Look…It’s Ice Cream Shaped Like an Avocado for Dessert!

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

Avocado + ice cream.

It’s not an everyday pairing. At first thought, it sounds creamy, slightly odd and interesting.

Well, after experimenting a bit in the kitchen, we can tell you that the combination of an avocado + ice cream dessert is delicious.

We wish we could take total credit for this idea. However, if there are any Triple D {Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives} fans out there like Jessica’s hubby, you may have seen an episode where a Mexican restaurant made an exact replica of an avocado for dessert; except instead of an avocado, it was homemade avocado ice cream in a chocolate shell, and a homemade caramel and chocolate ball inside. Yum!

We would have attempted actual avocado ice cream, but we went with something easier to make {just buy and scoop}, and sweeter {not as healthy}. Plus, the gelato had the word Sicilian in it, and being of Sicilian heritage, it was a no-brainer.

At your next party, surprise guests with an avocado dessert…or at least Avocado shaped ice cream for dessert. It will be a hit!

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

You’ll Need:

Directions:

Make the Chocolate Avocado Shell

  • Step 1: Melt the chocolate wafers. We melted it via microwave in 30-second intervals until it was melted. Stir until smooth.
  • Step 2: Blow up a balloon about the size of an avocado.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

  • Step 3: Prepare a baking sheet with wax paper or parchment paper.
  • Step 4: Make sure the chocolate is slightly cool.
  • Step 5: Gently dip the balloon in the chocolate, coating the bottom half of the balloon.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

  • Step 6: Place on the baking sheet. Repeat for as many bowls as you want to make. Place the baking sheet in the refrigerator for about 10 minutes.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

  • Step 7: To release the air from the balloon, pinch the balloon and use a tack or knife to puncture a small hole.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

  • Step 8: Release the air gradually. If the air is released too fast, the bowl will be more likely to break.
  • Step 9: Carefully peel the deflated balloons from the bowl, trying not to press down or squeezing the bowl.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

Add Ice Cream to the Shell

  • Step 1: Remove the ice cream from the freezer, and let it thaw slightly so it’s easier to mold without breaking the shell.
  • Step 2: Gently add spoonful’s of ice cream into the chocolate ‘avocado shell’ until it’s full.
  • Step 3: Press a Lindt chocolate truffle into the ice cream so it looks just like the nut inside an avocado.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

  • Step 4: Place the sweet DIY ice cream avocados into the freezer until you are ready to serve.

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

avocado-ice-cream-balloon-dessert-diy-mexican-pistacio-chocolate-bowl

paleo-style burgers {recipe of the week}

So, my husband is into the Paleo-diet these days. We’ve just ‘dipped’ our toes ever so slightly into the new craze, but I believe in the premise and research behind it, and know that whole and healthy food is the key to optimal health and defeating chronic disease. The Paleo-diet has been described as the cave-man diet because the diet consists of meats, seafood, vegetables, fruits, and nuts. I’m all for it…I have a hard time with all the meat {I tend to lean more to the vegetarian-side}, but sign me up for the veggies, fruits, seafood and nuts. If you haven’t heard about the whole Paleo-diet craze, read more about it here.

I visited PaleOMG – it’s a great site and a wonderful resource…plus Juli is a fellow Colorado gal and you gotta love that!! This recipe caught my eye. I made a few changes because I didn’t have some ingredients/changed to my liking…and it was DELISH. The whole family loved it, and wanted round 2. It’s been added to my recipe book. I hope you give it a try. Buon Appetito.

Spinach Turkey Burgers
recipe adapted from PaleOMG
*makes about 5-6 patties

Ingredients
1 pound ground organic turkey
¼ cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
2 cups fresh spinach, finely chopped
1 tablespoon dried minced onion
1 garlic clove, pressed
1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
1 teaspoon dried basil
1 teaspoon garlic powder
salt and pepper to taste
avocado, sliced

Garnish/Salad Ingredients
spinach
arugula
baby kale
carrots {any vegetables of your liking}
olive oil/balsamic vinaigrette dressing {I made my own dressing with olive oil, balsamic, salt, pepper and pressed garlic}

How To
1.  Add all the ingredients for your burgers in a medium size bowl and use your hands to mix well
2. Form balls with your hands
3. Place a non-stick large skillet OR warm a griddle {and add olive oil to prevent sticking patties} on medium heat. Once hot, place the balls onto the skillet/griddle, then press down with a spatula to flatten out
4. Cook on both sides for at least 8-10 minutes until turkey cooked through
5. Once done, add to the top of your salad, top off with avocados and devour!
NOTE: for the kiddos, I made the burgers traditional-style, topped with cheese in between buns…and they {most impressively, my incredibly picky son who turns his nose to everything green} LOVED them.

If you have any other delicious Paleo-diet recipe you want to share, please send them to trejsorelle@gmail.com. We’d love to try more recipes.

{images via Tutto Bella}

gluten free quinoa cakes

All three of us are gluten free {most of the time} so we are always looking for yummy recipes the whole family will enjoy as well. My family is obsessed with Quinoa. We eat it with stir-fry, chicken and veggies, chili and even as a complete meal with a dish like this.

When I told my husband I was attempting this recipe for breakfast this weekend, he had a skeptical look on his face, like “where’s the bacon?” But, after one bite, he quickly changed his mind and enjoyed several of them. This recipe is so easy, healthy and gluten free. Enjoy!

Quinoa Cakes
recipe adapted from a friend
yields 8-9 cakes

Ingredients
2 cups Quinoa, cooked and cooled
2 eggs
1/2 cup Parmesan
1/2 cup gluten free bread crumbs {if you are not gf, you can use regular bread crumbs, or even parmesan Panko bread crumbs}
1/4 cup fresh Parsley, chopped
Salt and pepper to taste
splash of milk or cream
1/4 shallot, finely chopped
1 tbsp pressed garlic

Directions
Pour all ingredients into a medium size bowl and mix together
Form into small cakes, about 2 inches diameter

Saute on the stove in olive oil until golden and crispy on each side, about 4-5 minutes {if they are not golden, they will fall apart easily}

Top with an over-easy egg with cheese melted on top and slices of avocado

{images via Tutto Bella}