5 surprising ways to use an avocado while they're going cheap.

If you've been to a supermarket lately, you'll know lettuce isn't going cheap. 

But you know what's way more fun and versatile than salad leaves? And also happens to be in plentiful supply at the moment?

Hint: they're green, squishy, and potentially responsible for the next generation not being able to afford a home ¯\_(ツ)_/¯.

Yes, we're talking about the great avocado oversupply of 2022. And we mean GREAT - when was the last time you could bag yourself an avo for less than two bucks? What a time to be alive (not such a good time to be an avocado).

So while they're going cheap, here are five clever ways to incorporate their creamy goodness into your recipes this weekend - from an unexpected pasta dish to a savoury take on Sunday pancakes. Enjoy!

Watch: In 2016, avocado economics was launched and Aussie millennials united. Post continues after video.

1. Avocado and Baked Bean Jaffles.

Image: Supplied. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: Makes 4 jaffle triangles

Cooks in: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 rashers streaky bacon
• 2 eggs
• 4 slices of toast bread (we used wholemeal)
• 200g baked beans in tomato sauce

Method:

1. Preheat your jaffle maker. 

2. Place bacon rashers on an angle across from the tip of one triangle to the other. 

3. Crack eggs onto a small plate and whisk with a fork. 

4. Dip bread slices in the eggs and place two slices over the bacon, in the base of the jaffle maker. 

5. Divide baked beans between the two slices and spread gently. 

6. Peel then slice the avocado thinly and fan out over the baked beans. 

7. Cover with remaining bread slices dipped in remaining egg. Close the jaffle maker lid.

8. Cook for 4 minutes or until golden and crunchy on the outside, and serve.

2. Avocado Pesto Pasta.

Image: Supplied. 

Prep time: 15 minutes

Serves: 2

Cooks in: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 small avocados
• 150g spaghetti
• 50g pine nuts
• 1 cup basil leaves
• 1⁄2 cup finely grated Parmesan
• 1 peeled garlic clove
• 1⁄4 cup olive oil, plus extra for serving
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

To serve:

1⁄2 Avocado sliced and fanned out

Method:

1. Cook spaghetti in a large saucepan of boiling water until al dente. Drain, and return the spaghetti to the pan, set aside.

2. Heat a small frying pan over low heat.

3. Add pine nuts and toast lightly, stirring.

4. Place basil, Parmesan, toasted pine nuts and garlic in a small food processor and process until a coarse paste forms.

5. Add 1.5 avocados and keep processing until mostly smooth.

6. Add oil and mix well.

7. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

8. Add sauce to the pasta and mix through.

9. Slice the remaining avocado and fan out.

10. Divide the spaghetti between bowls and serve garnished with fanned-out avocado. Season with extra pepper if you like.

3. Labneh, Dukkah and Avocado Plates.

Image: Supplied. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: 2

Cooks in: 5 minutes

Ingredients:

• 2 eggs
• 1 large avocado
• 1 large avocado
• 1.5 cups labneh
• ½  tsp smoked paprika
• 2 tsp dukkah*
• 2 lemon wedges
• Pepper to taste
• Extra virgin olive oil

Method:

1. Place eggs in a small saucepan filled with cold water. Set over medium heat and bring to a simmer. Cook for 3 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and pour cold water over the eggs. Set aside to cool. 

2. Meanwhile, peel and pit avocado. Cut into wedges. 

3. Spread labneh over two plates. 

4. Top with avocado and sprinkle with paprika and dukkah. 

5. Peel eggs and place on top. Serve with a drizzle of lemon, freshly cracked black pepper and olive oil. 

Note: Instead of dukkah, you can use 1 teaspoon dried oregano, a pinch of sumac and 1 teaspoon crushed pistachios or macadamias.

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4. Savoury Avocado Pancakes.

Image: Supplied. 

Prep time: 10 minutes

Serves: 4 - Makes 8 pancakes

Cooks in: 15 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 cup self-raising flour
• • 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
• • 2 ripe medium avocados
• • 1 egg
• • 3⁄4 cup milk
• • Olive oil for frying
• • 100g smoked salmon

To serve:

1 Lemon sliced into four pieces

Method:

1. Whisk together the flour and salt in a medium bowl.

2. Place 1 avocado and egg in a food processor and process until smooth. Stir in milk and mix to combine.

3. Pour the avocado mixture into the flour and stir until just combined.

4. Pour a tablespoon of olive oil into a large frying pan or skillet set over medium heat.

5. Scoop batter into the pan, making 4 pancakes per batch, and cook for 2-3 minutes per side until set and golden brown underneath.

6. Divide pancakes between four plates and serve topped with extra avocado - sliced and fanned, smoked salmon and lemon slices.

5. Swedish-Style Baked Salmon with Avocado Sauce.

Image: Supplied. 

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Serves: 2

Cooks in: 20 minutes 

Ingredients:

• 2 tail skin-on pieces of salmon 
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Avocado chips

• 2 small underripe avocados, cut into wedges and peeled
• 1 egg
• 1 cup panko breadcrumbs
• Olive oil spray

Avocado sauce

• 2 peeled garlic cloves
• ½ cup olive oil
• 4 tbsp lemon juice
• 1 large ripe avocado
• Pinch salt 
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh dill

Method:

1. Preheat oven to 180C.

2. Line a baking sheet with baking paper. Place salmon on the paper skin-side down. Drizzle with olive oil. 

3. Cut open the underripe avocado and remove the pit. Cut into wedges and peel. 

4. Whisk egg in a bowl. 

5. Pour breadcrumbs into another. 

6. Dip avocado wedges into the egg mixture and coat well in egg before coating in breadcrumbs. 

7. Place the wedges next to the fish. Spray with a little olive oil spray. 

8. Bake for 12 minutes, until the fish is cooked through and the chips golden. 

9. Meanwhile, place all sauce ingredients in a small bowl of a food processor and blend until smooth. 

10. Transfer fish to serving plates, top with sauce and serve with avocado chips on the side. Alternatively, you can also serve with additional avocado slices fanned on top of salmon.

Note: you can cook this dish in the air fryer as well. Simply cook the fish at 170C for 5 minutes before adding avocado chips and cooking for a further 8 minutes.

Recipes developed by @wholesomecook on behalf of Australian Avocados.

Feature Image: Supplied.