Gaby Dalkin is the blogger behind the popular and beautiful WhatsGabyCooking.com. Absolutely Avocado is her first departure from screen to print and extends her dashing portfolio.
You can subtitle Absolutely Avocado as The Avocado Bible for here you will find history, recipes and insights. If you love avocadoes, then here is a companion that should amplify your pleasure.
I will say that avocadoes have almost gotten Suzen and me arrested, or at least thrown out of some markets around the planet. Suzen wants them perfectly ripe and not on the brown-side. So she has tendency to pick one up and give it a squeeze. That can offend a number of vendors. Gaby’s first chapter, Everything You Need to Know about Avocados, includes a guide for buying and storing these rather fragile fruits. You can do a simple smell testing bending over the avocado: if it smells at all nutty, then you don't even have to poke.
After that buying/storing advice, the chapters [and some representative recipes] include:
Breakfast: Avocado and Chorizo Breakfast Hash, Avocado Crème Fraiche Egg Scramble, Southwester Egg Casserole
Guacamole: Charred Corn Guac, Mango and Cilantro Guac, Spicy Sesame Guac
Dips and Sauces: Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa, Avocado-Cilantro Hummus, Avocado Crema
Appetizers: Avocado Bruschetta with Balsamic Drizzle, Parmesan-Panko Avocado Fries, Bacon-Wrapped Cheesy Avocados
Wraps and Sandwiches: Hawaiian Pulled Pork and Avocado Sandwich, Crab and Avocado Quesadilla
Salads: Grilled Romaine and Avocado Salad, Bacon Avocado and Corn Salad
Meats: Margarita Marinated Pork Kebabs with Tomatillo-Avocado Salsa, Grilled Flank Steak with Avocado Chimichurri
Fish: Pan-Seared Salmon with Avocado-Pepper Relish, Crab Cakes with Basil-Avocado Aioli
Vegetarian: Balsamic Portobello Topped with Herbed Avocado Salad, Herbed Quinoa and Avocado Stuffed Peppers
Dessert: Avocado and Chocolate Chip Banana Bread, Avocado Coconut Ice Cream
Yes, avocado desserts. With its high fat content, avocados can serve as a butter substitute, so there is also a brownie recipe, too!
Absolute Avocado is a breezy book filled with short, simple recipes that offer you new ideas for the luxury that only avocados can afford. The chapters for guacamole and dips/sauces are the ones you will most likely focus on, at least at first, and they make the book one deserving a serious browse. And just maybe a purchase, along with a bag of avocados and some clusters of cilantro.
There is no margarita recipe in the book, but you’ll want one!