Chop an Avocado

Today I am going to show you how I chop an avocado...and maybe this is a totally stupid blog post.  Does everyone already chop avocados this way?  Probably, but I thought maybe someone would find it useful. 

We REALLY love avocados at our house and eat them quite often.  I used to cut them in half, spoon each half onto my cutting board and then chop.  Then, I didn't want to dirty another dish(my cutting board), so I just would just cut it in half and squeeze each half into a bowl and then kind of chop it with a fork.  That was great, but had bigger chunks or turned into guacamole.

So now, I cut the avocado in the shell/skin/peel(?).  I cut lines going each direction(be sure not to cut through the outer skin) and then just squeeze the pieces into a bowl.  Works great for us and it is easy to serve and share!

Shrimp Soup with Chili Tortilla Strips

 I LOVED this soup!!  It is so yummy and a nice light soup for spring and summer.  I found it in my Better Homes and Gardens magazine....you can also find it on their website...here.  Look how pretty their picture below looks :)  My picture below that does not do this soup justice...haha..I am terrible at photographing anyway, especially when it comes to soup.

Better Homes and Gardens picture

My picture :)  Not as pretty, but still delicious!!

Shrimp Soup with Chili Tortilla Strips

 

Ingredients:

1 large poblano pepper, seeded and chopped (about 1 cup)

1 medium onion, chopped (1/2 cup)

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon vegetable or olive oil

1 quart reduced-sodium chicken broth

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1 12 ounce package frozen shrimp, peeled and deveined

1 cup frozen corn

1 15 ounce can cannellini beans (white kidney beans), rinsed and drained

1/4 cup snipped fresh cilantro

2 tablespoons lime juice

1 small avocado, halved, seeded, peeled, and thinly sliced or chopped

1 Recipe Chili Tortilla Strips

 

Directions:  In a 4- to 5- quart Dutch oven cook poblano pepper, onion, and garlic in hot oil until just tender. Add broth, salt and crushed red pepper. Bring to boiling. Add frozen shrimp, corn and drained beans; return to boil.  Simmer, uncovered, about 2 minutes or until shrimp are opaque. Stir in cilantro and lime juice. Serve in shallow bowls topped with avocado and Chili Tortilla Strips.

 

Chili Tortilla Strips

Ingredients: 

8 to 9 inch flour tortillas

vegetable oil - I use canola oil

chili powder

 

Directions:  Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brush one side of two 8- to 9-inch flour tortillas with vegetable oil; sprinkle with chili powder. With a pizza wheel, cut into strips and wedges. Place in a single layer on a very large baking sheet. Bake 12 to 15 minutes or until crisp.

Quick and Easy, Healthy Snack

Just thought I would share one of my favorite post-workout(or anytime) snacks with you.  It is super simple and super yummy!!  Just squeeze a little lime juice over an avocado, sprinkle with some course kosher salt and fresh ground black pepper and that's it.  mmm...