Le Cordon Bleu-trained Chef Jesse Brune is a Los Angeles-based lifestyle transformation coach and foodie who has appeared on Bravo's Workout, Food Network's Private Chefs of Beverly Hills, and most recently offered his expertise on Home Made Simple on the Oprah Winfrey Network. Here, Chef Jesse will provide easy, celeb-inspired dishes that anyone can prepare at home.
"I had the pleasure of accompanying Katy Perry to the Bahamas, where I featured a simple seared avocado appetizer at a dinner party I prepared for the pop diva, her friends, and some music executives," the chef tells Us Weekly. "Though this dish was probably the easiest of all the courses to prepare, it was the biggest hit."
For folks always on-the-go like pop diva Perry, this dish provides sustainable energy and helps incorporate natural healthy fats into your daily diet. "I often find that keeping things simple is the only way to go," Brune explains. "When you don't over-indulge with seasonings and garnishes, the natural flavors of the food are able to showcase themselves."
PAN SEARED AVOCADO WITH SPICED GREEK YOGURT
INGREDIENTS FOR AVOCADO
1 avocado, halved and pitted, skin on
2 TBSP lemon juice
Pinch, sea salt, to taste
Pinch, black pepper, to taste
INGREDIENTS FOR SPICED GREEK YOGURT
1/4 cup plain Greek yogurt (non-fat yogurt is OK)
Seasoning Blend: use a pinch of each seasoning until desired taste is achieved: Sea salt, black pepper, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, yellow curry powder (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Place a small pan over high heat on your stovetop. When the pan is HOT, place the avocado halves face down onto the heated skillet. Cook on high for about 2-3 minutes. Using tongs, turn the avocado over and check the color, if the avocado is browned nicely, remove from heat and place on a plate; if it is still green, place back on heat for another minute or so.
When browned, remove the avocado from heat and douse with the lemon juice. Lightly sprinkle the sea salt and black pepper over the avocado. In a small bowl, mix the plain yogurt with the seasoning blend until desired taste is achieved. Gently scoop the spiced yogurt into the avocado's groove where the pit once stood. Serve avocado warm.
AVOCADO SALAD DRESSING
INGREDIENTS
1/2 avocado, halved and pitted, flesh cut in quarters
1 1/2 cups spring water
1 clove garlic
1/2 shallot
2 TBSP lemon juice, plus more to taste
1 TBSP white vinegar
2 tsp sea salt, plus more to taste
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper, plus more to taste
DIRECTIONS
Add all the ingredients to a blender. Put the blender on a low setting and gradually increase the speed. Blend on high for about 20 seconds. Taste the sauce and adjust the flavor by adding more seasoning or lemon juice. Pour the sauce through a strainer into a small bowl. Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.
