Also serving the communities of De Luz, Rainbow, Camp Pendleton, Pala and Pauma
‘Tis the season for avocado – and I was on a serious hunt for luscious and satisfying food creations made with the green-golden fruit. The task was difficult since Fallbrook, the “Avocado Capital of the World,” boasts several establishments where avocado takes center stage in the form of entrées, appetizers and desserts. I finally narrowed it down to some new discoveries.
Aquaterra Restaurant at the Pala Mesa Resort offers an ambrosial Baked Avocado, as well as a zesty Avocado Salad. La Caseta’s Guacamole is uniquely delicious with a surprise of cilantro; and its Tostada Suprema is superb with a splash of guacamole. The dreamy Swirlz Avocado Fudge has a lure all its own!
Baked Avocado and Avocado Salad at Aquaterra
Aquaterra offers an amazing menu item – the Baked Avocado – it’s really an appetizer, but filling enough to be an entrée.
The anchor of this dish is an avocado served at the perfect stage in the ripening cycle. This lends a smooth and flavorful touch. Avocados can be temperamental, so timing is everything and Aquaterra has the timing down perfect.
The avocado is split, then topped with prosciutto and gorgonzola cheese. The gorgonzola yields a zesty quality. This exotically flavorful cheese actually belongs to the blue cheese family and has purported to have been made in the vicinity of Milan since the 8th century.
Roasted garlic and red pepper are also added, but there is only a delicious hint of these flavors. A savory, yet sweet, Chianti Glaze wraps up this ambrosial package. This appetizer is so delicious that you will be driven to scrape it down to the rind!
A tangy Avocado Salad is created from a bed of mixed baby greens. The sliced avocado is not just an afterthought, but dominates the salad with its smooth, slightly nutty flavor. The grapefruit and mango lend a splash of both color and flavor. Delightfully, the complicated and somewhat exotic, Citrus Cilantro Vinaigrette, seeps down into the bowl of fruit and greens to succinctly and deliciously draw together this aromatic collage of salad.
Aquaterra at Pala Mesa Resort
2001 Old Highway 395
Fallbrook
(760) 731-6805
Guacamole at La Caseta
La Caseta’s avocado-based dishes have been delighting patrons since 1983. Delos Eyer, proprietor, said that they will be ready for the Avocado Festival with extra Fried Avocado Wedges on hand. Delicious as they are, I feel the star of the La Caseta show is their award-winning Guacamole Dip. This marvelous mix is a two-time first place winner in the Avocado Festival’s Guacamole Contest and it’s not difficult to understand why it was honored.
The guacamole is hand-blended in a process that has a delicate balance because, to create the distinct flavor, the avocado mix cannot get too smooth. Once the avocado is mashed, then the other ingredients — diced tomatoes and onions plus cilantro, are added. The onions and cilantro lend a zip to the mix. When the guacamole is scooped up with La Caseta’s hand-made chips you have a winning combination.
Another way to sample La Caseta’s guacamole is to order the Tostada Suprema, which is made with a crisp fluted flour tortilla layered with a choice of shredded beef or chicken. Top that with beans, lettuce, shredded cheese, tomatoes, sour cream and ranchera sauce, then crown it with the glorious guacamole, and you have a delicious concoction!
La Caseta Mexican Restaurant
111 N. Vine St.
Fallbrook
(760) 728-9737
Avocado Fudge at Swirlz
Swirlz offers a creamy Avocado Fudge that has no equal. Three years ago Richard and Maribel Moran, owners, opened this candy and novelty emporium which specializes in retro-candy that brings back great memories. Their top-seller, however, and rightly so, is the rich, but smooth Avocado Fudge.
This fudge is made in Fallbrook with locally grown avocados. The avocado is actually a substitute for butter, so this is probably one of the most healthful fudge recipes around. The ingredients are varied depending on which flavor you select – and there are six from which to choose – one for almost each day of the week! Swirlz sells Rocky Road, Peanut Butter, Walnut, Mocha, White and Plain Fudge.
The Plain Fudge is my favorite and is made with Ghirardelli dark chocolate. It has just a hint of sweetness, almost like a taste of honey, but no strong avocado flavor. However, the avocado lends an ultra creamy consistency to the candy.
One must simply adore peanut butter to appreciate the Peanut Butter Fudge because the peanut flavor isn’t at all shy or reticent. Aside from the fact that the clever pattern of peanut butter makes it the most attractive fudge in the collection, the rich chocolate and peanut butter work together to create a marvelous flavor escape.
Swirlz
213 N. Main
Fallbrook
(760) 723-2337
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