When I was a young girl and my parents had guests over for dinner, they would always serve the same appetizer. It consisted of a half avocado in the skin filled with my mom's homemade vinaigrette.
My mom's dressing was special. Not because it was fancy -
with 10 kids at her feet, she was by no means a fussy cook. I liked her
vinaigrette because it was mostly vinegar and I delighted in the sharp taste of
this liquid and the shivers that ran through my body every time I tasted it.
I’m doing something a little bit different with this version today. I wanted to work in
some delicious and nutritious hemp hearts (shelled hemp seeds) and thought they
would marry well with the sweet and sour lemon-pineapple purée I have put together.
Now, before you get too excited, keep in mind that the edible part of the hemp plant contains only trace amounts of THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), the psychoactive chemical in marijuana – so, for good or for bad, you won’t be getting high off this recipe!
That said, hemp seeds are an excellent source of plant-based
omega-3 fatty acids, protein and fibre. Two
tablespoons of hemp seeds contain about 11 grams of well-balanced,
easy-to-digest protein.
The seeds also taste great – when compared to flaxseed and chia (which I use regularly), hemp has a more substantive, chewier texture and nuttier taste that is very appealing in a salad.
Hemp Hearts Avocado Salad with a Lemon-Delicious Pineapple Purée
- 2 ripe avocados
- A handful of lettuce leaves
- 1/2 cup orange bell pepper, chopped into small pieces
- 4 Tbsp hemp hearts
For the Lemon-Pineapple Purée
- 1 cup pineapple, chopped (be sure to rinse thoroughly if using canned)
- Juice of 1 lemon
----------
Notes: I have left the avocados mostly
intact for this recipe. If you would like to work in more salad fixings, you
can create room by scooping out some of the avocado flesh and reserving it for
sandwiches, guacamole or your other favourite use. You can also surround the
avocado with more salad fixings once plated, as desired.
The lemon in the purée cuts the sweet taste of the pineapple somewhat and gives it a mild sour flavour that I happen to love but if you prefer, you can diminish the amount of lemon or omit it altogether.
Serves 4
Slice avocados in half and remove pits. Line avocado cavity with a few pieces of lettuce and then add bell pepper and hemp seeds, dividing fixings among the 4 avocado halves.
Awww... I was so excited about the hemp. LOL! ;)
ReplyDeleteThis is a gorgeous dish, and I love the pineapple puree idea. That would be good on a spicy tofu too!
That looks like it came from some fancy restaurant. Beautiful presentation!
ReplyDeleteHemp hearts? That's new to me. Perhaps that's because I hardly browse the health food aisles and that, I would assume, be in that category. I still haven't had quinoa, chia and the likes. Hubby being the meat and potatoes man would never go for what he calls "bird food". :D I do love avocados tho and would really like to try out these so called 'bird food" when I get the chance. I'm keeping this one for that day.
haha, when I first met my husband (the quintessential meat & potatoes fellow), he told me that he wasn't a rabbit and therefore did not need to eat salad ;-) - I just quietly persisted and can tell you that our diet has changed radically over the past 20 years together...
ReplyDeleteLovely! Great recipe for someone who is GF & allergic to multiple sugars & all starch. Thank you:)
DeleteI too am a vinegar lover, Kelly, this recipe sounds wonderful. The creamy taste and texture of the avocado would balance the sour notes of the vinegar and the lemon juice very nicely and the peppers would add some nice texture. Disappointed about your disclaimer, though ;-)
ReplyDeleteI am a little hesitant with the hemp hearts...I find hemp generally has a woody smell that I am not fond of, but am curious on the nutty taste. My mom used to make an appetizer similar to this but she would fill the avocado with salad shrimp (not the canned kind!) Very pretty presentation.
Gorgeous dish! You just gave me some ideas for a recipe, we ADORE avocado, and I never thought of using half an avocado as a "container" for goodies... genius!
ReplyDeleteLoved the photo too...
This salad is beautiful. I have hemp in the fridge and I do enjoy them . This may be my lunch today. Pinned it
ReplyDeleteI love having memories of tastes/smells that remind me of being little :)
ReplyDeleteThese sound awesome. I totally don't buy avocados often enough. I think they're going on my grocery list tonight!
You definitely took your moms appetiser to a whole new level. Lovely.
ReplyDelete:-) Mandy
I will say yes all the way to to healthy and simply smashing simple dish.
ReplyDeleteWhat a creative mash-up of flavors! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteJust look at that amazing avocado and the presentation of this dish. I really have to try out this recipe.. it's packed with flavor
ReplyDeleteMmmmmm. You know we love vinegar too! (At least Miss A and I.) This looks delicious. Miss A also happens to be a huge avocado fan. I should make this for her and I for lunch one of these days we're home together. :)
ReplyDeleteLooks fantastic!!
ReplyDelete"happily the guests never knew" - ... until now!
ReplyDelete"for good or for bad, you won’t be getting high off this recipe!" - well, that really depends just how much of the stuff I can pack away - wahey! :D
I don't think I ever tried hemp seeds before - in fact I only ever saw it sold at a pet store as bird-seed (presumably?) - not at all to imply that your dinner is bird-food of course... /sigh, excuse me while I remove my foot from my mouth :p
This looks great Kelly - I'm a big fan of avocado too, and it goes really well with vinegar - I'm curious to what the hemp hearts taste like with it now!
What a beautiful dish!!! I have never cooked with hemp before.. but it sounds like something I should get into ASAP :)
ReplyDeletefunny man! someone else referred to bird seed above (Ping) ~ hemp hearts are delish! Give them a try (I hear they're cheaper if you buy them at the bird store ;-)
ReplyDelete--Now,this is a delish, gorgous appetizer.
ReplyDeleteI might even be able to do this! xx Thanx, Kelly
My Inner Chick http://myinnerchick.com
Kelly, I'm once more amazed at so many inspiring ideas in this beautiful dish! I must see if they sell hemp seeds in my organic shop (they have the awfully expensive chia).
ReplyDeleteI am am a big avocado freak. I'm addicted. I think I have posted only guacamole, but I have avocado several times a week in salads and sandwiches. Your avocado looks gorgeous! Salad in an avocado instead of a salad with avocado :-) Excellent idea! The pineapple purée is such a creative addition too!
I must also try your mum's recipe. It's simple (I'm lazy, remember?) and made with delicious products, so it can only be excellent. (10 children??? Wow! It sounds like 48/24 h job!)
What a clever, clever idea, Kelly!! Love everything about this recipe--particularly the avocado. ;)
ReplyDeleteHi!
ReplyDeleteMy mum used to prepare the same appetizer always for guests with a nice strong vinaigrette. back then I used to not enjoy avocado. I should consider making it once again in the near future.
I have been thinking to on how to use hemp seeds in cooking. They are realy healthy as u mentioned above, but there are not many ideas in my mind on how to use them.
Lovely dish with some new little flavoures. I have to try it out! I ll let u know then how we enjoyed it.
thx for sharing!
The presentation is glorious! And I'm quite intrigued by the hemp goodness...
ReplyDeleteThat's a gourmet salad. Healthy and tasty!
ReplyDeleteAll that acid with all that fat from the tacos sounds like the perfect combination!
ReplyDeletelove the hemp salad stuffed in the avocado. pineapple puree sounds so interesting combined with the avocado!
ReplyDeleteMy mom used to serve halved avocados when we had guests over too! The addition of help hearts sounds delightful and I have to say I am swooning over the pineapple pure. I happen to have a bag of avocados calling for me....this will do perfectly.
ReplyDeleteI must admit that I had never heard of cooking with hemp hearts. Where do you find them?
ReplyDeletehee.hee, hemp always gets a 'rise' out of people - they either associate it with marijuana or bird seed ;-)
ReplyDeleteThanks Eva! Maybe you could buy a handful of shelled hemp seeds at a health food or bulk store without investing too much $ for a larger sealed bag - that way you can decide whether they're your thing or not...
ReplyDeleteThanks Sally... it does make a fun container; doesn't it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for dropping in Suzi and for the pin love too ... it does make a nice lunch; I hope you enjoy it if you give it a try :)
ReplyDeleteAww, thanks Mandy!
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Nava... I aim for simplicity in most things; cheers.
ReplyDeletemash-up; I like it! Thanks Yummy.
ReplyDeleteThanks Kay - it's very flavourful for sure and a nice change too.
ReplyDeleteYes, I smiled when I saw the reference to vinegar in your post ;-) Hard to beat avocados when it comes to nutrition... great that Miss A enjoys.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Natalie ~ welcome to Inspired Edibles.
ReplyDeletehaha, we certainly enjoy it - and there are many ways you can work it in. I've been adding it to our morning porridge for the past week... yum!
ReplyDeletehaha, you could certainly do it! :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for your kind words Sissi - it's really a simple idea but a fresh way of presenting so it makes a nice change. I'm glad I'm not alone in my avocado addiction... I eat them almost every day ~ like you, working them into salads, etc. Yes, I wouldn't necessarily recommend the 10 kid thing ... ;-) (haha).
ReplyDeleteThanks Caroline!
ReplyDeleteBonjour Helene et bienvenue chez Inspired Edibles!
ReplyDeleteIn addition to sprinkling hemp on salads, you might also enjoy them with yogurt, cereal or in loaves/muffins/breads.
Please do let me know what you think and thanks again for dropping by! :)
Thanks Leaf ~ so nice to read your kind note... :)
ReplyDeleteThanks Angie - full of health for sure!
ReplyDeleteThe pineapple puree rocks, I gotta say, and you could enjoy it with protein mains too... yummy... ;0) Thanks Junia.
ReplyDeleteThanks France - I hope you try the puree - I think you and Joshua would love it.
ReplyDeleteHi City Share - thanks for dropping in. You can find shelled hemp seeds at health food stores and many regular grocery stores in the 'specialty' section.
ReplyDeleteSo pretty and colorful. A great presentation, makes you feel like you are eating at a resort/spa! I love hemp, makes a great topping to salads.
ReplyDeleteWhat a simple and tasty little appetizer! I've never used hemp seeds and now I'm curious as to how they taste. Your pineapple puree for the dressing sounds perfect for the avocado. I did have to giggle at the idea of reserving any avocado you scoop out for additional salad. The avocado would go directly from the spoon into my mouth! :)
ReplyDeleteY to the Ummy! This is such a cool dish. Your mom was on to something, I'll tell you. And I totally dig your modern take on it :)
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Lisa... I have fun styling food. The hemp works well on salads, soups, cereal and yogurt. Quite yummy!
ReplyDeleteI too would do spoon to mouth but have to sound more dignified than that in my post - haha! - thanks MJ.
ReplyDeleteHee.hee, thanks Parsley Sage, nice to see you! :)
ReplyDeleteKelly, I checked in my organic shop in France today. They didn't have hemp seeds, but hemp flour! They have also lowered chia's price, so maybe I'll buy it one day.
ReplyDeleteWith 9 brothers and sisters at least you never feel lonely :-)
Great idea using the avocado halves as the container. Love the pinaapple puree idea.
ReplyDeleteI've never had hemp seeds! But this looks so bright and delicious!
ReplyDelete10 kids?! Thats amazing. And this dish looks incredible. Love the pineapple puree and avocado boat. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteKelly,
ReplyDeletedo my comments go into spam? I am noticing that diqus is not publishing my darn comments?
What are you doing today? Xxx
yes, for some reason, your comments go straight to spam (which is where I retrieve them). I've tried white listing you, but it doesn't seem to work...disqus recipients should still get notice of your lovely notes in their email though (that's how I know you've dropped in :)
ReplyDeleteOff to the soccer field - xo
I want to go sailing in that boat!
ReplyDeleteYou could always toss in some chia seeds ;-) Lots of people around for sure...hope you're having a great weekend Sissi!
ReplyDeleteThanks Norma - it makes for a fun change.
ReplyDeleteHemp seeds are very delicious and flavourful in light of their small size; they'll surprise you! ;-)
ReplyDeleteSomething like that ;-) thanks Sarah!
ReplyDeleteHee.hee.... :)
ReplyDeleteLooks delicious, healthy and beautiful too, Kelly, yum! I've never tried hemp before - you've introduced me to something new, love it!
ReplyDeleteGreat idea with the avocado and hemp, Kelly :) Love how summery this dish represents!
ReplyDeleteBeautiful! What a lovely hostess your mother was! I love that this is so simple, but so beautiful. I love your adaptation too!
ReplyDeleteI can picture you sticking your finger into your mom's avocado for a taste ;). I haven't tried hemp seeds before, but what a great idea putting them in this salad.
ReplyDeleteI'd be happy with that for lunch or dinner - not just as an appetizer. I've never tried hemp seeds before - I'll definitely have to take a look around for some!
ReplyDeletenjumie <3
ReplyDelete