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Panini Produce Sandwiches Vegetarian

Axell Family California Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Randy Axelles Grilled California Avocado Sandwich

    Did you know that 90% of the nation’s avocados are hand-grown by farmers in California? Many of the California avocado groves are multi-generational and family operated. Randy Axell is one of those growers. As a third generation avocado grower, Axell and his wife, Joanna, have raised their family on 40 acres of land in Santa Paula, Calif. called Rancho Rodoro. It is named from a combination of Axell’s parents’ names, Ross and Dorothy. Axell feels privileged to have grown up on a farm and to have provided the same opportunity to his children.

    CA Avocado Grower, Randy Axelle

    “I love being able to spend every day on a farm and in the groves. It’s very satisfying to be able to grow something from a tiny seed to a full tree,” explains Axell when asked about his favorite part of being a California avocado grower.

    Randy’s passion for growing California avocados is clear in the quality of his trees and the fruit he harvests each season. His farm is operated to the standards of Good Agricultural Practices (GAP) certification, a program that requires Randy to document everything he does on the farm as well as implement the best possible management practices to aid in preventing food safety issues. He sees these practices as a natural thing to do, to focus on food safety and sell the perfect piece of fruit.

    To view videos of Randy Axell sharing his stories of growing California avocados, visit his page at the California Avocado Commission website.

    Axell Family California Avocado Grilled Cheese Sandwich

    Recipe created by California avocado grower Randy Axell for the California Avocado Commission, used by permission.

    Serves: 4

    Prep Time: 5 minutes; Cook Time: 5 minutes

    Ingredients

    4 slices cheddar cheese
    8 slices whole wheat or honey wheat bread
    1 ripe, fresh California avocado, peeled, seeded and sliced
    1 medium tomato, sliced
    4 slices red onion
    Chili sauce, to taste
    4 slices pepper jack cheese
    Olive oil cooking spray

    Instructions

    On each sandwich, place a slice of cheddar cheese, a layer of avocado, tomato, and onion slices. Add chili sauce to taste. Top with pepper jack cheese, and finish with remaining bread slices.
    Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Spray skillet with olive oil cooking spray. Place sandwiches in skillet and cook until bread is browned. Turn and cook until cheese has melted. Serve immediately.

    Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 350; Total Fat 18 g (Sat 6 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 1.5 g, Mono 6 g); Cholesterol 25 mg; Sodium 610 mg; Total Carbohydrates 33 g; Dietary Fiber 7 g; Protein 19 g;

      Categories
      Appetizers Fish & Shellfish Produce Salads Uncategorized

      Shrimp, Endive and California Avocado Salad

        Mary Bergens Shrimp California Avocado and Endive Salad

        Summer marks the peak season of California avocados, when the fruit is readily available and at its most delicious. So what better time than now to learn more about two of the nearly 5,000 California avocado farmers who take pride in growing the delicious fruit and their favorite avocado recipes.

        Ninety percent of the nation’s avocados are hand-grown by farmers in California, all of whom take special care in growing premium avocados. Many of the California avocado groves are multi-generational and family operated.

        For example, California avocado grower Mary Bergen’s parents bought a ranch in Ojai, Calif. in 1957 – Rancho dos Rios. As a young child, she spent her time roaming the avocado groves and disappearing into the hills, which she says allowed her to gain an appreciation and love for the land. Mary took over the operations of the ranch in 2000 and with the help of other avocado growers, she has become knowledgeable and found a community. “I’m more connected with the community here than I ever was in the city,” says Mary. “It’s wonderful to grow something people love. It’s great to grow something outstanding.”

        To view videos of Mary Bergen discussing her life as a California avocado grower, visit her page at the California Avocado Commission Website.

        Here is her recipe for Shrimp, Endive and California Avocado Salad.

        Mary Bergen’s Shrimp, Endive and California Avocado Salad
        Recipe created by California avocado grower Mary Bergen for the California Avocado Commission.

        Serves: 4

        Prep Time: 45 minutes, including chill time; Cooking Time: 5 minutes;

        Ingredients

        2 cups water
        1 cup dry white wine
        2 tsp. coarse salt
        1 dried bay leaf
        1 lb. medium shrimp, peeled
        2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
        1 Tbsp. white wine vinegar
        1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
        6 Tbsp. crème fraîche
        2 Tbsp. finely chopped shallot
        2 Tbsp. minced fresh chives
        2 small Belgian endives
        1 ripe, fresh California avocado, peeled, seeded and diced
        1 small head butter lettuce

        Instructions

        1. Bring water, wine, half the salt and the bay leaf to a boil in a medium saucepan. Reduce heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add half the shrimp and cook until opaque, about 1 minute. Transfer the shrimp to a plate with a slotted spoon. Cook the remaining shrimp, transfer to the plate and let cool. Cut into 1/4-inch pieces.
        2. Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar and remaining salt in a medium bowl. Pour in olive oil in a slow, steady stream, whisking until emulsified. Whisk in crème fraîche. Fold in shallots, chives and shrimp. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes.
        3. Separate endive leaves and thinly slice crosswise. Fold endive and avocado into shrimp mixture. Make a bed of lettuce on each salad plate and add a generous spoonful of the shrimp mixture to each plate and serve.

        Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 480; Total Fat 30 g (Sat 4.5 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 3 g, Mono 15 g); Cholesterol 225 mg; Sodium 1520 mg; Total Carbohydrates 17 g; Dietary Fiber 12 g; Protein 29 g

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