Baked Avocados
Featuring caprese-inspired ingredients, these baked avocados are creamy and warm and packed with nutrients!
Servings: 4
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- handful fresh basil leaves
- ¼ teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ¼ teaspoon pepper (or to taste)
- 2 Hass avocados (halved and pitted)
- ½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- ¼ cup balsamic vinegar
- ¼ cup sugar
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil, then add the cherry tomatoes and saute for about 1 minute. Add the basil leaves, salt, and pepper, and saute for another 30 seconds.1 tablespoon olive oil, ½ cup cherry tomatoes, halved, handful fresh basil leaves, ¼ teaspoon salt, ¼ teaspoon pepper
- Place the avocado halves cut side up on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Carefully spoon the tomato/basil mixture into the hole left when the pit was removed.2 Hass avocados
- Distribute the shredded cheese on top of the avocados.½ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- Place the avocados in the oven and bake 6-8 minutes, until the cheese has melted.
- While the avocado are baking, combine the vinegar, sugar, and water in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil then lower the heat to maintain a simmer.¼ cup balsamic vinegar, ¼ cup sugar, 2 tablespoons water
- Cook for about 5 minutes, until the mixture reduces by about a third. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.
- When the avocados finish baking, drizzle with the balsamic reduction and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can use halved grape tomatoes, or dice a large tomato and drain off the excess liquid prior to placing in the skillet.
- There's no need to peel the avocados.
- If it's difficult to get the avocado halves from leaning too much on the baking sheet, strategically shave a strip of skin from the bottom to provide a more even balance.
- Provolone and gouda are also good choices for cheeses to use.
- If you are short on time, skip making the balsamic reduction and just drizzle with prepared balsamic dressing.
Nutrition
Calories: 293kcal | Carbohydrates: 25g | Protein: 6g | Fat: 21g | Saturated Fat: 4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 13g | Cholesterol: 9mg | Sodium: 246mg | Potassium: 560mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 16g | Vitamin A: 306IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 130mg | Iron: 1mg
