wrap up Avocado in a Sushi Roll - Avocado makes a great addition to any sushi roll using a combination of ingredients.

Griddle or Grill Avocado Halves - Place your unripe avocados on the griddle to soften them. This also boosts their taste.

 

Tofu and Avocado Rice Bowl Recipe


Ingredients

Method

Cook the rice in the usual way. Season the tofu and fry in oil using moderate heat until golden brown. Combine the soy sauce, miso, vinegar, 2 tablespoons of oil in a small bowl. Serve the avocado, scallions, tofu, beans and chillies over the rice, drizzled with the dressing.

 

Salmon, Green Beans and Avocado Recipe


Ingredients

Method

Heat your grill or broiler. Toss the beans with 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season with salt and pepper on a rimmed baking sheet. Nestle the fish on the beans and sprinkle with coriander, salt and pepper. Broil or grill until the beans are crisp-tender and the fish is just opaque (about 6-8 minutes). Mix the vinegar, dill, avocados, 1 tablespoon of oil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a medium bowl. Serve the fish and beans topped with the avocado mixture as a dressing.


Avocado Caprese Burger Recipe

Ingredients

Method

Heat an oiled grill to moderate. Combine the avocado, basil, and 1/2 teaspoon salt and pepper in a small bowl. In another bowl, season the beef with salt and pepper. Use your hands to form the meat into burger patties. Grill the patties covered, until cooked in the middle. Top each burger the cheese and grill, covered, until the cheese melts. Place the burgers on buns and top with tomato slices, and avocado mixture on the buns.


Shrimp and Avocado Nachos Recipe

Ingredients

Method

Pre-heat you oven to hot. Line an oiled, rimmed baking sheet with foil. Layer the tortilla chips, cheddar cheese, and onion on the pan and then bake until the cheese is melted (about 4-5 minutes). Next, heat the oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shrimp, cayenne, and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. Stir-fry until the shrimp are opaque (about 2-3 minutes). Serve the nachos topped with the radishes, cilantro, cooked shrimp, avocados and sour cream.





Cutting and Peeling an Avocado - Image Array

Cutting in half
Cutting in half
Separating the halves
Separating the halves
Slicing to remove sectors from the seed
Slicing to remove sectors from the seed
Grabbing the seed by inserting a knife blade
Grabbing the seed by inserting a knife blade
Slicing into sectors
Slicing into sectors
Separating the sectors
Separating the sectors
Removing sectors from the skin
Removing sectors from the skin
Cutting cross-hatch pattern
Cutting cross-hatch pattern
Spooning out the flesh
Spooning out the flesh
Crab and Avocado Salad
Crab and Avocado Salad
Chicken with Avocado Slices
Chicken with Avocado Slices
Salmon and Rice Roll with Avocado
Salmon and Rice Roll with Avocado
Nutrition Facts for Avocado
Nutrition Facts for Avocado. Source: Public Domain
Avocados can be eaten in so many ways including by adding a salad to half an avocado
Avocados can be eaten in so many ways including by adding a salad to half an avocado. Source: Public Domain
Grilled avocado chicken and tomatoes is a delightful barbecue dish or 
  a grilled snack meal for the whole family to enjoy
Grilled avocado chicken and tomatoes is a delightful barbecue dish or a grilled snack meal for the whole family to enjoy. Source: Public Domain, Pixabay
Sliced avocado is ideal for all types of salads
Sliced avocado is ideal for all types of salads. Source: Public Domain
Summary of health benefits for Avocados.
Summary of health benefits for Avocados. Source: Public Domain
Nutrition Facts for Avocado
Nutrition Facts for Avocado. Source: Public Domain