Avocado is a super food  – we hear that all the time but, why?  What makes this food so…super?  Well, to start with it’s high in fiber, monounsaturated fats, vitamin B6, vitamin C, vitamin E and acids that help us metabolize proteins, carbohydrates and fats.  It also helps lower your cholesterol, it lowers your risk of diabetes and might aid in the fight against cancer.  Awesome…why am I not eating these things more often? Here are 10 recipes to help us incorporate avocado into more of our weekly meals.

#1.  Shrimp and Avocado Pasta

Ingredients:

8 Ounces of Dried spaghetti

1/3 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

.35 Ounces Flat Leaf Parsley

.35 Ounces Cilantro

.15 Ounces Chevril

1 Clove of Garlic

1 Ounce grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 lbs. Shrimp

3/4 cup Crab Meat

1 Ripe Avocado

1 Lemon

visit No Recipe for Instructions!

#2. Roasted Avocado Over Mixed Lettuce and Couscous

Ingredients:

1 large avocado
1/2 cup couscous
1/4 small red onion, peeled & finely diced
1 tablespoon lemon juice
2 handfuls mixed leaves

visit The Stone Soup for Instructions!

#3. Cranberry and Avocado Salad with Sweet Almonds and White Balsamic Vinaigrette

• ½ cup (60g) sugar
• 1 ½ tablespoons poppy seeds
• 1 ½ tablespoons sesame seeds
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 2 teaspoons dried mustard
• 1 tablespoon minced sweet onion
• 1 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• ½ cup (120 ml) white balsamic vinegar
• ⅓ cup (70 ml) vegetable oil
• ⅓ cup (70 ml) extra virgin olive oil

• 12 ounces (340g) baby spinach, arugula, field greens
• 1 small bunch cilantro, washed and dried, leaves removed whole from stems (discard the stems or use for another recipe)
• 2 medium avocados, peeled and halved
• 1½ cup (115g) dried cranberries
• 1½ cup (115g) Candied Spiced Almonds (see recipe)

• 5 cups (600g) sliced almonds, or a 1 pound package
• cup (100g) sugar
• 3 tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon cumin*
• 1-1 ½ teaspoons smoked paprika* – some smoked paprika are quite hot, if you don’t like “hot”, just use 1 teaspoon and they will be mildly spiced.
• 1 teaspoon vanilla
• sea salt
• The cumin and the smoked paprika give just a hint of mysterious, delicious flavor – even though these are savory spices, these almonds are still wonderful served with sweets like ice cream or yogurt.

visit Honest Cooking for Instructions!

#4. Best Guacamole Ever

• 3 Ripe Avocados (preferably the black ones)
• 1 Lime
• 2 Cloves of Garlic
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tbs White Onion, minced
• 2 tbs Cilantro, chopped
• 1 Tbs Hot Sauce
• 1 tsp sour cream
• *optional 1 tsp jalapeno, seeded and minced

visit Style Me Pretty for Instructions!

#5. Sweet Potato and Avocado Soup

Ingredients:

1 cup mashed sweet potato (from a baked sweet potato – all sticky and sweet)
1/2 cup+ No-Chicken Broth (or substitute vegetable broth) — add more to thin out to desired consistency
1/2 cup soy milk*, original or plain or unsweetened flavors (I used Soy Dream)
*almond milk will work too

Add to taste (what I used):
* orange or satsuma zest (a pinch)
* salt (3 pinches)
* chipotle powder (1/2 tsp)

Garnish:
1/4 cup diced avocado
2-3 tortilla chips, crushed (I used red, spicy jalapeno chips!)
dash of seasoned chili salt

Optional: nutritional yeast, canned white beans (blended in), cinnamon, black pepper, cayenne, lime juice (lime wedge served on side), parsley or chopped spinach served over top.

p.s.  This is a Vegan Recipe

visit lunchboxbunch.com for instructions!

#6. Spicy Pork Chops with Avocado Cream Sauce

Ingredients:

-4 thick-cut boneless pork chops
-1/2 tsp chile powder
-1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
-1/4 tsp garlic powder
-1/4 tsp paprika
-1/4 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp pepper
-1 tbsp butter
-1 tbsp olive oil
-1 ripe avocado
-1/2 cup greek yogurt
-1/4 cup almond milk
-Juice of 1/2 lime
-Salt and pepper to taste

visit Taylor Made for Instructions!

#7. Chicken Enchilada Casserole

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sliced yellow onion
• 2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
• 2 cups red enchilada sauce; divided
• 1 cup black beans; drained and rinsed
• 1 cup pinto beans; drained and rinsed
• 1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp freshly ground pepper
• 2 avocados, pitted, peeled and sliced
• 6-8 corn tortillas
• 2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup sliced black olives
• sour cream (optional)
• diced tomatoes (optional)

visit I Wash You Dry for Instructions!

#8. Avocado Fries with Cilantro Dipping Sauce

Ingredients:

Avocado Fries

Cilantro Lemon Dipping Sauce