Today I am delighted to have Ana Helena Campbell from AHC here as a guest poster! Ana, like me, lives far from her native country, though for her it’s Brazil. My experiences with Brazilian foods have been limited, yet always delicious, and I was extremely happy when Ana agreed to widen my horizon. And to make it really special, she’s introducing us to avocados as a dessert ingredient. You are doubtful? Trust me, judging from the luscious avocado smoothie I recently tried, we have much to learn from Brazilian cuisine!
I met Kiri last year through foodbuzz, a social network site for bloggers from all over the world for those who loves to share their passion for food.
One of the many things I enjoy about her blog is her adventures in China. When she writes her posts you feel like you are right there, seeing the beautiful places and eating the delicious food she shares.
Kiri asked me to guest post in her blog something Brazilian, and today I am really excited to share with you how Brazilians eat their avocados!
Avocados are not commonly used here in America in desserts, but today you will find that when you come home from the grocery store next time holding your precious avocados, you will have a new way to use them.
There are over 500 types of avocados in the world. Brazil offers about 50 and I pretty much grew up with just one kind, as I recall.
In Portuguese avocados are called “Abacates”, they are smooth and shiny green on the outside, bigger than the ones sold here in America, and the inside pulp is very buttery and smooth. To know if the avocados are ripe enough, all we have to do is just shake it and we will hear the sound of the loose pit inside.
My first year in America, I could not pick an avocado. Every time I saw avocados in the grocery stores, if they were green, I would shake them and would not hear the sound of the pit loose inside. When they looked black, I thought they were over ripped. I still shook a few of them and heard nothing! Unlike here in America, Brazilian avocados are different in size and they don’t turn black when ripe.
Over the years, I have embraced the American way to eat avocados especially guacamole. It was not like that 14 years ago. The first time I had a bite of guacamole in my entire life I almost felt offended! Maybe, it was because I had a spoon in my hands with a bowl of guacamole. Nope, it wasn’t dessert!
Since avocados in Brazil are treated as fruits, today I have a recipe for avocado crème brûlée. Don’t stop in your avocado adventure, just think at the possibilities! You can make avocado ice cream, avocado smoothie, avocado mousse or simply mashing them with a fork and drizzling some honey, that was very common on my breakfast table. Some regions in Brazil, even like to make avocado breads and avocado cakes! That sounds so delicious don’t you think?
Let’s start this recipe, shall we?
Avocado Crème Brûlée
Ingredients
- 1 ½ large avocados
- 1 ½ cups Heavy Cream
- 4 large eggs
- ½ cup sugar
- ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon lime (Brazilian’s lemons are limes)
- ½ cup turbinado sugar for caramelized sugar.
Directions
- Pre heat the oven 300°F.
- In a small sauce pan, add the heavy cream, and let it simmer until hot but not boiling. Turn off the stove and let it rest for a minute.
- Whisk in a mixing bowl, the eggs and sugar until combined.
- Add the milk to the egg mixture, vigorously mixing until combined. You don’t want the heat from the milk to scramble the eggs neither to curdle them. Add the vanilla extract.
- Add the avocados and lime in a blender, and blend until smooth (I used a Vitamix Blender). If you need to add more liquid, you can start using the milk mixture now.
- Add the milk mixture to the blender and blend in medium speed just enough to combine.
- Distribute the mixture equally into four crème brûlée dishes. Make sure your pan is prepared with a water bath.
- Bake them for about 25-30 minutes. You want them to look and feel jiggly at the center.
- Here are a few ideas to make the caramelized top: Cook the sugar separately until turns into caramel, and pour it over the crème brûlée. Use a torch, less time spent and better results. Use a broiler with the oven door open, rotating the pan, carefully watching them not to burn.
10. Serve chilled.
You will be able to enjoy a very delicate and light dessert. The avocado combined with the hint of lime is tasted in every bite you take.
I hope you have fun making them as much as I did. Please chime in with any questions about this recipe.
Thank you so much Ana! I have a terrible weakness for crème brûlée, and now I simply must try it with avocados. What a glorious glimpse at the wonders of Brazilian cooking 
I want to try and have guest posts here on a fairly regular basis, since I have enjoyed guest posting for other blogs and think it’s a great way to find new blogs and/or readers. If you would like to guest post here, please email me at healthyfoodietravels@gmail.com!
Hi Kiri!
I had such a great time working with you! If anyone has any questions about the recipe, please let me know. Thanks!
Thank you so much!
I had a blast, too!
Hi Kiri and Ana,
I’m not a big dessert fan, but I do love this one. Thanks for an interesting and flavorful recipe!
Thank you! I love Ana’s twist in creme brulee
oh my god! how amazing does that look?? that is such a creative recipe!
I know! I am slobbering over here
Hey Kiri, I haven’t seen you in a while. How are you? Lovely guest post and it is nice to meet you Ana. This is a lovely looking dessert. You know I never really thought of avocado as a fruit but thinking now we do here in Florida call it an avocado pear. Looks delicious used in the creme brulee. I always learn something cool here, thanks Kiri.
Good, if still trying to settle down a little
Thank you! I also loved Ana’s use of avocado, so creative!
This idea seems so crazy to me but amazingly good. Love the color!
I second that word for word
This might be the coolest creme brulee ever!! Love it!
I loved Ana’s idea, such an original twist
Ohhhh… I LOVE avocado. never was a big brulee fan, aside for the crunchy top. I think avocado would turn me into a believer though!
What? Sin!
But I am dying to try this version myself.
Kiri- Hope all is well my lady.
Ana- This is really wonderful. It would not have occurred to me to try avocado in this but I bet it’s divine.
Thank you! Yes it is, I am just swamped right now.
What a fabulous treat!!! I have a girlfriend from Panama, and she has difficulty buying avocados and mangoes in the stores as she used to get them fresher in her home country.
I’ve never heard of avocado creme brulee, but I can only imagine how wonderful this dessert is!! I think it is a must try!!!
Isn’t it? My fingers are twitching, but knowing you for the avocado fan you are, I bet you’ll beat em to it anyways
This is really amazing…I am in love with avocados =) Thanks!
Ana’s recipe is a gem!
Oh me! Oh my! Avocado! and in a Creme Brulee even! Somebody pinch me! I can already imagine the creaminess of the whole thing in my mouth … ooohhh, yum! What a wonderful recipe to come back to … thanks for the great guest post, Kiri.
Haha, I felt much the same way
Love Ana’s recipe!
HA! Offended? That’s hilarious. It’s so cool how fruits taste so different depending on where you’re from and how many different ways they can be used! Love this idea
BUZZED
That was my favorite part too!
I had to make a quick avocado smoothie this morning, I loved this recipe so much!
Wow… wow… wow!! What a creative recipe!! I love that it’s all about the avocado!! Well done on the guest post. Hope both you ladies have a wonderful weekend.
Isn’t it? I am so excited about this one
Same to you!
Amazing guest post!!! Love the creative idea on creme brule. Thanks for introducing me to another talented foodie!
Me too, Ana is such a creative spirit!
These creme brulees look incredible! Such an awesome guest post, stunning photos and lovely recipe. Thanks for having Ana on here Kiri, hope you both have a lovely weekend!
Same to you!
And speaking of avocadoes…
Avocado and creme brulee might just be my 2 favorite things. Thanks so much for this!
Haha, I can so relate. This must be a dream come true!
Kiri, I love seeing beautiful Ana Helena here..Love her site and her yummy recipes!
Ana H. this is really new to me..but I really love your introduction of Avocado Crème Brûlée. Lovely photos and great post!
Ladies, wishing you wonderful weekend!
Me too, she posts fantastic recipes
Same to you!
Such an interesting post. Super-creative pairing! The color is enchanting. Would so much like to try this. Thank you for the inspiration! Lovely…
LL
Agreed, I love these Brazilian dessert ideas!
Hi Ana! This dessert sounds amazing and looks beautiful – such a delicious combination of flavours and textures. Avocado in a dessert is indeed very interesting. Crème Brûlée is ‘the’ favourite dessert of my husband and I can’t wait to try this. Great guest post Kiri
Me neither, and I just love Ana’s photography!
Oh wow! This has to be the best use of avocados! What a super fantastic idea.
Agreed, so creative and it must a heaven of creaminess.
I’ve had avocado chocolate mousse and an avocado-blueberry parfait. I’ve heard of avocado ice cream; but creme brulee? Hold the phones! YUM! I also have a terrible weakness for creme brulee (ahem. anything sweet, really) and this sounds so creamy and flavorful. What a fab guest post!
I am dying to try avocado chocolate mousse – it sounds so intriguing!
What an amazing, different idea! And they look absolutely gorgeous…Theresa
I agree one hundred percent – this sounds fantastic and entirely unusual
I love Brazilin food and totally enjoyed a 2 week vacation there. I have been wanting to make feijoada for a while. This dessert looks delicious!
Lucky you! I’d love to go see Brazil.
Hi Kiri, nice to meet you
Ana, I loved your background story about the differences of Brazilian and American avocados. And your creme brulee is nothing short of an inspirational delight!
Thank you so much for stopping by!
Hi Kiri, glad to know your readers are enjoying the post! I am having so much fun reading the comments! You have a great week:)
They are very much enjoying it
Thank you again, and same to you!
Avocado Crème Brûlée is something unique and wonderful. I never would’ve dreamed of making it and now am so curious to taste a bite. Hope you’re doing well, Kiri.
Thank you, Ana, for this beautiful guest post:)xx
Agreed – Ana told me of her idea and I knew I had to have it