7 Desi-inspired Avocado Recipes

Avocado is a fruit with great nutritional value and it is incredibly popular among health-conscious individuals.

Loaded with mono-saturated fatty acids which are good for a healthy heart, avocados are rich in potassium, fibre, antioxidants, and many vitamins like B, K, C and E.

They are a powerhouse of health and undeniably delicious, which is as good as it gets.

Sometimes called ‘alligator pear’ or ‘avocado pear’, this fruit has some pretty quirky names because of its bumpy, green and pear-shaped appearance.

Their muted flavour and buttery quality make them a perfect accompaniment to a variety of dishes that need a creamy texture.

Usually, people think the most you can do with avocados is make a smoothie or use them in a salad, but in fact, you can use avocados in a lot of recipes including Indian cooking!

For all recipes that require mashed avocado, this is how you do it.

Wash and cut the ripe and soft avocado in half. Using a knife, gently remove the large stone.

Using a spoon, scoop out the flesh and mash with a fork.

Lemon or lime juice is an important accomplice to avocado recipes as it stops it from turning brown once cut.

All spices, masala and salt measurements can be adjusted to taste.

Here are some mouth-watering Desi recipes using avocados.

Baked Garam Masala Avocado Fries

This recipe is a yummy snack and also perfect as a starter for a dinner party.

A dash of garam masala to these avocado fries lends a unique flavour and it is best served hot.

The avocados for this recipe should not be too ripe or else they will start falling apart during preparation.

Ingredients

• 2 Avocados, sliced
• ½ Lime, juiced
• 2/3 cup all-purpose flour
• 2/3 cup water
• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• Salt to taste
• Black pepper to taste
• 2 tbsp oil

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
2. In a bowl mix the flour, salt and water.
3. In a separate tray, mix the breadcrumbs, garam masala and garlic powder with a little salt. At the same time, squeeze lime juice over the avocado slices.
4. Dip each avocado slice into the flour mixture and dredge through the breadcrumbs. Coat thoroughly and place on a foil-lined baking sheet. Spray lightly with cooking spray or
   drizzle some oil all over.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Flip halfway through cooking.
6. Serve with your favourite dipping sauce.

Avocado Raita

Avocado raita is the Indian version of guacamole and tastes yummy with just about anything.

In India, it is used mostly as a dip and often paired with chips or flatbread, along with chutneys and pickles.

This recipe can be served with parathas for a healthy meal.

Ingredients

• 2 Avocados
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 2 Tomatoes, finely chopped
• 1 Green chilli, finely chopped
• ½ tsp red chilli powder
• 1 tsp cumin powder
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 cup plain yoghurt, whisked until smooth
• ½ cup coriander leaves, chopped
• Salt to taste

Method

1. Mash the avocados until mostly smooth. Add the chopped onion, tomato, green chilli, spices, lemon juice and chopped coriander until all ingredients are well mixed.
2. Add yoghurt and salt to taste, stirring until fully blended with the avocado mixture. Cover the mixture and refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. For a smoother texture, use a food processor.
4. To achieve an even creamier result, refrigerate the yoghurt in a strainer for a couple of hours beforehand, allowing it to strain out some of the water into a separate bowl.

Avocado Kebabs

Here is a take on kebabs you probably haven’t had before.

These avocado kebabs have a sprinkle of chopped pistachios, giving it a bit of a bite.

Suitable for a vegetarian meal, they are succulent and filling.

Ingredients

• 3 Avocados
• 2 Potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 Onion, finely chopped
• 3 tbsp semolina
• 1 tbsp cornflour
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp chilli flakes
• ½ tsp garam masala
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• A pinch of nutmeg
• 1 tbsp pistachios, coarsely chopped
• 1½ tbsp ghee
• Salt to taste

Method

1. In a bowl, add avocado, mashed potatoes, onions, semolina, cornflour, garlic powder, chilli flakes, garam masala, cardamom powder, nutmeg, pistachios and salt. Mix well.
2. Add ghee to the bowl and mix well.
3. Form kebabs weighing around 40 grams each.
4. Heat a grill on medium heat and place the kebabs, drizzling a little oil.
5. Grill for three minutes then gently turn. Grill for another three minutes then remove.
6. Serve with your favourite chutney or dip.

Avocado Paratha

Good old parathas are a staple in Indian cuisine.

They have different variations but all are finger-licking good in equal measure.

This paratha recipe incorporates avocado when preparing the dough.

Ingredients

• 400g whole wheat flour
• 1 Avocado
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp caraway seeds
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp chilli powder
• ½ tsp green chillies, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves, finely chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Ghee

Method

1. Mash the avocado and mix with lemon juice.
2. Place the flour into a large mixing bowl and add all the ingredients apart from the ghee and the avocado mixture.
3. Mix well then add the avocado mixture.
4. After forming a dough, knead until smooth.
5. Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes then knead the dough again and make into small balls. Roll into thin circles.
6. Heat a skillet on a high flame before reducing it slightly.
7. Place the paratha onto it and heat until small bubbles start to form.
8. Flip over and spread a little ghee. Cook until golden then flip.
9. Once golden on both sides, they are ready to serve.

Avocado Chutney

This fruit is combined with coriander and mint to make a vibrant chutney.

This rich, creamy and spicy chutney can be served with parathas and chips or added to salads, wraps and sandwiches.

Ingredients

• 2 Avocados
• A small bunch of coriander leaves
• 10-12 Mint leaves
• 6 tbsp lemon juice
• 2 Green chillies
• Salt to taste
• ½ tsp cumin powder (optional)

Method

1. Scoop the avocado flesh into a blender. Add coriander leaves, mint leaves, lemon juice, salt and green chillies. Optionally, add the cumin powder.
2. Blend into a smooth paste. You may need to add a few teaspoons of water to help blend the mixture.
3. Give it a taste and add more lemon juice and salt if needed.
4. Once the avocado chutney is ready, keep it in an airtight glass jar in the fridge. It will keep for 7- 10 days in the fridge.

Avocado & Green Chickpeas Bhel

With its tangy flavours, who can resist the glorious taste of the.

Avocado is an innovative must-try ingredient the next time you make bhel.

Green chickpeas are not readily available in the UK all the time but if you can get it, you will absolutely love the flavours of this lip-smacking recipe.

Ingredients

• 1 cup puffed rice
• 1 Avocado, diced (save a few pieces for garnishing)
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• ½ cup green chickpeas
• ¼ cup tomatoes, chopped
• ¼ cup onions, chopped
• ½ Potato, boiled and chopped
• ¼ cup green mango
• 8-10 pieces papdi (save a few for garnishing)
• Tamarind and date chutney to taste
• Coriander and mint chutney to taste
• Chaat masala to taste
• Salt to taste
• Coriander, to garnish
• Sev, to garnish

Method

1. In a mixing bowl, add the puffed rice and a few pieces of broken-up papdi.
2. Add green chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, potatoes, green mango, avocado and lemon juice to the bowl and mix well. Season with salt.
3. Add the chutneys according to taste and mix gently.
4. In a serving bowl or avocado skin, place the prepared bhel mix. Garnish it with thin sev, papdi, coriander and avocado.
5. Serve fresh otherwise the puffed rice may become soggy.

Avocado Papdi Chaat

Avocado Papdi Chaat is a modern twist on the traditional Indian street food, combining the creamy richness of mashed avocado with the tangy and spicy flavours of chaat.

Crisp papdis serve as the base, topped with a flavourful mixture of mashed avocados, diced onions, tomatoes, green chillies, aromatic spices, lemon juice and fresh coriander.

The dish is typically garnished with additional coriander leaves and served chilled, offering a refreshing and satisfying snack or appetiser option.

Ingredients

• 1 Avocado
• 1 tbsp onions, chopped
• 1 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped
• ½ tsp red chilli powder
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• ½ tsp chaat masala
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Green chillies, finely chopped
• Papdi
• Mint chutney
• Tamarind chutney
• Salted boondi
• Pomegranate seeds
• Nylon sev
• Coriander leaves, chopped

Method

1. In a large mixing bowl, mash the avocado nicely and then add lemon juice, onions, coriander leaves, red chilli powder, cumin powder, green chillies, chaat masala and mix well.
2. Take a few papdis and arrange them on a plate.
3. Spread the avocado topping on the papdis and top them with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, salted boondi, pomegranate seeds, nylon sev and coriander leaves.
4. Serve.

Avocados are a powerhouse of nutrients and with these recipes, you now have even more ways to incorporate them into your diet.

These recipes are appealing to young and old alike.

And if you love Desi food, you need to give these recipes a go. Happy cooking!