Creamy (Spicy) Avocado Dressing

Guacamole is such a delicious treat, it's easy to forget how many other uses there are for avocados.  One of my favorites is a creamy salad dressing that turns the simplest of salads into something special.  It's super easy to make, too, especially if your avocado is nice and ripe.

I put the (spicy) in parenthesis because while I like to put chipotle in this dressing, but it's entirely optional.  You'll still get a delicious dressing without the heat.  Likewise for cilantro, if you're not a fan, feel free to substitute parsley.

I mix up this dressing in a bowl with a fork, but you can use a blender or a food processor if you prefer.  The recipe below uses one avocado, but you can double or triple the recipe.  However, just like cut avocados, this dressing will brown even in the fridge, so it's best to eat it the same day you mix it up.

Creamy (Spicy) Avocado Dressing

1 medium ripe avocado
1/2 C buttermilk (or a little more to taste)
juice from 1 small lemon
1-2 green onions, minced
1-2 T minced cilantro or parsley
2 T mashed chipotle pepper in adobo sauce (optional)
salt and pepper

1.  Cut the avocado in half lengthwise.  Remove the pit and scoop the avocado flesh into a bowl.  Mash with a fork until creamy.

2.  Mix in the buttermilk and lemon.  Stir until well-combined.

3.  Stir in the minced green onions, cilantro or parsley, and chipotle pepper.

4.  Season with salt and pepper to taste.  Serve immediately or refrigerate.

You can find small cans of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce at most Mexican markets as well as many grocery stores.

I put my Creamy Spicy Avocado Dressing on a simple salad of Red Sails lettuce and thinly sliced radishes.  It's also great on an iceberg wedge or on grilled romaine with crumbled bacon bits.

This week's bounty included:

From Sage Mountain Farms:  Strawberries, Red Sails lettuce, zucchini, and arugula;

From JR Organics:  Carrots, parsnips, and baby leeks;

From Jaime Farms:  Tuscan kale, radishes, free range eggs, hot-house on-the-vine tomatoes, green onions, parsley, and baby dill;

From Weiser Family Farms:  Russian banana potatoes; and

From Rancho Santa Cecilia:  Avocados.

Enjoy!

Shelley