CHEF RANDY’S LIFE OF SPICE grilled avocados

Here’s a summer appetizer that our son, Robert, shared with us. It is a Caprese salad folded into a grilled avocado. Who’d a thunk it! It is easy to prepare and full of nutrition, and it doesn’t hurt that it looks and tastes fantastic.

Randy Graham is a noted chef and writer and has been a lactoovo vegetarian for over 38 years. Chef Randy has written and published a series of seven cookbooks with original recipes developed over the period 1975 through 2020. He writes for the Ojai Quarterly, the Ojai Monthly, and the California 101 Travelers Guide. His vegetarian recipes are published in newspapers throughout Central California under the header, Chef Randy. He and his wife, Robin, live in Ojai, California, with their dog Cooper. Robin and Cooper are not vegetarians.

INGREDIENTS:

1 clove of garlic (minced)

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil plus more for the tomatoes

1 tablespoon freshly-squeezed lime juice

3 avocados

Salt and fresh ground black pepper

18 grape or mini-heirloom tomatoes

12 Ciliegine Whole Milk Fresh Mozzarella balls

1 serrano pepper (stemmed, seeded, and thinly sliced)

2 tablespoons basil (chopped)

DIRECTIONS:

Heat grill to medium-hot (about 400 degrees)

Place garlic in a medium-sized bowl. Add oil and lime juice, and whisk together. Cut the avocados in half (lengthwise) and remove pits. Brush some of the oil mixture onto each avocado half. Reserve the balance of the oil mixture. Season the avocados liberally with salt and pepper.

Skewer the tomatoes and drizzle with olive oil — season with salt.

Tip: for a vegan dish, substitute out the cheese for vegan alternatives such as Miyoko’s or Open Nature.

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EASY | Elev. Gain: 200 ft | Overlooks downtown Ojai.

VENTURA RIVER

PRESERVE | 7mi

EASY TO MODERATE | Elev. Gain: 520 ft (Wills-Rice). Trailheads at end of Meyer Road, South Rice Road and Baldwin Road. Great for birding.

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STRENUOUS | Elev. Gain: 1,600 ft. Trailhead near Thacher School’s gymkhana field. Goes to shady stand of 80-foot tall pines.

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EASY | Elev. Gain: 100 ft

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GRIDLEY TRAIL 6-12mi

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