Avocado Fries with Apricot Chutney

Ease of Preparation: Easy.

Yield:   4 servings.

Apricot Chutney

Ingredients:

1 small red onion, chopped

1 teaspoon (5ml) peeled and grated ginger

¼ teaspoon (2ml) ground cloves

1 teaspoon (5ml) Chinese five-spice powder

1 teaspoon (5ml) mustard seeds

½ teaspoon (3ml) cinnamon

1 teaspoon (5ml) salt

2/3 cup (160ml) apple cider vinegar

1lb. (450g) fresh apricots, pitted and chopped

1/2 cup (120ml) water

1 cup (240ml) brown sugar

Method:

Place onion and ginger in a food processor and process until finely chopped.

Transfer onion and ginger mix to a large pan over medium heat.

Add spices, salt, vinegar, water and apricots.

Bring to a boil and simmer for 20 minutes.

Add brown sugar, stirring continually until it has dissolved.

Bring to a boil once again and cook for 35-40 minutes, stirring occasionally.

Once ready, the mixture should stick nicely to the back of a wooden spoon.

If still too loose, cook for another 15-20 minutes.

Remove from heat and place in refrigerator to cool completely.

Reserve for plating.

Avocado Fries

Ingredients:

½ cup (120ml) flour

1 teaspoon (5ml) salt

1 teaspoon (5ml) black pepper

4 large semi-firm avocadoes, peeled, pitted and cut into 8 strips each

2 eggs, beaten

2 ½ cups (600ml) panko breadcrumbs

2 tablespoons (30ml) olive oil, divided

Apricot chutney (see recipe)

Method:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Mix together flour, salt and pepper.

Run avocado slices through flour mix.

Remove from flour and place in egg mix.

Remove from egg mix and place in panko breadcrumbs until completely coated.

Repeat process until all avocado slices have been breaded.

Pour half of the olive oil on a baking sheet and spread to coat evenly.

Arrange breaded avocado slices on baking sheet, making sure they do not touch.

Use remaining olive oil to drizzle on top.

Place baking tray in oven and cook for 10 minutes.

Flip avocado fries and cook for another 10 minutes.

Once golden brown, remove avocado fries from oven and serve hot with apricot chutney on the side.