The avocado loaf was the result of watching back-to-back episodes of Top Chef Just Dessert. I know it’s kinda late to blog about the show now which has already ended on 17 November 2010.

Can you imagine how tough it was for me not to google its winner?

Yes, besides my secret identity as a food blogger, I’m also a suspense killer (Don’t worry, I’m considerate enough not to mention the winner here in case you haven’t watch it 🙂 ). Unfortunately, Adam, who introduced me the show as well as knowing me too well, made me promise not to check the result. Damn, it was tough! But part being a good friend is not breaking a promise. So I resisted the temptation of googling “top chef just dessert winner”. 😛

I can never picture myself becoming a pastry chef – too much precision required and seriously, you need the hands of a surgeon don’t you agree? I was truly inspired and amazed at some of the outrageous flavour combinations. Madras curry and chocolate palette with raspberry gelee, anyone?



While watching half way through the show, Adam came up the idea of replacing bananas with avocado in his go-to banana bread recipe, namely he has some ripe avocados lying around. And my contribution for the loaf was adding pepitas and lime. (Oh, I’ve just discovered some other avocado loaf recipes on the web, so obviously we are not the first one, darn!)

The verdict? My first comment about the loaf was “it tastes like avocado”. Okay, it’s no brainer there as it was an avocado loaf after all, duh! I must say, since I’m stepping into unusual loaf territory, it took me a couple of bites to get used to the taste. That said, it didn’t stop us from almost finishing the loaf on the same day. Thist must tell us something right? 😛

One thing for sure about the loaf is it has a very smooth and moist texture. I guess that’s why avocado is known as the nature’s butter. I must say it has a lot of potential to be great, possibly some spices would help? Anyway when you don’t know what to do with extra overripe avocado, this may a recipe for you?

Avocado & Lime Loaf Topped with Pepitas (Pumpkin Seeds)

(tweaked from ninemsn.com)

Ingredients

1 1/2 avocado, halved & stones removed

2 tbsps of maple syrup or golden syrup

¾ cups of white sugar

1 Egg

1 Cup of self-raising flour

A handful pepitas (pumpkin seeds)

Juice & zest of 1/2 lime

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (356 degrees Fahrenheit) for convection oven) / 160 degrees Celsius (320 degrees Fahrenheit) for fan-forced. Line baking pan with parchment paper and grease the sides without the parchment paper with vegetable oil.

2. Add avocado, lime juice, zest, maple syrup, and sugar to a bowl and mash everything together with a spoon.

3. Mix in egg. Use a hand mixer to mix everything well.

4. Add flour and mix until batter is smooth.

5. Pour batter in pan and sprinkle on top with pumpkin seeds. Bake for 45 minutes or until the cake tester comes out clean.

{Enjoy! <3 Emily}