Avocado Fries

I absolutely love avocados, Kev however, does not. So as I have mentioned before, I seized the opportunity while he was away to try a new avocado recipe for myself. I mainly eat my avocados raw on sandwiches, salads, or soups, so I wanted to try something different as to not get bored. That's when I decided to try my hand at avocado fries. Now I know it's not the healthiest option, but it's not that bad on the waistline! I have to say, I was really impressed with these. The avocado with slightly warmed with a nice crunchy crust on the outside. They almost melted in my mouth! I ate them as is and did not have a dipping sauce, but I'm sure you could, I just really am drawing a blank on what a good one would be. The next time I make them, I might try adding some spicy seasonings to the panko or flour for an extra little kick. If you love avocado, you must try these! It's always good to mix things up! Enjoy!  

Avocado Fries

Ingredients
Canola oil for frying
1/8 cup flour
1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup panko
1 firm and ripe avocados, sliced into 1/2 inch wedges

In a medium saucepan, heat 1 to 1 1/2 inches of oil until it reaches 375 degrees on a deep-fry thermometer.

Meanwhile, mix flour with salt on a shallow plate. Place the egg in a bowl and beat. In another shallow dish, place the panko. Dip the avocado wedges in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting the excess drip off, then toss in the panko to coat. Set aside on a plate in a single layer.

Fry however many avocado slices will fit in your pan, without overcrowding, at a time until deep golden, about 30 to 60 seconds, turing occasionally. Transfer slices to a plate lined with paper towels.

Avocado and Chicken Burrito

 Happy Friday everyone! I hope you have some great plans for the weekend! We are going to brunch (one together and I'm meeting the girls) and to the IU/Rutgers game with some friends from back home! Yeah! Well no more wasting any more of your weekend so let's get to it. At some point in your life you have probably owned a Forman Grill. I used to use mine for EVERYTHING! Burgers, chicken, etc., etc., until I learned other ways of cooking. Now our Forman has become a glorified quesadilla and quick burrito maker. It's perfect because it keeps it closed and gives the tortillas a nice crisp crunch to them while heating your items all the way through. I love this meal because it can't get much quicker or easier. It's all done in less than 30 minutes (I bake my chicken in the oven). I use the Grilled Tyson breasts because they have a nice grilled flavor to them (duh) and they are convenient to keep a bag around and grab as needed. You could omit the chicken if you are vegetarian, add spices, or different cheeses to really make it your own! Next time you are looking for some quick and easy, try this burrito out! As always, enjoy!   

Avocado and Chicken Burrito

Ingredients 

1 Tyson Grilled and Ready Chicken Breast, cut or shredded

1 Avocado, chopped

1/2 cup Mexican cheese, shredded 

Optional

Sour Cream

Taco Sauce

Salsa

Cook the chicken according to the package instructions. Once cooked, shred or cut into pieces.

Preheat your Forman Grill. 

Combine the chicken, avocado, and cheese in a bowl and mix together. Place tortilla on Forman for a few seconds to make pliable then fill with your mixed ingredients and fold up burrito style. Place on Forman for about 5 minutes (once tortilla is a little crisp and heated through. Cut in half, serve with desired condiments, and enjoy!

A Few Smoothie Recipes

I'm letting you in on a little behind the scenes action, and an attempt to get pics off my phone, of my day to day breakfast and lunch smoothies. These are what get me to one "bad" dinner to the next without weighing 800 pounds. There may be some that you have tried before, or combinations that you haven't thought of. Feel free to give them a try and let me know what you think (the last one is my absolute favorite)! Enjoy!

This smoothie mostly tastes like blueberries with a small hint of avocado. I'm the only one who eats avocados in our house, so I will use half, put the other half in a freezer bag with a little lemon juice, mash it together, and pop it in the freezer. I use it frozen in my smoothie, but you can let it sit out for a few minutes and use it however you want!

Blueberry Avocado Smoothie

2 handfuls kale

1/2 cup blueberries

1/2 of a avocado

scoop of protein powder

8-10 ounces unsweetened almond milk 

Blend all ingredients together.

I was really surprised by this smoothie. Since I used a big juicy peach and a watery cucumber, I thought it would have a sting peach flavor. Instead, it tasted like drinking a cucumber with no hint of peach. I love cucumbers so it was fine, just not what I was expecting! 

Cucumber Peach Smoothie

2 handfuls kale

1 fresh peach

1 cucumber 

scoop of protein powder

8-10 ounces almond milk

Blend all ingredients together.

This is by far my fave smoothie! I mean it has chocolate in it so what's not to love right? Not only does it taste amazing, but it keeps you full all day! I drank one at 9am and realized when Kev came home that I never ate (drank really) anything else all day and I wasn't hungry! This one is a must try in my book! 

Chocolate Chip Peanut Butter Smoothie

2 cups crushed ice 

1/2 cup water

1/3 cup chocolate chips

scoop of protein powder

1/3-1/2 cup unsweetened almond milk

1/4 cup 1% milk

1 Tablespoon peanut butter

1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla 

If you need to crush your ice, do that first in your blender. Add the rest of the ingredients and blend together.