Mediterranean Stuffed Avocados

$- 2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered - 1 cucumber, diced - 1/2 red onion, finely chopped - 1/2 cup cooked quinoa - 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled - 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, sliced - 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped - 2 tablespoons olive oil - 1 tablespoon lemon juice - Salt and pepper to taste - Avocados: Full of healthy fats. They help your heart and boost skin health. - Cherry Tomatoes: Packed with vitamins C and K. They boost your immune system. - Cucumber: Hydrating and low in calories. Great for skin and digestion. - Red Onion: Contains antioxidants. Good for heart health and can lower blood sugar. - Quinoa: A complete protein. It gives you energy and is high in fiber. - Feta Cheese: Adds flavor and calcium. It supports strong bones and teeth. - Kalamata Olives: Rich in healthy fats. They have anti-inflammatory properties. - Parsley: A rich source of vitamins A, C, and K. It helps detoxify your body. - Olive Oil: Heart-healthy fat. Good for skin and may lower inflammation. - Lemon Juice: High in vitamin C. It aids digestion and boosts the immune system. - Look for avocados that are dark green and slightly soft to the touch. - Avoid avocados with dark spots or wrinkles. These may be overripe. - Gently squeeze the avocado. If it feels firm, it needs more time to ripen. - If you want to speed up ripening, place avocados in a paper bag with a banana. - Check for ripeness daily. Use them when they are soft but not mushy. {{ingredient_image_1}} To make Mediterranean stuffed avocados, you need to prepare quinoa first. Then, mix all the fresh ingredients in a bowl. Finally, stuff the avocados with the mixture and serve. This dish is quick and simple. 1. First, cook your quinoa as the package says. After cooking, fluff it with a fork and let it cool. 2. Next, take a mixing bowl. Add quartered cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, and the cooled quinoa. 3. Then, fold in crumbled feta cheese, sliced Kalamata olives, and chopped parsley. 4. After that, drizzle olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture. Season with salt and pepper. Mix gently. 5. Take the avocado halves and scoop out a bit more flesh if you want. This makes room for more filling. 6. Finally, fill each avocado half with the Mediterranean mix. Make sure they are full of flavor. - Rinse the quinoa before cooking. This removes a bitter coating. - Use a 2:1 water-to-quinoa ratio for best results. - Once cooked, let it sit for a few minutes. This helps it become fluffy. - Fluff the quinoa gently with a fork. Avoid mashing it. - If you want more flavor, cook it in vegetable broth instead of water. To make your Mediterranean stuffed avocados shine, choose ripe avocados. They should have a slight give when you press gently. Avoid hard ones, as they won't mash well. For the filling, mix ingredients gently. You want each component to shine, not mush together. If you want more flavor, add extra lemon juice or herbs. Fresh herbs like parsley boost taste. Always taste your filling before stuffing. Adjust salt and pepper to your liking. Mediterranean stuffed avocados look great on any table. Serve them on a colorful platter. Add a sprinkle of extra feta or olives on top. A drizzle of olive oil adds shine and flavor. Pair them with crusty bread or pita chips for crunch. You can also serve a light salad on the side. A simple arugula salad with lemon dressing works well. This adds a fresh touch to your meal. One common mistake is overstuffing the avocados. Too much filling can cause a mess. Make sure to leave some space for easier eating. Another mistake is using unripe avocados. They will be hard and not creamy. Always taste your filling before putting it into the avocados. Skipping this step can lead to bland flavors. Lastly, avoid letting them sit too long before serving. Avocados brown quickly, so enjoy them fresh! Pro Tips Choose Ripe Avocados: Make sure your avocados are ripe for the best flavor and creaminess. They should yield slightly to gentle pressure when squeezed. Quinoa Variations: Feel free to experiment with different grains like farro or couscous if you want a unique twist on the texture and flavor of the filling. Chill for Flavor: Allow the stuffed avocados to chill in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors meld together beautifully. Additional Toppings: Consider adding a drizzle of balsamic glaze or a sprinkle of pine nuts on top for extra flavor and crunch. {{image_2}} You can switch some ingredients based on what you have. If you lack quinoa, use couscous or farro. For feta, try goat cheese or even ricotta. Instead of Kalamata olives, green olives work well. If you want a crunch, add bell peppers. Get creative with toppings! A sprinkle of pine nuts adds a nice crunch. You can also use fresh basil for a different herb taste. Slices of radish can give extra color and flavor. For a spicy kick, add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Making this dish vegan is easy. Just leave out the feta cheese. For a gluten-free option, ensure your quinoa is certified gluten-free. You can also add chickpeas for protein. This dish fits various diets, so everyone can enjoy it. To keep your stuffed avocados fresh, wrap them tightly in plastic wrap. You can also place them in an airtight container. Store them in the fridge. They will last for one day. The avocado may brown slightly but will still taste great. If you want to reheat the stuffed avocados, do it gently. Place them on a plate and microwave them for about 30 seconds. Check if they are warm enough. Avoid overheating, as this can make the avocado mushy. Enjoy them warm but not too hot. Freezing stuffed avocados is not ideal. The texture changes when thawed. If you must freeze them, scoop out the filling from the avocado. Store the filling in a freezer-safe bag. When ready to eat, thaw the filling in the fridge and then stuff fresh avocados. This way, you get the best taste and texture. You can prepare the filling ahead of time. Mix the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, quinoa, feta, olives, and parsley. Store this mixture in a sealed container in the fridge. You can make it up to a day ahead. When you're ready to serve, just cut the avocados and fill them. This keeps the avocados fresh and green. Yes, you can swap feta with other cheeses. Goat cheese adds creaminess. Mozzarella gives a mild flavor. Vegan cheese works if you're avoiding dairy. Each cheese will change the taste slightly, so pick one you enjoy. These stuffed avocados pair well with many dishes. Try serving them with grilled chicken or fish for protein. A fresh salad makes a great side. You can also enjoy them with pita bread or crispy crackers. These options add more texture and flavor to your meal. Mediterranean stuffed avocados are easy to make and tasty. We went through all the key ingredients and their health benefits. I shared step-by-step cooking instructions, along with tips for perfect quinoa. You learned how to avoid common mistakes and explore variations for personal tastes and diets. With these simple tips, you can create a dish that everyone will love. Enjoy your healthy meal, and let these flavors shine at your table.$

Mediterranean Stuffed Avocados

Delicious avocados filled with a refreshing Mediterranean mixture of vegetables, quinoa, and feta cheese.

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 15

Total Time 30

Course Appetizer

Cuisine Mediterranean

Servings 2

Calories 300 kcal

Ingredients

2 whole ripe avocados, halved and pitted
1 cup cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 whole cucumber, diced
0.5 whole red onion, finely chopped
0.5 cup cooked quinoa
0.5 cup feta cheese, crumbled
0.25 cup Kalamata olives, sliced
2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
to taste salt and pepper

Instructions

Start by preparing your quinoa according to package instructions. Fluff with a fork and let it cool.
In a mixing bowl, combine the quartered cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, chopped red onion, cooked quinoa, crumbled feta cheese, sliced Kalamata olives, and chopped parsley.
Drizzle the olive oil and lemon juice over the mixture, then season with salt and pepper to taste. Gently fold the ingredients until well mixed.
Carefully take the halved avocados and spoon out a little more flesh to create a larger cavity for the filling, if desired.
Generously fill each avocado half with the Mediterranean mixture, ensuring each half is packed with flavor.
Serve immediately, or chill for about 15 minutes for the flavors to meld before serving.

Notes

Chill for 15 minutes to enhance flavors.

Keyword avocado, healthy, Mediterranean, quinoa, stuffed