This maybe be some kind of healthy living blogger sin, but I really don't like avocados. They just have an awkward "no-taste" and slimy cool texture in the mouth. It is not my idea of a delicious fat. However, after years of dislike, I think I am finally rounding the corner. I've started buying 1 or 2 avocados at the grocery each week and have been simple mashing them up, adding a little spice, and then using them to top dinner bowls, salads, pizzas, etc. I definitely like my avocado mash warmed up though, not cold. And it has to be mixed in with tons of other goodies. I really want to keep incorporating them in my diet since they are such a good easy source of healthy fats and an easy calorie increaser so I think I will be keeping them around 😉 Last night I used my plain mashed avocado to coat my piece of Barramundi for dinner, plus some citrus+herb spice. O my...it was so so good! Baked at 400F for 14 minutes, I am speechless. It tasted so amazing! (I think I found my new favorite avo use ;)!)
When I think of avocados, I always think of Paleo people (haha) and Mexican dishes! Since I will never jump on the Paleo wagon, but I do like Mexican dishes...avocado and Mexican it is! I whipped up this dish a few weeks ago because I was craving beans, salsa, and avocado. Maybe it is all those Chipotle bowls everyone always posts and raves about. Well I won't eat "fast-food" or eat out so I made my own Mexican bowl. Plus, I said "screw the acid reflux" and bought my first bottle of Cholula Hot Sauce at the grocery. What better way to try it out then with a Mexican dinner bowl? And one more thing. You don't even need to dirty a bowl for this "dinner-bowl!" I was very resourceful and used my scrapped out spaghetti squash halves as the serving vessels! Perfect, right?!
Mexican Spaghetti Squash Bowls
Ingredients: (serves: 2)
+ 1 Small Spaghetti Squash
For the Beans:
+ 1 15oz Can of Pinto Beans
+ 4 Medium Crimini Mushrooms
+ 1 Tsp Chili Powder
+ 1 Tsp Dried Cilantro
+ 1 Tsp Dried Oregano
+ ½ Tsp Onion Powder
+ ½ Tsp Garlic Powder
+ ½ Tsp Cumin
For the Avocado Mash:
+ 1 Small Avocado
+ 1 Small Celery Stalk
+ ½ Cup of Shredded Carrot
+ 1 Tsp Chili Powder
+ ¼ Tsp Garlic Powder
+ ½ Tsp Onion Powder
Toppings:
+ Salsa
+ Hot Sauce
+ Crunchy Lettuce
+ 2 TB Nutritional Yeats (1 TB per bowl)
+ Crumbled Multi-Grain Corn Thins (optional)
Directions:
+ For the Squash: Cut the squash in half lengthwise, scoop out the seeds and inner strings, then pop each half in the microwave for about 5 minutes. When each half is done and fork tender, scrap out the squash and transfer to a bowl.
+ For the Beans: In a medium sauce pot, pour in the beans (rinse them under water first) and add the mushrooms (chopped). Then add all the spices plus 2 TB of water. Simmer on low for about 5 minutes until warm.
+ For the Avocado Mash: Cut your avocado lengthwise and scoop out the good stuff into a bowl. Then chop your celery and add that to the bowl along with the shredded carrots. Then add the additional spices.
+ Now it is time to assemble. In each empty squash half, add about 1 cup of squash, 1 cup of beans, ¼ cup of avocado mash, then your additional toppings. I used a few tablespoons of salsa, a handful of crunchy lettuce stuffed into the sides of the bowl, 1 TB of nutritional yeast, a few dashes of hot sauce, and two crumbled corn thins.
Perfect easy vegan and gluten-free Mexican yumminess! I could not wait to dig into this bad boy. It totally satisfied my cravings 😉
So tell me:
Do you like Avocado?
Are you an obsessed with Chipotle like so many bloggers seem to be?
*Recipe linking up for the week! Allergy Free Wednesdays, #RecipeFridays, Ricki Heller’s Wellness Weekend, Healthy Vegan Fridays, Real Food Friday, Gluten-Free Fridays!*
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Kristin KH
This looks delicious! I've just started experience,eating with spaghetti squash a bit instead of cooking it like my mom always did. I'm an avocado lover, so this sounds great to me!
Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! It is super yummy 😉
Jean Lynd
I usually do something more Italian with spaghetti squash. Thanks for helping me think outside the box! Over from SITS Sat.
Strength and Sunshine
No problem Jean! Glad I could spark some inspiration 🙂
lovenataliemarie
I love avocados. I love Chipotle.
THIS IS SO YUMMY. 😉
Strength and Sunshine
Thank you Natalie 🙂
Deborah Smikle-Davis
Hi Rebecca,
It's so wonderful to experience your delightful photos and delectable, plant-based recipe for Mexican Spaghetti Squash Bowls. The presentation is so lovely. These would be a splash at any dinner party! But they would be equally great to curl up with while watching my favorite shows.
Thank you so much for sharing this healthy and delicious recipe at the Plant-Based Potluck Party Blog Hop! I sincerely appreciate it!
Strength and Sunshine
Thanks Deb! 🙂
Espirational
I love spaghetti squash but never would have thought of trying this. Will definitely have to try.
Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! I hope you do 🙂
Rosi
I have a small (HUGE) obsession with avocados and though I do like Chipotle I wouldn't say I'm obsessed. By the way, this will be our Meatless Monday meal...thank you! It looks amazing. 🙂
Strength and Sunshine
Awesome! Tell me how it comes out! Avocados really are growing on me and I have eaten a half of one every day this week!
Kristy @ Southern In-Law
I used to hateeee avocado as a kid, but then one summer we were away on vacation with some friends and they were all eating mashed avocado with corn chips and for some reason, I decided to try some (super rare for me because I was totally unadventurous as a child) and fell in love - and I haven't stopped eating them since 😛
Being Australian, I've never had chipotle - and I don't think Jesse has either (I don't think they even have one in Alexandria!)
Strength and Sunshine
I am sure you aren't missing anything! It is fast food that pretending to be healthy, haha! I would never eat there 😉
Pretty Little Grub
Great recipe. I am not obsessed with avocados. I mean I like them and use them on occasion but don’t add them to ever.single.item like I see on so many other blogs. How did you like the Cholula hot sauce? It’s my fave! I mean I love Franks but sometimes it can be too hot for me, I’m kind of a baby with spice. Cholula has an amazing flavour and I can load up on it because it’s not too spicy.
Strength and Sunshine
Its hot, but a few dabs makes thing just a bit more fun 😉
eatgreatbegreat
Oh gosh, I love avocados! I buy them every week, but I can definitely see why people don't like them. They kind of have a strange texture.
These spaghetti squash bowls sound delicious! I kind of want one for breakfast! 😉
Strength and Sunshine
Haha go for it!