Avocado
Also called alligator pear
Avocado's creamy texture comes from its rich oleic acid content, perfect for varied dishes.
Flavor profile
Aroma: nutty, buttery
Good to know
Origin: Central America
Forms: fresh, mashed, sliced
Storage: Store unripe avocados at room temperature, and refrigerate once ripe to slow over-ripening.
How to use avocado
Hold Back Browning
Citrus juice slows avocado browning by inhibiting oxidation with citric acid.
Creamy Dreams
Avocado's oils enhance its creaminess when mashed for spreads and dips.
What goes with avocado
- Lime. Lime balances avocado's rich fat with bright acidity and prevents browning.
- Bread. Creamy avocado fat contrasts with crisp toast, and salt and acid finish it.
- Black Bean. Creamy avocado and black beans cool and round out spicy dishes.
- Tortilla. Creamy avocado rounds out a tortilla's toasty corn flavor.
- Cilantro. Avocado's creaminess offsets cilantro's grassy pungency.
- Bacon. Bacon's smoky saltiness contrasts the creamy richness of avocado.
- Jalapeño. Avocado mellows jalapeño's hot punch with its creamy texture.
- Lemon. Lemon's acid cuts avocado's fat and slows the browning of its cut flesh.
- Shrimp. Cool, buttery avocado softens the sweet snap of shrimp.
- Soy Sauce. Soy sauce's umami and saltiness contrast with avocado's creaminess.
Mistakes to avoid
- Cutting early means the avocado hasn't developed its full flavor.
- Leaving a cut avocado exposed leads to quick browning from polyphenol oxidase.
Ideas for tonight
- Mash into guacamole with lime and garlic.
- Slice into salads for richness.
- Blend into smoothies for a creamy texture.
Avocado: questions
What does avocado taste like?
Avocado's creamy texture comes from its rich oleic acid content, perfect for varied dishes., with an aroma that is nutty, buttery.
What goes well with avocado?
Avocado pairs best with lime, bread, black bean, tortilla, cilantro. Lime balances avocado's rich fat with bright acidity and prevents browning.
How do you use avocado in cooking?
Hold Back Browning: citrus juice slows avocado browning by inhibiting oxidation with citric acid.
How should you store avocado?
Store unripe avocados at room temperature, and refrigerate once ripe to slow over-ripening.
What is the most common mistake with avocado?
Cutting early means the avocado hasn't developed its full flavor.
