GREEK GUACAMOLE - Guest post by Nicole Vidmar of My Kitchen Adviser

I have an Adithi (guest) who is sharing my space today. As always, she was the one to write to me expressing interest to pen a guest post for this humble space. I was glad and readily said a "Yes". Let me introduce to you Nicole Vidmar, the Editor of My Kitchen Adviser. She is a wife and mother and advocates a healthy lifestyle. It goes without saying that she cooks healthy and stays fit. She has a great space that is a single stop to read about healthy lifestyle and living, kitchen tips and tricks and product reviews. Thinking of investing upon a new kitchen gadget?  Surf around her space for know hows. Her straight forward reviews will give you an idea for smart and fruitful investments that can make your culinary journey joyful. I am glad to have Nicole on my space and over to her.

Hello everybody. Every vegan knows that green peas are an important staple in a vegetarian diet. Packed with fresh flavor, these nutrient-packed powerhouse adds back nutrients that all of our bodies crave. These little legumes are sometimes described as one of the most healthful foods on Earth.

THE HEALTH BENEFIT OF GREEN PEAS:

The health benefits of eating green peas are indisputable. Whether you are vegan or vegetarian, peas fight all kinds of health issues.

NUTRITIONAL VALUE OF FRESH GREEN PEAS:

It’s often difficult to balance nutrients in a vegetarian diet. Sometimes, we are need to find ways to add healthy omega-3 fats, protein and carbohydrates and fiber back into our diets.

Technically, peas are low in fat. However, the fats that they do actually contain are heart-healthy Omega-3 fats in the form of alpha-linolenic acids (ALA). Because we do not consume fish, we need to source Omega-3 from other ingredients. Vegetarians are resourceful and always manage to find creative ways to work this essential fat into our healthy lifestyles.

Because they are technically a legume, not a vegetable, peas are a fantastic source of protein. While most protein in the vegetarian’s diet will come from beans, this adds variety and lighter flavor. Proteins are essential for weight control,

Finally, most vegetables are very low in carbohydrates. That’s wonderful, overall. However, healthy carbohydrates combined with the high fiber found green peas are a winning combination. In fact, they are essential for helping to control blood sugar and fight diabetes. 

GREEK GUACAMOLE

You probably think Greek Guacamole doesn’t sound quite right. Try this recipe and you will see just how very right it is! Then again, perhaps I can change the name to Mexican Hummus. Nah. Greek Guac has a certain ring to it!  Either way, you’ll fall in love with the smooth texture and bold flavors.

I developed this recipe myself. I love avocados and making guacamole, but sometimes the Mexican variety is too spice for my taste. I always loved the idea of hummus but I’m not a fan of chick peas. I absolutely love green peas so tried them as a substitute. It took a little trial and error to get a good creamy blend with big flavor.  But this recipe is the result.

I keep this on hand in my refrigerator almost all the time. It’s easy to make and adds so much flavor to everything. In fact, I almost always have the ingredients on hand. If a neighbor pops in for a chat, I can whip this up in record time. It takes less than 5 minutes from prep to table.

To be sure, by now you agree that green peas will make a great addition to your vegetarian diet, but you want to add them in a creative way.  Make guacamole! In particular, it’s great way to incorporate garden-fresh herbs in the summertime when it’s too hot outside to cook. Fresh peas and avocado pair in a well-balanced and harmonious way. While traditional guacamole is Mexican, think of this guacamole as having a distinctly Mediterranean flair. It’s delicious!  In fact, even your kids will love it. It’s a sneaky way to add green peas to their diets. They won’t even know you’re sneaking them healthy foods.

INGREDIENTS:

●     2 small avocados, pits removed

●     2 cups of fresh, rinsed green peas

●     Small handful of finely chopped fresh chives

●     Small bunch of finely chopped Greek oregano

●     ½ fresh lemon

●     1 tsp fresh ground sea salt

●    ½ tsp ground white pepper

•  Use your food processor to break the peas down into a the texture of a thick paste. Scoop it out into a mixing bowl.
• Zest the lemon. Set the zest aside for a few minutes.
• Squeeze about 2 tsp of lemon juice to the food processor. The acid in the lemon juice is necessary to keep the avocado from turning brown as well as adding a bright, balanced note of citrus.
• Add the avocado to the food processor. Process along with the lemon juice.
• Use a wooden spoon to fold together all these ingredients. The texture will be smooth and creamy. It’s similar to traditional guacamole but perhaps a bit smoother than you’re accustomed to. That’s perfect! This texture makes it spreadable on a sandwich or wrap.
• Fold in the chives oregano, sea salt, and white pepper.

Serving Ideas for Greek Guacamole:

● Serve Greek Guacamole as a dip for vegan pita chips or tortilla chips. After all, chips and guac are a match made in heaven.

● Thin it out with a little bit of olive oil and a few drops of red wine vinegar and you instantly have a healthy salad dressing with bold Greek flavor.

● Serve a healthy serving on top of a veggie burger or veggie wrap for flair.

● Top a simple baked potato. The bold green flavor adds visual interest.

● Add a dollop of Greek Guacamole to carrot soup - it balances out the sweetness.

● Offer this to any friend who follows a raw diet--it’s within their guidelines.

●  Add to any plate you serve as an easy garnish

● Fix up an instant hostess gift for a last minute party invitation. Make a quick batch of Greek Guacamole, scoop it into a mason jar, and attach a gift tag.

In conclusion, consider the many benefits of green peas. They add key health benefits that are vital to a long and healthy life. They are jam packed with nutrients that are needed by our bodies. Plus, they are easy to add to your menu. Their fresh flavor and bold green appearance are a delight to feast our eyes on.

Wasn't that a stunning recipe? Do try it and share your feedback.

I was super impressed by the Greek style Guacamole. The addition of Green peas was very interesting and the serving ideas listed below was awesome. Thank you so much Nicole for coming over and brightening up my space.