The ultimate comfort food: Creamy avocado meets Canadian tradition

(NC) Wintertime is all about slowing down, embracing comfort and savouring simple pleasures that make life feel a little warmer. This twist on bannock—a fried bread originating in Scotland and later adopted by Indigenous Peoples in Canada—is just that: a golden, crispy treat that brings some coziness to the colder months.

Crafted using ingredients from the boreal forest with the unexpected exotic creaminess of avocados from Mexico, these fried bannocks are the perfect fusion of tradition and innovation. The creamy avocado ensures a moist, tender texture, making these golden breads an irresistible dish for gatherings or casual nights at home.

Avocado Fried Bannock With Spruce-tip Whipped Butter

Prep time: 50 minutes
Cook time: 15 minutes
Makes: 6 servings

Ingredients:

• 3 avocados from Mexico, divided
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) + ½ tbsp (8 ml) lemon juice
• ¼ cup (60 ml) sugar
• 2 cups (500 ml) all-purpose flour
• 1 tsp (5 ml) salt
• 3 tsp (15 ml) baking powder
• ¾ cup (180 ml) warm water
• 1 tbsp (15 ml) canola oil + more for frying
• ½ lb room temperature unsalted butter
• 1 ½ tbsp (23 ml) dried spruce tips
• 2 tbsp (30 ml) honey

Directions:

1. Heat deep fryer to 350°F° (177°C) or heat oil on a stovetop at medium heat.
2. Cut and peel two avocados. Mash them together with 1 tbsp (15 ml) of lemon juice; cover and set aside.
3. Combine all dry ingredients (sugar, all-purpose flour, salt, baking powder) into a medium-sized bowl and mix by hand.
4. Add avocados into the dry mixture and mix through. Add warm water and mix dough until it’s all combined, being careful not to over mix. You can add water if it’s too dry. Dough should be soft to touch.
5. Cover and rest dough for 20 minutes. Add 1 tbsp (15 ml) oil and portion bannocks into six pieces, being sure not to over mix the dough.
6. Fry bannock pieces until golden brown and cooked through, flipping as needed. Serve warm.
7. To create the spruce tip whipped butter, grind spruce tips in a spice grinder until fine. In an electric mixer, add room-temperature butter, one mashed avocado, ½ tbsp lemon juice, ground spruce tips and honey. Whip until mixture is easy to spread and serve with warm bannocks.