The Good Life: Apps & Sips to Spice Up Your Long Weekend

Credit: Avocados from Mexico/Rue La La

It’s official – the unofficial start of summer is almost here! It’s been a long winter, and we’re counting down the days to Memorial Day Weekend with the Avocados From Mexico brand and a few delicious appetizers, all using avocados with good fats. Ready to snack your way through the long weekend? Here are a few stats that prove just how much avocados can add to your MDW eats: 

• They’re nutrient-dense, containing nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, and are a good source of dietary fiber and folate. One third of an avocado has 80 calories and 6 grams of unsaturated fat.

• Certified by the American Heart Association, avocados are also a source of good fats and nutrients and can be used as a substitute for foods that are higher in saturated fat.

• Eating avocados in place of foods containing saturated fat can help reduce the amount of saturated fat in the diet. Avocados are healthy and cholesterol- and sodium-free. Plus, the majority of the fruit’s fat content is monounsaturated.

PS: If you’re craving even more avo info, sign up for the Rue Now newsletter to get the download on additional recipes and healthy hacks from our friends at the Avocados From Mexico brand! 

Now, let’s long weekend. 

Credit: Avocados from Mexico

PINEAPPLE GUACAMOLE

Serves 4

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico, mashed

• 1/2 cup pineapple, diced

• 1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

• 1/4 cup red onion, minced

• 2 tbsp jalapeño, minced

• 1 tsp lime juice

• Dash of cumin

• Salt to taste

Instructions:

1. In a small sauté pan, heat oil on medium to high heat. Add jalapeño and cook until tender, approximately 8 minutes.

2. In a small bowl, mash avocados and stir in lime juice. Salt to taste.

3. Add pineapple, cilantro, onion, jalapeño, and cumin to guacamole mixture and stir until well combined.

Credit: Avocados from Mexico

AVOCADO MARGARITA

Serves 6 

Ingredients: 

• 1 Avocado From Mexico, peeled, pitted, & chopped

• 2/3 cup sweet-&-sour margarita mix

• 1/2 cup tequila

• 1/2 cup orange-flavored liqueur (such as triple sec or Cointreau)

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice

• 3 cups ice cubes

• Salt or chili-lime seasoning, for rimming glasses

• 6 thin slices of Avocados From Mexico, for garnish

Instructions:

1. In a blender, combine all ingredients, except for ice, and process until smooth.

2. Add ice cubes and pulse until just blended, taking care not to overmix.

3. Serve in glasses rimmed with salt or chili-lime seasoning, and garnish with a slice of avocado.

Credit: Avocados from Mexico

CRUNCHY AVO SHRIMP BITES

Serves 4

Ingredients: 

For the Shrimp

• 8 shrimp, cooked, deveined, and shells removed

• 1/2 tbsp avocado oil

• 1/2 tsp parsley

• 1/8 tsp paprika

• 1/8 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

• 1/8 tsp garlic powder

• Salt to taste

For the Guacamole

• 1 Avocado From Mexico

• 8 cucumber slices

• 1/2 tsp lemon juice

• 1/8 tsp garlic powder

• Salt to taste

• Cilantro, chopped, to garnish

• Crushed red pepper flakes, to garnish

Instructions:

1. In a small skillet on medium heat, warm avocado oil and add shrimp, parsley, paprika, crushed red pepper flakes, garlic powder, and salt to taste. Stir the shrimp constantly for approximately five minutes, or until opaque and cooked through. 

2. To make the guacamole, mash avocado and stir in lemon juice, garlic powder, and salt in a small bowl. 

3. On a plate, evenly distribute the guacamole on top of the cucumber slices.

4. Place one shrimp on top of each of the guacamole-covered cucumber slices, and garnish with cilantro and crushed red pepper flakes. Repeat this step until there are no remaining ingredients.

Credit: Avocados from Mexico

B.A.L.T. BURGER

Per 1 Portion 

Ingredients: 

• 1 hamburger bun, toasted

• 1 tbsp herbed mayonnaise

• 2 tomato slices, ¼-inch thick 

• 1 lettuce leaf

• 1 burger patty

• 2 bacon slices

• 2 tbsp avocado mash

Instructions:

1. Grill burger patty to desired temperature.

2. Build burgers in the given order and amounts.

Credit: Avocados from Mexico

COCONUT AVOCADO POPSICLES

Serves 8

Ingredients:

• 2 Avocados From Mexico

• 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk

• 1/2 cup pineapple juice

• 3 tbsp honey

• 2 tbsp lime juice

Instructions:

1. In a food processor, combine all ingredients and mix until smooth. If desired, add coconut flakes or other diced fruit or crushed pineapple.

2. Spoon mixture into Popsicle molds to freeze. Tap the molds onto the countertop a few times to remove air bubbles. Insert Popsicle sticks and place in the freezer.

3. Freeze for at least six hours before removing them from the mold.

4. To remove Popsicles from molds, quickly run under hot water to release.

Check out these recipes (and more!) at avocadosfrommexico.com.

Looking for other Avocados From Mexico posts? 

Boost Your Self-Care Routine with These Heart-Healthy Salads 

A Romantic Menu to Feed Your Soul (& Your Heart) 

Game-Changing Avocado Hacks  

Celebrate Earth Day Avocado-Style 

By Emma Lifvergren, Staff Writer