Creamy Avocado Sauce
GLUTEN FREE · VEGAN · NUT FREE · PALEO · AIP
This is a great multi-tasker of a recipe if ever there was one. The possibilities are endless! My favourite way to enjoy it is as a pasta sauce, just stirred through with some olive oil - so creamy, so yum! But it also makes a great dip, served with crackers or some veggie crudités, or even served as an accompaniment to potatoes or other veggies, or to a burger (meat-based or otherwise).
Let’s also just take a quick moment to appreciate the wonder, and worship at the altar, of all things avocado! It is such a magical fruit (yes fruit, not vegetable!), and is possibly one of the most versatile nutrient-packed ingredients out there. It’s also great for the gut and for IBD as it is so nutrient-dense and can be easily digested (especially if pureéd), and has been a staple part of my diet during IBD flares.
The Ingredients
Avocado
Avocados contain an excellent trio of properties that contribute to feelings of satiety: fibre, protein and good fats! In addition to helping you feel fuller for longer, avocados contain heart-healthy monounsaturated fat and are low in sugar.
They are also delicious, and their naturally creamy texture makes them perfect for sauces, dips and creams.
Lemon Juice
From a lemon, not a bottle! Lemon and avocado are a match made in food heaven, and the lemon juice just serves to elevate the flavours of this sauce. It also helps stop the avocado from going brown - bonus!
Garlic
1-2 cloves, depending on your tastebuds and how garlicky you like things to be.
Basil
A wonderful fresh-tasting herb gives this sauce an almost summery taste, and alludes to that other classic pasta sauce: pesto.
Green Onions (Scallions)
Green onions, spring onions, scallions…call them what you will, they are one and the same, and they really give a freshness to the sauce.
Salt & Pepper
Changes and Substitutions
Does it have to be basil?
In a word, no! Coriander (cilantro) goes very nicely, as does rocket (arugula), parsley, and even mint. You could even leave out herbs altogether if you prefer.
Regular onions?
I haven’t tried this recipe with regular onions, but I would stick with green onions as I think their fresher taste complements the sauce better. Chives would make a nice alternative if you’re looking for one!
Tip
Store in an airtight container in the fridge to stop it from turning an unappealing brown!
CREAMY AVOCADO SAUCE
Ingredients
- 1 ripe avocado, peeled and de-stoned
- Juice of 1 lemon (about 3 Tbsp)
- 1-2 garlic cloves
- Handful fresh basil
- 2 green onions, trimmed
- salt and pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Simply blend all the ingredients together to form a smooth and creamy sauce.
Notes:
· If you want to thin out the sauce a little, you can add a little bit of olive oil and blend again. This will also help it distribute more evenly if you are using it as a pasta sauce, for example. · You can also use it as a dip!