A spicy Mexican inspired filled avocado, perfect for spicing up your Valentine’s celebrations.

INGREDIENTS

1 large ripe avocado

2 limes

1 medium chorizo sausage, diced

5 large sprigs of coriander

100g smoked mozzarella

250 g cream cheese

2 large spring onions

1 pickled jalapeño chilli pepper

1 small red onion chopped

1 handful corn kernels, frozen is fine if fresh is not available

METHOD

Halve avocado, peel gently, cut ½ cm off the bottom to make the haves stand and squeeze the juice of 1 lime over the halves to keep it from discolouring

Sauté the chorizo sausage and corn until golden brown and set aside

In a mixing bowl, add and mix all the following ingredients: chorizo, chopped red onion, sliced jalapeños, ½ of the cubed mozzarella, corn and half of the sliced spring onion

Season to taste

Lastly, add the rest of the cheese and spring onion and gratinate under grill until cheese is melted and remove

Take the juice of a lime and chopped coriander – mix with the cream cheese and serve on the side

Garnish with chilli powder, coriander leaves and lime wedges on the side

Chef’s Tip

To ensure that fresh apples and avocado’s do not change colour, squeeze the juice of a lemon or  limes in water and let them soak in there for 5 minutes – this will prevent fruits from going brown.

Chef Juan Neethling is the Executive Chef at Southern Sun Waterfront in Cape Town’s bustling foreshore. In 2018 he was awarded the Unilever Food Solutions Senior Chef of the year. From trainee chef at the Lord Charles Hotel in Somerset West to over 20 years working in various hotels, fine dining restaurants and wine farms, Juan combines his love for cooking at home with his 5-star expertise in creating easy and accessible recipes anyone can try.