Cook: Get fats, lose weight

Avocado And Coconut Starter

Not only is avocado great as a beauty product, but it also has lots of health benefits, writes ZUHAILA SEDEK.

AVOCADO is so nutritious that the Guinness Book Of World Records lists it as the healthiest fruit in the world. In Malaysia, avocado is not widely used, probably because it’s expensive. We usually relate the fruit to beauty products rather than to food, unless it’s fine dining.

There are lots of health benefits in avocado. Though it’s a fruit, it contains a high percentage of mono-unsaturated fats (71-88 per cent) that are good for health and helps you maintain a healthy weight.

Research from the Wesley Medical Centre in Brisbane, Australia, shows that eating half or one avocado a day for a month leads to weight loss and lower cholesterol levels.Avocado is also low in sugar and rich in vitamins C, E and K. It is a nutrient-rich and energy-dense fruit, a source of glutathione (powerful antioxidant shown to block 30 cancer agents called carcinogens), anti-viral and anti-bacterial, good for the liver, fights ageing and lowers the risk of heart disease.

Avocado was highlighted recently at a recent seminar organised by Euro Atlantic and Agro-science Queensland’s Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation in Kuala Lumpur. It featured the Hass and Shepard varieties of avocado from Australia.

Horticulturist Jodie Campbell, who was at the event, said: “Avocado is a great addition to your cooking. You can use it for almost anything because of its versatility. It can even be used as baby’s first food because of its creamy texture and smoothness.

Folate-laden avocado can contain up to 80 micrograms or 20 per cent of the recommended daily intake of folate necessary for pregnant women,” she added.

Despite the many benefits of avocado, the fruit is very fragile. It has to be handled correctly as it can bruise easily. You can tell its ripeness from its colour and tenderness.

For Hass avocado, a darker colour indicates ripeness while Shepard avocado stays green even when ripened.

Avocado is great in sandwiches, salads, soup and even as a drink. On this page are some easy recipes to try at home.

Avocado And Coconut Starter

You’ll need:
100g butter
1 leek, washed and sliced
1 clove garlic, chopped
1 litre chicken or vegetable stock
2 avocados, halved and peeled
½ bunch parsley
Salt and pepper to taste
100ml coconut cream to garnish

Method:
1. Melt butter in a saucepan and sauté leeks and garlic until soft.
2. Add stock and bring to boil. Add avocado, parsley and season.
3. Place into a blender and blend until smooth.
4. Serve in shot glasses and garnish with a spoon full of coconut cream.
Read more: Cook: Get fats, lose weight http://www.nst.com.my/nst/articles/Cook_Getfats_loseweight/Article#ixzz1MrTt3Ecm