Avocado and Egg Salad

My mom was a large influence in my passion for food. I watched her cook since I was little, and she taught me a lot of what I know. My mom has taught me a lot of Korean cooking, but she also was a source of inspiration for my career path. Since I was young, my mom made banana bread or chocolate chip cookies for my teachers for holiday gifts. It was always exciting helping her in the kitchen. I would stand on one of the kitchen chairs so that I could reach the counter (I was really short... And still am...). It was exciting seeing simple ingredients come together to make something so different than the ingredients I started with. That began my interest in the pastry arts, which would eventually grow into a passion that would help decide my career path.

This is a recipe that my mom recently gave me. It's a delicious egg salad with a simple, healthy twist. The avocados add a freshness and lightness to the egg salad. It's also a healthier alternative to a traditional egg salad, since avocados are a healthy fat. The avocado replaces some of the mayonnaise that goes into egg salad because of its soft texture. It's a unique, tasty, and simple way to make egg salad.

Avocado and Egg Salad (Makes 12 Servings)
10 Eggs
1 Avocado
1/2 Onion
1/2 tsp Salt
1/4 tsp Black Pepper
1/2 tsp Garlic Powder
1/2 cup Mayonnaise

1. Boil the eggs until cooked through, about 18-20 minutes.
2. In the meantime, cut the onion into small dices (about 1/4 in pieces) and place into a large bowl.
3. Once the eggs are done boiling, cool, peel, and cut into 1/4 in pieces and add to the bowl.
4. Cut the avocado into 1/4 in pieces also and add to the bowl.
5. Add seasonings and mayonnaise and mix thoroughly.
6. Store in a container in the fridge overnight to allow the flavors to develop.
7. Enjoy in a sandwich or on top of a salad and share with your friends and family :)

The recipe is simple, but requires a lot of cutting. If you have an egg slicer, use it! I like to cut the pieces small so that every bite is filled with each ingredient. However, you can always add your own variation. I made my sandwich in the picture with whole wheat toast, fresh spinach, tomato, and cucumber. I have to pack lunches for my long days of classes, and this does just the trick! It's simple, healthy, yummy, and quick! 

Fried Green Tomato Salad

Fried green tomatoes are a southern staple. Green tomatoes are under-ripe tomatoes. They are more tart, and their texture is firmer. Because of this characteristic, they are a good product to fry. They don't fall apart in the high heat and the bubbly oil. They also do not have large amounts of moisture that will cause the oil to pop/explode. Instead the texture softens slightly and the tomato holds together well. The final product can be used to put into burgers, dipped in pimento cheese, or placed on top of a fresh salad. I used fresh spinach, dried cranberries, chopped pecans, and goat cheese to create a salad that lightens the southern soul food classic. Fried green tomatoes can often be very heavy since they are fried, but it pairs nicely with the components of the salad. Finished with an apple cider and honey vinaigrette, this salad is a healthy and light alternative to heavy and greasy southern soul food.

Fried Green Tomato Salad (Serves 4)
Fried Green Tomatoes
1 Green Tomato
1/2 cup All Purpose Flour
1 Egg, Beaten
1/2 cup Breadcrumb
Vegetable or Canola Oil (For Frying)

1. Use a sharp knife to cut the tomato into 1/4 in thick rounds.
2. Put flour, egg, and breadcrumb each into separate wide bowls.
3. Dip each tomato slice into flour, then into the egg, and then into the breadcrumb. Coat on both sides.
4. Heat the oil to about 375 degrees F. You can test it by dropping a tomato into the oil. it should immediately float and begin to cook.
5. Remove tomato after the color is golden, about 3-5 minutes. If the color is changing too quickly, the oil is too hot and you should lower your heat.
6. Place finished tomato onto a plate with a couple layers of paper towels to soak up excess oil.

Apple Cider and Honey Vinaigrette
1/4 cup Apple Cider Vinegar
1/4 cup Honey
2 tbsp Brown Sugar
1/4 cup Olive Oil

1. Place all ingredients into a bowl.
2. Whisk quickly to combine and emulsify the mixture. 

Salad Assembly
9oz bag Spinach
4 oz Goat Cheese
1/4 cup Dried Cranberries
1/4 cup Chopped Toasted Pecans
Fried Green Tomatoes
Apple Cider and Honey Vinaigrette

1. Thinly chop red onion.
2. Place spinach into a salad bowl.
3. Crumble goat cheese into the spinach.
4. Sprinkle cranberries and pecans on top of the salad.
5. Pour dressing onto the salad.
6. Mix well and serve.