How to Use Avocados In 3 ~Totally~ New Ways

This rich, creamy beauty knows no boundaries-playing very nicely with savory, sweet, or sour recipes. (Vegan avocado chocolate pudding, anyone?) "Avocado is the fruit that just keeps on giving," says Gaby Dalkin, blogger and author of the cookbook Absolutely Avocados. Healthwise it does the same: One avocado has as much potassium as two large bananas, helping you replace what you lose of the mineral during your workout. It has lots of healthy unsaturated fat, too. Here, fun ways to enjoy it that we swear are different from anything you've seen before.

Avocados make a killer addition to smoothies and cocktails alike. This avocado cocktail from John Josberger, food and beverage director at the JW Marriott Desert Springs Resort & Spa in Palm Desert, California, is like a vacation in a glass.

Ingredients

• 2 oz tequila
• 1 oz triple sec
• 1 oz lime juice
• 1 oz lemon juice
• Fresh cilantro
• 1/2 ripe avocado

Directions

In a blender, pulse tequila, triple sec, lime juice, and lemon juice. Add a few cilantro leaves and avocado (here's a tip for discerning ripeness) and blend. Pour into a salt-rimmed glass.

Your usual avocado toast? Basic. Try this chunky, creamy spread from Camron Woods, executive chef at Omni La Mansión del Rio in San Antonio, instead. (And, BTW, you can catch an entirely avocado poolside menu at some Omni hotel locations this summer.)

Ingredients

• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 oz goat cheese
• 1 lemon, juiced
• Pinch of salt
• 1 teaspoon chopped fresh tarragon

Directions

In a food processor, blend 1 1/2 ripe avocados, goat cheese, lemon juice, and salt until smooth. Then dice the remaining 1/2 avocado and fold it into the blended mixture along with the tarragon. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve, then spread on toasted whole-wheat bagels.

The beauty of this all-star fruit is that it meshes perfectly with savory and sweet dishes alike. Case in point: these avocado chocolate truffles from Amy Castle, SideChef app contributor and author of the vlog What's Amy Eating?

Ingredients

• 10 oz 72% dark chocolate
• 2 ripe avocados
• 4 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 pinches salt
• 2 1/2 tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

Directions

Chop dark chocolate and melt in a saucepan or double boiler, stirring occasionally. Scoop flesh out of the avocados and process in a food processor until smooth. Add avocado, brown sugar, salt, 2 tablespoons cocoa powder, and vanilla extract to melted chocolate. Stir until all ingredients are combined. Refrigerate for about 40 minutes, or until mixture is cool. Cut a large square piece of parchment and pour 1/2 tablespoon cocoa powder onto it. Roll a tablespoon-size scoop of the chocolate mixture into a ball. Coat in cocoa powder and place on a plate. Repeat with remaining chocolate and cocoa powder.