Avocados

Last weekend I had one of those culinary "why didn't I think of that?" moments. My dad and I hosted a barbecue and my cousin's contribution was salsa. But not just any old salsa, a perfectly balanced crunchy and creamy pineapple salsa! While pineapple is common in salads, I couldn't believe I had never tried it in salsa with salty chips on the side. It was absolutely fabulous and everyone could not get enough, myself included. Since the salsa is chunky and on the heavier side, it's important to serve it with thick, hard chips. Pair with margaritas and you've got a Cinco de Mayo party in the making! Get the easy recipe now.

Only a couple weeks ago, Party made a delicious black bean quinoa, and ever since then I've had a hankering for quinoa salad. Recently, I found red quinoa which is very similar to regular quinoa, but with a stunning color.

This uncomplicated recipe combines quinoa, avocado, dried fruit, and nuts dressed in a tart lemon vinaigrette. I didn't have raisins on hand, so I used cranberries and they proved to be a perfect substitute.

This protein-packed dish is a great side or an easy lunch. The salad is nutty, fruity, creamy, and full of satisfying texture. If you want to experiment with quinoa, keep reading for the recipe.

Everyone knows I am crazy for popsicles — there's no better way to beat the heat on a Summer day. Although avocado is generally used in savory dishes like guacamole, it is a fruit and therefore is perfect for dessert!

These avocado coconut creamsicles are surprisingly delicious and decadent. The avocado, coconut milk, and cream freeze to an exceptionally smooth texture. Because the nutty flavor is incredibly rich and exceptionally filling, a little goes a long way, and next time, I will use a smaller popsicle mold. If you are tempted to experiment with avocados in this frozen treat, keep reading for the recipe.

After enjoying my fair share of seafood in Oahu and at Sam's Chowder House, I had a craving for one of my favorites dishes, tuna poke, and I decided to experiment with it at home. The key is to buy high quality tuna — either sushi or sashimi grade. Luckily, I found sushi grade tuna (imported from the Honolulu Auction) at Berkeley Bowl, a local market where many Hawaiian restaurants purchase their daily catches.

It only takes a few minutes of chopping and a couple quick stirs to prepare this dish. For extra heat, I added two types of chiles to the tuna poke. However, the spiciness is balanced by the creamy and cooling guacamole. I served mine with store-bought tortilla chips, but it would also be wonderful with freshly fried wontons or plantain chips. If you have taken the bait and want to celebrate Summer with this simply scrumptious appetizer, keep reading!