posted by jacqibay 02-05-102 8:46 PM
Hot Avocado with Wine Stuffing
1 cup finely grated Brazil nuts
1 cup grated Swiss cheese
1 cup soft whole wheat bread crumbs
1 (8 oz) can tomatoes
1 small garlic clove, peeled and crushed
1 tablespoon tomato paste
2 tablespoon chopped fresh chives
4-6 tablespoons dry sherry
sea salt
freshly ground black pepper
Tabasco sauce
3 ripe avocados
juice of 1 lemon
a little extra grated cheese and bread crumbs for topping
First make the stuffing: Put the nuts, cheese, bread crumbs, tomatoes, garlic, tomato paste, and chives into a bowl and mix together. Stir in enough sherry to make a soft mixture that will just hold its shape, then season with salt to taste, plenty of pepper, and enough Tabasco sauce to give the mixture a pleasant tang. Set aside until just before the meal. You can make the stuffing a few hours ahead if convenient.
Preheat the oven to 450 degrees.
Just before the meal, halve the avocados and remove the skin and pits. Mix the lemon juice with a good pinch of salt and a grinding of pepper and brush all over the avocados. Place the avocados in a shallow ovenproof dish. Spoon the stuffing mixture into them, dividing it evenly among them; sprinkle a little cheese and a few bread crumbs on top of each. Put the avocados into the oven and reduce the heat to 400 degrees. Bake for 15 minutes. Serve immediately. (I find it best to put the avocados into the oven just
as everone sits down for their first course-it's important that they not be over-cooked.) They are delicious with creamy mashed potatoes and a lightly cooked veggie, such as steamed baby carrots.
Serves 6