So, I've mentioned a few times that our daughter just LOVES avocados and guacamole. I normally 'wing it' with guacamole, simply adding lemon or lime juice and sea salt to taste, for the most basic guacamole that kids enjoy. For more 'sophisticated' tastes, you can also add chopped cilantro, onion and/or tomatoes, and black pepper.I decided for my next book, I would actually write down some measurements for this basic type of guacamole. Then, I thought about adding a little extra nutrition to that guacamole our girl can inhale by the bowl (seriously, she can)!
See the green flecks in the guacamole? This is organic kelp granules added in, and I use Maine Coast Sea Seasonings brand, pictured right. I know, sounds too healthy and not appetizing, but this kelp sprinkle actually tastes mildly salty for the most part and not overly 'seaweedy'! It contributes iodine and other sea vegetable nutrients to the guacamole, and is low in sodium (for those of you looking for some low-sodium alternatives).You can play around with your own versions of this guacamole, and until I finalize yet another recipe, any creative name pitches for this one are welcome!
22 comments:
I LOVE guacomole! It's probably my favorite thing to eat! The kelp powder sounds like a really neat addition. What other ways do you suggest using seaweed and what are its benefits? Thanks, Dreena! ;)
I like really, really basic guacamole too. I just mash up some avocado and add some garlic and lime juice.
My first thought for a name was "Seven Seas Guacamole".
Opps! That should read, I really like basic guacamole too.
Hi! This sounds and looks great! I am looking Guac even more than usual lately. I made Mango Gauc last night.
"Keep it Kelpin' Guac!"
i love guacamole too. especially on spinach salad. with a margarita maybe...
I love guac with a splash of tabasco. It adds a little bite, but it's not too hot.
I would think the kelp would be good, especially if you ate the guac with a less-salty counterpart (not salty chips.)
How about
"Guacamole con Alga Marina"
(literally, guacamole with seaweed)
That is a great idea to add some extra minerals to the guac. I love guac, but rarely do my avocados make it that far ;-)
I like 'sneaky guac' I put roma tomatoes and a little bit of red onioin in mine too. I love anything with avocado in it. If avocado is an option- i'm there!!
Kelp-amole.
"Kelp-amole" also came to my mind as I read your post. Another is "Sea-Guac". Maybe the kelp would also go well in one of your soups? I like to add a dash of cayanne pepper to my guacamole --just a tiny kick.
Mmm, guac...
Aqua-Guac? Kelp is from the ocean...
Guac with an Ocean View?
First off, you guys are SO awesome! I was swamped yesterday and didn't get a chance to pop in and reply to you all, but wow, you are a clever bunch with your recipe names - can I keep doing this, because if I told you what I had picked for this recipe, well, I won't, because it's embarrassing!
Hi Julie! I am not an expert in the nutritional benefits of sea vegetables, but I understand that they offer the most wide range of minerals, similar to the composition of our blood. They are high in iodine, which is important for thyroid functioning, and can be low in our diets. Table salt has iodine added back into it (I believe), but it is also processed in other ways, and I know many of us opt for sea salt instead. Sea vegetables are quite abundant in iodine. Also, sea veggies have anti-cancer properties. I am not a big eater of sea veggies - at all. I'd like to work on it, but it's getting the other family members to eat it - hubby won't touch veggie sushi, for instance. Anyhow, this is an easy, tasty way for us to get *some* of the health benefits. I also sprinkle it on our sandwiches, and you can put it in salad dressings, or in ketchup or other sauces - I stir it into my daughters heaping amounts of Goddess Dressing that she loves to eat!
Thanks Danielle, great suggestion! I know, basic guacamole is so fabulous, and the easiest thing to make!
Hi Chris... oh, that's good too, thanks! Sometimes I'm a 'sneaky mom' and then other times I flat out say "okay, well, it's up to you if you don't want to eat it - this is what makes you strong and want to play and grow, but if you don't want to, that's just fine with me". Works for my daughter, not hubby though - ha!
hi Harmonia - yeah, I saw that mango guac on your blog - what a unique combination, I think I'd like it because I enjoy mango in a salad with avocado, so kind of the same idea. Thanks for the name game suggestion too!! :)
Mal, that's my daughter's exact sentiment!
Hi Stevi, you know I don't usually put it on salads, but I had it in a restaurant on a salad and really enjoyed it. Why am I not doing that??... and the drinks too?! :)
Sweetpotatopatti, first, your name is too cute!! Like peppermint patty but better. Anyhow, yes, some tortilla chips are VERY salty, and others just a bit. Helps to have both options in your pantry for what mood you are in! That name is just super, thanks so much! Gives the impression that I am far more sophisticated than I really am and am fluent in other languages... fun! Thanks... :)
Hi go veg! I know, we buy probably 4 or 5 avocados a week, usually just adding them to salads and piling them on our daughter's plate!
Tina, it's true, avocado is just so luscious and the fat in it just carries flavors that you want to keep eating it. I'm okay with that, it's good fat afterall!
Hi Leslie, I got your e-mail too... I was going to post your suggestion, but here you are - thanks!! Blogger was very troublesome yesterday, whatever was going on! Love that name, thank youuuu!
Ah, Vicki, great minds thinking alike!! A dollop in a spicy soup would be great, wouldn't it? Like in black bean soup? Yum... I'm going to think about what soups it might work well with for my next book too - that's helpful, thanks!
Hi krispycheks, thanks for those fun ideas! Btw - no fair with all those food pics from your trip to Portland - I wanna go too! :)
Okay, I'm late in the discussion but might as well chime in.
Guapa-mole?
(guapa- beautiful, pretty or smart in Spanish)
I've been meaning to email you, but time has been an issue, so I'll just say my thank you here. I was almost in tears reading your story in TEV (yeah, I know, I'm behind!)
I could relate to a lot of it, etc, etc. I'll share more in the email, but the point is: thank you for sharing your story:)
What about "Wacky-Mole"?! :o)
mmm... getting hungry!
mmm... i love guacomole too! i much prefer it with at least on serrano or perhaps a habanero added though!
one note about adding kelp granules- i'd be careful as to how much one consumes. kelp granules are so iodine-rich that it's really easy to consume too much iodine. according to the UK vegan society, the upper limit for iodine is 300 mcg per day( but they acknowledge that 500 mcg probably isn't going to hurt). 1/4 tsp of kelp granules contains over 500 mcg.
I put in about a 1/2 tsp. of kelp powder to my chick pea salad for a mock tuna salad.
Thanks for the info, Dreena!
Dreena, I want to make those bars again asap..if only I had a reason to, so I should plan a social event of some sort..
And this guacomole is everything I want it to be! No onions, no cilantro, and something extra and unique like kelp!
Hey Kai! I'm touched that you my story resonated with you. I look forward to hearing from you about it. Thank you for making a mention of it here, and for your 'name game' feedback too!
That's cute Megan... thanks! :)
Oh, Alexandra, you're a brave one with the serrano or habanero (ouch!) chiles in there!! No doubt you like spicy food! Thank you for giving us that info on the kelp intake. I hadn't heard that, and this particular kelp container shows 1/2 tsp as the serving giving 100% of the rda for iodine... so I think I'll err on the conservative side between 1/4 - 1/2 tsp. Much appreciated, thanks.
Starla, that's a super tip! Chickpeas are such a versatile bean, and the kelp will give it just that bit of 'sea flavor' I guess to imitate tuna some. I haven't tried this, but will do so now that you mentioned it. Great stuff!
You're very welcome Julie. :)
Yes, Jess, we must plan events just so we can have our favorite foods!! Oh, yes, you are one of the onion haters out there, right? And cilantro... I like cilantro, but I keep it to myself mostly, because the kids don't like it and hubby isn't fussy about it much either. To me, guacamole is a 'cooling' condiment, so I don't like too much stuff in there that brings the heat up - like garlic or onions. But that's just my preference! (well, yours too) :)
Wow, josh, I have never thought of that - but what a cool idea! Avocado is a fruit (technically) after all, so why not mix it up with some apple - esp a crisp, more tart apple, as you suggest. Lovely idea, thanks!
I love the idea of the kelp in guac. Makes me wonder what else it would be fabulous in....
Post a Comment