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Fresh California Avocados are perfect for warm-weather entertaining, from an impromptu gathering of a few friends to an all-out summer bash. Here are some of our favorite summer entertaining tips:

Get Ready

• Keep plenty of Fresh California Avocados on hand all season long, some ripe, some almost ripe and some still firm. That way you'll be ready anytime friends and family stop by
• If you are shopping a few days in advance of your event, choose avocados that are still firm. Place in a paper bag at room temperature to ripen. Add an apple or banana to the bag to speed the ripening process
• Avocados appreciate a soft touch. To select a ripe avocado, place one in the palm of your hand and squeeze very gently. Avoid poking with finger tips! Avocados can bruise when poked. A ripe avocado will yield to gentle pressure
• Keep your cut avocados from turning brown by adding vinegar, lemon, lime, or orange juice to help them maintain their cool green color
• For more tips on selection and handling of avocados, visit http://www.avocado.org/about/fruit-selection
• Offer entrees that are delicious, fun and easy to eat. Prepare as much as you can ahead of time so you can spend time enjoying your friends

Get the party going

• Serve simple appetizer skewers featuring Fresh California Avocados. Thread cubes of avocados and mozzarella cheese with grape tomatoes and serve with pesto sauce for dipping

• Chips and guacamole are sure-fire crowd pleasers! Get out of the kitchen and enjoy your guests by preparing table-side guacamole made fresh with Hand Grown in California Avocados. Check out guacamole ideas here
• If you and your guests are watching your weight, replace the chips with carrots, celery or cucumber slices for a reduced intake of fat and calories

Special Summer Events

• For a graduation-themed event, roll up napkins into tube shapes and tie ribbons onto each end to look like diplomas
• Backyard barbecues and grilling in the park are popular ways to entertain on Father's Day. Let someone else handle the grill and pamper Dad with a cool drink and his own bowl of guacamole
• For Independence Day wrap a slice of prosciutto or other charcuterie around an avocado cube, skewer with a flag-topped toothpick and serve

Spectacular Summer Salads

• Beat the summer heat by serving simple fruit or vegetable salads combined with fresh, creamy California Avocados
• Serving tuna, egg, shrimp or crab salad? Create a beautiful presentation and turn it into a main-dish entrée by mounding a scoop of the salad on an avocado half. Serve on a bed of fresh lettuces to add more greens to your menu

Better Summer Buffets

• Buffets are an easy way to entertain big groups. Add decorative bowls of fresh fruit including Fresh California Avocados at various places along your buffet table along with a cutting board and knives. Guests can grab whole fruits or add a little avocado to whatever dishes they fancy
• Decoratively fan sliced avocados on a platter and watch them disappear. If desired, use a brush to apply vinaigrette dressing over the avocado slices. The acidity will help keep the avocados green
• Set up "make your own" food bars so that friends and family can build their own masterpieces. Tacos, burritos, guacamole, sandwiches, salads and desserts all are great for do-it-yourself bars...just don't forget the Fresh California Avocados!

Keep it Simple

• Keep summer entertaining simple. Serve Fresh California Avocados drizzled with a little balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with kosher salt
• Pot lucks are back! Ask friends and family to share their best culinary creations. Set out a few basics and a tray of sliced California Avocados, then sit back and enjoy
• Entertaining around the pool? Fill a small inflatable pool ring with water and freeze, then place a bowl of guacamole in the middle to keep it cool

Add Nutrition

California Avocados can be part of a healthful diet.

It's easy to make good nutrient choices when setting your menu if you include plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables. Did you know that one-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals? Avocados, due to their mono and polyunsaturated fat content, are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat.

• An ounce of avocado contains 81 micrograms of lutein. Lutein is a natural antioxidant that may help maintain eye health as we get older. By adding avocado to great summer entertaining foods like salads, salsa, cold soups or sandwiches you can get more of the phytonutrient lutein in your diet
• Want to add more flavor and less fat to your salads? Instead of adding creamy dressing, simply toss Fresh California Avocados and balsamic vinegar into a cup of salad greens. Check out the nutrition comparison here

Keep the Beverages Flowing

• When it's hot outside, it's important to keep plenty of water and ice available for your guests
• Serve frosty cocktails or smoothies featuring cool, creamy California Avocados. Avorita's are sure to get the party going!
• Plan to stock an assortment of glasses, about twice as many glasses as you have guests so you are ready for every possibility. For a festive touch, add a sliver of avocado on the rim of each glass, a delicious and colorful surprise your guests will enjoy

Put it on Ice

Have plenty of ice on hand for chilling drinks or for anything on the rocks. One pound of ice per person is the rule of thumb

Happy Campers

• Keep little tummies happy with fun food designed for little fingers. Try these kid-friendly recipes: http://www.avocado.org/recipes/
• Prepare "cado bites" - small cubes of avocados - for kids to snack on

Quick Tips for Summer Grilling with California Avocados

• Think safety first. Never start a fire near shrubbery, wooden structures or paper products. Keep a fire extinguisher handy and know how to use it
• Use oil or cooking spray on a clean grate before you start the fire for stick-free cooking and easy clean-up
• Bring foods headed to the grill to room temperature before placing them on the grate. They'll cook faster and more evenly
• Marinate your meats early. For best results, allow at least 4 hours for marinating in the refrigerator. Serve your California Avocados cool and creamy or throw them on the grill for a little bit of color like our Haute Grilled Avocados
• Combine grilled vegetables with grilled slices of Fresh California Avocados for a perfect summer side dish
• Give burgers, hot dogs and more a fresh outlook by topping with California Avocados
• For a light and fresh entrée, make a flavorful salsa with summer fruit and chunks of California Avocado. Spoon over grilled chicken breasts or fish and you're done!

Relax and Enjoy

• Remember, it's a party. Find time to step out of your host role and have some fun!

Give Thanks

• Going to a summer party? Thank your host by bringing a gift basket that can be used right at the event. Include a pretty bowl, Fresh California Avocados, salsa and your favorite guacamole add-ins
• Thank your guests for coming by giving each of them an individual guacamole bowl they can keep; then point them in the direction of the chips and avocados!