(Family Features) It’s no secret that adding greens to your menu – morning, noon and night – can go a long way toward healthier eating habits. While most people think of lettuce, kale, spinach, cucumbers and Brussels sprouts, don’t forget avocados are a superfruit you can use to add good fats and great taste to recipes throughout the day.

As a versatile fruit with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, avocados have become a household staple. Avocados From Mexico is a national supporter of the American Heart Association’s Healthy for Good Initiative – Eat Smart Program, encouraging people to incorporate a variety of fruits, vegetables and other heart-healthy foods into their meals.

By supporting this initiative, Avocados From Mexico is helping to raise awareness about the importance of making smart nutrition choices. The brand’s “Good Fats Meet Great Taste” campaign, featured at select Kroger locations, highlights the importance of balanced nutrition and fresh food choices as part of an overall heart-healthy lifestyle.

Avocados provide a good source of naturally unsaturated fats, which can be part of a heart-healthy eating pattern when consumed in place of saturated fats. A well-balanced diet that includes nutrient-rich foods like avocados, whole grains, lean proteins and fiber-rich vegetables can support overall heart health. In addition to good fats, avocados are also a good source of fiber, with 3 grams per one-third of a medium avocado.

If you’re looking for an easy yet tasty way to add more avocados to your family’s menu, this Avocado, Brussels Sprout, Kale and Date Salad provides a delicious introduction to the superfruit. Loaded with greens and fit for sharing with a crowd, you can do your part to bring avocados to your nearest and dearest, neighbors or anyone you’re hosting for a fresh, better-for-you meal.

The best part: This heart-healthy dish comes together in a snap. Just process the homemade dressing featuring dates, Dijon mustard and apple cider vinegar. Then toss Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion, pistachios and, of course, avocados before combining with the dressing.

Finally, serve with shaved Parmesan cheese on the side (so guests who prefer to avoid dairy can do so) and enjoy for a fresh meal that’s equal parts delicious and nutritious. Sliced avocados are the star of the dish, with naturally good fats and nearly 20 vitamins and minerals, making this an always good, super fun recipe and a way to begin making smarter food choices.

Discover more ways to add heart-healthy meals to your menu by visiting AvocadosFromMexico.com/avocado-nutrition.

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Avocado, Brussels Sprouts, Kale and Date Salad

Servings: 8

Dressing:

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 4 dates, pitted, softened
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup olive oil

• 2 Avocados From Mexico, sliced
• 6 cups Brussels sprouts, shaved or shredded
• 3 cups lacinto (dinosaur) kale, shredded
• 1 cup red onion, sliced
• 1/2 cup pistachios (or pumpkin seeds), shelled
• reduced-fat (sharp) Parmesan cheese, shaved or grated, for topping (optional)

1. To make dressing: In food processor, process lemon juice, apple cider vinegar, pitted dates and mustard. Slowly add olive oil to combine.
2. To make salad: In large salad bowl, combine avocados, shaved Brussels sprouts, kale, red onion and pistachios. Drizzle salad dressing evenly over greens and toss until well-coated.
3. Serve with shaved Parmesan cheese, if desired.

SOURCE:
Avocados From Mexico

Hearty recipes for celebrating from the comfort of home

(Family Features) While some St. Patrick’s Day celebrations call for green beer and large gatherings, you may instead opt for a cozy evening at home with comforting foods and close friends. Whether your shamrock spirit leads you out for a local parade or you’re more of a stay-at-home leprechaun, there is one tradition all can agree on: delicious Irish food.

If a quieter night cooking at home is up your alley, you’re in luck. You can put a meal worthy of gold on the table with these festive Irish favorites from “Cookin’ Savvy.”

A hearty home-cooked meal loaded with flavor and sure to fill you with cheer, Irish Beef and Beer Pot Pie is made piping hot to warm up any St. Patrick’s Day party. Full of hashbrowns, carrots, peas and beef, it’s a twist on tradition served with puff pastry topping the tasty stew. A cup of your favorite stout beer, of course, will come in handy for deglazing the skillet to ensure you enjoy every bit of beefy flavor.

Perfect for serving as a sweet complement to coffee or tea, or all on its own as a nightcap nibble, Irish Sweet Soda Bread comes together in a snap so you can let it bake while enjoying the main course. Offering an easy way to participate in the festivities, it might just become a household favorite to be savored year-round.

Make your home a St. Patrick’s Day haven with these hearty recipes then discover more celebratory meal ideas from “Cookin’ Savvy” by visiting Culinary.net.

Irish Beef and Beer Pot Pie

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 1 pound ground beef
• 1 cup stout beer
• 3 tablespoons flour
• 1 can (15 ounces) tomato puree
• 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon garlic powder
• 1 cup beef broth
• 1 bag (28 ounces) hashbrowns with peppers and onions
• 1 can (14 ounces) carrots, drained
• 1 can (14 ounces) peas, drained
• salt, to taste
• pepper, to taste
• 1 sheet puff pastry, thawed
• 1 egg

1. Heat oven to 400 F.
2. In large skillet or Dutch oven, brown ground beef; drain and set aside.
3. Over medium heat, deglaze skillet with beer and whisk in flour. After thickening, whisk in tomato puree and add Worcestershire sauce. Mix in ground beef, garlic powder and beef broth. Add hashbrowns, carrots and peas. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Simmer 20-25 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4. Place puff pastry sheet on cookie sheet. Beat egg and brush over pastry. Bake 10 minutes. Place hot puff pastry on top of beef mixture and serve.

Irish Sweet Soda Bread

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 1/2 cups buttermilk
• 4 cups self-rising flour
• 1 cup currants
• 2 tablespoons sanding sugar (optional)
• coffee or tea, for serving (optional)

1. Heat oven to 375 F.
2. Mix melted butter and sugar then add buttermilk. Mix in flour and currants.
3. Flour hands and counter. Add sanding sugar to dough, if desired, and knead into ball.
4. Grease small Dutch oven or pie plate and bake 40 minutes. Serve with coffee or tea, if desired, or as a dessert.

Substitutions: Raisins can be used in place of currants.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net

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(Family Features) Nothing says spring like a fish fry with the catch of the day. This Pan-Fried Catfish recipe is perfect for enjoying flaky fillets without the mess. Find more springtime favorites by visiting Culinary.net.

Pan-Fried Catfish

Recipe courtesy of “Cookin’ Savvy”
Servings: 4-6

• 1/3 cup flour
• 2 tablespoons mesquite seasoning (or seasoning of choice, such as lemon pepper)
• 1 stick butter
• 1/4 cup avocado oil (or oil of choice)
• 1-2 pounds thawed catfish fillets (1/2 pound each)
• cooked rice, for serving

1. In pie dish, mix flour and seasoning.
2. In skillet over medium heat, melt butter and add oil. Coat fish fillets in flour mixture on both sides. Place fish in skillet and fry 5 minutes then flip and fry 5 minutes.
3. Place fish on paper towel to drain excess oil then serve with rice.

Tip: If skillet is large enough, fry two fillets at once. If frying more than four fillets, discard butter and avocado oil then start fresh before frying more.

SOURCE:
Culinary.net