If you’re looking for a fresh and vibrant meal, this Ultimate Avocado Dinner Salad is the answer. Packed with creamy avocados, crisp vegetables, and a zesty dressing, it’s a delightful way to enjoy a healthy dinner.
Whether you’re hosting friends or just treating yourself, this salad is sure to impress. With its mix of textures and flavors, it turns a simple dinner into something special.
Let’s get started!
Steps
- Avocado and Shrimp Scampi Pasta
- Begin by boiling the linguini in water until al dente. Meanwhile, sauté minced onion in avocado oil over medium heat until translucent, then introduce the shrimp, white wine, butter, and spices to the pan. Allow this mixture to cook for about 10 minutes until the liquid reduces, making the shrimp juicy. Stir in parsley, lemon juice, Parmesan cheese, and mashed avocado until well combined. Finally, add the cooked noodles, mix until everything is coated, and serve immediately.
- Sweet Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
- Season pork chops with salt and pepper, then marinate them in a blend of pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and lime juice. Grill the avocado halves, pineapple rings, jalapeño, and onion over medium-high heat until they have grill marks. Chop these grilled ingredients and mix with the remaining salsa ingredients. Cook the pork chops on the grill for 5–6 minutes on each side until fully done, then top with the fresh salsa and serve.
- Avocado Fajita Pizza
- Sauté sliced fajita beef, onion, and green bell pepper in avocado oil over medium-high heat for 10–15 minutes until cooked. Spread pizza sauce over a frozen crust, add the sautéed mixture, and sprinkle generously with Mexican blend cheese. Bake the pizza at 400°F for 20–25 minutes until the crust is golden brown. Meanwhile, prepare the avocado crema by blending cream cheese, avocado, and milk until smooth. Once the pizza is baked, top it with diced avocado and drizzle with the crema before serving.
Ingredients
- 8 cups of water
- 1 pound cooked shrimp, deveined and peeled
- 8 ounces uncooked linguini
- 1 avocado, mashed
- 1/2 cup minced yellow onion
- 1/2 cup shredded Parmesan cheese
- 1/4 cup white wine
- 1/4 cup chopped parsley
- 2 tablespoons avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons salted butter
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Avocado Salsa Ingredients
- 2 cans of 8-ounce pineapple rings, with 1/2 cup juice reserved
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided
- 4 bone-in, center-cut pork chops, approximately 3/4-inch thick
- 1–1/2 teaspoons kosher salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon ground pepper
- 2 avocados, halved, pitted, skin removed
- 1 small red onion, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch rings
- 1 jalapeño pepper, halved and seeded
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
- 1/4 cup roughly chopped cilantro
- 1 frozen pizza crust
- 1–1/2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
- 1/2 pound seasoned fajita beef, uncooked and sliced
- 1 avocado, diced
- 1 green bell pepper, sliced
- 1/3 cup pizza sauce
- 1 tablespoon avocado oil
- 2 ounces cream cheese, melted
- 1/2 avocado
- 1/4 cup 2% milk
FAQ
- What makes avocado a great addition to classic dinner recipes?
- Avocado enhances classic dishes with its creamy texture and rich flavor, while also providing nearly 20 essential vitamins and minerals, adding nutritional value to any meal.
- How does avocado change the traditional shrimp scampi pasta?
- The addition of mashed avocado to shrimp scampi pasta creates a thicker and richer lemony sauce, elevating the traditional dish with added creaminess and flavor.
- What is unique about the pork chops with grilled pineapple-avocado salsa?
- This dish features pork chops marinated in pineapple juice and brown sugar, topped with a unique grilled salsa made from avocados, pineapple, jalapeños, and red onions, offering a sweet and savory twist.
- How is avocado used in the fajita pizza recipe?
- Avocado is incorporated into the fajita pizza by being diced and added on top of the baked pizza, along with a creamy avocado crema drizzle, enhancing both flavor and texture.
- Can these recipes be adapted for different occasions?
- Absolutely! These avocado-infused recipes are versatile and can be enjoyed for family dinners, dinner parties with friends, or even a cozy dinner for one.
Tips
- Enhance the Sauce with Avocado: When making the Avocado and Shrimp Scampi Pasta, incorporate mashed avocado into the lemony sauce to achieve a thicker and richer texture, enhancing the dish’s flavor profile.
- Marinate for Maximum Flavor: For the Sweet Pork Chops with Grilled Pineapple-Avocado Salsa, ensure the pork chops are well-marinated in pineapple juice, brown sugar, soy sauce, and lime juice to infuse them with sweet and tangy flavors before grilling.
- Grill Ingredients for Depth: When preparing the grilled salsa for the pork chops, grilling the avocado, pineapple rings, jalapeño, and onion will add a smoky depth to the salsa, making it a standout topping.
- Avocado Crema for a Finishing Touch: On the Avocado Fajita Pizza, drizzle homemade avocado crema over the top for an extra layer of creamy flavor that complements the spicy fajita toppings and cheesy goodness.
Equipment
- Grill or Grill Pan (for grilling avocado, pineapple rings, jalapeño, and onion)
- Pizza Stone or Pizza Pan (for baking the pizza crust)
- Whisk (for making the avocado crema)
- Immersion Blender or Food Processor (optional, for blending avocado crema smoothly)
