Good conversation, laughter, the right background music: These are some key ingredients of a good party. And, oh yes, you can count on great food to put everyone in a celebratory mood.
No need to splurge on caviar and champagne. You can make guests just as happy by relying on party makings like avocados from Mexico, which add a lovely touch of luxury without breaking your budget. Versatile and—unlike many other party foods—packed with nutrients, they’re a natural for entertaining.
For an elegant but dead easy beginning to a holiday, serve Manhattan Avocado Cocktail in festive wine or martini glasses. “Ummm” is the only way to describe this winning combo of delectable shrimp and silky smooth avocado with a taste-bud tingler of a sauce. Or, forget elegant, and settle down for a cozy evening of watching sports or an old movie on the tube, after inviting the gang to serve themselves from a big bowl of Mexican Rice with Avocado and Chicken.
Fortunately, the peak party season happens to coincide with the peak season for the world’s finest avocados, from the orchards of Michoacán in central Mexico. Although these luscious avocados are in American markets all year long, the harvest is especially abundant from October through June. There’s good news on the health front, too. Every luscious bite of avocado contains more than 20 vitamins, minerals and other beneficial nutrients—and this fruit, with its heart-healthy fats, is a healthy substitute for party foods rich in saturated fat.
For immediate use, choose avocados that are greenish-black and slightly soft to the touch. Firm avocados will ripen in a day or two when held at room temperature—to speed up the process, pop them into a paper bag.
Mash avocados from Mexico to make a savory spread for toasted turkey and Swiss sandwiches or roasted vegetable wraps. Combine sliced or diced avocados with other seasonal ingredients such as oranges and pecans to make colorful salads. Chop them into a kicky tomato or mango salsa to accompany roast chicken or seared tuna steaks. There’s no limit to the ways avocados from Mexico can enliven a gathering!
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Mexican Rice with Avocados and Chicken
For more information contact Brona Cosgrave