What is meaty? Why do people crave it?
Ayurveda says that meat is sweet. It is a nourishing taste that gives us a sense of satisfaction and fullness. It’s hearty, hefty, heavy, so it feels grounding. Best of all, for summer or Pitta dosha, sweet tasting foods are cooling.
But there’s so much sweet in vegetables, grains, seeds, nuts and beans, that we can beat the heat in summer with foods that also beat the meat with the flesh of mother nature.
This is Week 2 of a 3-week series on sweet, chewy, sink your teeth in, cooling, soothing, strengthening, hearty, meaty sandwiches, that are also high protein, high fiber, low glycemic, and kind to all.
Sandwich #2: The Avocado Macadamia Mash
Serves 2-4
What
1 avocado
1 t your favorite mayo
3-4 leaves basil
1 quarter lime, juiced
small handful macadamia nuts
your favorite hearty bread
mayo or olive oil
2-3 leaves of red leaf lettuce
sprinkle of pink or sea salt and fresh cracked pepper
How
Peel and seed the avocado. Put its “meat” in a bowl and mash with a fork. Stir in the mayo and lime juice.
Break up macadamia nuts or almonds by rolling them in a towel and pressing with a knife handle, or pulse in an electric blender. If the nuts are not salted, sprinkle with salt.
Ribbon the basil: Stack leaves on top of each other, gently roll them into a cigar, and use a sharp knife to slice them into strips. {How To Chiffonade Fresh Basil Leaves}
Lay out your bread slices. Drizzle one side with olive oil, or spread with your favorite mayo. Layer on the lettuce. On the other piece of bread, spread the avocado mash and top generously with the chopped nuts. Sprinkle the basil ribbons, and dash with salt and pepper. Carefully close your sandwich, press the sides together gently and enjoy.
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What is your favorite “meaty” summer dish?
Yummy! This sounds so summer fresh and delicious.
Thanks Mom! Come on out and I will make it for you!
Yum! My favorite summer meaty/hearty is fresh veggies from garden or market; sauteed or roasted and tossed with rice or quinoa, maybe sprinkled with some fresh parmesan or feta. Your offerings always inspire! Thanks for something new to try!
Thanks Kate. That sounds delicious. I always love roasted farm veggies, and I bet you make it with so much love!
Hi, Laura…lovely sandwich! Delicious and great texture. The only downer was that it contains somewhere between 35 and 40 grams of fat! Any way to have the same yummy without the tummy?
Joy and Namaste
hi janis, great question. first, i only have half a sandwich. it is more than filling. second, the amount of avocado mash this makes is plenty for two sandwiches, even three – sorry not to be clearer about that. third, you can swap the macadamia nuts for pumpkin seeds, and skip the mayo.
if you have half a sandwich, that’s about a fourth of an avocado, somewhere about 7-8 grams of fat. add your macadamia or pumpkin seeds and the rest of the ingredients and you are at about 15-18 grams. for me this works since i only have a half a piece of fruit for breakfast and veggies for dinner, and my brain/skin/joints need all the help they can get! ayurveda, as you know, loves healthy fats.
finally, another option all together though is to replace the avocado with hummus, or the white bean spread from last week’s lunch.
thanks janis!
Darling Laura-ji,
You’ve done it again! Given us a nourishing and sweet treat to eat, while opening our minds to magic. I’d been noticing the same “which protein would you like?” trend. But you managed to elucidate, entertain and problem-solve along the way! (Even at a vegetarian restaurant, I was recently asked which protein I’d like with my vegetable curry, to which I replied vegetables!)
This avocado mash looks scrumptious. Being Vata, the more healthy fat the better. I’ve been making Mexican-themed burrito wraps inside lightly steamed collard greens so I may try this mash in the greens too.
So much love,
Rebecca
I 100% love you Rebecca-ji! To infinity. You are Vata-licious. I love hearing about your day-to-days… Thanks for dropping by and leaving some of your grace.
Laura, avocado is so colored and tasty and perfect for sandwich.
I love the idea of addeng nuts or seeds… they make everything more delicious!
Thanks for sharing this recipe with us.
Love
Thank you Manu. Btw, I love seeing the gorgeous photos of Bea on Instagram. What a beauty she is!
Oh Laura that’s so kind of you! She’s so cute.
She keeps on telling me the peaceful sensation she felt when she was with you.
Love
xo!
Now this looks yummy! 🙂
It is! Even if you don’t grill, try the “Minty Mayo.” It’s a definite yum. Hope you are having a great summer, Irenee.
I hope you try it and do find it to be yummy. Thanks Irenee 🦋
You are on a ROLL with your summer sandwich fillings! I love how you’ve made each recipe accessible, balanced, and quick. I have a feeling this avocado, macadamia, basil spread will be my favorite! Going on the list!
This one is simple, quick, hearty and truly delicious. I hope it’s a favorite for you. I know you have many terrific summer recipes already. Thanks Katie.