How To Prepare Avocados

How do you know when an avocado is ready?

Here is our step-by-step guide to knowing when the right time is to slice your avocado.

Step 1: Hold the avocado in the palm of your hand and apply gentle pressure to it. If it yields slightly, it is ready to be sliced. If your fingers sink right in, then it is overripe. A hard avocado is still green.

Step 2: Check the stem. If you pull on the small piece still attach and it does not come off in your hand, the avocado is not quite ripe and should be monitored for a few days. If the stem looks brown and dry and comes off easily in your hand, the avocado is ready. If there is no nub at all, your avocado may have started to rot. The skin may be brown where the stem was.

Bonus Tip: If you want to slow down the ripening process of an avocado, place it in the refrigerator. After you have cut it, it may last several days in the fridge if you place it in an airtight container.

How to Prepare Avocados?

There are several ways to enjoy avocado, but there is a basic prep process that must be followed each time.

Step 1: Place your avocado on a cutting board.

Step 2: Slice the avocado vertically from the stem to the base, and work the knife right around until you have 2 halves.

Step 3: Remove the seed, by gently lifting it out with a spoon.

Step 4: Peel the skin back from the corners.

Step 5: Mash, puree, or slice depending on how you plan to enjoy your avocado.

Different Ways to Prepare Avocados

Here we will suggest how to prepare avocados for your ultimate enjoyment:

Guacamole

This is a Mexican recipe that makes avocado into a spicy dip by adding:

• Onions
• Lemon juice
• Chili flakes
• Salt
• Pepper
• Diced tomatoes

You mix all the ingredients with the avocado in a bowl and mash them together, you can add as many of the ingredients as you wish to suit your taste.

Salads

Avocados can be added to any salad. Simply cut your avocado into chunks and add them to the other vegetables, fruit, or meat. It adds a buttery, smooth texture to the mix.

Avocado Salsa

For this recipe, you will need

• Corn
• Sliced olives
• Olive oil
• Oregano
• Salt
• Pepper
• Lemon juice
• Minced garlic cloves
• Sliced avocadoes
• Sweet peppers

Combine all the ingredients besides the avocado and let them sit and marinate overnight. The next day slice up your avocado and add it to the salsa. This delicious mix is served with tortilla chips.

Avocado Sauce

Avocado sauce is easy to make, you simply blend the following ingredients up in your food processor:

• 1 large avocado
• Half clove of garlic
• 1/3 cup of yogurt
• Chopped cilantro
• Salt (to taste)
• Pepper (to taste)

You can serve the avocado sauce in a variety of ways. You will love it on burritos, quesadillas, tacos, and nachos. You can even get creative and drizzle it over a benedict sandwich. It's really up to you.

Avocado Smoothies

Avocado is an excellent addition to any smoothie. It adds wholesome nutrition and makes your smoothie's texture thick and creamy. You simply add as much or as little as you like to create your ideal consistency.