Sweet Avocado Crostini

It's the weekend! Score on the "good day" list: one. Score number two: this recipe has avocado! Take about a reason to celebrate, right? I love avocados. I could seriously eat an avocado with every meal and not get tired of them. They add the perfect creamy texture to any recipe, but they're also delicious on their own. Since they have a nice (healthy) fat content and a substantial texture, I use them a lot to replace meat in recipes when I don't feel like using beans or tofu. My apartment-mate likes to sprinkle them with celery salt and eat them with a spoon. Just like that. Simple and delectable.
 
Fun avocado facts: According to FoodRepublic.com, 90% of Avocados are grown in California (which is where I am right now for the summer! Fresh produce abounds. Side note: Davis farmer's market is awesome and if you're in the area you need to go. Every Saturday morning!). There are also a ton of different kinds of avocados, although here in the US we normally see Hass. Even between States, though, avocados differ. For example, Florida avocados are often not as fatty as those from California. This doesn't mean that you should avoid California avocados, though-- the fats provided are healthy monounsaturated fats, which actually benefit cholesterol levels.

As far as nutrition goes, Avocados are a powerhouse of awesome: they have a ton of healthy fats (monounsaturated, as mentioned above), fiber, potassium (more than bananas!), vitamin K (which helps with blood clotting, bone strength, and many other functions), and various B-vitamins. They are also relatively low-sugar, compared to other fruits (and yes, avocado is technically a fruit). This recipe combines mild avocado with hearty sourdough, tart and sweet cranberries, and a drizzle of rich balsamic.

Sweet Avocado Crostini
Serves 2           Serving Size: 2 crostini

Ingredients

• 4 (1oz) pieces sourdough bread
• 1/2 medium avocado, thinly sliced
• 2tbl dried cranberries
• Balsamic vinegar, to taste

Instructions

1. Toast bread.
2. Evenly divide avocado slices among bread. Sprinkle with cranberries and drizzle with balsamic. 

Nutrition Information:
Sodium: 437mg
Total Fat: 8g
         Saturated: 2g
         Monounsaturated: 5g
         Trans: 0g
Sugar: 10g
Protein: 5g
Calories: 240