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'Wich of the Week: Avo Spinach Panini

YumSugar — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 14:00:42 -0700

Not all of you were loving my last vegetarian sandwich, so I thought I'd try again with a recipe inspired by a recent trip to San Francisco's (appropriately named) Panini. Perfectly pressed in a warm panini grill, this sandwich taught me several lessons about making smushed sammies. First, I never think to put avocado on a hot sandwich, but it held up well in the heat and added a deliciously creamy texture. I was also astounded at how much spinach was piled onto the massive sourdough slices — seriously, like a cup of spinach — but after a few minutes in the press, the spinach had wilted and the bread had flattened so that the sandwich was very compact and manageable. The contrast between the earthy greens and smooth avocado make for a delectable combo. To learn how to re-create it at home,

Seven Summer Soups

YumSugar — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 03:00:01 -0700

I used to shudder at the thought of chilled soups, until I tasted a cucumber-mint recipe that blew my mind. Then I realized: if I like guacamole and ceviche, why not cold avocado and seafood soups? If you can't get into cold soups, you can also make warm Summer soup using the season's freshest produce. I've found seven soup recipes that are all wrong for Winter but just right for right now.

Sunday Dinner: Seared Tuna with Avocado and Salsa Verde

partysugar — Sun, 18 May 2008 06:00:05 -0700

Tuna steaks are a delicious and healthier alternative to beef steaks. The meaty fish — that takes well to most seasonings — is filling and easy to cook. In this provocative recipe, tuna is topped with a pungent, Italian style salsa verde and chunks of ripe avocado. The salsa is made like a vinaigrette with fresh parsley, garlic, capers, mustard, and olive oil.

To make this succulent tuna tonight get the recipe and

Do You Use Food in Your Beauty Routine?

YumSugar — Fri, 16 May 2008 11:45:09 -0700

In People magazine's 100 most beautiful people issue, Food Network host Ingrid Hoffmann talks about her love of avocados — as both food and conditioner. She says she mashes up avocado and puts it in her shower cap to moisturize her hair. I've heard of people using other foods in their beauty routines, including lemons, eggs, beer, and olive oil. Have you tried anything like this?Source

Do You Use Food in Your Beauty Routine?

Yes. I love food in any form.

I have tried it, but I don't do it often.

No, but I would definitely try it.

Ew, that's gross!

Other — I'll tell you my thoughts below.

Monday's Leftovers: Island Pork Tenderloin Salad

partysugar — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 08:13:31 -0700

Use leftover Jamaican spiced pork to make a scrumptious island-inspired salad. A simple vinaigrette is made with fresh lime and orange juice, dijon, and curry powder. For the salad, spinach and cabbage are tossed with red peppers, golden raisins, oranges, and avocados. Topped with the spicy pork, this salad is provocative and delicious.

To see how it's made,

Fast & Easy Dinner: BLTs with Avocado and Spicy Mayo

partysugar — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 09:01:33 -0800

I love making a classic sandwich — in this case, the BLT — more exciting. I almost always add avocado to my BLTs and I jazz up the mayonnaise with herbs or spices. For this kicked up BLT, the mayo is mixed with garlic, fresh lime juice, and chili powder. The recipe has you cook the bacon on the stove, but for a mess-free variation, bake it in the oven on a cookie sheet covered with parchment paper for 15 minutes at 375°F. To make this filling and comforting sandwich tonight, get the recipe,

'Wich of the Week: Avocado and Mango With Cilantro-Lime Mayonnaise

YumSugar — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 12:33:31 -0800

When a recipe calls for cilantro, I'm always forced to buy way more than I'll ever need, which leads me on a search for even more cilantro-centric recipes. That was the catalyst for today's 'Wich of the Week, which features an unorthodox combination of mango and avocado on healthy multigrain bread.

This vegetarian sandwich has a refreshing tropical flavor that's alternately tangy and mild. The creamy avocado balances out the zip of the lime and the sweetness of the mango. I decided to make two versions: one vegetarian and one with ham for the hardcore meat eaters. But we all agreed that the sandwich was better without the ham, since the cold cuts overpowered the more delicate fruits. I do recommend you add some clover sprouts for added texture; just steer clear of the recalled ones!

To get the recipe and step-by-step photos,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Avocado and Feta Salad Wraps

partysugar — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 06:28:31 -0800

With their creamy flesh and delicate color, avocados are an incredibly versatile fruit. Not only are they wonderful in classic Mexican dishes, they also taste delicious when mixed with fresh ingredients like tangy feta cheese and burst-in-your-mouth grape tomatoes. Served on top of a bed of lettuce, and a warmed tortilla, this chunky salad is both flavorful and filling. To take a look at the recipe,

What Would You Make?

partysugar — Wed, 20 Feb 2008 01:04:50 -0800

Here's the scenario: you are at home and hungry for food. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse/child/friend, but the ingredients you have on hand are limited.

You have a couple of fresh salmon fillets, avocado, and soy sauce. Using these products, along with whatever you currently have on hand in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make?

To see what I would make,

Theirs vs. Mine: Potato Latkes With Watercress Salad

partysugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:18:31 -0800

Recently my best friend asked me to help her make potato pancakes. She came to me, Bon Appétit magazine in hand, and said, "I want to make these." Their picture displayed a delectable dish with crisp, flaky potato pancakes.

In our version the pancakes were chunkier because we ran into food-processing problems. Instead of serving the latkes on the side, we plated the pancakes on top of the salad. Although the picture might not have been as artistic, the salad was delicious, and it was something I would definitely make again. To experiment with your own version, get the recipe;

Monday's Leftovers: Salmon Quesadillas with Sun-Dried Tomato Guacamole

partysugar — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 07:31:31 -0800

An unexpected way to use leftover salmon from Sunday's Dinner is in a quesadilla. Sure, everyone has had chicken quesadillas, but tortillas filled with salmon are far less common. Jalapeno peppers provide a delicious kick when paired with the salmon and melted cheese. Sun dried tomatoes are a surprising flavor in the guacamole, making this a highly flavorful, super original meal. To start your week off with an exciting, easy dinner, get the recipe and

Fast & Easy Dinner: Bacon-Wrapped Tuna Steaks with Frisée Avocado Salad

partysugar — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 03:18:31 -0800

Wrapping meat, poultry, or fish in bacon is a wonderful way to add smoky flavor and ensure moistness. Tuna cooks well with this technique because it's a fatty, firmer fish. Arranged over a salad of frisée and avocado, and dressed with a simple vinaigrette, this bacon wrapped tuna is delicious. It is effortless and easy to assemble, making it a succulent option for tonight's dinner. To get the recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mahi-Mahi With Blood Orange, Avocado Salsa

partysugar — Wed, 28 Nov 2007 05:28:11 -0800

When the succulent fruits of summer seem far away, I use citrus to jazz up my meals. For example, tonight's quick-fix dinner features a salsa with juicy blood oranges. Fresh fish fillets are rapidly seared on the stove in this made-in-minutes dish. To create this colorful fish that will brighten up a winter's night,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Mexican Polenta Scramble

partysugar — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 06:01:11 -0800

A scramble doesn't necessarily have to include eggs. This scramble, for example, is a mix of veggies, polenta, and shredded cheese. All the ingredients are tossed together and quickly cooked in a sauté pan. You should be able to find poblano chilies in your local grocery store and pepitas are hulled pumpkin seeds sold in health food bulk bins. This dish is excellent alone, paired with beans, or topped with fried eggs. To make it tonight, get the recipe, just

What Would You Make?

partysugar — Wed, 07 Nov 2007 09:13:33 -0800

You know the drill, but just in case you are new around here: You are at home and hungry for food. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/ girlfriend/ spouse/ child/ friend, but the ingredients you have on hand are limited.

You have a bunch of cooked bacon leftover from yesterday's BLT dinner. You have fresh, ripe avocados, and a carton of eggs. Using these ingredients, along with whatever staples you currently have in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make? Tell me in the comments section below!

To see what I would make,

Easy Yet Beautiful Side: Bella's Avocado & Tomato Salad

partysugar — Sat, 22 Sep 2007 03:53:33 -0700

The other day BellaSugar told me about a super simple, yet incredibly tasty salad she recently made. Fresh, ripe tomatoes were gently tossed with avocados, red onion, scallions, lemon juice, and olive oil, almost like a chunkier version of guacamole. As a side, it is very versatile and pairs nicely with roast chicken or pork, a creamy pasta, or a meaty sandwich. To take a look at Bella's recipe,

Fast & Easy Dinner: Avocado Stuffed with Chicken Salad

partysugar — Tue, 21 Aug 2007 05:28:59 -0700

I know that many of you are health conscious and shy away from carb filled dishes, which is why tonight's dinner is a perfect quick fix meal for those weary of extra carbs. It takes a highly familiar concept, chicken salad, and lightens it up. Instead of serving the salad slapped between two pieces of carb heavy bread, my recipe mounds the salad on top of an avocado half. The result makes for a light, summer meal that is ready in minutes. To look at the simple recipe please

Fast & Easy Dinner: Chicken Salad With Avocado Dressing

partysugar — Tue, 14 Aug 2007 04:48:31 -0700

With hundreds of varieties and endless combination possibilities, I consider chicken salad to be one of the most versatile dishes around. Tonight's dinner salad consists of grilled, flattened chicken breasts and fresh peppery greens, tossed with a creamy avocado dressing. Bursts of vibrant color come from yellow peppers and cherry red tomatoes. Surprisingly, the smooth dressing comes not from mayonnaise, but from a few tablespoons of cream cheese. Sound tasty? Make it and taste for yourself! Get the recipe, just

Happy Hour: Indonesian Avocado Shake

YumSugar — Mon, 23 Jul 2007 13:18:38 -0700

There's something about avocados that I just love. They're creamy, luscious and downright tasty. So when I saw this recipe for a traditional Indonesian Avocado Shake, I absolutely went wild. Avocado shake, topped with sweetened condensed milk and chocolate syrup?!? Doesn't that sound intriguing? I couldn't figure out where to rush out and get one, so I'll have to do the next best thing and give it a try at home. To check out the recipe and give it a whirl in your blender,

Light, Green Veggie Pasta: Perfect For Tonight's Dinner

partysugar — Thu, 24 May 2007 08:59:31 -0700

On busy weeknights, pasta is an excellent go to dish, especially if you are feeding hungry husbands or cranky kids. Before I found this recipe, the thought of putting avocado into a pasta dish had never crossed my mind. Avocado is one of my favorite vegetables and I love it so much, why not toss it with pasta? Add in spring's most beloved vegetable, asparagus, and a little grated cheese and you'll have dinner on the table in the amount of time it takes to boil the water and cook the pasta. I can't wait to try this tonight and you can too. For the simple recipe,