Breakfast, Lunch, and Snack Ideas Using Avocados

I love to order the lower-carb Avocado Benedict for breakfast on Famous Toastery Menu 

I have a new love for avocados, especially since I've gone more lower-carb in my own diet. An extended family member told me that she loved to slice an avocado, put it on a rice cake, sprinkle salt, pepper, and fresh lemon on top. It's an alternative to avocado toast. Avocados are great with eggs.

I buy a lot more avocados these days because they are becoming my breakfast, lunch, or snack go-to item.

Avocados are also great on cheese melts with tomato. The local Raleigh area restaurant, Famous Toastery has a signature sandwich called the Left Coast B.L.T with bacon, lettuce, tomato, brie, avocado, and pesto mayo on whole wheat toasted bread.  I love it and order it almost every time I dine there unless I get the Avocado Benedict which is the photo I shared above.  The Famous Toastery restaurant franchise is North Carolina born and bred and is now in over 40 locations in the Eastern United States.

I love the Left Coast B.L.T with its avocado twist

Avocados are considered a super-food. The California Avocado Commission (CAC) has all the nutritional facts laid out for you. It's high in good fats, vitamins, minerals and is heart-friendly. It's also a great staple for a vegetarian diet.

My husband tells me that he does not like avocados, but yet likes guacamole. What? To me, that makes no sense. It's kind of like the same thing to me. Everyone eats guacamole for Cinco de Mayo or in a Mexican restaurant, but I found a great twist to regular avocado dips that you may enjoy.  I did.

 Dietitian and chef Michelle Dudash, author of “Clean Eating for Busy Families,”.created an Avocado Greek Yogurt and Spinach Dip that is really good. 

“As a registered dietitian, I’m always looking for ways to make delicious snacks made with wholesome ingredients. Starting with nutritious California-grown Avocados is an easy first step. The added bonus of pairing California Avocados with other foods is that they can act as a nutrient booster by enabling the body to absorb more fat-soluble nutrients, like vitamins A, D, E, and K”, stated Dudash.

California Avocado Greek Yogurt and Spinach Dip
Recipe created by Chef Michelle Dudash, RDN for the California Avocado Commission

Ingredients
 2 scallions, cut into 4 pieces each
 2 ripe, fresh California Avocados*, seeded, peeled and quartered
 1/4 cup nonfat Greek yogurt
 2 Tbsp. grated Parmesan cheese 
 1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
 1 Tbsp. and 1 tsp. reduced-sodium soy sauce
 1/2 tsp. garlic powder
 1/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
 1 (10-oz.) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed, moisture squeezed out well

Instructions 1. Place scallions in a food processor and blend until finely chopped. 2. Add the avocados, yogurt, Parmesan cheese, lemon juice, soy sauce, garlic powder, and pepper, and puree until smooth. 3. Add spinach and pulse just until incorporated. 4. For optimal taste, refrigerate for a few hours before serving.

Let avocados be a canvas for any meal you have. Some days I just have a little fun and make my toast have a face.