Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Avocado On The Half Shell

The produce is making its way North and I’ve started pulling out all my favorite vegetable filled books. This recipe comes from My Italian Garden by Viana La Place. Her recipes are stunning, simple, and gorgeous. Well, at least they are when I picture them in my mind, as there are no photographs in her book! I’ll be taking many photographs as the summer moves along of her recipes, as they are delicious and fresh, as well as beautiful.

Serves 4

“Here, avocados are served cool, fragrant with herbs warmed in the hot summer sun. Serve on a sultry summer night accompanied by a chilled bottle of Italian white wine.”

2 large Hass avocados, ripe but firm (the flesh should be bright green with no blemishes or bruises), lightly chilled
1 small Meyer lemon
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
Handful of fresh basil leaves, coarsely chopped
Handful of fresh mint leaves, coarsely chopped
Sea salt
¼ cup almonds, toasted and coarsely chopped
Sungold cherry tomato clusters or other small, sweet cherry tomatoes on the vine

Carefully CUT the avocados in half without removing the peel. Gently twist to separate the halves. Insert a sharp knife into the pit and pop it out. Immediately squeeze lemon juice over the exposed avocado flesh. If necessary, cut a small slice off the bottom of each avocado to stabilize it.

In a small bowl, COMBINE the olive oil, basil, and mint. Season with salt. Add fresh lemon juice to taste to the olive oil and herb mixture.

SPOON the herbal dressing into the cavities of the avocados. Distribute the almonds over the top and drape a small cluster of tomatoes on each avocado.

Recipe from My Italian Garden by Viana La Place.
Picture by Laura Flowers.



18 comments:

Patricia @ ButterYum said...

Oh my goodness, where do you come up with these amazing things????? I'm going to hop on a plane and be right over to devour them! :)

Swedish Mike said...

These are gorgeous! Must try....

*drool*

// Mike

Mary Bergfeld said...

These are lovely. One of my favorite "old" recipes is avocado stuffed with really good crabmeat. This is more practical and a darnsight prettier.

Kara said...

That looks just wonderful. I have been known to eat a whole avocado right out of the skin with a spoon and a squeeze of lemon. But this is a much dressier option. :) Mmmm.

Ciao Chow Linda said...

I should be eating more of these types of low-fat but delicious recipes. Have to run out to buy some avocados.

The Tipsy Hostess said...

So pretty! I bet they taste even more amazing than they look!

Anonymous said...

those look healthy and like such great flavorful treats!

Sophie said...

My goodness, this looks so gorgeous. It looks like a nutritious summer appetizer to me - delicious! I'd like to share your recipe with our readers, on our blog, feel free to email me at sophie@keyingredient.com if you're interested :). Thanks!

Coleens Recipes said...

I am on an avocado kick right now and I can not seem to get enough of them, so your recipe today (and the beautiful photograph) are calling my name!!

The Cooking Photographer said...

Sophie, you can always share my blog. No need to ask permission. This site was created so everyone can enjoy and share it.

Cathy - wheresmydamnanswer said...

What a great idea - We eat those babies all the time and I cant wait to change it up a bit!!

Donna-FFW said...

How in the world do you come up with these fantastic ideas. These look like bts of heaven.. I love what you did to them!

Ginger said...

Laura

WOW!! I want to have a standing comment that your photos are beyond incredible. The avocados sound unbelievable. They are a perfect summer dish!

Dana Fallentine said...

Love it! So glad I found you! Beautiful presentation!

The Messy Baker said...

I'm incredibly jealous. It's so hard to find good avocados where I live. And this is the kind of simple recipe that does them justice. Lovely photo. If I do find some good avocados I'll have to give this a try.

lesley said...

That looks darn right orgasmic!!
I'll be right over!

Aubrey said...

now this is the way to eat avocados! awesome!

Anonymous said...

Slobber..

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