(© image courtesy of California Avocado Commission)

It has been a wonderful holiday season of indulging in rich foods and desserts with nary a care for calories or fat, but we are very pleased that our friends at the California Avocado Commission sent us this relatively light recipe with their best wishes for a joyful holiday season and a healthy, happy New Year.

If weight-loss is on your list of New Year’s resolutions, each serving delivers just 390 calories, a low level of fats, plenty of healthy nutrients, and more than ample flavor to evoke a festive spirit. As our friends put it, “This festive dish is sure to delight your guests. Serve it as a side with chicken or as an entree for lunch. Pair it with a glass of crisp Sauvignon Blanc. Bon appetite!”

Ingredients

• 4 Tablespoons butter
• 1/2 Cup regular rice
• 1/4 Cup finely chopped onion
• 1/4 Cup finely chopped celery
• 1Cup boiling chicken stock
• 1/2 Teaspoon salt
• 1 Egg beaten
• 1 Cup grated aged Red Spruce Cheddar Cheese
• 1/4 Teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
• 1/2 Cup chopped fresh parsley
• 3 Ripe, fresh California Avocados, peeled, seeded and halved
• 1/2 Cup fine dry bread crumbs

*Large avocados are recommended for this recipe. A large avocado averages about 8 ounces. If using smaller or larger size avocados adjust the quantity accordingly.

Preparation

1. Heat half of the butter in a medium saucepan.
2. Add rice and cook until rice is golden, stirring.
3. Add onion and celery and continue cooking gently for 3 minutes, stirring.
4. Add chicken stock and salt, cover and simmer 20 minutes or until rice is tender (if rice is still very moist cook with cover off for a few minutes).
5. Remove from heat.
6. Stir egg, cheese and Worcestershire sauce together with a fork and mix into the rice along with the parsley.
7. Heat oven to 350 Degrees F.
8. Place avocado in a shallow baking pan and add 1/4 inch hot water to the pan.
9. Spoon rice mixture into hollows of avocados.
10. Melt remaining butter and combine with bread crumbs. Sprinkle over rice mixture.
11. Bake 20 minutes or until crumbs are browned and avocados are hot.

Nutrition Facts:
Nutrition Information Per Serving: Calories 390; Total Fat 30 g (Sat 11 g, Trans 0 g, Poly 3 g, Mono 14 g); Cholesterol 85 mg; Sodium 460 mg; Potassium 619 mg; Total Carbohydrates 21 g; Dietary Fiber 8 g; Total Sugars 2 g; Protein 11 g; Vitamin A 1080 IU; Vitamin C 17 mg; Calcium 188 mg; Iron 2 mg; Vitamin D 2.3 IU; Folate 107 mcg; Omega 3 Fatty Acid 0.2 g

To learn more about California avocados, their heath benefits & growing an avocado tree, go to: California Avocado Commission

To purchase one of Roth Kase's finest artisanal creations, go to: Red Spruce Cheddar - Aged 7 Years

To view all the recipes on the American Feast web site, go to: American Feast's Recipe Collection

To follow American Feast on Facebook go to: American Feast on Facebook

To follow American Feast's Founder on Twitter go to: Jeff Deasy on Twitter