November begins with a bang – a foodie bang, that is! The taste explosion, you ask? Everyone’s favourite, the avocado! It’s the perfect partner fruit for both World Vegan Day on November 1 and National Sandwich Day (USA) on November 3, which we’re definitely celebrating and making our own here in sunny South Africa!
What’s a modern-day sandwich without a thick layer of delicious, nutritious avocado, right? Sliced or mashed, avocado adds that appealing rich and delicious taste to whatever meats, cheeses, veggies, and pickles you prefer on a bap, baguette, or bread.
We bet the Earl of Sandwich wishes he’d rather decided on the avocado way back in 1762 when he was credited with changing the way we eat forever by asking his cook to layer some roasted meat between slices of bread so that he didn’t have to leave his gambling table to fill his belly. Although let’s be honest, he probably got the idea from his travels to the eastern Mediterranean where he saw the idea on the table of the Greeks and Turks, who’d been doing it for years!
But thank goodness he embraced the concept of a good idea shared! Just like veganism, which becomes more and more popular every year. The benefits of a plant-based diet continue to make themselves known and are embraced by more people all the time.
Avocado can be a vegan’s best friend. An actual companion for a healthy life, as they’re really tasty, readily available, and almost magically adaptable. Avocados can be stuffed with grains and veggies; form the centrepiece of salads – hello avocado Panzanella – as well as crave-worthy wraps, pasta, burgers, and bliss bowls; smashed into spreads and dips; and even whipped into smoothies and desserts – they’re so good in a vegan chocolate cake. Yes, really!
Grab a couple of healthy avocados on your next trip to the supermarket and try a few vegan treats for yourself or embrace avocados to work on your sandwich game, taking due inspiration from our mouthwatering Ultimate Avocado Baguette.
The Ultimate Avocado Baguette
- Preparation time: 20 minutes
- Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 1 baguette
- Avo- nnaise or ½ cup cream cheese with herbs
- 2 ripe avocados, sliced
- 100 g goat’s or vegan cheese, sliced
- 8 strawberries, sliced
- 2 smoked chicken breasts, sliced (optional)
- Avocado or olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- Salt and pepper
- Micro greens to garnish
Method:
Slice the baguette in half lengthwise and spread with the avo-nnaise or cream cheese. Arrange the avocado, goat’s/vegan cheese, strawberries, and chicken breast (if using) on half of the baguette. Drizzle with oil and lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Garnish with microgreens. Top with the other half of the baguette and wrap in greaseproof paper, slice into thick portions to serve.
Avo-nnaise
- Preparation Time: 10 minutes
- Enough for one baguette
Ingredients for the avo-nnaise:
- 1 avocado, peeled and chopped
- 50 ml avocado oil
- ½ teaspoon smooth Dijon mustard
- ½ teaspoon crushed garlic
- ½ lemon, juiced and zest
- Pinch of sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
Method:
To make the avo-nnaise, place all the ingredients in a jug and blend with a stick blender until smooth and pourable. Add a couple of teaspoons of cold water, if necessary, to reach a pourable consistency.
For further information and avo recipes, visit www.avocado.co.za, like @iloveavocadoSA on Facebook, and follow @iloveavossa on Instagram.
