Knowing when a delicious California Avocado is ready to eat is simple. The easiest way to tell is to gently squeeze the fruit in the palm of your hand. Ripe, ready-to-eat avocados will yield to gentle pressure.

California Avocados add a rich flavor and creamy texture to any dish. Avocados can easily be incorporated into a number of recipes in a variety of ways, such as topping salads and pizzas with thin slices, dressing meats and fish with a chunky avocado salsa or using avocado as a spread on burgers and sandwiches.

One-fifth of a medium avocado, or about one ounce, has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins, minerals, and phytonutrients. Phytonutrients are thought to help prevent many chronic diseases.

California Avocados are hand-grown on 6,000 small family farms throughout Central and Southern California.

Recipes

---------------------

California Avocado Guacamole

4 each Fresh California Avocados, seeded and peeled

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 clove garlic, crushed

1 each tomato, finely chopped

1/4 cup onion, finely chopped

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

3 drops hot pepper sauce

tortilla chips

Using a fork, coarsely mash avocado with lemon juice and garlic. Stir in remaining ingredients to blend. Garnish as desired and serve with tortilla chips.

---------------------

Avocado Fruit Stand Salad

Dressing:

1/4 cup olive oil

2 tablespoons raspberry vinegar

2 tablespoons walnuts, chopped and toasted

1 teaspoon lime peel, grated

1 tablespoon fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon fresh basil leaves, chopped

1/2 teaspoon dry mustard

1/4 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Salad:

1 package European-style salad, any variety

3 each kiwi, peeled and cut in half lengthwise and sliced in half rounds

2 each red or pink grapefruit, peeled and segmented

2 cups strawberries, sliced

1 each Fresh California Avocado, seeded, peeled, one half sliced into 8 portions, remaining avocado cubed

For the dressing:

1 In a small bowl, whisk together ingredients, set aside.

For the salad:

1 In large salad bowl, combine all ingredients for salad except avocado slices. Toss salad to coat with dressing. Arrange avocado slices on top. Serve.

---------------------

California Avocado & Shrimp Pizza

1 12-inch pizza dough shell, unbaked

1/2 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 tablespoon garlic, minced

1/2 cup red onion, finely chopped

2 each Fresh California Avocados, peeled, pitted and cut into slices

1/2 cup roasted red bell pepper, coarsely chopped

1/2 cup cooked shrimp

3/4 cup Gouda cheese, shredded

fresh basil leaves, shredded, for garnish

Brush pizza dough shell with olive oil; sprinkle with garlic. Scatter onion, avocado, roasted pepper and shrimp on top of pizza dough. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake at 500° F until lightly browned, about 10 minutes. Lightly sprinkle with basil. Cut into 8 slices.

Special Advertising section