Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole Recipe
It seems unfair that avocados, which have such great nutritional benefits, are so high in fat and calories. The creamy fruit we treat like a vegetable does contain a healthy, monounsaturated fat and has been shown to reduce cholesterol levels. But, with 75% of its makeup being fat, the calorie count of an avocado makes it a difficult food for weight watchers to add to their diets.
The avocado has triple or more the count of most fruits or veggies. One average avocado has close to 300 calories and 27 grams of fat. Compare that to an apple, which has just 65 calories and no grams of fat, or asparagus, also free of fat, and having only 40 calories for a whole cup. Those numbers almost make the poor little avocado seem evil.
That's not only unfair, it's downright unfortunate. How can you reap the nutritional benefits of avocados (as well as the taste benefits) without wrecking your diet? One way is to just eat a smaller portion of avocado, but we all know that's easier said than done.
Another way to have your avocado and actually get to eat it too, is to stretch it a little. Instead of a bowl of guacamole made purely with avocado, you can replace part of it with something flavorful and lower in fat and calories, making enough guacamole to share with a crowd out of just one avocado.
The answer? Tomatillos!
Don't think using tomatillos makes this less of a guacamole. Roasting the tangy relative of the tomato brings out the full flavor, and makes for a guacamole you'll never forget. Choose tomatillos that have completely filled their paper husks, otherwise they are not fully mature.
Directions: Set oven to broil. Remove the papery husks from tomatillos and rinse. Line a baking sheet with foil and place tomatillos on sheet. Broil on top rack for 8-10 minutes, removing when tomatillos look slightly charred and blistered. Let cool.
Combine garlic, onions, and pepper in a food processor and mix until minced. Add rest of ingredients to food processor and pulse a few seconds at a time until pureed. Chill before serving.
Tip: If you'd like a chunkier texture, or if you don't have a food processor, you can mash your avocado by hand, mince the other ingredients as finely as possible, and combine.
Serve with your favorite baked tortillla chips, and enjoy the creamy taste of avocado without the guilt.
The avocado has triple or more the count of most fruits or veggies. One average avocado has close to 300 calories and 27 grams of fat. Compare that to an apple, which has just 65 calories and no grams of fat, or asparagus, also free of fat, and having only 40 calories for a whole cup. Those numbers almost make the poor little avocado seem evil.
That's not only unfair, it's downright unfortunate. How can you reap the nutritional benefits of avocados (as well as the taste benefits) without wrecking your diet? One way is to just eat a smaller portion of avocado, but we all know that's easier said than done.
Another way to have your avocado and actually get to eat it too, is to stretch it a little. Instead of a bowl of guacamole made purely with avocado, you can replace part of it with something flavorful and lower in fat and calories, making enough guacamole to share with a crowd out of just one avocado.
The answer? Tomatillos!
Don't think using tomatillos makes this less of a guacamole. Roasting the tangy relative of the tomato brings out the full flavor, and makes for a guacamole you'll never forget. Choose tomatillos that have completely filled their paper husks, otherwise they are not fully mature.
Roasted Tomatillo Guacamole Recipe
Ingredients:- 8 ripe tomatillos
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/4 cup red onion, chopped in large, rough pieces
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and halved
- 1 avocado, peeled and quartered
- 1 small bunch cilantro (about 1/4 cup)
- Juice of 1/2 fresh lime
- Salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
Directions: Set oven to broil. Remove the papery husks from tomatillos and rinse. Line a baking sheet with foil and place tomatillos on sheet. Broil on top rack for 8-10 minutes, removing when tomatillos look slightly charred and blistered. Let cool.
Combine garlic, onions, and pepper in a food processor and mix until minced. Add rest of ingredients to food processor and pulse a few seconds at a time until pureed. Chill before serving.
Tip: If you'd like a chunkier texture, or if you don't have a food processor, you can mash your avocado by hand, mince the other ingredients as finely as possible, and combine.
Serve with your favorite baked tortillla chips, and enjoy the creamy taste of avocado without the guilt.
No comments: