Charred Avocado and Black Garlic – A Bold Flavour Combo
Avocado on the Grill – a taste sensation you must try
Amazingly creamy avocado halves, charred on the grill and served with the balsamic flavour of a black garlic and sweetcorn salsa.
Retro Cooking or is it Smoky Sophistication
Avocado’s creamy texture and buttery taste lend a rich base to vegetables and salads. Long seen as a salad staple, its use has evolved with modern culinary techniques. For example, char-grilling avocados enhances their flavour and appearance with a smoky edge, without overcooking.
This black garlic charred avocado corn salsa recipe brings a retro vibe, reminiscent of lavish dinner parties from past decades. It revisits the classic method of stuffing avocados, highlighting the fruit’s rich taste. The accompanying salsa’s simplicity ensures the avocado remains the star of the dish whilst capturing the essence of retro cooking. It elevates the avocado’s profile, balancing sophistication with a nod to vintage cooking.
The myriad of health benefits that extend beyond avocados' delectable taste
- These creamy green fruits are a nutrient powerhouse, providing an abundance of essential vitamins and minerals, including potassium, vitamin K, vitamin E, and B vitamins.
- Rich in heart-healthy monounsaturated fats, avocados contribute to improved cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health.
- Known for their high fibre content, they promote digestive health and aid in weight management by inducing a feeling of fullness.
- They boast potent antioxidants, such as lutein and zeaxanthin, which support eye health.
- They have anti-inflammatory properties and the ability to enhance nutrient absorption from other foods.
Incorporating avocados into your diet contributes to a holistic wellness approach and supports various aspects of a healthy lifestyle.
Salsa Creations with the alluring flavour of Black Garlic
The word salsa translates to sauce in Spanish. However, the exact origins of salsa are challenging to pinpoint, as variations of salsa-like sauces have been present in indigenous cultures throughout Latin America for centuries. Traditional Mexican salsas were often made with tomatoes, onions, chilli peppers, and spices. Over time, salsa evolved into the diverse range of flavours and styles we see today and has become a versatile condiment that adds zest and depth to dishes not only in Mexico but also across the globe.
Salsas are not necessarily meant to blend together but instead complement each other and enhance the overall dish. When making salsa, I recommend considering tastes, colour, and textures. Chopped and seeded tomatoes are a common base ingredient upon which an array of other elements is added. However, when making this black garlic charred avocado corn salsa recipe, I used sweetcorn as the starting point as I preferred the texture combination with avocado.
- Black garlic has a soft and sticky texture, which allows it to blend seamlessly into the salsa, adding a subtle creaminess with a tangy and balsamic sweetness.
- Sweetcorn adds a juicy, slightly crunchy texture, providing a pleasant contrast to softer ingredients.
- Capsicum adds a sweet and slightly tangy flavour. It provides a crunchy texture, adding a pleasant crispness to the salsa.
- Chilli brings heat and spice to the salsa, which is ideal for Asian dishes. Depending on the variety used, they contribute to the salsa’s colour palette, ranging from bright green to fiery red.
- Red onion pairs well with tomatoes and adds a crisp and crunchy texture.
- Herbs add a bright freshness. Parsley’s delicate, leafy texture contrasts nicely with the other ingredients. Coriander adds a citrusy, floral flavour with a hint of spice, ideal for Asian dishes.
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Black Garlic with Charred Avocado Corn Salsa
Charred avocado halves are filled with a simple black garlic salsa, adding corn and spring onion. Serve as a salad or a light appetiser for hot summer nights. Or a must-try for an egg-free breakfast.
Ingredients
- 2 avocados
- 1 lime or lemon juiced
- 4 cloves of black garlic finely diced with a wet knife
- 1 125 g sweet corn
- 2 spring onions, finely sliced
- 1 tbsp black garlic puree
- paprika
Instructions
- Heat a griddle pan to very hot
- leaving skins on, halve the avocados and brush with lime juice
- Mix the diced black garlic, corn and spring onions together in a small bowl and add 1 to 2 tablespoons of lime juice
- Brush avocado halves with a little olive oil, then place flesh side down on the griddle and cook 2 minutes until char lines appear on the flesh
- Arrange avocados on the serving board and fill the centre with black garlic salsa
- Whisk black garlic puree with a little boiling water to form a pouring consistency
- Drizzle black garlic puree over filled avocados
- Sprinkle with paprika and serve
TOP TIPS:
- Heat the griddle pan to very hot before placing avocados on the grill. This will form the lovely black char lines without overcooking the avocados. Do not take your eye off the avocados as it will only take a minute or two for the char lines to appear.
- Canned corn can be substituted with fresh corn. Cook cobs whole on the BBQ with outer leaves intact, then remove the corns with a sharp knife.
- Brushing the avocados with lime or lemon juice will stop the flesh from oxidising and turning brown.
- If you wish to add a little tang, substitute paprika with a light sprinkle of cayenne pepper.
- I intentionally kept the black garlic salsa simple, using only three complementary ingredients, to ensure it doesn’t overshadow the delightful creaminess of the avocado. However, feel free to experiment with additional ingredients or use what you have available.
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Do You Have Black Garlic in Your Kitchen Pantry or Medicine Cabinet?
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What is the best way to eat an avocado?
The delicate and delightful taste of avocados is best enjoyed in its simplest form. Whether added to fresh salads, blended into smoothies, spread on toast or crackers for a light meal, or mixed into scrambled eggs, avocados always enhance the dish. Let’s not forget the most famous avocado dish: Guacamole, a delicious smashed avocado dip.
What is a good combination with avocado?
Sweetcorn and avocado complement each other beautifully, their harmonious flavours and textures creating winning combinations in numerous recipes. For an added savoury twist, consider incorporating a few diced black garlic cloves.
What can you do with black garlic?
Black garlic, with its rich, caramelised sweetness, is a versatile ingredient that enhances a variety of dishes beyond the classic avocado corn salsa recipe. Its unique flavour can elevate simple pasta dishes, infusing them with depth and complexity. Try blending it into a smooth, creamy butter for a decadent spread on artisan bread or mixing it into vinaigrettes for a twist on salad dressings.
It’s also excellent when minced and stirred into risottos, offering a subtle sweetness that pairs well with earthy mushrooms. For a bold flavour experiment, incorporate black garlic into chocolate desserts, such as brownies, for an umami-rich surprise. Its versatility extends from savoury to sweet, making it a valuable addition to any culinary creation.
Is monounsaturated a healthy fat?
Monounsaturated fats are considered healthy fats. Unlike saturated and trans fats, monounsaturated fats have been shown to help lower LDL (bad) cholesterol levels while maintaining or even increasing HDL (good) cholesterol levels. Additionally, monounsaturated fats are associated with reduced inflammation and improved insulin sensitivity. Incorporating monounsaturated fats, such as avocados, olive oil, nuts, and seeds, into the diet in place of less healthy fats can contribute to better cardiovascular health and lower the risk of chronic diseases.
Aged Black Garlic with Charred Avocado Corn Salsa Recipe
Conclusion
During the summer avocado season, this dish is perfect for picnics or gatherings with friends around a BBQ. Simply char-grill the avocados and pack the salsa separately for easy transport. Preparation and serving take just a few minutes. Don’t forget to brush the avocados with lime juice to prevent oxidation and browning before transporting. With this dish, you can be sure there won’t be duplicate salads on the table, and that’s always a winner in my books. Added to that, very little effort is required for a big reward.
👉 Here’s How We Love Using Black Garlic in The Kitchen
