by Edible Evanston’s Maria Alamo, MPH, RD, LD
Creme de Abacate is the Brazilian name for this delicious avocado cream. Variations of this dessert are common throughout Latin America. Some just puree avocados with sugar and lime juice to make a simple and tasty dessert. A favorite of my family and friends, this recipe comes in handy when I’m invited to a pot-luck dinner and want to take a superb healthy dish that can be prepared in less than 20 minutes. Surprise, surprise, it´s not guacamole I´m bringing to share, it´s an avocado-inspired sweet dessert!
In June, make it with 3 cups of strawberries instead of the berries, and in July, top it with a combination of blueberries and raspberries as seen in the photo. In August, use sliced peaches, nectarines and grapes.
This surprisingly refreshing and creamy avocado-inspired dessert will satisfy your sweet tooth and contribute 1.5 fruit servings too!
AVOCADO CREAM WITH BERRIES
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Makes: 8 servings, about 2/3 cup each
2 medium ripe, but firm Hass Avocados (about 6-oz. each), peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
¼ cup fresh lime juice
½ cup sugar
½ cup skim or low fat milk
1 cup plain nonfat Greek yogurt
1 pint (2 cups) fresh blueberries
6 oz. container (1 cup) raspberries
Shredded sweetened coconut and mint sprigs to garnish
In a blender or food processor, combine the first 5 ingredients; blend until smooth and creamy. Transfer to a 1-quart glass bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap making sure it touches the cream’s surface to prevent browning. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour.
In a medium bowl, combine the berries, cover and refrigerate until ready to use.
When ready to serve, divide the avocado cream among 8 stemmed glasses or dessert bowls (about 1/3 cup each). Top each serving with approximately 1/3 cup of the berries. Garnish each portion with 1 teaspoon shredded coconut and top with a small sprig of mint leaves.
Variations:
- Replace individual glasses with a 2 quarts size, clear glass bowl. Transfer the prepared avocado cream into this bowl and continue as directed. When ready to serve, top the cream with the reserved berries. Arrange shredded coconut and fresh mint leaves on top as desired or decorate with thinly sliced fresh lime. Served this way, it’s perfect to take to any party or gathering.
- To save time, you can chill the whole avocados and the pre-measured lime juice, milk, yogurt and berries prior to preparation. Once ready to serve, peel, seed and chop the avocados and proceed as directed.
- For a simple and delicious treat, serve the avocado cream without the berries and garnish with thinly sliced fresh lime.
Substitute the berries for a combination of finely chopped strawberries, peaches or nectarines, and champagne grapes, if available.