Thursday, January 6, 2011

an avocado love affair

we spent the morning looking for glass on the shore. cool october wind ripped across our jeans and the sea grass was high. fort bragg, california. halfway through our once-in-a-lifetime trip down the west coast. we'd heard of the wonders of glass beach. planned on a morning by the ocean, looking into nature's mirror, the ruby of the sunrise bouncing off the clear reflection. 

but it was cloudy that friday. and we slept in. so we had to get on down the highway. we took a quick picture of the beach and headed toward mendocino.

the sleepy town on the coast was breathtaking. as our little rental pulled into the side streets, i took it all in. the art shops. the cafes. the locale, walking around in flip flops, ripped denim and well-loved cowboy hats.

we got a seat on the balcony patio at one of the only open restaurants. our waitress had auburn hair and a sweet, singsong voice. i had to squint across the table to see robert, the golden sun shooting down on my eyes and back. the man eating alone behind us started rubbing butter on his arms. that was the one part of this experience that did not make complete sense.

then my veggie breakfast casserole came out. it included the usual suspects. green and red bell peppers. little sweet corn kernels. soft, stewed tomatoes.

then, all of a sudden, there it was. woven beautifully between the eggs. soft without smushy. creamy and buttery. avocado.

i'd had one before, but never like this. maybe it was california. maybe it was the morning, so different from how i spend my usual mornings. maybe it was the knowledge that only hollywood stood between us and home.

since then, i've discovered a new love for avocados, so my heart leaped when i found this recipe. i made it last night for robert, and i swear it made the whole day better.

bacon avocado cheddar melts
from pillsbury

ingredients
5 refrigerated biscuits
5 tablespoons creamy caesar dressing
5 tablespoons shredded cheddar cheese
2 small avocados, pitted and peeled (or pre-made guacamole)
2 medium tomatoes, sliced
bacon bits

1
heat oven to 375 degrees.
bake biscuits as directed.
place on cooling rack. cool five minutes.
set oven to broil.

2
split each biscuit, and place on cookie sheet.
brush each side with dressing.
sprinkle with cheese.
broil with tops 4-6 inches from heat until cheese melts (about 1 minute)

3
mash avocado to desired consistency.
spoon avocado over cheese.
top with tomato slices.
sprinkle with bacon bits.


 
the perfect little bite-sized dose of avocado, with a little bacon surprise. warning: this recipe makes 10 open faced sandwiches. you'll want to eat them all {we did}.

27 comments:

Southhamsdarling said...

OMGosh, those little bacon avocada cheese melts look so scrumptious!! Making me feel really hungry. What on earth was that, with the man rubbing butter on his arms?! LOL! Mendocino sounds like a really special place. Thank you for sharing it with us.

Jessica said...

I'm not a huge avocado fan, but these look yummy!

Christi said...

Umm... yum! I adore avocado.

Larri said...

Not sure I could eat avocado in the morning; however, they'd make a great Breakfast-for-Dinner! Thanks for the recipe. :o)

Casey said...

Mmmm.. what an AWESOME recipe! :) I adore hass avocados!!!!!!

I am saving this recipe, and will let you know when I make it.


xo,
Casey
www.blondebargainbabe.com

Natalie said...

those look delicious! I'll take avocado and bacon anyday!

Unknown said...

I will be saving this recipe! I'm not a fan of avocado 98% of the time but my husband does like love avocado! So I'll be trying this!! Hey, if I don't like it but my husband does, he will be pretty thrilled he gets them all! I will keep an open mind for them though!

jeanette from everton terrace said...

Avocados are one of my favorite things. I love it on my toast with a sprinkle of salt, had it yesterday with some egg on top as well. It's great in everything, pasta salad, pizza topping, salads of course, paninis etc etc. You know, I don't think I want to know why that man was rubbing butter on his arms....

Jenni Austria Germany said...

omgosh i love anything with avocado!!

Unknown said...

avocado makes anything better & those little open face melts look delish!

Unknown said...

Those look so delicious! My pseudo-mother-in-law made a version of this avocado feta salsa when we visited for new years - it was so tasty! http://allrecipes.com//Recipe/avocado-feta-salsa/Detail.aspx

Hope you're having a nice Thursday! I love reading your blog over my morning cup of coffee each day :)

Grace said...

now i want to make some guacamole. avocado is so yummy! looking at this post makes me hungry. thank goodness lunch is 2 hours away (it could be worse).

Haley said...

I'll have you know I almost licked my laptop screen.

Those look SO good! I am a huge fan of avocado...and tomatoes and bacon and biscuits and cheese...can't wait to try this!

Cara-Mia said...

Fort Bragg! Mendocino! These are places I hadn't heard of until the past year. My best friend got married in June in Mendocino (her husband's family has TWO homes there, how amazing is that?) and we stayed at a hotel in Fort Bragg. I wish I could've done some sight-seeing there, but I was so busy with all the wedding preparations.

And avocado is divine. Love that it's also healthy for you.

Diana Smith said...

avocados are amazing!! They are just perfect in any state they are in, guac, on sandwiches in salads so delicious!

Dee Paulino said...

I love avocado and this recipe has only multiplied my love for it x1,000,000.

Thanks for sharing.

Amber said...

oh yeah butter lotion, its the new thing :)

Unknown said...

Yum yum yum!! Thanks for sharing! Also, thanks for the sweet words - they put a big ole cheesy grin on my face and it's exactly what I needed!

Jen said...

Girl, avocados are my FAVORITE!! Just bought 6 at the store last night. This receipe will be perfect for them ;-)

Happy Thursday Dear!

Oh, and have entered my EmersonMade giveaway yet?

Ashley {hudson's happenings} said...

Oh wow, those sound delicious! They definitely have my tummy growling! I wish I had some avocados....I'd whip those babies up for dinner. :)

S and O said...

Oh my, my this looks beyond delicious!!
You totally have me craving avocados now :)
Yummy post!
xoxo
Olivia

Marissa at Style Cusp said...

These look incredibly delicious! Avocado is one of my absolutely favorite foods, especially on sandwiches of all kinds. I'm going to try this!

XXXO
M

Evie said...

first! i am so in love with avacado!! very excited a/b this dish!

second! i passed my style blogger award to you! check out my latest post friend! :D

Kelsey Cunningham said...

OMG as soon as you said avocado I knew I was sold. I love avocados and often times eat them straight off our tree with a spoon!! That recipe looks delicious, can't wait to try it!

xo, Kelsey

Amy said...

Avocado is the most genius food I've ever discovered. I love avocado on blt's, so this looks like it is right up my alley! Yum. I can feel my tummy growling. Goodness! I hope you two are having a wonderful trip. So sorry about the clouds on your morning!
And friend let me tell you, those ripped pants were loved, and will be missed! ;)
Love to you dear!

Ashley Arnold said...

Oh my goodness... I'm a HUGE avocado fan and these little darlings look so delicious. Thank you so much for sharing the recipe!

beka said...

ohmygosh. i want to make these.
there's just something about avocados...mmm :)

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