Do you have trouble imagining avocados anyplace other than poolside, seated next to their dear friends: beer and tortilla chips? Don’t underestimate these creamy, decadent fruits. They are just as ripe, delicious, and infinitely useful in the winter as they are in the summer months. When cold weather hurries you indoors, you can still rely on avocados to amp up homemade meals. Serve them atop warming soups and stick-to-your-ribs stews, or get a much-needed dose of the color green by blending them into a luscious soup.
Now that you get the picture, try these warming wintertime recipes featuring avocados.
Add a twist to the old-fashioned winter stew with a vegetarian version: Caramelize onions and carrots, then add black beans, pinto beans, stewed tomatoes, and spices like cumin, chili powder, and bay leaf. Let this simmer into a steamy, inviting concoction. For extra texture, crumble nutty tempeh and add it to the mix. When you’re ready to serve the chili, spoon sliced avocado on top. The creaminess of the avocado blends with the other ingredients, creating a decadent meal.
Avocados star in this Colombian-inspired soup. Blend avocados with cream, chicken stock, fresh cilantro, cumin, and salt and pepper, then warm on the stove. Meanwhile, make a salsa out of black beans, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, diced bell peppers, and corn to top the soup. Or, if you’re craving more protein, top the soup with shredded chicken and cheese. Just like that, you’ll have a hearty, wintertime supper just in time for dinner.
You’ve heard of tortilla soup, but what about caldo de pollo? Kind of like Mom’s traditional chicken soup but with a Mexican twist, this soup will warm you right up. Use your favorite chicken soup recipe, but add sautéed zucchini, carrots, potatoes, fresh cilantro, and cumin to the mix. At the last minute, add halved avocados to the soup, wait for them to warm, and then ladle into bowls. The warm avocado will add a delightful depth of flavor.
Now that you’ve got a warm bowl of soup, pair it with one of these salad recipes featuring creamy avocado dressing.