Sponsored by Avocados From Mexico.
Staying under budget can be a difficult for restaurants for many reasons, but one significant factor is that diners want diverse menu options. Adding more menu variety often means that brands must order more ingredients, and maintaining a larger inventory creates additional financial risks because it opens opportunities for more product to go to waste if customer demand doesn’t match supply.
One strategy for combatting these challenges is to find exciting ingredients that simultaneously attract consumers and can be used in dishes across all dayparts. Avocado is one such ingredient because not only is it popular with consumers, but it can also be used on the menu all day. Here, Mark Garcia, Director of Foodservice at Avocados From Mexico, explains how this fruit can be used across the menu.
1. How can multi-purposing ingredients help with inventory control?
Sourcing versatile ingredients like Avocados From Mexico can safeguard against concerns with inventory control and food waste because they can be added to the menu in a variety of applications, across all dayparts, and in multiple stages of ripeness. Avocados can be incorporated into breakfast, lunch, and dinner in slices, dices, and mashed, but they also serve as a creamy, fresh base for dressings and sauces. Firm avocados can even be box grated and pickled to create an Avo-Sauerkraut. Avocados From Mexico offers operators techniques and inspiration to maximize the use of avocados all across the menu.
2. What is the key to effectively using ingredients all day? Are some ingredients better suited for this than others?
Certain ingredients, like fresh avocados, complement virtually any dish, from eggs to sandwiches and salads to steak or salmon entrees. Even better, consumers are willing to pay more for avocado add-ons and enjoy the health benefits of the versatile fruit. The key to using avocados across all dayparts is to effectively manage them through various stages of ripeness and using them in optimal applications—including sliced and diced, mashed and guacamole, or pureed and in sauce or dressing form. Consumers crave avocados all across the menu. The fresh, creamy flavor of avocados enhances the flavor of every dish from eggs to beef to seafood.
3. What can you do with avocado at breakfast?
The obvious answer is Avocado Toast, of course. Avocados and eggs are a winning combination. And, with ethnic breakfast concepts trending, avocados are widely used in Latin breakfast fare.
4. What about lunch or brunch?
Offering avocados as an add-on item to sandwiches and salads is a no brainer, but avocados are also a perfect base for creamy dressings and sauces. Add premium value and freshness with an Avocado Hollandaise for Eggs Benedict or Avocado Tzatziki to top a classic Gyro.
5. How can avocados be used at dinner?
Avocados and steak are a match made in heaven. The fresh, creamy flavor of avocados balances the richness of steak. As more steakhouses adapt their menus to appeal to a new generation of steak lovers, fresh Avocados From Mexico can help add a modern, premium twist.
6. How can restaurants use avocados for snacks and late-night offerings?
Guacamole is one of the most popular snacks in foodservice. The possibilities are endless when it comes to creating signature guacs for the menu. Avocados are also a perfect mix-in for Deviled Eggs to make the filling even creamier and more delicious. More and more operators are menuing crispy, craveable fried avocados which make a perfect late night bite.
7. What advice do you have for our readers about using avocado all day?
Fresh avocados are one of the most versatile ingredients available to operators. They are beloved on their own but also add texture and freshness as a core ingredient in sauces, spreads, and condiments. Use avocados as inspiration for house-made, signature sauces and condiments that enhance the flavor of dishes across all dayparts.
Avocados From Mexico offers a wealth of culinary inspiration and cutting-edge techniques, as well as custom educational courses tailored to the needs of operators. For more resources and information, visit www.avocadosfrommexico.com/foodservice.
