CRAZY FOR AVO

Peak avo season means you can enjoy the green superfood on everything. Well almost. We share our six favourites

1 ON TOAST

A culinary marriage made in heaven — there’s little to beat avocado on hot buttered toast or fresh bread, finished off with a sprinkling of salt and pepper. If butter is not your thing try mashed avo on its own. Double your greens and add a thick dollop of pesto, yum, hummus, mayonnaise or even cream cheese. The key is good fresh bread — dare we say white bread — because it doesn’t detract from the fab taste of rich and creamy avo.

2 TEX MEX AVO

Our second favourite, particularly if you need a snack on the go or lunchbox filler, is a soft shell taco wrap (or any flat bread) filled with scrambled eggs (or use flaked chicken, cooked mince or tuna) topped with avo, a squeeze of lemon juice, chilli sauce or a spicy tomato relish and black pepper.

3 AVO AND EGGS

Add an avo to omelettes — try grilled mushrooms, sprigs of thyme and salt and pepper. Or scrambled or poached eggs topped with avocado slices — and for a touch of luxury, a slice of smoked salmon or trout with a squeeze of fresh lemon.

4 AVO AND CHEESE

Add a little Parisienne touch, split a flakey butter rich croissant, top with avo slices, grilled halloumi and slow-roasted tomatoes, salt and freshly ground black pepper. Replace the halloumi with feta, mozzarella or even cheddar cheese.

5 SMOOTHIE BOWL

Pack some punch into your day by kicking off with a nutrient-dense smoothie. Blend avo with plain yoghurt, almond or soya milk, a tablespoon of runny honey, one ripe banana and a spoonful of protein (optional) and blend till smooth. Top with granola or muesli, berries, nuts or seeds.

6 AVO AND CHOCOLATE MOUSSE

The best part is no one will know it’s made with healthy avocado. In a bowl combine 125ml (½ cup) cream and 85g of dark chocolate, broken into squares. Microwave on medium for four minutes, stirring after two. Whisk till smooth and cool. Combine the flesh of two large avocados, the chocolate mixture, 5ml (1 tsp) vanilla extract, pinch of salt and 30ml (2 tbsp) runny honey (or stevia or xylitol). Blend till smooth. Spoon into bowls and chill for a couple of hours before serving.