Cook time: 40 minutes
Serves: 4

Image: © Courtesy of the Hass Avocado Board

Ingredients:

• Non-stick cooking spray, as needed
• 2 cups fat-free, reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 1 (8 oz.) package reduced-fat cream cheese, placed at room temperature and cubed
• 1 (4.9 oz.) package Au Gratin Potato mix
• 1 green onion, thinly sliced
• 1 Tbsp. fresh thyme leaves, chopped
• 1 ripe Fresh Hass Avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch cubes
• 1 cup grated Jarlsberg cheese, divided

Instructions:

1. Do not follow package instructions.
2. Prepare an 8 x 8 inch baking dish, pan or similar sized oval casserole dish with non-stick cooking spray.
3. In a medium sauce pan, bring broth to a boil over medium-high heat. Remove from heat and stir in cream cheese and contents of Au Gratin Potato seasoning packet.
4. Mix in dry potatoes, onion, thyme, avocado and 1/2 of the Jarlsberg cheese.
5. Pour into baking dish, making sure that all potatoes are submerged in the liquid.
6. Bake in 350 degrees F oven for 30 minutes.
7. Sprinkle remaining cheese on top and bake an additional 15 minutes.
8. Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

Recipe courtesy of the Hass Avocado Board

Post from: Blisstree

Holiday Hass Avocado and Au Gratin Potatoes

© Courtesy of the Hass Avocado Board

Chipotle Chicken Tacos with Hass Avocado and Cucumber Relish

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 Tbsp. finely chopped red onion
• 1 clove garlic, finely chopped
• 4 chipotle peppers in adobo sauce, finely chopped
• 2 Tbsp. honey
• 2 medium, vine-ripened tomatoes, cored, seeded and diced
• 2 green onions, finely sliced
• 2 cups coarsely shredded roasted chicken breast
• 8 small corn tortillas
• Hass Avocado and Cucumber Relish (below)
• Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Hass Avocado and Cucumber Relish – Make Ahead

• 1 ripe, Fresh Hass Avocado, peeled, seeded and diced
• 2 Tbsp. peeled, seeded and finely chopped English cucumber
• 3 Tbsp. finely diced red onion
• 1 small red radish, diced
• 1 tsp. finely chopped fresh parsley
• 3 tsp. red wine vinegar
• 1 tsp. extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt, to taste

Instructions:

1. Heat a medium sauté pan over medium-high heat.
2. Add the oil and the onions to the pan; cook for 2 minutes stirring often.
3. Add in the garlic and cook for 1 minute, then stir in the peppers, honey and tomatoes.
4. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes or until most of the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated and the mixture begins to thicken.
5. Add in the green onions and chicken and mix well. Season with salt and pepper to taste and remove from heat.
6. Heat the tortillas in a separate small sauté pan over medium-high heat for 15 seconds on each side to warm through.
7. Divide and spoon the chicken mixture among the tortillas, top each taco with the Hass Avocado and Cucumber Relish, garnish with cilantro leaves and serve immediately.

Hass Avocado and Cucumber Relish – Make Ahead

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the avocado, cucumber, red onion and radish.
2. Add in the parsley and red wine vinegar, and slowly drizzle in the oil until combined.
3. Season with salt to taste. Cover and refrigerate until use.

Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 360; Total Fat 15 g (Sat 2.5 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 2 g, Mono 9 g); Cholesterol 60 mg; Sodium 105 mg; Potassium 610 mg; Total Carbohydrates 30 g; Dietary Fiber 5 g; Total Sugars 10 g; Protein 26 g; Vitamin A 759 IU; Vitamin C 84 mg; Calcium 44 mg; Iron 2 mg; Vitamin D 0 IU; Folate 60 mcg; Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.1 g

% Daily Value*: Vitamin A 15%; Vitamin C 140%; Calcium 4%; Iron 10% *Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 Calorie diet. Your Daily Values may be higher or lower depending on your calorie needs.

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

Post from: Blisstree

Chipotle Chicken Tacos

Image credit: roboppy

Ingredients:
1 avocado, peeled and pitted
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 cup milk (or add more till you reach your desired consistency)
Crushed Ice

Procedure:
Add all ingredients in a blender. Stir before serving. Pour into a tall glass. Serve cold. Enjoy!

To make your Avocado Shake even tastier, you can add 2 scoops of ice cream into the mix too. Also try adding bananas for an even sweeter, creamier flavor to your shake. You can also enjoy this beverage by freezing it, then putting the frozen avocado mix into a blender. It then makes for a great Avocado Slush that’s even more refreshing. Perfect for a summer day!

Post from: Blisstree

A Refreshing Avocado Shake Recipe

If you’ve got your guacamole dips recipes all sussed out and you think you’ll have excess avocados, how about whipping up an Avocado Caesar Salad? Or some Avocado Pasta for something more filling than just chips? Or — and this sounds yummy– an Raspberry Avocado Smoothie as a refreshing drink for the morning after (but not for those with hangovers I guess).

Contrary to popular myth, avocados have been documented to actually help ward off cardiovascular disease, as well as Alzheimer’s Disease and cancer because of its high antioxidant content. It also contains lutein that help maintain clear vision by protecting against eye disease such as cataracts and macular degeneration.

See, there’s more to avocado than just a Superbowl ingredient. Go on and explore more avocado recipes!

Image: FrenchByte

Post from: Blisstree

Superbowl Sunday, Avocado Sunday

They are good sources of folate or folic acid. What’s the deal with folate? Low dietary intake of folate has been associated with increasing the levels of homocysteine, a risk factor linked with coronary heart disease and stroke, although a direct relationship between folate intake and heart disease has not yet been conclusively shown. High homocysteine levels have also been associated with an increased likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Check out the healthy recipes at Fresh California Avocados for more ideas (including recipes for about 50 types of guacamoles). I can personally recommend the Avocado Shake!

Post from: Blisstree

Avocados Against Heart Disease and Alzheimer’s Disease