Ecuadorian Stuffed Avocados

Avocados, native to the Caribbean, Mexico, South and Central America, are extremely nutritious albeit fattening. But, its good fat and full of nearly 20 vitamins and minerals making it a great food choice.


INGREDIENTS:

3 large, ripe avocados
3 hard-boiled eggs, chopped
1 cup chopped ham or other meat such as chicken crab, tuna or shrimp.
1 cup mayonaise or to taste
salt & pepper to taste
Lettuce leafs for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine the chopped meat and hard-boiled eggs with enough mayonnaise to bind ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to use. Just before serving cut avocado in half and remove pit and peel. Add filling to avocado and place on top of lettuce on plate. Sprinkle with lemon or lime juice for flavor and to prevent discoloration.


Darlene's Tips:

• Fill with corn, carrots, raisins and shredded jicama for a veggie style.
• Cut the calories by substituting a vinaigrette for mayonnaise.
• Add 2 chopped chipotle chilies to your mayo for some extra spice.

 

Guacamole

It's difficult to write down a guacamole recipe. It's similar to making tortillas, you don't really follow a recipe, you just learn to do it. Our family recipe is chunky and includes Cotija cheese which gives it an extra special taste. All ingredients should be included but are adjustable according to how salty or spicy you want it.
 

4 ripe Avocados, peeled & seeded
1 ripe, medium Roma Tomato, seeded & diced
½ Cup Sweet White or Green Onion, finely chopped
2 Jalapeno Chilies, seeded & minced
¼ cup Cilantro leaves, chopped
4 Tbsp fresh Lime Juice
¼ cup Cotija Cheese, crumbled
Salt & Pepper to taste

Cut avocado in large chunks and mash coarsely in large bowl with a fork. Add remaining ingredients and blend gently—leaving it chunky. Taste and adjust with more jalapenos, salt and pepper if desired.

Recipe Tip: To ripen an avocado, place the fruit in a plain brown paper bag and store at room temperature until soft to touch (usually two to five days.) Speed up the process by including an apple or banana in the same bag