Avocado Orange Licuados and Cookbook Giveaway!

Licuados or batidos are refreshing Latin style smoothies similar to the Vietnamese sinh to.  They tend to be on the lighter side due to the use of milk and less sweet with the use agave syrup or sugar rather then condensed milk.  Apparently these licuados are ubiquitous in Mexico and often found at street corners.  At a recent cooking demonstrating by Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feninger, the Too Hot Tamales, introduced us to their version of an avocodo and orange licuado--it was deliciously refreshing and a wonderful way to use ripe avocados.  With the hot sunny weather here in LA and Cinco de Mayo coming up, we found the perfect antidote.

It's best to use freshly squeezed orange and lemon juice for the freshest taste, but if you're running short on time or need to make a big batch, then it would be acceptable to use bottled juices.

Avocado and Orange Licuado (from Mary Sue Milliken and Susan Feninger)
Printable Recipe

• 1 cup fresh squeezed orange juice
• 1/2 cup fresh squeezed lemon
• 1/4 cup agave syrup (if not available can substitute with honey or sugar)
• 1/2 tsp freshly grated orange zest
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups ice
• 1 1/2 ripe California avocados, seeded and peeled
• 1 cup milk
• cookies (short bread cookies are great--we used some love letters egg rolls)
• salt (margarita salt preferable), sugar (super fine preferable), chili powder

In a plate, mix equal amounts of salt, sugar, and chili powder and spread evenly. Swipe the rim of the serving glasses with lemon and rim the glass with mixture and set aside.

In a blender, combine the orange juice, lemon juice, agave syrup, orange zest and salt with the ice and blend thoroughly.  Then add the avocado and milk and blend until smooth. Taste and adjust the sweetness and orange zest if needed. Pour into rimmed glasses and serve immediately with desired cookies.

To add an alcoholic touch to this perfectly healthy drink (everything in moderation right?) try adding a small amount of tequila to the licuado.  Did you know that over 80 million pounds of avocados are consumed on Cinco de Mayo?  No doubt the vast majority will go towards guacamole, but save some avocados and make these deliciously refreshing licuados to liven your Cinco de Mayo!

To continue with our 1 year blog anniversary and celebration of Cinco de Mayo, we're giving away an autographed copy of  Too Hot Tamales by Susan Feninger and Mary Sue Milliken as well as goodies from the California Avocado Commission including a lovely reusable tote bag, avocado cutting board, avocado scooper and stainless steel slicer. 

We apologize but US and Canadian entries only. Multiple entries accepted. To enter do one or all of the following for multiple entries:

1. If you're not subscribed to our blog, subscribe and leave a comment saying you subscribed for one entry.  If you already subscribe just leave a comment for an entry.  

2. Like our Facebook page and leave a comment stating you joined for another entry. If you're already on our Facebook page, leave a comment saying you're already a fan as an entry.
3. Get another person to subscribe or join our Facebook page and leave a comment saying you got someone (leave a first name and last initial in the comment ) for another entry.

4. Tweet this giveaway with a link back to this post with the tag @ravenouscouple and leave a comment stating you tweeted for another entry.

Please make sure we can contact you. Contest runs until Saturday May 8th midnight pacific time  is now over. The winner chosen by random.org is #15, Cheryl! Your tenacity with 3 entries paid off!

 If you enjoyed this post, please subscribe and