Happy National Guacamole Day! 12 Unique Recipes

Today is National Guacamole Day!
I could eat guacamole or an avocado everyday. I love to eat it with a spoon and just some salt.  Or I will even just add some hot sauce and eat it with a spoon.  It is a healthy fat so it is a fab snack! And, I am getting my vitamins. I should research to see if eating avocado helps with anti-aging. Any excuse to eat this fruit works for me! So since it is the national day, it is only polite to give it some needed attention. Especially since summer is ending and they will not be in such abundance, or they will be super expensive.
Here are 12 super tasty looking and yet unique recipes that you may want to try. I had never heard of some of them, so I think I will try most of them, not sure if I would make the guacamole ice cream, but I would try it.

Happy National Acorn Squash Day – Cinnamon Hazelnut

final-sqaush

 

September 7th is national Acorn Squash day. Who knew? I assume that means that it is the beginning of squash season and to me, that means the beginning of fall. I love fall, and I am so excited that it is almost here, I say almost, because I am in Phoenix, and it is still quite a bit hot in these parts.

This acorn squash recipe is the epitome of fall, and even the holiday’s really. It makes me feel all warm and cozy inside just thinking about it. This recipe is so easy and crazy good. If you get a chance to pick up some acorn squash, you should definitely try it. It is not too difficult either. Most of the time is the roasting. But once you taste it, it is literally melt in your mouth, buttery, sweet, crunchy goodness.

close-up-squash

 

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Crispy, Crunchy, Kale Chips in Two Flavors – Cheesy & Spicy

 

cheesy-kale

Nothing beats the satisfying snap of a chip, the saltiness, the crunch; it’s tantalizing just to think about, and you know what they say, “be careful your thoughts for they become your actions.“  Well, no sooner have you thought about something crunchy then you find yourself devouring a bag of something not-so-good for you.   That is until you have discovered the secret of all secrets, the holy grail of snacking…. the Kale Chip.  Or, as my sister Nathalia Sciotto of Creatively Conscious calls it, “Kale Crack”.  The name is aptly given, for you will quickly become addicted to eating this “oh-so-simple” to make treat.

Now I know what you are thinking, but fear not readers, they are…wait for it…. good for you!  Seriously.  The other fantastic thing about Kale Chips is they have so many possibilities.  You can make them sweet, savory, salty, spicy or cheesy!  I mean listen to this possibility~ Lime Chili Kale Chips…is your mouth watering?  Well it should be!

spicy-kale

What makes this one of my favorite recipes to share is that many people have heard the good news of Kale Chips and have bought and devoured them, but those store bought chips, oh dear lord, are they pricey?! It seems strange considering a basic Kale Chip needs only kale, which is pretty darn cheap, olive oil, and salt; but it’s not unheard of to pay eight dollars for five ounces.  What is really insane about that price tag is how simple they are to make.  Let’s all be honest here: everything. I mean EVERYTHING, tastes better when it’s homemade, and this treat is so easy to make, it is just silly to buy it.   Let me put it like this; while you watch a thirty-minute sitcom you could make, bake and be eating these chips!

I know, I know! Shut up and let’s get to this recipe!  Here at MY Cooking Spot I am sharing my two favorites today: spicy and cheesy.

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Baked Eggplant Fries – Gluten Free

Eggplant Fries
This month I’m thrilled to share my neighborhood’s farmers market with you. It was the first one I visited in Seattle and the one I now consider my home market. Every Sunday morning, the Ballard Farmers Market seems to draw much of the rest of the city to the neighborhood’s historic downtown core. This large market is my favorite for a well-rounded selection of fresh produce and other artisan foods – ideal if you’re looking to cook a special meal. It’s also just right for a weekly trip to stock up on staples like eggplant from Alvarez Family Farms.

eggplant-2

The funny thing about eggplant is that I hated it growing up, absolutely hated it – with just one exception; the eggplant fries my mom would make. The preparation is simple and the end product seems to please just about any palate. I prefer these crispy bites dipped in either ketchup or some tame sriracha however they are also tasty plain.

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