Avocados
are the fruit from a tall evergreen tree that can grow six stories high. Avocado
comes from the Aztec word ahuacatl, and theyve been cultivated
in Central and South America for some 10,000 years.
Avocados
are rich in monounsaturated oleic acid, which is heart-healthful and may offer
some protection against breast cancer.
These
unusually fatty fruits are also good sources of carotenoid antioxidants -- lutein,
zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene -- as well as tocopherols (vitamin
E).
In
a laboratory study, an extract of avocado inhibited the growth of prostate cancer
cells, but when tested alone, lutein usually considered a prostate cancer
inhibitor -- did not prevent cancer cell growth and replication.
It seems that
the significant amount of monounsaturated fat in avocado plays an important role:
carotenoids are fat-soluble, so the fat in an avocado helps them absorb into the
bloodstream.
Once
again, a whole food beats out an isolated compound.
Now
for the recipe.
Grilled
Salmon with Avocado
Makes
4 servings
1
ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
1/3
cup low-fat Greek-style or plain yogurt
2
tablespoons fresh lemon juice (juice of 1/2 lemon)
Four
(6 oz each) boneless-skinless wild salmon fillets
1
tablespoon organic extra virgin olive oil
1
tablespoon honey
Place the avocado, yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil, tarragon, garlic, salt and
pepper in a food processor and process very well until smooth. Set aside.
If grilling, preheat the grill to high and lightly oil the grate just before
using. If broiling, heat the broiler a few minutes before the next step.
Combine the olive oil and honey and brush on both sides of the salmon. Sprinkle
with salt and pepper.
Place the salmon under the broiler or on a hot,
oiled grill and cook until easily flaked with a fork, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
Top with a dollop of avocado sauce.
Editor's
note: We
consider organic whole foods from both plant and animal kingdoms to be a major
key to superior health. We also think it's terribly important to eat fish at least
twice a week to get the essential fatty acids. Here at our house, we only eat
wild Alaskan salmon and other wild seafoods from our friends at Vital Choice.
Click here
to visit Vital Choice Seafood.
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Throughout this website, statements are made pertaining to the properties and/or
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