Celebrate California Avocado Month This June with Avocado Inspired Dishes

01 Jun 2016, 00:00 AM CDT

Chef Jessica Koslow Shares Her Newest California Avocado Recipes

IRVINE, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Great news for avocado lovers—June is officially California Avocado
Month and the peak of California avocado season. That means now is the
perfect time to enjoy the most delicious avocados of the year.

In recognition of California Avocado Month, the California Avocado
Commission (CAC) has partnered with chef Jessica Koslow of SQIRL
in Los Angeles to showcase the versatility of everyone’s favorite
superfood in three new recipes created by her.

As the executive chef at one of Los Angeles’ most beloved restaurants,
Koslow specializes in California-casual cuisine that is equal parts
delicious and Instagram-worthy. SQIRL’s menu focuses on locally grown
and seasonal ingredients. So, naturally, California avocados make
appearances in an array of dishes that satisfy every type of foodie.

“We have California avocados on our menu from the moment they come into
the market, and I savor them every day of the season. I love the summer
months, as I get to incorporate fresh California avocados into
everything I make. The creamy richness offers so many options, so I
blend it into sauces, slice it up for a hearty topping or even use it in
desserts,” said Koslow.

Inspired by the premium quality avocados that are grown in California,
Koslow developed three unique recipes that highlight the fruit’s
versatility.

First, Koslow’s Crispy Potatoes with California Avocado Aioli plays on
the tried-and-true juxtaposition of crispy with creamy. “Aioli and fried
potatoes are a classic combination and adding California avocados just
takes it all to another delicious level,” said Koslow. “The fusion of
the tangy garlic and the buttery flavor of avocados is simply magical.”

Koslow also shared her recipe for SQIRL’s popular Famous Damus Egg
Sandwich. “The Famous Damus is named for one of my friends, who kept
asking for an egg sandwich to be added to our menu. I wanted to create
something simple, yet sophisticated, so I added prosciutto, arugula and,
of course, California avocados. It’s been a staple at the restaurant
ever since,” said Koslow.

Finally, just in time for summer, Koslow developed a delectable
California Avocado Cardamom Ice Cream. “Incorporating California
avocados into ice cream is a no-brainer – the creaminess of the fruit
lends itself so well to this traditional dessert, yet the innovative
flavor combination puts a whole new twist on this dessert,” said Koslow.

Besides being a delicious addition to any meal through the season,
California avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and
beneficial plant compounds that can enhance the nutrient quality of your
diet. They contribute good fats to one’s diet, are naturally sodium and
cholesterol-free and are all-around delicious.

In honor of California Avocado Month, Koslow’s California Avocado
Cardamom Ice Cream will be available at all three Salt & Straw locations
(Studio City, Larchmont and Venice) in Los Angeles throughout the month
of June. Additionally, Koslow will be featuring numerous California
avocado-inspired items throughout SQIRL’s menu for the month of June.

Other California avocado-loving chef partners also will be featuring
California avocado-centric dishes, menus, and specials in their
restaurants in cities throughout the country, including Los Angeles, New
York, Sacramento, San Diego, Seattle and San Francisco.

For Koslow’s and other chef partner’s California avocados recipes, visit CaliforniaAvocado.com.
Join in the California Avocado Month celebrations and follow along on
Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados,
and on Twitter
and Instagram
at @ca_avocados

Crispy Potatoes with California Avocado Aioli
Recipe
created by Jessica Koslow of SQIRL
for the California Avocado Commission.

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total
Time: 40 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 lbs. peewee potatoes (red skinned, bananas, or a mix of both)
1/8 tsp. sea salt
1/2 cup canola oil
3 Tbsp. unsalted butter
1/2 lemon
1 Tbsp. fleur de sel salt (such as Maldon)
California Avocado Aioli (see make-ahead recipe, below)

Instructions

1. Rinse and scrub potatoes. Fill a stockpot with water and a heavy hand
of sea salt and place over a burner on high flame. (The water should
taste salty).

2. When the water reaches a boil, slowly add the potatoes and turn heat
down slightly. Cook the potatoes until tender, testing a potato by
piercing it with a sharp knife. When the knife point easily makes its
way through to the middle of the potato, it is done – about 10-15
minutes.

3. Drain potatoes in a colander and then transfer to a baking sheet
lined with towels to cool.

4. When the potatoes are cool enough to handle, flatten them (either
with your hand, a towel underneath your hand or a spatula) down to about
a 1/3-inch and let cool.*

5. Heat a cast-iron skillet to medium-high and add the canola oil and
butter.** Test the oil with a small piece of potato—if it bubbles
visually and audibly, then you can reduce the heat to medium and start
frying the potatoes in spread-out layers.

6. Let each side cook, undisturbed, until it gets the crunchy
caramelized color you know and love, about 7 minutes a side. Flip and
continue on the other side.

7. Transfer finished potatoes to a tray lined with towels and
immediately sprinkle with fleur de sel and a heavy squeeze of lemon.

8. Serve potatoes on a large platter with a generous bowl of California
Avocado Aioli on the side. Enjoy!

*Chef’s note: The longer you can let these flattened potatoes sit
out, the more moisture they will lose and the crispier they will get
when you go to fry them. I sometimes let my potatoes just sit in the
fridge overnight. It’s worth it.

**Chef’s note: You can use just canola, I personally enjoy the
flavor browned butter adds to the potato.

California Avocado Aioli

Ingredients

2 cloves garlic, peeled
1/2 tsp. fine sea salt
1 large egg yolk
1/2 cup + 1 Tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 cup canola oil
1/2 ripe, Fresh California Avocado, seeded and peeled
1 lemon, for squeezing

Instructions

1. Using a mortar and pestle (or food processor)*, smash the garlic and
salt together until smooth. Add the egg yolk and then pound with the
pestle to break up the yolk.

2. Combine 1/2 cup olive oil and all the canola oil in a measuring cup
that has a pouring spout. While constantly stirring the garlic-egg
mixture with the pestle (or the food processor on low speed), slowly
drizzle in a few drops of the blended oil. Keep stirring in the same
direction as you add another few drops. You’ll notice the aioli will
begin to emulsify**; it will thicken and get sticky. Once it gets
ribbony and tight, you will want to add a squeeze of lemon juice to
loosen it up, although you don’t have to.

3. Stay with this tempo, stirring and very, very slowly adding the oil,
until you’ve added it all. It’s important to drizzle in the oil in a
slow, steady stream and it’s also important to stir constantly but not
too fast. If you’re doing it in a mortar and pestle place a damp cloth
underneath to keep the bowl stable.

4. Once you’ve added all the oil, taste the aioli and add a bit more
salt and lemon juice for acid if it needs it. I always think it needs it.

5. Move aioli to a larger than needed bowl and clean out the food
processor bowl.

6. Place the avocado into the mixer with a good pinch of salt, lemon
juice, remaining tablespoon of oil and blend until smooth

7. With a spatula, lightly mix the avocado and aioli together as to not
break the aioli, but to blend the avocado and aioli together.

*Chef’s Note: It’s possible to make aioli using a bowl and a
whisk, or a food processor with a pour spout, or even an immersion
blender. For the food processor, it’ll work better if you double or even
triple this recipe; one yolk isn’t quite enough volume for the spinning
blade to reach successfully.

**Chef’s Note: Sometimes when you try to make aioli, it breaks.
You’ll know because the oil will separate from the yolk and the whole
thing will look thin and not gloppy like mayonnaise. To fix this, crack
a fresh egg yolk into a clean bowl. Transfer the broken aioli to a
container that has a pouring spout. While stirring the new yolk,
slowly—very, very slowly—add the broken aioli drop by drop, treating it
as if it were the oil. You may need to add more oil after you’ve added
all the broken aioli because now you’re working with 2 yolks.

Famous Damus Breakfast Sandwich
Recipe
created by Jessica Koslow of SQIRL
for the California Avocado Commission

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 5 minutes
Total
Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

6 Tbsp. unsalted butter
4 individual-size ciabatta rolls (rectangular is best)
2 ripe, fresh California avocados, seeded and peeled
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 tsp. salt, divided
1 Tbsp. olive oil
1 cup arugula
12 eggs
3 Tbsp. chives, finely chopped
8 oz. thinly sliced prosciutto, separated into 2-oz. portions
Cracked pepper, to taste

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees F.

2. Melt 4 tablespoons of butter in a saucepan over medium-low.

3. While the butter is melting, cut the ciabatta rolls in half. Brush
the melted butter on the insides of the bread.

4. Place bread on baking sheet with bread interiors facing upwards.
Toast to perfection and place the toasts on four plates.

5. Set the avocado on a piece of parchment paper and cut each half
lengthwise into thin slices. Cover with another piece of parchment and
press down to flatten the avocado halves like slices of bologna.

6. In a small bowl, mix half the lemon juice and half of the salt, first
to marry the salt and acid, followed by the oil. Then mix in the arugula
lightly to flavor, not wilt.

7. Crack the eggs into a bowl and beat hard with a fork to aerate them.
The color should turn to a pale yellow. Think Easter yellow!

8. Place the remaining butter into a nonstick pan set over medium-low
heat. Once the butter has melted completely, pour in the beaten eggs and
the remaining salt. Use a rubber spatula to push the eggs around
constantly (the spatula should be moving quickly around the bottom of
the pan) while shaking the pan back and forth, moving the pan on and off
the heat.

9. This process will feel quite time consuming, but do not stop. It is
worth it. If you shake the pan and move your spatula around quickly you
will continue to pull the hottest eggs from the bottom of the pan and it
will cook until there are lots of little, soft curds and the eggs look a
bit like ricotta, scrambled but still very loose as they will continue
to cook and not fully set, about 2 minutes.

10. Pull the eggs off the stove immediately and throw in the chives,
mixing rapidly with the spatula. Then, evenly distribute the finely
scrambled eggs between the four bottom pieces of toast.

11. On top of the eggs, place the prosciutto, followed by the thinly
sliced avocado.

12. Season the avocado with freshly cracked pepper and the remaining
lemon juice, and then add the greens and the top bun to close the
sandwich. I use a steak knife to cut it…then make a mess!

California Avocado Cardamom Ice Cream
Recipe
created by Jessica Koslow of SQIRL
for the California Avocado Commission

Serves: 4

Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 40 minutes
Total
Time: 50 minutes

Ingredients

1 1/2 tsp. cardamom seeds
3, ripe, fresh California Avocados, seeded and peeled
1 cup organic sweetened condensed milk
1 1/2 cups heavy cream
1/2 cup whole milk

Instructions

1. Heat oven to 350 degrees F.

2. Toast cardamom seeds for 5 minutes.

3. Grind cardamom in a spice grinder and set aside

4. Place avocado, condensed milk, cream, milk, and ground cardamom seeds
into a blender. Turn on to lowest setting and puree until smooth.

5. Transfer to an ice cream maker and freeze per machine’s instructions.

Note: Large avocados are recommended for these recipes. A large avocado
averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust
the quantity accordingly.

About the California Avocado Commission

Created in 1978, the California Avocado Commission strives to increase
demand for California avocados through advertising, promotion and public
relations, and engages in related industry activities that benefit the
state’s nearly 4,000 avocado growers. The California Avocado Commission
serves as the official information source for California avocados and
the California avocado industry. For nutrition information and recipes
visit CaliforniaAvocado.com,
or join us on Facebook at Facebook.com/CaliforniaAvocados
and @CA_Avocados on Twitter,
Pinterest
and Instagram
for updates.