Avocado Coconut Popsicles

These creamy popsicles are a real treat! Made with just 4 ingredients – nutrient dense avocados, coconut-almond milk, raw sugar and sweetened coconut flakes. They are also dairy-free, vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free.

It’s no secret, I'm pretty avocado obsessed! I grew up eating avocados all my life and I usually incorporate them into a meal just about every day! In fact, I love them so much I created an entire Pinterest Board devoted to avocados. But I usually eat them in some type of savory dish such as guacamole, BLT, egg salad, in my salad dressings, with my soups and more.

But the fact is, in Brazil where my Dad lived for many years, avocados were never eaten with salt; instead they were treated as the fruit that they are and were often sweetened with sugar. My dad used to make a smoothie years ago with avocados, milk and sugar which he called Vitamina. Because I love coconut, I took his smoothie idea and added coconut flakes and loved it! And since avocados are so nutrient dense, you're also getting a good dose of healthy fats, vitamins and minerals to boot!

PS - The popsicle mold I used is from Progressive which I bought on Amazon, click the link if you're interested.

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Salsa Verde Burgers

Wow, these Salsa Verde Burgers are OFF THE HOOK! If you need a new burger idea that everyone will love, look no further. These burgers are lean with a mean, green kick topped with pepper jack cheese, salsa verde and avocado – delish!

I shared this delicious homemade salsa verde recipe for Better Homes and Gardens on Delish Dish and decided to make these burgers using the salsa for dinner last night. You can also use store bought salsa verde, but trust me, nothing beats homemade!

I made the burgers with both lean beef burgers and chicken burgers since I had both on hand, and I loved them equally.  My husband's not eating carbs this week so he ate two beef burgers without the bun. Whether you make them with lean beef, turkey, chicken, buffalo, black bean patties, veggie burgers... modify them however you wish!

I calculated these with 93% lean beef patties, with the bun and without and with the bun and no cheese. Any other variations you'll have to do on your own – enjoy!
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Crab and Avocado Phyllo Bites

Quick and easy! These bite sized appetizers are the perfect treat whether you're watching the game or just need some finger foods to munch on.

These were actually a happy accident. I had leftover fresh lump crab meat that I didn't want to waste after making crab cakes so I whipped up this easy appetizer. They turned out really good! For best results, don't fill the phyllo shells until you're ready to bake, and eat right away!

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Black eyed Pea Dip

Ring in the New Year with this quick and easy black-eyed pea dip!

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Southwestern Black Bean Salad

I love making this colorful, salad when the weather warms, it makes enough to feed a crowd and makes a great side dish or appetizer if served with chips. It's also great as a topping for taco salads or served with grilled meat and fresh tortillas.

And BONUS, this salad is low in saturated fat and loaded with antioxidants. A perfect summer side dish for grilled meat, fish or chicken. It's best when you use sweet fresh roasted corn, but if corn is not in season, frozen, thawed corn will work just fine in it's place.

 

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Guacamole Deviled Eggs

If you're looking for a healthy snack of appetizer for St Patrick's Day, these green deviled eggs are the perfect solution.

My mom adds hard boiled eggs to her guacamole, so I thought why not add guacamole to hard boiled eggs? The results were lovely, and since I was testing them out for the blog, I actually enjoyed them for lunch.

These are a fun, "clean" snack or appetizer, not just as a green food for St Patrick's day, but for anytime of the year. Loaded with a good dose of healthy fats and perfect for any dietary restriction – vegetarian, gluten-free, weight watchers, low-carb, paleo, and more!

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Slow Cooked Jerk Pork with Caribbean Salsa

Pork roast, marinated overnight with fresh citrus juice, garlic, and jerk seasoning, then slow cooked all day while you're away. Topped with a bright, fresh Caribbean salsa of fresh mangos, avocado and cilantro. If I told you how good this dish was, would you believe me?

The kind of good that your husband tells you how much he loves you while eating it... yeah that good! This dish is officially going into my regular rotation. 

One of my friends turned me on to Walkerswood Jerk Seasoning, turns out it's the #1 Best Seller in Gourmet rubs on Amazon! It's actually made in Jamaica, so it's the real deal and only cost about $4. It comes in mild and hot, so being the wimp that I am, I went with mild. I served this over brown rice with some cucumbers on the side for a complete meal.

Since a lot of you ask, I have the Hamilton Beach Set It and Forget It Slow Cooker, I've had nothing but great results since purchasing it if you're in the market for a slow cooker. I've had really bad results with other slow cookers, so they are not all created equal!

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Crock Pot Picante Chicken and Black Bean Soup

If you love a slow cooker recipe that requires no pre-cooking, then you'll love this spicy black bean soup. Spicy black bean and chicken soup with tomatoes, chiles, peppers and spices is delicious served with cool avocado and a touch of sour cream. Top it with cilantro for freshness and your taste buds will want to do a mariachi dance.

This month I asked my facebook fans what kind of recipes they wanted to see more of in 2013 and Slow Cooker recipes topped the charts! Second place was main dish meals, so I've been keeping my slow cooker on my counter and have been keeping my promise!

I must confess, it's harder to develop recipes in the crock pot. First, I have to wait at least 4 hours to find out if it's even good and second, not everything works out as imagined. Take this recipe for example, first attempt went right in the trash. Not the first time I dumped a crock pot creation in the trash but one things for sure, they all had onions in the recipe.

I first made this with sauteed onions and there is no doubt in my mind it ruined the soup. Something about onions and crock pots just don't work together, and this is not the first time. Second attempt I did everything the same but replaced the onions with onion powder and it was perfect, delicious, even. Even better for all of you because there's no pre-cooking anything, so it's easy!

This makes a nice amount of soup, perfect for freezing and reheating for a second night, or for lunch on the go. I love this topped with avocado and sour cream to mellow the heat, but it would also be great with a little cheese on top why not!

It's mildly spicy, not over the top. If you want it milder you can leave the ancho chile powder out. I pureed one of the cans of beans to thicken the soup, and left the second can whole for texture. Next time I may even add some sweet corn! A filling, wholesome, high-fiber meal for only 300 calories, or Weight Watchers 6 points plus. Freezer friendly, and gluten-free.

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Guacamole

 

Guacamole is one of my favorite appetizers, and my husband is usually the one who makes it. It's flavorful, clean, and healthy, but we eat it because we love it. His recipe is simple, but simple is good! He has converted many non-avocado lovers with this recipe.

The trick is to a good guacamole is leave large chunks of avocado; don't mash them thoroughly and having a perfect balance of lime juice, red onion and salt is essential. If you like it hot, you can certainly add some diced jalapeño, some people also like to add diced tomato which is fine, but we like it just like this!

I posted this recipe a while back, but the photos needed some updating so I figured I'd re-post in time for the Superbowl.

Avocados may be high in fat, but they have the good essential healthy fats which we should consume every day. They are also high in fiber, rich in vitamin B, E and K and have 60 percent more potassium than bananas. I love avocado so much I created an entire Avocado Obsessed Pinterest board in their honor. 

Guacamole is great with baked tortilla chips, lentil chips, baked plantain chips, chicken fajitas, or even on a wrap in place of mayonnaise. Sometimes we even make guacamole turkey burgers, I'll have to share the recipe when the weather warms up.


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Open Faced Tuna Sandwich with Avocado

Tuna with minced vegetables on a toasted slice of multi-grain bread with avocado and sprouts. A quick and easy, satisfying lunch.

I grew up with avocados in my home way before they became popular here in the States, and squeeze them into my diet every chance I can. Avocados are a regular part of a South American diet, and my mom always served them along side a hearty bowl of hot soup or rice and beans.

Avocados are also good for you, loaded with heart-healthy fats and antioxidants. According to Bodybuilding.com, avocados are listed as one of the 15 Best Fat Burning Foods. I'd love to tell you I buy them for all those reasons, but quite frankly we just love them. In fact, I created an entire Pinterest Board in it's honor!

To make the tuna salad quickly, I throw all the vegetables in my chopper and pulse a few times. If I am eating one sandwich, I keep the rest refrigerated for the next day. Easy peasy!

Just under 250 calories and for those of you on Weight Watchers, 6 points plus.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Black Bean Tacos

This easy taco recipe requires no pre-cooking, just throw it all in the crock pot and you'll have a delicious weeknight meal. Black beans and chicken breast, simmered in the slow cooker make the perfect filling for tacos, burritos, enchiladas, or even a burrito bowl and it's loaded with fiber.

Personally, I love this served in crunchy corn taco shells. I make a quick red cabbage slaw which adds a little acidity and crunch, and it's a healthier option than iceberg. Add some spicy pico de gallo for freshness and avocados, and I am one happy gal! So good you won't even miss the cheese!

I often make my own pico de gallo, but when I'm pressed for time, I have no problem buying it. There are lots of great options in the refrigerated produce section of the supermarket, Nature's Promise is usually my go-to, is organic and has just the right amount of kick.

Avocado is so good on tacos, and loaded with heart healthy fats. It's creamy and delicious and I totally skip the sour cream, but if you rather save on calories and leave it out, fat free Greek yogurt works fine in it's place.

As for my slow cooker, believe it or not, I've had many bad experiences with crock pots cooking to hot and turning out strange tasting food... until I bought my current Slow Cooker, the Hamilton Beach Set and Forget 6 Quart Slow Cooker. Love it and I've been using it for over a year with great results every time! As part of my week of Target giveaways, I wanted to give away the same exact one, but couldn't find the same exact model. I did find one very similar, without the probe (which I never used anyway) so today on Skinny Bits, if you want to take a chance at winning this wonderful prize, click HERE and leave a comment on Skinny Bits for a chance to win. (Please do not leave your comments here on Skinnytaste, they wont count.)

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Shrimp Ceviche Cocktail

Shrimp cocktail is fine, but when I want something special, I like to have my shrimp ceviche style!

Tossed with avocados, cucumbers, tomatoes, cilantro and fresh lime juice... and sometimes I add a serrano pepper for zing. Served in martini glasses, it's the perfect appetizer for any special occasion and perfect for the Holidays.

I do have a few variations of this, zesty lime shrimp can be served as a side dish, but I wanted this to be more of a cocktail appetizer. You can easily make this ahead, but I would add the avocados right before serving so they don't get brown.

If you want to make a larger dish to bring to a party, this Mexican Shrimp Cobb Salad in a trifle dish is quite impressive and delicious.

Note: For food safety reasons, I used cooked shrimp. While the citrus juice “cooks” the fish, it doesn’t kill the bacteria. This isn’t an issue with raw fish, but it is with shellfish like shrimp it is. If you have access to fresh shrimp off the boat, then raw shrimp would be fine.

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BLT with Avocado

For the bacon lovers in your life! Bacon, lettuce, tomato and avocado on toasted whole grain bread. With summer tomatoes at their peak, this is the best time to enjoy these yummy sandwiches, perfect for lunch or school.

I love a BLT for lunch, if made with center cut bacon and whole grain bread it's lighter than a traditional BLT and a great sandwich to pack for lunch. Swapping the mayo for the avocado adds some healthy fats that you can mash up or leave sliced.

For lettuce I used what I had on hand, which happened to be arugula - use romaine, or whatever you like. If you don't eat pork, of course turkey bacon would work. For picky kids, cater to their taste; if they don't like one of the ingredients, leave it out or swap it for something else.

To make this even lighter, serve open faced and save on calories, carbs and points (6 points vs 8 points). With a light soup on the side like cream of zucchini or creamy cauliflower (you can put the soup in a thermos for lunch on the go) you'll have yourself a satisfying meal.

For a low-carb BLT you might also like my BLT Lettuce wraps! Try them with avocado too!

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Spicy Black Bean Burgers with Chipotle Mayonnaise

One bite of this spicy black bean burger with spicy chipotle mayo and creamy avocado and you won't miss the meat! Yes, these were good enough to please even the adult carnivore's in my home (a bit too spicy for my kids).

Make no mistake, I love meat, but I also think it's good to give it up at least once a week, so why give Meatless Mondays a shot? Pretty inexpensive to make and really not hard to make. The hardest part is forming them into patties, and even that isn't so bad.

These cook best if frozen so plan to make them ahead and cook as needed. You can even double the batch to keep them on hand whenever you need them.

To store them in your freezer, freeze them on wax paper until they set, about 2 hours, then transfer them into containers. I keep all my homemade burgers labeled in Glad Freezerware containers which can withstand extreme temperatures without cracking. Labeling them keeps them organized so when I have backyard BBQs, I have something to please every palate. Also perfect for once a month cooking!

Vegetarian, High in Fiber, and Gluten Free if using GF oats (excluding the bun). I highly recommend making them exactly as written, don't change a thing!


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California Grilled Chicken Avocado and Mango Salad

Sweet champagne mangos pair superb with creamy haas avocados and grilled chicken for a sweet-savory salad to delight your taste buds. This meal is ready in minutes, perfect for a hot summer day or night!

I could live on a tropical island and never miss the fruit from the states.

When I was a kid, I spent many summers at my cousin's house in Puerto Rico and I remember the mango trees and mangoes all over her yard. I would pick them up and try to save them, but even I couldn't consume the overabundance of mangoes she had falling off those trees. Back then mangoes weren't as popular here in the states, but luckily today you can find them in every supermarket. I'm hoping one day guanabana (soursop) and guava will make it's way here too!

Have you seen the new Salanova butter lettuce from Dole, they come two in a container – simply cut the core off and you have baby lettuce!

For this salad I used the red butter variety, but you can use any baby lettuce, especially home grown if you have any in your garden!

For the dressing I kept it real simple, extra virgin olive oil and white balsamic vinegar which is naturally sweet and perfect on this salad. You can easily halve this recipe for 2 servings or double for 8. Enjoy and stay cool!


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Zesty Avocado Cilantro Buttermilk Dressing

This is good stuff! Creamy avocado dressing with a little zing from the jalapeño pepper.

Make a boring grilled chicken salad exciting, use it over greens, on a sandwich, and it even makes a great dip if you use a little less buttermilk. This keeps refrigerated a few days without turning brown.

Low-carb, gluten-free, egg-free, vegetarian and delicious!

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Avocado Egg Salad

Whether you serve this as a wrap, on whole-grain toast or in a lettuce cup, you will love this egg salad that uses half the yolks and lots of healthy fats from the avocado.

I tried a Flat-Out for the first time after hearing your positive reviews about it and loved how easy it was to create a wrap. It tasted great too! If you're on a gluten free diet or looking to use less calories this is also wonderful in a lettuce wrap or why not a hollowed out tomato!

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Spinach and Quinoa Salad with Grapefruit and Avocado

This salad is loaded with vitamin C, A, Potassium and good heart-healthy fats!!

There is something wonderful to me about biting into a salad with grapefruit. It's juicy and refreshing and lends a sort of bitter-sweetness to each bite. If you are not a fan of grapefruit this is also great with oranges or you could even do a combination.

Let's talk about quinoa pronounced (KEEN-wah).

It surprises me how many people have never even heard of quinoa. Quinoa is an amino acid-rich (protein) seed from South America with a slight nutty, earthy taste. It's also gluten-free and a great way to add protein to vegetarian diets.

I love using it in soups, in place of rice, but it's also wonderful in salads. It comes in a variety of colors such as orange, pink, red, or black. I found this tri-color variety in Trader Joe's, use whatever variety you wish.

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Summer Tomatoes, Corn, Crab and Avocado Salad

A wonderful summer salad made with lump crab meat, summer tomatoes, sweet charred roasted corn, cilantro, hot peppers and zesty lime juice. Serve this over mixed greens or tostadas as a main dish or you can put this in martini glasses as a fancy appetizer.

This is perfect to bring to a potluck, or you can halve the recipe for less servings. Fresh crab is always best but if that's not available near you, canned lump crab would do. For the corn, you can roast the corn on the grill, or if you are lucky enough to live near a Trader Joe's, they sell roasted frozen corn which is such a convenience. A good tip, if you make grilled corn on the cob often and have leftovers, cut it off the cob and freeze it!
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Grilled Chicken Sandwich with Avocado and Tomato

An open faced sandwich on Ciabatta bread with mashed avocado, sliced tomatoes and grilled chicken. A perfect way to use up leftover chicken.

Avocado is a wonderful healthy option in place of mayonnaise and it adds such great flavor. Yesterday I mentioned how good tasting bread is crucial for me in the sandwich making process, and Ciabatta is another fat free option I love to use. Although it's usually fat free, always double check the labels.

I made this an opened open-faced for the photo, then realized once I started eating it that it's easier to eat if it's closed and it's also more portable for lunch on the run. I'll leave that up to you!

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