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Guacamuffins and Guacpops for Cinco de Mayo

By on May 2, 2011 in avocado, giveaway, Mexican, mexico, recipes, travel

Miss Ava Cado, Mexico’s sultry avocado ambassador, loves Cinco de Mayo and wants to get Canadians excited about this fun-filled Mexican holiday.  Cinco de Mayo (May 5) is a Mexican holiday that celebrates the Mexican victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862; It represents Mexican unity and patriotism.  Today, Cinco de Mayo is a national holiday in Mexico but is celebrated around the world with festive parties, dances and, of course, lots of delicious guacamole.

I was thrilled to be invited to take part in the Avocados from Mexico Cinco de Mayo Blogger Challenge where we had to submit an original guacamole recipe.  Now I LOVE guacamole – evidenced in the fact that we ate it most days we were in Mexico at Christmas – sometimes twice LOL!

But for this challenge, I wanted to rethink guacamole and present it in a different way.  I was inspired by the savoury cheese and chive loaf I made for French Fridays with Dorie a few weeks ago and wondered if I might be able to make avocado bread.  As I was thinking about how to do this, I suddenly thought of muffins.  I imagined a muffin with all the ingredients of guacamole, not mashed up but visible studs of colour in a golden muffin. Could I figure out how to do this? Would the avocado turn brown?  It was actually very very easy and the muffins were superb. Next time I might add bacon though 😉 So I hereby present – Guacamuffins!

Guacamuffins

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Prep Time 10 mins
Cook Time 20 mins
Total Time 30 mins

A twist on guacamole for Cinco de Mayo

Serves 12     adjust servings

Ingredients

  • 2 small avocados, cubed
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped tomatoes, cubed
  • 2 shallots, minced
  • 1 cup feta, crumbled
  • 1 tablespoon lime zest
  • 6 eggs
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 1 1/4 cups flour
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh oregano
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried, minced garlic

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 375ºF.
  2. In a small bowl combine the tomatoes, shallots, feta and lime zest.
  3. Beat the eggs in a separate bowl until just foamy. Mix in the oil. Add flour, baking powder, oregano, cilantro and minced garlic and combine well.
  4. Cube the avocado and toss with the tomato mixture.
  5. Add the tomato/avocado mixture to the batter and fold in gently.
  6. Using a ¼ cup measure, fill greased muffin tins.
  7. Bake for about 20 minutes until golden and a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.
  8. Serve warm, either as a snack or with a tomato soup.
  9. Muffins will keep a couple of days in an airtight container - after that the avocado starts to go brown.

by


I loved how the avocado stays a vibrant green and how pretty it looks against the tomato and feta 🙂

As an aside to this unconventional interpretation of guacamole, I also offer you something a little more recognizable: Guacpops!

I had one tiny avocado leftover from my guac experiment so I made a simple guacamole, popped it in the fridge for 15 minutes or so, then rolled tiny balls and coated them in crushed tortilla chips – blue and yellow.  I think they are a really fun way to serve guacamole at a party – so much less mess!

Quick guacpops

Ingredients

 (for approximately 6 “pops”)

1 small avocado, halved and pitted
6 small cherry tomatoes, quartered
1 tablespoons fresh lime zest
1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
1/2 shallot minced
1/2 large garlic clove, minced
1/2 cup yellow tortilla chips, crushed
1/2 cup blue tortilla chips, crushed

Method

Coarsely mash avocado with a fork.
Mix tomatoes, zest, cilantro, shallot and garlic into the mashed avocado.
Place bowl in fridge for 15 minutes, covered with plastic wrap touching the top of the mix.
Remove bowl from fridge and, working quickly, form small balls. This amount of mixture should make about 6.
Roll them in the crushed tortilla chips and refrigerate until you serve them.
Serve with toothpicks.

Try one or both of these recipes for your Cinco de Mayo party – I think you’ll enjoy these twists on a classic Mexican dish!

And since you’ve made it this far in the post, here’s a little something to say “Thanks for reading” – a $100 gift card provided by the kind folks at Restaurantware.com, makers of beautiful biodegradable tableware and bamboo plates.

To enter, simply leave a comment telling me what YOUR favourite Mexican dish is.

For a bonus entry, you can tweet the following message:

I just entered to win a $100 gift card from @bambooware over at @eatlivtravwrite. You can too! Details here: http://bit.ly/mbTd8U

Then come back to leave me a comment letting me know you did.

Contest closes on Thursday May 5th at 6pm EST and I will choose the winner using Random.org and announce it on Friday, May 6th.

Thanks all – the contest is now closed.

 

80 Responses to Guacamuffins and Guacpops for Cinco de Mayo

  1. The Mistress of Spices May 2, 2011 at 07:09 #

    Wow! What a great idea…who would have ever thought of making guacamole muffins? That’s amazing that they stayed green and look just like guacamole. Being the guac lover that I am, I just can’t wait to try these! And cool idea for the guacpops too – nice to know that the guac held together like that.

  2. The Mistress of Spices May 2, 2011 at 07:10 #

    P.S. My favorite Mexican dish…tough question but I would say some good cheese enchiladas topped with a tomatillo sauce, pico de gallo, guacamole and sour cream. Mmmm!!!

  3. Sally - My Custard Pie May 2, 2011 at 07:40 #

    I love guacamole too – the dish you made makes me want to dive in with a tortilla chip right now. Muffin idea is cool too.

  4. Belinda @zomppa May 2, 2011 at 07:48 #

    Not only do I love the names, I bet these just sing in your mouth.

  5. Alicia @ AliGirl Cooks May 2, 2011 at 08:21 #

    I love salsa and all the variations you can make!

  6. Alicia @ AliGirl Cooks May 2, 2011 at 08:22 #

    I tweeted 🙂

  7. RJ Flamingo May 2, 2011 at 08:22 #

    Those muffins are so pretty and vibrant! My favorite way to eat avocado? A sprinkle of salt, a squirt of lemon or lime juice, and a spoon – right out of the “shell”. 🙂 When I was a kid, I used to buy myself an avocado for my birthday. That’s how much I love them. 🙂

  8. RJ Flamingo May 2, 2011 at 08:25 #

    And, I just tweeted!

  9. Tracy May 2, 2011 at 08:43 #

    Besides guacamole and fabulous tortilla chips? Quesadillas or chilaquiles.

  11. Victoria (District Chocoholic) May 2, 2011 at 09:04 #

    Guacopops – I think you could sell this idea to a catering company. It would take off like nobody’s business.

    • Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite May 6, 2011 at 17:54 #

      Thanks Victoria – I see all over twitter this week that you totally loved them!

  12. AmandaP May 2, 2011 at 09:35 #

    Loving those Guacopops, and since I have some left over sticks from the IIP I might have to give that a go! My normal go to Mexican dish is Veg. Enchiladas Verdes…I am a HUGE tomatillo fan

  13. 90210 Farmgirl May 2, 2011 at 09:41 #

    So creative! Thanks for the inspiration – I’m adding you to my blogroll! Here is my favorite Mexican dish: Huevos Rancheros, smothered in Bobby Flay’s Salsa Verde (a personal visit from Bobby himself would be nice, too!). http://www.danaslatkin.com/kitchen/breakfast-tofu-salsa-verde

    Happy Cinco de Mayo!

  14. Paula May 2, 2011 at 10:54 #

    Wow! You really had your baking groove on with these Mardi! Such a creative and inventive idea those guacamole muffins, they look delicious and your guacpops…love the idea!

  15. The Cilantropist May 2, 2011 at 11:00 #

    Mardi those guacamuffins are a genius idea, and I completely agree with you that I love the way the color of them stays true next to the tomato and feta. Kudos to you for being extra creative!

    Oh, and my favorite mexican dish… I have been loving rolled tacos topped with guac and spicy salsa!

  16. Mindy May 2, 2011 at 11:02 #

    I love the idea of Guacamuffins. They remind me of corn muffins, with the virbant little kernel studs. But my favourite Mexican dish has to be really authentic street food tacos. Yum yum.

  17. Nelly Rodriguez May 2, 2011 at 11:05 #

    I love anything Mexican honestly. If I had to narrow it down, it would be Tacos al Pastor. Simple, delicious.

  18. Nelly Rodriguez May 2, 2011 at 11:06 #

    I tweeted about it!

  19. Barbara | VinoLuciStyle May 2, 2011 at 12:38 #

    I love guacamole even though I spent years avoiding it after my mother introduced me to it when I was about 10 when she brought some avocados home from a trip to Texas.

    I actually love it with a touch of olive oil, balsamic, sea salt and pepper served on a plate with tomatoes and do make my own version of Italian quac with those same ingredients and some pancetta.

    But my most favorite Mexican dish. This rice. The first time I made it I seriously had to have a word with myself to avoid eating the entire bowl that I had made for a party. It is amazing.

    http://www.vinolucistyle.com/mexican-rice-with-cilantro-dressing/

  20. Misty May 2, 2011 at 13:16 #

    Those guacamuffins looks so good! Salsa is probably my favorite Mexican food, followed closely by guacamole.

  21. Misty May 2, 2011 at 13:17 #

    And I tweeted! @mischiefml

  22. Lana May 2, 2011 at 13:25 #

    Love the Guacamuffins! I agree, there is more to avocados than guacamole and sandwich topper:)
    I used to hate them, and now I cannot get enough.
    My favorite Mexican dish is a simple taco (any kind will do, as long as I eat it in Mexico:)

  23. Conor @ Hold the Beef May 2, 2011 at 13:26 #

    Haha! I was already impressed by those beautiful guacamuffins, and of course by the name (no surprises there) and then you go and sneak in guacpops?! You genius, they’re fabulous! Why can’t I buy those at music festivals instead of Dagwood Dogs? WHY?!?!

  24. Lana May 2, 2011 at 13:26 #

    I tweeted:)

  25. Shu Han May 2, 2011 at 13:46 #

    wow that looks reallyr eally good! and so creative! i love the creaminess of avocado in a dip, but nv thought of using the flavours in guacamole for muffins!

  26. Erin @epiCURIOUS ERIN May 2, 2011 at 16:00 #

    Looks great! Do you think they would still taste good with whole wheat flour?

  27. Erin @epiCURIOUS ERIN May 2, 2011 at 16:01 #

    My favorite Mexican food is CARNITAS!! I dig the pig 🙂

  28. Erin @epiCURIOUS ERIN May 2, 2011 at 16:03 #

    P.S. Tweeted too! @ekristoff

  29. kitchenarian May 2, 2011 at 16:04 #

    Great post. If I have to pick one then I will say that my favorite Mexican dish is chicken fajitas, but I can make a meal out of guacamole so that should count too!

  30. kitchenarian May 2, 2011 at 16:05 #

    The Kitchenarian just sent a tweet with your message.

  31. Emily L May 2, 2011 at 16:07 #

    Oh my! That looks Amazing!!! I’m definitely going to try that!

  32. Joan Nova May 2, 2011 at 16:11 #

    What fun…the only thing missing is the Margarita or Mexican beer.

  33. cakewhiz May 2, 2011 at 16:26 #

    gucaomuffins and guacopops! you are a genius!
    my favorite mexican dish is beany/cheesy enchilladas…mmmmmm!

  34. Megan @ pipandebby May 2, 2011 at 17:48 #

    My favorite Mexican dish? Everything! If I had to choose, I suppose I would pick some sort of layer dip or steak quesadillas.

    Your guacamuffins are brilliant!

  35. Kimmy @ Lighter and Local May 2, 2011 at 18:49 #

    Oh guacamuffins where have you been all my life? Seriously, it’s my favorite things rolled into a portable muffin. Love.

    I love enchiladas with a brilliant rojo sauce, spicy and sweet and just perfect. Tosadas run a close second… topped with carinitas and some queso fresco… yum. Now I want mexican.

  36. Anne-Marie @ This Mama Cooks! May 2, 2011 at 19:39 #

    Carne asada. My husband makes it from scratch and we grill it. The marinate is so tasty and it makes the meat incredibly tender. Mmmm…

  37. Maria May 2, 2011 at 20:23 #

    I am avocado obsessed! Love your recipes! I just made avocado ice cream, such a treat!

  38. Megan'sCookin' May 2, 2011 at 20:36 #

    Those guacamuffins look incredible! My favorite Mexican dish is Carnitas. With fresh made tortillas. 🙂

  39. Megan'sCookin' May 2, 2011 at 20:39 #

    I tweeted!

  40. Kate@Diethood May 2, 2011 at 20:56 #

    I want those guacamuffins right now! Guacamole is my favorite!

  41. Tami May 2, 2011 at 20:58 #

    Just finished prinitng the recipe for guacamuffins so I too can make the most yummiest looking muffins I’ve seen in a long while.

    Mexican – well you know I just love everything Mexican – food, decor, the lot!! So much so, I’m having a pinata at my wedding……..

    But I must say, can’t beat quesadilla’s – so simple to make and a perfect accompaniment to margharitas.

    Won’t tweet cause I can’t tweet, but my canary, Cyril is learning to tweet at the moment.

  42. The Food Hound May 2, 2011 at 21:50 #

    HAHA! You are so creative- I love it! Guacapops!! You have to eat them quickly so they don’t fall off their sticks, but I have a feeling that’s not a problem 🙂

  43. Yuri May 2, 2011 at 22:47 #

    Those guacpops are so CUTE!

  44. Yuri May 3, 2011 at 06:50 #

    My fav mexican dish is Chocoflan! I’m a big fan of guacamole [obsessed with mango guacamole] and salsas too 🙂

    http://twitter.com/chefpandita/statuses/65366803370606592

  45. Maja May 3, 2011 at 07:02 #

    This is the most interesting recipe ever ! I have never eaten a cooked avocado ! I must try these !

  46. Isabelle May 3, 2011 at 09:37 #

    What a clever idea, Mardi! I love muffins, and I love guacamole… so I’m sure I would love guacamuffins (heck, the name alone makes them awesome).
    My favourite Mexican dish is tacos al pastor (tacos filled with marinated pork and pineapple and loads of cilantro), especially with some pickled onions and fresh lime juice to finish them off. So good.

  47. janet May 3, 2011 at 10:54 #

    My favourite Mexican dish is a spinach citrus salad.. maybe its TexMex, since I had it in Texas. 🙂

  48. Rickey Rudy May 3, 2011 at 13:28 #

    ANYTHING Mexican food is my favorite! I can’t wait to get to the store to pick up the ingredients for these muffins! Another wholesome way to get more avocado in!

  49. Tiff May 3, 2011 at 13:41 #

    Love it! You are my new favorite food blogger – and it’s a bonus that you live in Toronto, too! My favorite Mexican dish is probably tamales, but I’m a HUGE fan of guac and I make it all the time. Love both of these ideas and I’ll be trying them both in the near future.

    Thanks!

  50. Tiff May 3, 2011 at 13:42 #

    P.S. I tweeted, too!

    http://twitter.com/#!/tiffing/status/65471013172940800

  51. tcmaryf May 3, 2011 at 14:16 #

    My fave Mexican thing has to be the chocolate, “cause if it ain’t chocolate why bother.” So my fave dish is a good mole from Puebla, one made with the chocolate. Margaritas probably rank next on the list, then anything with avocados. Can’t wait to try these muffins, makes my mouth water.

  52. RavieNomNoms May 3, 2011 at 14:50 #

    This is SOOOO awesome! I cannot tell you how excited I was when I saw the title to this…I am in love with avocado first off and then guacamole, one of my favorite snacks. I am just amazed at this. I just HAVE to try this now…thank you SO SO SOOO much for this post. If I could buzz 99 times I would! heh 🙂

  53. Kari May 3, 2011 at 15:35 #

    My favorite Mexican food is taco salad…all the best parts of a Mexican dish (salsa, rice, beans, guacamole and chips) combined in a semi-healthy way!

  54. penny aka jeroxie May 3, 2011 at 16:52 #

    both are fantastic and creative ideas…. have to try the muffin at home

  55. Charmian @Christie's Corner May 3, 2011 at 20:57 #

    What a great twist on guacamole! I’d never have thought of muffins or pops. I wouldn’t be surprised if you walked off with first prize!! Nicely done.

  56. Amy's Cooking Adventures May 3, 2011 at 21:37 #

    My favorites are the simple ones: guacamole and chicken quesadillas!

  57. Amy's Cooking Adventures May 3, 2011 at 21:38 #

    Tweeted the giveaway @amyscookingadve

  58. Jennifer May 4, 2011 at 00:18 #

    These recipes look INCREDIBLE! Arribaaa! 🙂

  59. Jill@MadAboutMacarons May 4, 2011 at 05:06 #

    Incredible guacamuffins! They look incredibly tasty and what a great idea. As if that wasn’t enough: you’ve got some Top of the Pops!

  60. Kasia May 4, 2011 at 09:09 #

    Oh man, it has to be guac. And salsa. And vegie and bean burritos. Wait, do I have to pick one?

  61. Lauren @ Healthy Delicious May 4, 2011 at 16:41 #

    I love everything Mexican, but my favorite is the vegetarian taco from the taqueria near us – black beans, avocado, and queso fresco in a homemade corn tortilla. So simple, but so delicious.

  62. Linda May 4, 2011 at 22:40 #

    My favorite avocado appetizer is fried avocados…quartered, battered, and fried…served with a spicy marmalade….it is creamy, crispy, savory, sweet, and spicy…the best!
    The muffins look interesting to me…I would try those!
    I love flan for dessert…creamy, sweet, and oh so yummy!

  63. Jen @ My Kitchen Addiction May 4, 2011 at 22:52 #

    Yum yum yum 🙂 Guacamole is one of my all-time favorite foods. I would love one of those guacamuffins 🙂 Brilliant!

  64. Erin May 5, 2011 at 09:19 #

    My favorite Mexican dish… This is going to be difficult because there are so many delicious ones… But right now I’m hungry for Tamales so I’ll go with them! Since you were talking about putting a spin on guacamole I wanted to tell you that my friends made an awesome batch of avocado cookies one time and they were AMAZING!

  65. Erin May 5, 2011 at 09:21 #

    I also tweeted 🙂

  66. AmandaP May 5, 2011 at 09:30 #

    totally forgot to add that i tweeted this as well 😀

  67. Lindsey May 5, 2011 at 09:35 #

    Since I grew up a picky eater, one of the first Mexican foods I recall enjoying was quesadillas! So although I’ve moved on to burritos, tostadas, guac and fajitas, I still love the basics. Great contest!

  68. Spicie Foodie May 5, 2011 at 09:47 #

    Hi Mardi, I am loving your Guacamuffins! What a great idea, they look like they tasted fantastic. I too love that the avocado stayed green. I would leave everything the same on your recipe but would also like to try them with cornmeal 🙂

    • Mardi@eatlivetravelwrite May 6, 2011 at 17:55 #

      Yes as I was making them I was thinking that cornmeal would be fab in this recipe!

  69. Clinton May 5, 2011 at 10:10 #

    Amazing Guacamuffins! Mexican food will always be one of my favourites.

  70. Kathy May 5, 2011 at 13:24 #

    I love just about all foods Mexican…but Guacamole is my favorite!! Those muffins look fantastic..I will have to give them a try!

  71. Ethan May 5, 2011 at 16:51 #

    it’s fun to say guacamuffins and guacapops!
    hmm, I’m a sucker for taco al pastor sold off the street in Mexico!

  72. Ethan May 5, 2011 at 16:51 #

    It’s been tweeted!

  73. Magic of Spice May 5, 2011 at 22:43 #

    These guacamuffins are brilliant! And so are those adorable Pops… Cinco de Mayo at it’s happiest…Wow!
    My favorite Mexican dish, black bean and mushroom Taquitos 🙂

Trackbacks/Pingbacks

  1. Delicious Links! « Chef Pandita - May 2, 2011

    […] Happy Monday, my friends! We are welcoming May and it’s a very special month for two reasons: We celebrate Mother’s Day [here in the Dominican Republic is celebrated on the last Sunday in May] and it’s my birthday month! This morning I found out it’s Mardi’s birthday on the 12th so make sure to congratulate her on her blog or via Twitter [btw go check out her amazing GuacaMuffins and GuacPops!] […]
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  3. Delicious Links! - June 28, 2012

    […] Happy Monday, my friends! We are welcoming May and it’s a very special month for two reasons: We celebrate Mother’s Day [here in the Dominican Republic is celebrated on the last Sunday in May] and it’s my birthday month! This morning I found out it’s Mardi’s birthday on the 12th so make sure to congratulate her on her blog or via Twitter [btw go check out her amazing GuacaMuffins and GuacPops!] […]
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