February 2014

 

Hass Avocados

BEST FLAVOR | PEAK SEASON

Hass Avocados have monounsaturated fat that actually helps lower LDL (bad) cholesterol and raises HDL (good) cholesterol. Plus, Hass Avocados are loaded with fiber, plus some folate and potassium. So, feel good about using them! Get the day started with an energizing Avocado-Banana Smoothie. How about some fresh guacamole for a snack or to top your favorite savory dish? With Hass Avocados the Recipe ideas are endless.

HOW-TO:

• Hass Avocados are ripe and ready to cut when they begin give to gentle thumb pressure.
• If the Hass Avocados you purchase are hard, then store them at room temperature until they ripen.
• Once an uncut Hass Avocado reaches its ripe stage and you're not ready to eat it, put it in the fridge to keep it at that ripeness stage for another day or two.

HELP! I've never made Guacamole before and I don't want to mess it up. OK. Relax, here's a fail-safe yet totally delicious, restaurant-like Guacamole recipe that will taste way better and have a better texture than any guac that comes pre-packaged in a bag or tub.

EASY-CREAMY GUAC RECIPE: Buy 4 medium or 3 large ripe Hass Avocados and a jar of Salsa Verde, a tomatillo-based green salsa. Slice the ripe Avocados and half, remove the pit and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl. Pour in the jar of Salsa Verde. Mix at low speed with a counter-top mixer for 1 minute, or smash and stir the ingredients together by hand with a fork for 1-2 minutes. That's it!

Eggplant

PEAK SEASON | BEST FLAVOR

Fresh Eggplant is great for Mediterranean, Italian and Asian-inspired dishes. You can roast it, bake it, grill it and add it to stews and pastas.

TIPS:

• Select Eggplant that is firm, not soft, is free from brown-sunken areas, and has some green color still in calyx around the stem.
• Store whole Eggplant at room temperature though in a cooler spot away from direct sunlight. Do not store Eggplant in plastic bags or sealed containers since the lack of respiration will make the fruit decay quicker. You can refrigerate it, but over time cold temperatures make the Eggplant lose flavor and become flabby.
• To avoid "soggy Eggplant" in your dishes, sprinkle coarse or sea salt on sliced Eggplant and let it set for 10 to 20 minutes. Rinse the slices and pat them dry with a paper towel. This process will draw out some of the moisture to the Eggplant texture and shape holds up better during cooking.

Cilantro

PEAK SEASON | BEST FLAVOR

Want to make that homemade salsa or guacamole flavor shine? Fresh Cilantro adds freshness and vibrancy to recipes for salads, stews, stir-fries, sauces, salsas and garnish. The herb green that ties the world together - in Latin, Tex-Mex, Indian, Caribbean, Chinese, East Asian, African, Southern European and even Scandinavian cuisines - is Cilantro. Cilantro leaves are packed with a strong, distinctive fresh flavor and aroma - like an intense version of Parsley.

 

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