Avocado Rolls

How many of us drool over the Avocado egg rolls at Cheesecake Factory!? I know I do - These came out pretty close to the ones I have eaten there. The egg rolls at CCF are made out of egg roll wrappers. But I used a 8inch tortilla as I did not have egg roll wrappers on hand.

Ingredients:
Half of a ripe avocado (not too ripe or smushy - has to be just right) cut into medium size cubes
Half of a tomato - deeseded and cut into small pieces
2 tbsp finely diced red onion
Dash of garlic powder
Dash of onion powder
Salt/Black Pepper
A  little finely chopped cilantro
A few thinly chopped green onions (green part only) (optional)


Method:
1. Gently mix all the ingredients in a bowl together. Toss gently.
2. Line the mixture in the center of the tortilla. Fold the tortilla in from both sides (vertically) and then roll it up (like how chefs roll the burritos as Chipotle ;))
3. I was not sure if the egg wash would hold the thick tortilla together, so instead of using egg wash that would act as glue, I poked toothpicks to hold the roll together.
4. Now heat vegetable or canola oil to fry the roll. Keep the heat on medium as you want the tortilla to fry slowly. Fry it until golden brown. Set aside. Serve with chilli garlic sauce or any spicy sauce of your choice.

Note: You can add add finely chopped jalapenos to give it a little zest!

Yogurt Garlic Sauce Pita Pizza

This sauce is inspired by the Toum Garlic Sauce that primarily uses oil. I used yogurt to make it a little more healthy and filling.

Ingredients:
1 Pita
Shredded Mexican Cheese
Italian Seasonings
Pickle (optional)

Garlic Sauce:
2 cups full fat yogurt (or you can use greek yogurt )
1 cup olive oil
2 to 3 garlic cloves, crushed and made into a paste
Little lemon juice
Salt/Black pepper

This sauce needs some preparation ahead of time. Put the yogurt in a muslin cloth and let the yogurt hang so that all the water comes out. You want the sauce to be thick but also not so thick that you cannot beat it. Leave it hung atleast for 4 hours.

Now take the yogurt out in a bowl. Add the garlic and mix well. Now add olive oil to the yogurt in a slow stream as you constantly beat the yogurt in circles to mix.  Continue until the entire olive oil is emulsified slowly into the yogurt. Add salt, pepper, and a little lemon juice.

Now you are ready to build the pizza. Heat the pita with some butter on a pan until soft.  Preheat oven to 400F. Toast the pita so that its a somewhat crispy.  Take out, smother the garlic sauce on the pita. Add shredded cheese on it. Sprinkle Italian Seasonings. And toast again until crispy.  Your delicious Pita Pizza is ready.

Note: Save the extra sauce as a dip for chips or kabobs!