Guacamole - the best

I loooove guacamole! I usually serve this with wholegrain tortilla chips and it is also great along side some grilled white fish.

Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled & halved
½ lime juiced
½ red onion, diced
2 tomatoes, seeded, diced
1 tbs chopped coriander
1 garlic clove, minced
Salt & pepper

Preparations:
1.) Add the avocado and lime juice into a bowl. Use a potato masher or a fork to roughly mash until it is the consistency you like.
2.) Mix in the rest of the ingredients.

One Pan Mexican Quinoa

Searching for an exotic, healthy weeknight supper? Here is your answer. Also a big hit with gluten-free and vegetarian family and friends.

Ingredients:
1 tablespoon olive oil
1/2 cup diced yellow onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
½ a large jalapeno, minced (taste to make sure it's not too spicy)
3/4 cup quinoa
1 cup vegetable broth
1 (15-ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 (14.5 oz) can fire-roasted diced tomatoes (not drained)
1 cup corn
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon cumin
salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 avocado, halved, seeded, peeled and diced
Juice of 1 lime
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro leaves

Preparations: 
1.) Heat the olive oil in a large skillet with a lid over medium heat.
2.) Sauté the garlic and jalapeno until it starts to brown, about one minute.
3.) Add the quinoa, vegetable broth, black beans, diced tomatoes, corn, chili powder, cumin, and salt to the skillet and stir to mix well.
4.) Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce heat to medium low and cover the pan with the lid.
5.) Cook covered for 20 minutes, until the quinoa is cooked through, but stir it halfway through cooking just to make sure the quinoa cooks evenly.
6.) Before serving, sprinkle the chopped cilantro and diced avocado on top and then squeeze ½ of the lime in as well. Taste and add more lime juice, salt and pepper if needed.

Shrimp Pineapple Salad

Another elegant, delicious summer salad to serve your family or your friends. The fresher the ingredients the better the taste!

Ingredients:
(For the shrimp)
-1 pound shrimp
-½ tablespoon olive oil
-generous squeeze of lemon (or lime)
-1 garlic clove, finely minced
-herb of choice (I used cilantro and basil)
-salt and pepper

(For the salad)
-1/4 pineapple, cored and diced
-2 small Persian cucumbers, diced
-1 avocado, diced
-2 teaspoons olive oil
-1 tablespoon cilantro, chopped
-1 tablespoon white balsamic vinegar (can substitute lime juice)
-salt and pepper to taste

Preparation:
1. Preheat the oven to 400º F.
2. In a bowl, combine shrimp with olive oil, lemon, garlic, cilantro, basil, salt and pepper to marinate. Pop mixture in the fridge.
3. While shrimp is marinating, prepare the pineapple salsa by combining all the ingredients in a bowl.
4. Once the salsa is prepared, place the shrimp on a sheet pan. Roast for 8 - 10 minutes, just until pink and cooked through. Flip the shrimp over after about 4 minutes.
5. Serve on top of greens, and add any other veggie you wish. This dish is also perfect cold the next day.

Tuna tartare and Avocado

I love, love, love, tuna tartare. Here is yet another version of it... and so easy to prepare!

Ingredients:
2 (9-oz.) tuna steaks
2 tbsp. mirin
2 tbsp. soy sauce
2 avocados, peeled, pitted, and cut into cubes
2 tbsp. lime juice
2 tbsp. olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1.) Chill tuna in freezer for 25 minutes.
2.) Transfer tuna to cutting board and, using a very sharp knife, cut tuna into cubes.
3.) Combine with mirin and soy sauce; refrigerate until ready to use.
4.) Meanwhile, combine avocado, lime juice, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
5.) Divide reserved tuna and avocado mixtures between plates. Serve immediately.

Avocado Mousse with Shrimps

Even if you're not a big fan of gelatine, this is a simple recipe. It is a great entrée for dinner parties. Add a drop of tabasco to give it a hint of spice.

Ingredients:
15 gr powdered gelatine (1 sachet)
2 ripe avocados
2/3 cup mayonnaise
1 lemon (juiced)
salt and pepper
2/3 cup cream – lightly whipped
85 gr peeled cooked prawns
bunch of cilantro
1 shallot chopped very finely
French dressing

Preparation:
1.) Soak gelatine in 3 tbs cold water in small pan
2.) Peel avocados and puree until smooth with lemon juice, salt and pepper
3.) Add mayonnaise
4.) Dissolve gelatine over gentle heat.  When warm and clear stir into the avocado mixture.
5.) Fold in whipped cream with a large metal spoon
6.) Pour into a lightly oiled ring mould and refrigerate until set
7.) Turn out onto a round serving plate.
8.) Mix the prawns with French dressing, chopped cilantro and shallot and pile into the centre of the mousse.  Serve with brown bread and butter.

Salmon, Mango & Avocado tartar

A fast and juicy starter perfect for your girls' lunch party. Light and tasty!

Ingredients:
400 gr salmon filets
4 avocados
500 gr mango
4 tbsp olive oil
2 lemons (juice + zests)
1/2 small chili pepper, minced
1 clove of garlic, crushed
3 tbsp sesame seeds
1 tbsp chives, minced
Salt & pepper

Preparation:
1.) Cut salmon into cubes, as well as the avocados and the mangos. Place into 3 different medium-sized bowls, one for each ingredient.
2.) In a small bowl, prepare the marinade with the olive oil, the lemon juice and zests. Add in the crushed garlic, the minced chili pepper, and season with salt and pepper.
3.) Pour 2/3 of the marinade over the diced salmon and add in the sesame seeds. Cool for minimum 30 minutes in the refrigerator.
4.) Divide the remaining 1/3 of marinade into two and pour evenly over the diced avocados and the diced mangos respectively. Drain the mangos in a sieve to prevent them from being too juicy.
5.) Set up in the plate directly, using a stainless steel round form, starting with the layer of mangos, then the avocado layer and eventually the salmon one.
6.) Decorate with some chives on top and serve immediately!

Avocado shrimp Salad

This quick and easy shrimp salad makes the perfect light meal or a substantial side salad. It is a great tasting combination of shrimp and plenty of health-promoting vegetables.

Ingredients: (serves 6)
2 pounds boiled or steamed shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 avocados, cut into large pieces
2 tablespoons diced red onion
For the Dressing
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
¼ cup red wine vinegar
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 teaspoon parsley, chopped
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1.) Add shrimp, avocado, and onion to a large bowl.
2.) In a 2-cup measuring cup, mix together ingredients for the dressing. Whisk until well-combined.
3.) Add dressing to shrimp avocado salad until it has the amount you desire. Serve additional dressing on the side.

Spinach pasta salad

Here's a great way to incorporate your greens into a healthy and delicious dish. Who can resist a refreshing pasta salad?

Ingredients:
For the salad:
2 1/2 cups bowtie pasta
2 cups spinach
1 bunch cilantro
1/4 cups onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 avocados, diced
1 can navy beans or chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, cut in half
For the Dressing:
Juice of a lemon
2 tsp olive oil
1 tsp sugar
2 tsp mustard
1/2 tsp cumin
Salt and pepper, to taste

Preparation:
1.) Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta until done, about 7-9 minutes. Drain pasta and set aside.
2.) Place cilantro and spinach in a food processor and process until chopped into tiny pieces.
3.) Add greens to a medium bowl.
4.) Add the garlic, onion, tomatoes, avocado, and beans.
5.) Toss in cooked pasta, and stir until combined.
6.) Pour dressing over the top and fold into salad until well coated.
7.) Refrigerate for at least 10-15 minutes to let flavors combine.