Foody Friday - Avocado Stuffed Pork Chops

If you got past the name of today's post then I applaud you. I admit avocado isn't for everyone and I was the only one who ate this dish (and loved it!) but if you like guacamole I think this would be a fun recipe to try and play around with. 

Avocado Stuffed Pork Chops

6 - 1in. thick pork loin chops

1 t. salt

1/8 t. pepper

1 mahed avocado

2 T lemon juice

2 T butter

3 cloves garlic

1 diced avocado

1/4 c. flour

2 T butter

1 T olive oil

Preheat oven to 350. Cut a deep pocket into the side of the chops and sprinkle both sides with salt and pepper. In bowl, combine mashed avocado, lemon juice, butter and garlic and mix well. Stir in diced avocado. Using a small spoon, fill pockets of chops with this mix. Secure with toothpick and sprinkle chops with flour on both sides. 

Melt butter with olive oil in a large skillet on high heat. Add chops and brown on both sides. Transfer to oven. Bake for 20-30 minutes. Let stand for five minutes then serve. 

I thought this buttery and melt in your mouth. I probably would have cut the garlic in half though, it was just a bit much for my taste. I think stuffing the chop with guacamole would be great too! What other variations should I try? If you make this I'd love to know what you thought. 

Foody Friday - Hot and Cold,Mushroom, Squash, Avocado, Cilantro Salad

You are probably thinking,

"With a title like that, this post has to be an April Fool's Joke!"

No joke. But it is a dish I came up with all by myself...and I'm pretty proud of it. Especially since it contains squash!!!

Hot and Cold Mushroom, Squash, Avocado, Cilantro Salad

Melt some butter in a skillet. None of that fake margarine stuff, use the real thing!! Butter is natural...remember that so it HAS to be good for you right? The less you like vegetables then the more butter you should be a throwin' in the skillet! A couple tablespoons should do it.

Slice up a yellow summer squash and a few fresh mushrooms and throw em' in on top of all that yummy butter.

Leave the veggies and dice up half an avocado and put it in a bowl.

About this time check on those veggies and toss in some salt and pepper and give em' a good stir.

Wait a few more minutes and a few more stirs until the squash are getting nicely browned. About this time your mushrooms will taste more like hot butter than like mushrooms!

Pour those hot veggies right on top of your avocado and give em a quick stir.

Squeeze the juice of half a lime on top.

Top with a generous handful of fresh cilantro. Add more salt, pepper

 or lime juice to taste.

I don't know about you but this dish just oozes summertime. Clean and fresh and light. Maybe I'll even put a squash plant in my garden this summer just for this dish.

Now, does anyone have a better title for my new salad?

Foody Friday - Avocado Dill Dip/Spread

Have you ever dug around the spices in your cabinet and come across an herb or spice and wondered,

"Hey, how'd that get in here?"

Just me huh? You are all such good organized chefs.

I have Dill Seed. I'm not sure why I have Dill Seed in my cabinet but I do. I couldn't even tell you how old it is.

Dill Seed....it's been on my mind enough that I wanted to use if for something.

With a bit of experimenting and tweaking I give you...

Avocado Dill Spread

Mash two avocados.

Add 1/4 t. minced garlic, 1/4 t. salt, 1/2 t. dill seed.

Spread on crackers or bread.

My favorite way to eat this is shmear it on toast and put a fried egg on top. Yum!

But I still have a bottle (minus 1/2 t.) of dill seed in my cabinet. What else can I do with it?

And don't say pickles...that's what those handy dandy pickle mixes at Big R were invented!

Foody Saturday - Avocado Bread

Finally, the recipe you've all been waiting for! Well, okay...you probably haven't been waiting for this one but you'll sure be happy I gave it to you!

Avocado Bread! No, it isn't green but it is by far the moistest quick bread I've ever made. A perfect treat by itself, no condiments needed!



Avocado Bread

1 1/2 c. sugar
1 c. butter
2 eggs
1 c. mashed avocado (about 2 avocados will do)
1 c. all purpose flour
1/2 c. whole wheat flour
1/2 t. cinnamon
1/2 t. salt
1 1/2 t. baking soda
1/3 c. buttermilk (substitute 1/3 c. milk add 1 t. vinegar. Let sit 5 minutes before using)
Optional (I left these out)
1/4 c. nuts
1/2 c. raisins

Blend sugar, margarine, eggs and avocado well. Sift the dry ingredients together and add to mix alternately with buttermilk. Add nuts and raisins if desired. Batter will be stiff. Place into gresed loaf. (Leave some batter in the bowl to lick...trust me!) Bake at 350 for 1 hour. Enjoy!!