Linguini, Smoky Avocado Sauce, Black Beans, Lime

Linguini, Grilled Avocado Sauce with Lime & Cilantro
Topped with Black Beans, Red Onion & Serrano

Been seeing the avocado puréed, and used as a sauce or dressing a lot lately? I sure have. With pasta, as a substitute for mayonnaise in tuna salad, as a substitute for hollandaise with fresh fish or vegetables. Great heart-healthy ideas all!

Here, I take flavors that pair well with avocado such as lime, green chile, red onion, cilantro, black beans…and re-mix them into a refreshing green pasta dish. And by adding one more layer of flavor – smoke – the silky sauce takes on another dimension. Lime juice keeps it bright, and serrano kicks up the heat. It’s a healthy pasta fiesta!

Linguini with Grilled Avocado Sauce Recipe

Cut an avocado in half and brush with olive oil.
Grill flesh side down until the fruit is nicely charred.

Scoop out the flesh and put it in a food processor.

Add a handful of cilantro, the juice from one lime,
1/4 t. salt & 1/8 t. cayenne (or to taste), and one garlic clove.
Process to make a purée.
Then stream in 1/4 c. fruity olive oil to make a sauce consistency.
Taste for balance. Add more lime juice or salt if necessary.
Add avocado sauce to al dente whole-grain linguini and toss to coat.

Add cilantro leaves and lime zest. Now this pasta is terrific as is.
But add the spicy beans for more flavor, color, texture and fiber.

Mix black beans with finely diced red onion and serrano chile.
Add a drizzle of olive oil, a squeeze of lime juice, chopped cilantro and salt to taste.
Stir gently and let sit to meld the flavors.

Spoon beans over the pasta.
Alternatively, the beans can be tossed with the pasta,
but they look prettier when not coated with avocado sauce. (I tried it).

Welcoming Spring…

New rose buds are just starting to bloom.
The first in my garden was the pale pink floribunda rose called “First Kiss.”
I put the bud into water colored with blue food coloring and this was the result.
Hello Spring!

And for Bean Lovers…

Bean Aficionados have been enjoying inspiration from MLLA for years now. Susan, The Well-Seasoned Cook, introduced My Legume Love Affair back in 2008. It was my pleasure to host the 11th helping of MLLA all the way back in May of 2009. Congratulations to Susan for creating such a popular long-lived event!  The 45th edition is hosted by Heather of Girlichef blog. Bean lovers can submit a legume-centric dish to Heather’s round-up through March 31st. I’m very happy to add Linguini with Smoky Avocado Sauce and Black Beans to this month’s event.