Hass It Up

Its not very often I get the opportunity to write about food so when I was asked if I wanted to be a part of a project featuring avocados I happily said yes. I was provided a list of recipes, most of which had pretty simple ingredients, a card to purchase ingredients including the star: Hass avocados from Mexico and it was off to the kitchen for me.

The recipe I chose was Avocado Banana Mini Loaves. I have to admit I would not have thought to combine Avocados and Bananas. Since banana bread is one of my favourite things to eat this was the recipe I settled on. The recipe was fairly easy to make, one of the other reasons I chose it, and the results were fantastic! I had to change the mini loaves to muffins since I don't own a mini loaf pan. Even with this minor adjustment the recipe turned out extremely well. I now have 12 delicious avocado banana muffins for snacks or for breakfast.

Below is the finished result. I look forward to making these again. Its not often I get a chance to make things from scratch. I got some requests for the recipe so I am including it below along with the nutritional information. If you decide to try it let me know how it turns out. You can also tweet me @Notashopaholic and use the hash tag #LuvMexAvocado.

Preparing all my ingredients. 

Avocados mashed and ready to be puréed. 

The finished product, ta da!

Below are some fun facts about Mexico and avocados. There are many health and nutritional benefits to eating avocados. I  know I have tried to include at least a few servings of avocados in my daily meals. Spreading some on a sandwich or chopped up in a salad there are many ways to add this delicious healthy food into your diet.

Fun Facts

• Mexico is the only region (globally) where avocados bloom four times a year, due to its unique climate and varying elevations
• Mexico is responsible for approximately half of the world’s total avocado production
• Avocados contain nearly 20 vitamins and minerals and more potassium than a banana
• Their healthy fats (mono and polyunsaturated “good fats” that help lower “bad” LDL cholesterol) help the body absorb more fat-soluble nutrients from the foods paired with avocados
• Avocados are a great substitute for butter and make for a healthier ingredient in many baking recipes
• One half of a medium avocado supplies at least 10 per cent of the recommended daily value of potassium, vitamin C, folate, vitamin B6 and fibre

For more information on Avocados from Mexico, please visit www.missavacado.ca

Avocado Banana Bread

 

A perfect breakfast on the go or great addition to your lunch box, this nutrient-filled banana bread, made with wholesome whole wheat, high-fibre avocados and potassium-rich bananas, is a satisfying treat you can feel good about feeding the whole family.

2 cups	whole wheat flour	500 mL
1 tbsp	baking powder	15 mL
½ tsp	sea salt	2 mL
2	avocados from Mexico, pureed	2
2	bananas, mashed	2
¾ cup	honey	175 mL
1 tsp	vanilla extract	5 mL

 

 

 

Preheat oven to 350 F (180 C).

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder and salt. In a large bowl, combine avocado, banana, honey and vanilla. Fold dry mixture into the avocado-banana mixture. Once combined, spoon into greased mini loaf pans, spreading evenly.

Bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until a toothpick inserted into middle of loaf comes out clean.

Let cool, then run a knife along the edges and invert to release.

Yield: Makes 8 mini loaves

Tip: Will keep fresh covered in a container for up to 5 days.

Nutritional Information: Per Serving (1 mini loaf): about 308 cal, 6 g pro, 8 g total fat (1 g sat fat), 59 g carb, 8 g fibre, 0 mg chol, 249 mg sodium. %RDI: iron 10%, calcium 2%, vit A 0%, vit C 15%.

Source: www.missavacado.com