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How to Make Guacamole in 3 Easy Steps
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The avocado economy
It's no secret that avocados are one of the best paleo foods you can get. Full of fat, the foundation of an amazing dessert recipe and with loads of alternative uses, you just can't beat an avocado.
The frustrating thing is how expensive they are. They literally grown on trees, after all.
Exactly how expensive?
Given that we've just come out of summer here in Australia, we grow them here, surely they should be cheap about now? In the Northern Hemisphere, they've presumably been imported, so you'd expect them to be at their most expensive about now?
So I compared prices of avocados available today, in Australia, the US, the UK, Canada and South Africa. Obviously prices will vary wildly in each country, but this should give an indication. You can save buying in bulk, but for the purposes of comparison, I took the single price. I converted currencies into Australian dollars at today's exchange rate, which could wildly fluctuate by the time you read this.
What did I find?
South Africa was by far the cheapest, working out at under $1 (Australian dollar) – hardly surprising given that they grow their own and have just come out of summer too.
Moving over to the Northern Hemisphere, Canada and the US are similarly priced, at $2.36 and $2.22 each. Surprisingly the UK is even cheaper at under $2 each. Though disclaimer – I've yet to have a good avocado there.
So where does that put Australia? Yes, you maybe guessed it – the most expensive avocado I found at almost $3 each. Three times the cost in South Africa.
I would love to understand why they are so expensive here, I fear the answer is as simple as “because they're prepared to pay it”. When I can buy a 1 kilo bag of carrots for $1, I can't see why avocados are so much more expensive. If you've got any thoughts or insight, I'd love to hear it in the comments.
Well, until prices come down, or I manage to grow an avocado tree in my garden, it's going to be carrots for dinner.
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How to Make Raw Chocolate Caramel Torte
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The Top Ten Paleo Diet Foods
What do you think are the top ten Paleo foods, and why? Here is my list…
1. Grass fed beef
Good quality grass-fed beef is a great source of protein, omega 3 and many other nutrients. It’s also extremely versatile; grill it, barbeque it, make it into jerky or grind it into mince beef to use in lots of different meals –using the leftover bones to make a nourishing bone broth.
2. Pastured Chicken
Pastured chicken is delicious as the centre of a roast dinner – and the leftovers make beautiful chicken stock. A great protein source, left over chicken is great to snack on, or turn into curries and soup.
3. Bacon
What list of Paleo foods is complete without bacon? You can even use the remaining fat to cook with.
4. Coconut Oil
As well as being a great oil to cook pretty much anything in, this saturated fat is great on it’s own by the spoonful! Coconut oil is also believed to be a great help with dementia and can even be used on your skin.
5. Avocado
Avocado is a perfect fat source and goes with almost anything. You can even cook it, or use it to make a dessert!
6. Eggs
Not only are eggs a great protein source, they are great for making paleo egg fried rice, filling for breakfast – and easy to hardboil in advance to keep peeled in the fridge as a ready snack.
7. Berries
Berries are relatively low in fructose and a great source of antioxidants.
8. Kale
Kale is a true superfood, as it is packed with magnesium, calcium, vitamins A, C and K, lutein, iron and antioxidants. You can even turn it into kale chips!
9. Onions
Onions are a sulphur rich vegetable (which Dr. Terry Walhs considers important enough to eat three cupful’s worth a day) – and just so incredibly versatile. Whether you’re making a stew – or even an omelette, onions will be a great addition.
10. Tomatoes
Tomatoes are a great base for lots of meals – such as beanless chilli – as they lend themselves so readily to sauce.
Do you agree with my list? What would be on your top ten list of Paleo foods?
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20 Unusual Things To Do With Avocado
Avocado is one of the ultimate Paleo super-foods. A great fat source and very versatile, avocado is great in salads and as a breakfast side. But there’s more to the fruit than that! Here is a list of 20 things you didn't know you could do with an avocado.
1. Freeze to use later
Peel and remove the pit and add a tablespoon of fresh lemon juice to a bowl, per avocado. Mash well together and freeze in an airtight bag (making sure you squeeze all the air out before sealing) for up to a year. A great way to preserve an overflow of avocados.
2. Remove the pit with no mess
Cut the fruit in half and hit a knife into the stone. Simply twist the knife to remove the pit.
3. Ripen fast
Put the unripe fruit in a brown paper bag with an apple or banana. After two or three days the avocado will be ripe.
4. Can’t wait?
If there’s not time to wait for it to fully ripen, cut from the fat end, as this is always the first part to ripen.
5. Drink it
Blend together an avocado, handful of spinach, a pear and some almond milk for a smoothie packed with good fats
6. Treat your hair
Nourish your hair by mixing an avocado, egg yolk and dash of olive oil. Leave this on your dry hair for 30 minutes before rinsing off and shampooing as usual. Your hair will be silky and soft.
7. Spice up your guacamole
Have you tried adding cumin and orange to your favourite guacamole recipe yet?
8. Pickle it
For a different take on avocado, try jarring it. Heat 250ml (1 cup) white vinegar, 250ml (1 cup) water and a tablespoon of salt in a pan until it boils. Cut three firm but ripe avocado into pieces and put in a jar. Pour the boiling liquid in the jar, and once cooled, put the lid on and allow to marinate in the fridge for a couple for days before using (should keep for a couple of weeks in the fridge)
9. Avocado ice cream
Blend an avocado, frozen banana, a few drops of vanilla extract and small tin of coconut milk. Freeze and once frozen, allow to thaw for a few minutes before serving.
10. Roast chicken
Try stuffing a chicken with a peeled avocado before roasting it
11. Make a chocolate pudding with it
Seriously – you have to try chocolate avocado mousse!
12. Save the pit and grow your very own avocado tree
Suspend the pit in a jar of water using tooth picks in the side of the stone, to submerge all but the top of the seed in water. Eventually the stone will break open revealing a root – and then finally a stalk! Then, quite a long time later you’ll have your own avocado tree and all the fruit you could possibly want.
13. Avocado curry?
Have you ever made a chicken curry with avocado as a base?
14. Roast it
Try roasting avocado, by peeling, removing the pit and slicing. Drizzle with oil and season, then bake at 200C (400F) for about 15 minutes. Roast avocado is great with a salad.
15. Eat the pit
Let the pit dry, grate it and add a small amount to a home-made enchilada sauce.
16. Avocado mayonnaise
Instead of adding mayonnaise to your meal, add pureed avocado instead.
17. Skin therapy
Make a face-mask with avocado, an egg white and a squeeze of lemon juice and wear it for 5 to 10 minutes to get the Vitamin A and E benefits directly on your skin.
18. Summertime treat
Make avocado iced lollies (popsicles) by blending avocado, coconut milk and lemon juice and freezing in popsicle moulds.
19. Make your own Avocado oil
If you've got time, patience – and lots of fruit – you can even make your own avocado oil
20. Avocado soup
Make an unusual – but delightful chilled avocado, cucumber and coconut soup. Blend an avocado, pinch of coriander, squeeze of line and small cucumber, then add a small can of coconut milk to the mix. Blend, then serve with some coconut flakes to garnish.
If I've missed of any unusual uses, I’d love you to share them in the comments below! What is your favourite use for an avocado?
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Avocado
I just saw this packaged Avocado in the supermarket, with added Thickner (401) and Vegetable Gum (415)
I must be missing something, is it really that hard to peel and slice an avocado yourself?
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