14 Delicious Avocado Inspired Meal Ideas

Are you an avocado lover looking for new and exciting ways to incorporate this creamy fruit into your meals? Look no further! Avocado is not only delicious but also incredibly versatile, making it the perfect addition to a wide range of dishes.

From breakfast to dinner, avocado can elevate your meals to a whole new level of yumminess.

Calories in Avocado

Avocado is not only delicious but also a nutritious addition to your meals. Here's a breakdown of its calorie content:

• Whole Small Avocado: On average, a small avocado contains approximately 160 calories. However, keep in mind that the calorie content may vary slightly depending on the size and variety of the avocado.
• By Weight: If you're watching your portions or incorporating avocado into recipes, it's helpful to know the calorie content per gram. The average calories in 50 grams of avocado, considering only the flesh, is approximately 80 calories
• Ready Made Guacamole: these offer a convenient and delicious addition to any meal, with a typical calorie content ranging from 100 to 120 calories per single-serve pack. However, it's crucial to review the nutritional information on the packaging for precise calorie details. These individual packs are perfect for on-the-go snacking or as a quick addition to meals, providing a flavourful boost without the need for extensive preparation.

Understanding the calorie content of avocado can help you make informed decisions about portion sizes and meal planning. Despite its calorie density, avocado offers numerous health benefits, including healthy fats and essential nutrients. Don't shy away from incorporating this nutritious food into your diet; it's easy to enjoy avocado in sensible portions as part of a balanced meal or snack.

How to Check if an Avocado is Ripe

When choosing avocados, it's really easy to choose ones that are perfectly ripe to ensure the best flavour and texture. Here's how to determine if an avocado is ripe:

1. Colour: Ripe avocados typically have dark green to almost black skin. Avoid avocados with bright green skin, as they are likely underripe, and those with overly dark or mushy areas, as they may be overripe and bruised inside.
2. Texture: Gently squeeze the avocado in the palm of your hand. Ripe avocados should yield slightly to gentle pressure but still feel firm. If an avocado feels too soft or mushy, it may be overripe.
3. Stem: While some people check the ripeness of an avocado by removing the small stem or cap from the top, this method is not recommended unless you are purchasing the avocado. Removing the stem can accelerate the ripening process. If you're not buying the avocado, it's best to leave the stem intact
4. Variety of Ripeness: When purchasing avocados, consider selecting a variety of ripeness levels if you don't plan to use them all at once. Choosing avocados at different stages of ripeness ensures you'll have perfectly ripe ones ready to eat while allowing others to continue ripening at home. This helps prevent spoilage and ensures you have ripe avocados whenever you need them.

By following these simple tips, you can confidently select ripe avocados for your favorite recipes or snacks.

How to Ripen Avocado

If you've purchased avocados that are not yet ripe, don't worry-there are several methods you can use to ripen them at home. Here's how:

1. Paper Bag Method: Place the unripe avocados in a paper bag with a ripe banana or apple. The ethylene gas released by the banana or apple will speed up the ripening process. Fold the top of the bag closed and leave it at room temperature for 1 to 3 days, checking periodically for ripeness.
2. Counter Method: If you don't have a paper bag, you can simply place the avocados on the counter at room temperature next to a piece of fruit.
3. Microwave Method: If you're in a hurry to ripen an avocado, you can opt for the microwave method. Simply pierce the unripe avocado with a fork in several places to allow steam to escape. Then, microwave the avocado on high for 30 seconds to 2 minutes, adjusting the time based on its size and initial ripeness. Remember to check the avocado after each interval until it reaches your desired level of ripeness. However, it's worth noting that some prefer to let avocados ripen naturally rather than using this method as taste may not be desirable.

By using one of these methods, you can ripen your avocados at home and enjoy them when they're perfectly ripe and ready to eat.

14 Meal Ideas with Avocado

Here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy avocado:

1. Boiled Dippy Eggs with Avocado Toast: Spread half a mashed avocado on whole wheat toast and top it slices of ripe tomatoes and serve with soft boiled dippy eggs for a hearty breakfast.
2. Scrambled Egg and Avocado English Muffin: Top a whole wheat English muffin with scrambled eggs, sliced tomatoes, and creamy avocado for a satisfying morning meal.
3. Avocado and Spinach Toast: Elevate your breakfast or brunch with this delightful dish. Start by layering tender baby spinach leaves onto toasted whole wheat bread. Next, generously spread creamy mashed avocado seasoned with a pinch of sea salt and a splash of zesty lime juice. Then, top it off with fluffy scrambled eggs and juicy cherry tomatoes.
4. Ultimate Mexican Burgers: tender juicy burger stacks, topped with melted cheese, caramelized onions, ripe tomatoes and mashed avocado.
5. Paprika Roasted Butternut Squash with Avocado and Eggs: Pair sunnyside up fried eggs with paprika roasted butternut squash and avocado slices for a flavorful breakfast or lunch.
6. Chicken Fajita Bowl: Load up a chicken fajita bowl with rice, black beans, soured cream, lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, and guacamole (or avocado).
7. Cheesy Salsa Chicken Quesadilla: make up these yummy quesadillas and serve with some soured cream, guacamole and salsa.
8. Sweet Potato Chilli with Avocado: Top your favorite chili recipe with chopped avocado and fat-free plain yogurt for a comforting and hearty meal.
9. Pulled Pork Salad Bowl with Avocado: Serve slow-cooked pulled pork on a bed of lettuce with tomatoes, cucumber, corn, and chopped avocado for a flavorful and satisfying dish.
10. Chicken Strawberry Avocado Salad: Enjoy this fresh and colourful Chicken Strawberry Avocado Salad - a perfect meal for a hot summer's day.
11. Waffle Omelette: Make a simple waffle omelette and stack it with all your favourite toppings like mashed avocado, halved graped tomatoes and some soured cream.
12. Taco Salad Bowl with Avocado: Fill a bowl with taco meat, all your salad favorites and some creamy avocado.
13. Cheesy Broccoli Avocado Toast: crispy oven baked toast, topped with cheesy broccoli goodness for a perfect any time of day combo.
14. Southwestern Blackbean Soup: This hearty soup is delicious topped with some cheddar, soured cream, slices of avocado, fresh coriander and a few crumbled tortilla chips

With these delicious meal ideas, you'll never run out of ways to enjoy avocado! Plus, did you know that avocados are not only tasty but also nutritious, making it a satisfying addition to your meals. So go ahead, indulge in these avocado-inspired dishes and treat your taste buds to something truly delicious!

How to Store Unused Avocado

Storing unused avocado halves with the stone still intact can help prolong their freshness and prevent them from turning brown too quickly. Here's how to do it:

1. Wrap Tightly: Take the half of the avocado with the stone still in it and tightly wrap it in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. Make sure the wrap is snug around the avocado to minimize air exposure.
2. Refrigerate: Place the wrapped avocado in the refrigerator. The cool temperature will help slow down the oxidation process and keep the avocado fresh for longer.
3. Use Within a Day or Two: While this method can help extend the shelf life of the avocado, it's best to use it within a day or two for optimal freshness. The longer it sits in the refrigerator, the greater the chance of it starting to spoil.

By following these simple steps, you can maximize the shelf life of your unused avocado halves and reduce food waste.