These Are a Few of My Favorite Things: Gifts that I received for Christmas -- avocado oil

Here's another one of those odd-sounding gifts, avocado oil. And yes, I asked for this. 

I've wanted to try avocado oil for a while, but it's just so expensive. So, I put it on my wish list this year. Often, I am able to try something relatively costly by requesting a small amount as a gift for a special occasion.

I received two bottles of avocado oil for Christmas from my son and daughter-in-law.

The smaller bottle (on the right) is organic cold pressed, extra virgin avocado oil (EVAO). It's flavor is subtly avocado-y with a tiny bit of fruity, yet overall mild. Online descriptions have included "grassy" and "buttery" in the flavor profile. It doesn't taste "grassy" at all to me.

Avocado oil is thick like olive oil and has a green-yellow color.

The larger bottle is not organic or EVAO, but is glyphosate-free. The label in this bottle indicates that the flavor is mild and could be used in baking as well as cooking.

Avocado oil has a high smoke point, so it's suitable for sautéing. So far, I've just used it in vinaigrette-style salad dressings.

I like to diversify the fats that I consume. I include meat fat, butter, olive oil, vegetable oil, coconut oil, and now avocado oil. Different fats have different benefits. Avocado oil is high in monounsaturated fats, which may lower LDL cholesterol. A large study indicated that people with diets high in monounsaturated fats had a lower likelihood of death from heart disease and cancer. Nutrients in avocado oil may also boost immune function and decrease inflammatory response.

Anyway, you can perhaps understand why I wanted to try this oil.

Have you tried avocado oil? What did you think?

These Are Few of My Favorite Things: Gifts I received for Christmas -- dried mushrooms

Before you start to think "what an odd gift to give to someone," I'll tell you that I requested this. 

I received 3 packages of dried mushrooms, one shiitake, one tea tree, and one mixed mushrooms from my son and daughter-in-law.

I love mushrooms, especially in the cooler months of the year. If you recall, last year I received a mushroom growing kit. While it was very fun, the mushrooms were all ready in a short period. I thought this year I'd like to try dried mushrooms, as I can pace myself with them and have a longer period to enjoy the mushrooms.

I've been rehydrating a large handful or two at a time in a quart canning jar after rinsing, in room temperature water on the counter overnight. The following morning, they're ready to use. At this point, I move the jar to the fridge. The rehydrated mushrooms keep in water in the fridge for about 5-7 days. 

When I want mushrooms, I scoop out a few, slice them, then sauté in butter/olive oil and add some dried thyme, and a pinch of salt. 

The liquid itself makes a nicely flavored broth. I add some salt, onion and garlic powder, and heat for a delicious hot beverage. Some of the nutrients leach into the water, so using the water as broth allows me to get the full nutritional benefit from the mushrooms.

I've been enjoying the mushrooms with breakfasts and lunches. I love sautéed mushrooms over toast, as is for a side dish, or mixed into other foods.

You may be wondering how they differ from fresh mushrooms. These are slightly more earthy and intense in flavor (but only slightly), and a bit chewier. When I go to use them, they don't need cooking, just heating. They're very delicious. 

Here's the real benefit to dried mushrooms, they keep for a long time in the dried state. So I can use a few now and then a couple of weeks later, use a few more, without worrying about any sort of expiry and wastage of mushrooms not used in time.

Have you used dried mushrooms before?