Delicious Desserts Made with Avocados

Like most people, when you hear the word "avocado" mentioned, you probably think of a big, flavorful bowl of creamy guacamole. This is one of the most popular dishes made using avocados. Because of this, however, avocados are one of the most over-looked fruits available to us. Yes, that's right, I said fruit. Avocados are actually a fruit - not a vegetable! They are also very high in vitamin A.

Avocados, once called "Alligator Fruit" - possibly due to their bumpy, rough skin - are native to Mexico, and as such are a staple for many Mexican and Tex-Mex dishes. They are even used in many such dessert recipes. Since most traditional Tex-Mex meals tend to be very heavy, why not try using avocados to make a spicy-sweet salad that is a perfect accompaniment to just about any Tex-Mex, or Mexican, menu?

Avocado-Mango Salad

Ingredients

• 1 large Avocado
• 1 Mango
• 1 teaspoon Cumin
• 1 teaspoon Chili Powder
• 1 teaspoon Garlic Powder
• 4 Lettuce Leaves

Directions

1. Peel, halve, and seed the avocado. Cut it into wedges.
2. Peel, seed, and dice the mango.
3. Place lettuce leaves on four salad plates.
4. Top the lettuce leaves with avocado wedges and sprinkle with the diced mango.
5. In a small bowl, mix Cumin, Chili Powder, and Garlic Powder until well blended.
6. Sprinkle the spices over the salads to taste, and enjoy!
   

This salad is rich in Vitamin A and is quick and easy to make.

Another rarely thought of use for avocados that is a wonderful treat for finishing off a meal, or as a snack on a hot summer day, is ice cream. That's right; you can actually make a wonderful ice cream using avocados! It is really simple to make, requiring only basic ingredients, a food processor or blender, an ice cream freezer, and a little time.

Basic Avocado Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 4 Egg Yolks
• 3/4 cup Sugar
• 2 cups Milk
• 1/2 cup Whipping Cream
• 5 medium, ripe Avocados
• 2 teaspoons Lime Juice
• 1 teaspoon Lemon Juice

Directions

1. Beat the egg yolks and sugar in a small bowl until well combined. Set the egg mixture aside.
2. Heat milk just to boiling, stirring frequently.
3. Mix a small amount of the hot milk into the egg mixture to heat.
4. Stir the heated egg mixture into the remaining hot milk.
5. Heat the milk mixture to approximately 185 degrees F, stirring constantly.
6. Remove from heat and stir for a few more minutes.
7. Stir the cream into the milk mixture and chill completely (this may take a little while).
8. Meanwhile, peel and seed the avocados.
9. Place the avocados, lime juice, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender and puree them.
10. Whisk avocado mixture into the chilled milk mixture.
11. Freeze in an ice cream freezer.
12. Store in an airtight container.

If you like the Avocado Ice Cream recipe, but are concerned about the calories, there is also a lighter, lower calorie variation that also uses mint. It is just as good, and actually better for you. Even the kids should like both of these!

Avocado and Mint Ice Cream

Ingredients

• 2 large Avocados
• 1/4 Honeydew Melon
• 1 Lemon
• 1/2 cup Plain Nonfat Yogurt
• 2 Egg Whites
• 1 Bunch Mint - leaves only

Directions

1. Peel and seed the avocados.
2. Peel, seed and dice the Honeydew melon.
3. Juice the lemon.
4. Whip the egg whites until peaks are formed.
5. Using a blender or food processor, blend the avocados, honeydew melon, lemon juice, mint leaves, and yogurt until velvety smooth.
6. Fold the whipped egg whites into the avocado mixture and pour into a loaf pan or baking dish.
7. Freeze for 6 hours or overnight.
8. Remove from the freezer 10 minutes before serving.
9. Turn out of container and cut into desired shape to serve.

Next time you are looking for a cool, refreshing dessert or salad to pair with your Tex-Mex menu, give one of these delicious avocado recipes a try. They will blend perfectly with the Mexican food, and will be a refreshing, lighter side or ending for the meal.