Avocado Tartare with Roasted Beets and Basil | The First Mess (2024)

I have made this for four separate gatherings now and each time I add an extra batch’s worth than the last time and it’s never enough. This past weekend I quadrupled this for a basil-themed party (my puppy Basil just turned one) and it was still the first thing to disappear. I happen to like the website version of this dip better than the one from your book, but your book is still one of my favorites

Laura, I love how you take everyday foods and transform them into something elevated and sophisticated, but also something that is approachable and unassuming. You are really a master with food! I love coming here to find inspiration; not just with your recipes, but with your beautiful photography and writing too.

I have been dying for a plant-y version of tartare since I stopped eating meat! God, this looks amazing! Thank you sooo much!

This looks amazing! And the photos are gorgeous, as always! So inspiring!

See, I can’t get past the idea of just going to town on a half an avocado with a spoon. But my mind is now totally blown. Such a lovely way to showcase their rich flavor.

Being that I’m the eternal pessimist, it sounds like I really should consider gardening. What a beautiful recipe! We’re a big avocado family over here :)

this looks beyond amazing!

You HAVE to try the avocado/beet dish at Vedge in Philadelphia. Or, there is a version of it in their book. This recipe reminded me of it. It is almost a take on “bagels and lox” but with beets, avocado and smoked tofu.

You make healthy food look better than chocolate! I think in this day and age it’s always so tempting to reach for the easy way out, and we find ourselves consuming far too many processed foods. Your blog makes it apparent how worthwhile it is to nourish our bodies with food! Yum!

Mmm the ripe yet still chunky avocados with the sweetness of beets sounds dreamy. Wonderful photos and a delicious looking recipe! I must try this some time =)

how lovely – I was not aware an avocado could be tartare. I thought that referred to the uncooked-ness of a meet. Live and learn!

These photos are especially beautiful. I have been adding capers to everything lately, so this recipe is particularly fortuitous. I would happily eat the avocado straight from the bowl, but with the beets piled onto toast, you have yourself a tartine of the highest order.

I am WITH you on the whole un-plugging thing. it all feels like too much over-stimulation at times. but hooray for gardening being a mild form of meditation/therapy! and major avocado-love for this one, laura! looks spot-on! xo

Oh gawd, a break from online life is excatly what I need right now! It sucks the life outa ya right? Loving this post, recipe and the knowledge of knowing I get to hang with your lovely self REAL soon! Yay! xx

What?! This is insanely genius…

This is so awesome and original, I’m on a real beets kick at the moment so this fits nicely!

Those roasted beets look sublime. I’m intrigued that you serve them with a squeeze of lime juice – I would never have though to do that, but I bet it gives them really lovely, summery kick.

Give me all the avocados! Going to have some me-time and a bowl of this green goodness.

How do you always know my favorite flavors?

You had me at avocado. This looks delicious! :)

I can definitely get behind avocado tartare!

This looks absolutely delicious! And your words warm my heart. :) Perfection.

This meal is perfection! What a perfect way to use fresh avocadoes!

I think a vegetable version of tartare is a brilliant idea. Looks gorgeous!

All I have to say is, yesssss. To all of it. Per usual. Words, food, photos. Now let’s hang out again, mmmk? (p.s. THOSE WAFFLES. and YOUR KITCHEN. squeal.)

I think there’s something about the earthiness of this time of year that encourages a retreat back into the physical world isn’t there? The need to be outside and breathing in the fresh air and feeling for the signs of new life. All things you miss when you’re stuck staring at your computer/phone all day.

I have been having my own battle with a huge bag of avocados and a waning creativity on what do with them as the weeks stretches on. This is perfect! Thanks Laura, xo

This is absolutely stunning!! LOVE!

I love beets and I love avocado and this looks like a great dish – pinned!

This looks delightful. Some great ingredients and flavour combinations.

Oh my goodness, I love this tartare recipe, especially the combination of capers, dijon, and sherry and the pairing with roasted beets. It’s refreshing to hear others sensing the weight of the internet world. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!