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Have you ever had the chance to see a military battleship in person, or walk across the same deck that many United States sailors work on every day in their line of work? I never had, until I had the chance to go aboard the USS Cole with the Mr. Food Test Kitchen while it was docked at Port Everglades, in Fort Lauderdale, for Fleet Week.
Check out this great shot, shared on the Fleet Week’s Facebook page!
Let me tell you, seeing one of these boats in real life and speaking with the men and women who work, play, eat, and live on them for most of the year was an unforgettable experience. And while I’m more than happy to share photos and stories of my experience (along with a really cool giveaway!) I really think it’s worth it to take a guided tour of one of these boats on one of their many stops around the country. (Don’t worry, the U.S. Navy has special events for inland cities too!)
That’s me, happy to be aboard the USS Cole!
The ship we got to tour was the USS Cole, a 17th Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, which basically means that it’s a boat built to carry and launch guided missiles. You might have heard about the USS Cole; it’s the same ship that was the victim of a terrorist bombing attack in Yemen back in 2000. Amazingly, this incident didn’t put the USS Cole out of commission. Just a few years later the ship was repaired and has been deployed to locations all around the world since.
So, why was the Mr. Food Test Kitchen team on board the USS Cole? Well, we were there to tape some shows that would highlight the ship, as well as be a part of a very special breakfast, hosted by Avocados from Peru, honoring our servicemen and women with a delicious and healthy buffet featuring avocados.
If you don’t already know, avocados are loaded with nutrients, including almost 20 vitamins! And they’re not just part of a healthy lifestyle, they taste great too! What was included on the menu for these brave sailors? Among the many delicious avocado breakfast dishes the sailors ate were Avocado Breakfast Boats and Ciabatta Toast with Avocado Butter. There was even an Avocado Ketchup!
Of course, our hard working sailors did more than just eat their avocados…
These sailors made their own version of an avocado boat!
One officer even demonstrated his avocado juggling skills!
Of course, eating the avocados was still the most popular choice.
Check out this behind-the-scenes shot as we taped our show!
After everyone had their fill of avocados and other breakfast eats, we got to tour the ship. Of course, one of my favorite stops was “Hero’s Cafe,” which is where these sailors normally eat while they’re out at sea.
Culinary Specialist 1st Class John Mobley is in charge of the kitchen on the USS Cole:
CS1 Mobley with Yolanda, our Associate Producer. Looking sharp Mobley!
1st Lieutenant Hannah Taylor was our tour guide, and she was great about showing us different things on board the ship:
She took us down the Hall of Heroes, which commemorates the 17 soldiers who died during the terrorist attack in 2000. In this hall you’ll find a plaque with their names, ranks, and ages. The floor in this hallway has 17 gold stars to represent each soldier. The gold stars are polished every morning and the sailors take care not to step on them.
She also took us to the food storage room for a sneak peek at how much food the USS Cole keeps on board:
Left: This sailor was taking inventory! Right: Look at all those spices!
Howard wanted to check out the wheel of the ship and see what it would feel like to sail this ship, so up we went:
Hmmm…we should probably leave this to professionals like 1st Lieutenant Taylor…
At 8am sharp, we got to witness the raising of the flag. All the ships that were docked did it at the same time, following the same procedures:
That’s the USS Wasp on the left. Talk about a HUGE boat!
Before we left, we had one final thing to ask of the sailors…
Now, I did mention a giveaway, didn’t I? Yep, Avocados from Peru wants everyone to know just how delicious their avocados are, so they’re giving (3) three readers a chance to win a whole case of them! Just imagine all the amazing avocado dishes you can make. I’d start out with a Breakfast Boat in the morning, some fresh guacamole in the afternoon, and an avocado and tomato salad in the evening…
All you have to do to enter is answer this question:
What is your favorite way to eat avocados?
You can also earn a bonus entry by giving our Avocado Breakfast Boats a try and letting us know what you think in the recipe’s comments!
Contest rules and how to enter are below.
- There is a maximum of one entry per person (+Bonus Entry). The entry will be based upon a comment left on this blog post. Duplicate comments will be deleted and are not tallied.
- The winners will be selected at random from the comments on this blog post plus bonus entries.
- Winners will be announced in this blog post on the day following the end of the contest, as well as contacted by the email address provided.
- You have until Wednesday, July 8, at 11:59p EST to leave your comment on this blog post. Comments posted after that will not be counted.
- Contest open to anyone 18+ in the Continental U.S.
For even more great avocado recipes, visit mrfood.com and avocadosfromperu.com.
GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED- CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR WINNERS!
Laquata W. | Mary B. | Dorothy H.
Be sure to check your email, so we can send you your prize!
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I don’t know how many avocados are in a case, but however many it is, I know we can eat them!
Avacodos are OOLALA
oo
I love avocados……When I was younger my parents took us to visit family in Mexico…….I refused to eat
any of the food there……I found a bag of avocados at my grandmother’s house and guess what that’s all
I eat…..My grandmother said I was going to turn into an avocado…….Avocados bring back fond memories of my trip to Mexico……..I would love to receive a case of Avocados….they would for sure not go to waste!!!!!!
Having lived in Peru for several years to win this would be spectacular. Avocado with chicken salad is to die for
Avocados are the best!!! I like to eat them by just removing the pit and mixing ketchup and mayo in the cavity and scooping up all that wonderfulness
My husband loves them on burgers and in salads..
Even at age 59, you can try new things and love them. Avocados are at the top of my list!
I love avocados in quacamole, sliced on burgers, cubed in salads, etc. Oh Yeah!
I like it in guacamole.
I was born and raised in Tampa Fl were we had huge avocado trees in our back yard. We ate them with a little salt and pepper .right off the tree. We eat them in tacos, on sandwiches and my 6 yr old grandson loves them with his egg in the hole. I also put them in our fruit smoothies for the extra vitamins. I also liked them in cucumber salad with onions and tomatoes. We Love Avocados!
I love avocados !I love eating them with mayo…..sooooo good!
This would be awesome! One of the best foods to eat!
What an awesome prize! I love avocados, I put them in so many dishes. I put them in tuna salad, sandwiches, tacos, sometimes I just eat them plain!
The avocados breakfast boat is the first recipe I would try. t looks delish.
I love Avocado’s plain, on sandwiches, in guacamole, in salads and so on!
I like to eat avocados in guacamole.
Love to eat them with sea salt
Love avocados… In the process of joining the National Guard and have been eating 1/2 an avocado a day to keep healthy.
I like avocados in a cheese sandwich.
I guess i’ll have to share some. NOT
Guacamole! However, I do have an avocado recipe book—I am ready for adventures!
I love mashing avocados and adding it on toast with over easy eggs. My hubby is from Peru & this is something he mentioned that he loves.
guacamole of course–that works for me
With tomato slices and sea salt!
I like avocados in any form, but my favorite is as guacamole. But what I don’t like, as a Navy vet, is when people call ships ‘boats’. Not to worry, you’re forgiven. Especially if I win the drawing for the case of avocados.
I love avocados sliced in a salad!!~
There is no “wrong” way to eat an avocado. Avocado is good on and in everything – burgers, salad, guacamole. My favorite way is to pit it and fill the hole with apple cider vinegar and then eat. Absolutely delicious!
My favorite way to eat avocados is on sandwiches instead of condiments.
Favorite way to eat them? Its a toss-up between guacamole and baked with an egg.
I love to start my day by mashing an avocado with a little bit of salsa. I spread on half a lightly toasted bagel…YUM!
I just love guacamole!!
I eat avocados on black bread with sea salt.
I love Avocados sliced on my burgers!
In an omelette !
I love them on my tacos or as dip.
My fave way to eat fresh avocado is in guacamole. We love to make it at home and we love it on burgers as a topping. DELISH!!!
My favorite way to eat avocados is in guacamole.
Along with my favorite spread(mine are mayo and ketchup) I love tomatoes onions and sliced avocados on my hot dog especially when it is grilling season.I know there are all kinds of recipes out there but a hot dog is not a hot dog without the best avacado I can find.
My favorite way to eat an avocado is with a spoon and seasoning salt.
Avocado the good fat. I just learned about using avocado instead of butter on my toast. what a way to get my good fat.
Avocados are my to go to ingredient for recipes they are so silky and taste good with almost anything
Avocado smashed into and mixed with mashed potatoes is what I like. I try to eat 1/2 a one a day if the market has good looking ones but often times our local supermarket just let’s them get bad in the bins.
avocados are very good for you and they’re a joy to eat and bake with
I like to eat them drizzled with olive oil, balsamic vinegar and sprinkled with salt and pepper.
I love avocados with a little salt and pepper!
I love using avocados as a substitute for mayo on sandwiches.
First had an avocado back in1980. What a great deal. Love love in salads,sandwiches and even soup.Favorite is on a burger. I have to thank my late husband for introducing me to avocados.
My favorite way to eat avocados is on top a grilled burger made of ground turkey, pork, and tresau the mexican sausage! Spice it up with peppers….Jalapeno and chili peppers…..add Chipolte Paprika to mayo and spread lightly on warm buns. I use Olive Oil mayo….healthier! Avocados are delicious just peeled, sliced and lightly salted and peppered or as a chili dip with fritos. AWESOME ANY WAY you add them to recipes. The Avocado Boat Breakfast is awesome! It reminded me of eating at Waffle House and getting their loaded omelet !!! So next time I think I will add turkey ham to the recipe!! I love experimenting with new flavors!!!
My husband likes eating them straight-up.
My favorite way to eat avocados is to put them on a burger, With bacon and some nice salty cheese, the combination is yummy. The avocado just adds that something extra to the flavor.
Love love love them. Best way is sliced in half, pitted, and lightly salted. Spoon out into open smiley face!
favorite way to eat avocados is sliced with salt
Avocados are so tasty! Love them in salads and other ways
I love avocados sliced and seasoned on toast!
Your article was great, I love avocados as well. I hope your friends on the ship didn’t read this article, asseamen do not re fear to their ships as boats.
I like to eat avocados plain with salt
I love avocados all ways – alone, in a salad, in burritos, guacamole, in my veggie scramble — love, love, LOVE avocados!
tvollowitz at aol dot com
Cool that all the sailors got the food hook up… I only wish I could have been there to enjoy it with them…
I missed too many years not eating avocados they are so delicious!!
I love to eat them with salt and pepper alone.
I cut the avocados in half and take out the seed then I add an egg, crumbled bacon and cheese to each side and put in the oven until the cheese is melty. YUMMY
My favorite way to eat avocados is in guacamole. I enjoy guacamole on my burgers or chicken sandwiches and of course with great tortilla chips.
We grew up 15 miles from the Mexican border. My Dad was manager of an ice plant. In the days (1950-1960) trucks didn’t have refrigeration, so they had to be iced down on their trip north. We were often rewarded with surplus produce (AVOCADOES and shrimp). Ate them Au naturale!
I like them best right out of the skin! Just as they are, in all their natural glory!! That being said, I have never met an avocado, or an avocado dish, that I didn’t like!
Being a lover of both avocados and sushi, I combing both via the now famous California Roll.
Hope to win!
I love avocados in guacamole and on burgers
I love to make and eat guacamole.
I have always been a huge guacamole fan
I have ALWAYS been a fan of avocados! Like everyone else, I love them on burgers, salads, salsas and when I worked, I would spread the avocado right from the skin and put it on saltines. A little slat and I had a perfect late breakfast, lunch or midafternoon snack. Also, at that time, I was on a weight reduction program and could still enjoy them. When my dear uncle passed away, his daughter lived in Florida. We lived in California. I couldn’t decide whether to send flowers, donation to a charity or what. So, of course, I ended up sending a case of avocados! She is a chef so she and her friends really loved them and I felt glad I chose that lovely “green Heaven” to her.
I love them in salads.
I like to eat avocados any way, but my favorite is guacamole. Thank you for the giveaway!
I like avocados they are great whether you eat them plain in salads smashed up to make into guacamole or whatever you are in the mood for. Such as tacos or even on top of a hamburger. If someone wants to try keeping with a good diet avocados are good for a diet also. I enjoy eating avocados by themselves the best. I have tried to grow my own avocado tree but living in the north it is hard even indoors. I think avocados are great anyway you want to eat them.
I like avocados on burgers.
Guacamole all the way!
i like to peel and seed an avocado, cut into slices and eat with just a little salt. Yum!
They are wonderful anyway you eat them, but my favorite is cut open, remove pit and sprinkle with Rocky Mountain mined sea salt.
Avacado’s number = 1
I love avocados in salads and I love just to eat them by themselves with a little salt on them.
i make a mean guac and put it in quesadillas.
We eat guacamole a few times per week as my husband is Mexican and we eat a lot of tacos. So the perfect way for me is grilled steak, rice, and guacamole in corn tortillas.
I love avocados !!! I could eat them every day and sometimes do. One of my favorite things to do with them is crack an egg in the middle top with cheese and bake it is so yummy
Plain or with anything Tex-Max.
Avocados are delicious for each and every meal. Nebraska is avocado poor. A case would help out here immensely!
If I were to win this and give it to my wife, I’d win the “Best Husband Ever” award!
Guacamole is #1 for me but also in pasta salads, spread on toast and just plain is good too.
I love to eat them with just a little bit of salt and pepper plain or on a salad ( that’s all I know what to do with them) been searching different recipes to try them different ways!!
i like too put avocado slices, on my eggs, and make bacon and tomato sandwiches, with avocado slices. As my mom says, i would be tickled pink, too win a case of avocados.
What’s not to love avocados make every thing creamer. Dips, burritos, layered dips, scrambled eggs!
My favorite way to eat avocados is sliced on top of a cheeseburger.
I also love them spooned straight out of their skins! Avocados are delicious!
I love to put avacado on two slices of bread with tomatoes and mayo.That is my favorite way to eat an avacado.
Trying to win this for my mom, she is absolutely avocado obsessed – in her eggs, sandwiches, as a snack, on tacos, everywhere she can put avocados she does!
The best way I have eaten avocados was right off the tree in Kauai, HI. I love avocados anyway, but in Hawaii, they make paradise taste even better.
Chicken salad or add to my bacon lettuce and tomato sandwich
Avocado is very plain and bland tasting to me.(and it seems most people agree)But,I’ve found grilling it really brings out the great flavor!So I will say Grilled!
My favorite way to eat Avocados is sliced on burgers, in salad, as guacamole, or just with a little salt and pepper straight out of it’s skin…Mmmm mmm! Love those beautiful green fruits…sooo creamy and delicious! A whole case of Avocados…Oh what I could do with them. My father and I would be in heaven with all of that Avocado goodness going on in our kitchen.
I like avocados sliced on sandwiches. It makes a plain turkey sandwich so much yummier!
Fleet week is great! You have a ship full of sailors and avocados. How could you not love that? My favorite way to eat them is with a little olive oil, pepper and of course SEA salt. Im sure it would be even better served by a man in uniform.
Yum! Can’t wait to try these recipes
I’m obsessed with avocado my favorite way to eat it is on my eggs in the morning with a heaping tablespoon of pico de gallo
Avocados are my favorite food! I love to mash them up with a little bit of mayo, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and cayenne and smear it on toast. The perfect breakfast, lunch or dinner!
I love avocados on my burger!
My favorite way to eat avocados is diced and scattered all over my Tostitos Scoops with melted cheese and diced tomatoes. Heavenly!
i eat them plain – just scoop them out of the shell with a tortilla chip!
My favorite way to use avocados is in guacamole
I love them in guacamole and sandwiches.
I like avocados in quacamole.
I LOVE AVOCADOS ON MY SANDWICHES, SALADS AND IN MY SHRIMP OMELET.
I TRIED YOUR AVOCADO BREAKFAST BOAT. THIS WILL BE A REGULAR BREAKFAST MENU ITEM AROUND THIS CASA.
I WOULD BE SO EXCITED TO WIN THESE AVOCADOS FROM PERU. I WOULD HAVE A BACKYARD FIESTA WITH MY FAMILY AND FRIENDS.
I love to eat avocados with Sriracha sauce and nutritional yeast.
We love Avacodo’s – salads, burgers, guac, and I also use in baking instead of butter – makes a yummy creamy substitute. We could put that case to some good use 🙂
My favorite way to eat avocados is in my salad
I like them best with just salt, eaten with a spoon right out of the shell! yum!
Cube them with fresh black pepper, sprinkle of Himalayan salt, side dish with fresh black walnuts !
I love it in guac.
Many years ago I had a friend introduce me to avocados. We would take turns bringing in lunch for the two of us. One day she brought in two small bottles of shrimp cocktail and two avocados. She then cut and pitted the avocado and put the shrimp cocktail on each half. It was total heaven on a plate! I love avocados in any way but my favorite will always be with shrimp cocktail! Thank you for the great story and pictures and for this super giveaway. I can’t wait to try the breakfast boats!
I can remember watching Mr. Food since I was a little girl. So glad to see this article on avocados. I am looking to eat healthier and love this article.
I love avocados cut up on my salads!
how do I not love to eat avocados! I think my favorite is in my morning smoothie makes it so creamy and delish!
I like avocados made into guacamole
My favorite way to eat avocados is either sliced on a sandwich or topping a great salad. Thanks
I love avocados. I even eat them on ice cream. Only thing I don’t like them on is brownies.
i like mashed avocado on toast
I love avocados any way I can get them but my favorite is cubed or sliced with Italian dressing drizzled over the top.
I love avocados! My favorite way to eat them is sliced on a plate with a sprinkling of lemon juice, cracked black pepper, and a bit of salt. Deeeelicious! 🙂 Thanks.
I LOVE guacamole! But besides that, I enjoy slicing them and eating with a dab of light mayo and lemon juice.
Avocados are a way of life in south Florida. We put them in sandwiches, make a cold soup. With a little cream of coconut wonderful Popsicles. When they are over ripe we make a face mask and put in our hair. Health benefits are endless.
I love to eat avocados by themselves, with a pinch of salt!
As a guacamole!
My favorite way to eat avocados is to add them to a BLT!
Guacamole with chips is my favorite.
just sliced, with a little salt, as a side dish
Love avocados, love guacamole!
My favorite way to eat avocados is to to grill them with shrimp and then make them into Spring Rolls.
I love them on pizza
I like grilled avocado with a little salt and a splash of lemon juice.
I love to make guacamole, so avocados are a staple for me and my household.
I like avocados sliced open and lots of salt and pepper, that is all.
Guacamole is my favorite, I love avocados in general though.
I like them in guacamole.
My favorite way to eat them is to cut them up and pop in my mouth.
My favorite way to eat avocados is sliced in a sandwich with my favorite meat.
I absolutely love avocados over a salad or in guacamole!
raventally00@aol.com
That Avocado Breakfast Boat recipe looks amazing! I will definitely give that one a try!
raventally00@aol.com
I love to eat avocados in fresh made guacamole-nothing like it!
Right out of the half-shell
Loved your Avocado Breakfast Boats!
I like to eat avocados cut up into my salad
I love to eat avocados in guacomole. Thank you
O M Gosh! We are BIG avocado eaters around here in my house! Thank you so much for the awesome chance to win!
I love love love them on my burgers and salads
I love avocado’s. let me count the ways, sandwichs, salads, dips, fresh slices, it could go on and on.
I used to not like avocado’s, but my husband started making guacamole, and now i love them so much. Will also slice and put into my chicken soup.
I love avocados in salads! So perfect for the summer menu.
I like making them into guacamole
I love them plain with a little sea salt.
My favorite way to enjoy avocados is with a little salt and a spoon. I like them as guacamole, in salads and sandwiches as well but by themselves is the best.
Love to eat in and on most anything
I love it on sandwiches! Yummy.
My favorite way to eat advacados is on a salad.
I actually really like them mixed into scrambled eggs.
loves them on burgers
I like to eat them in sandwiches – specifically a BAT – Bacon, Avocado, (mayo) & Toast sandwich.
I love to make guacamole! I put my guacamole on tacos and I use it as a dip for chips. It is so tasty!
I will eat them any way! Most beloved: hamburger patty with sliced avocados on top. Yum!
Just guacomole I guess which ain’t very often.
I love to eat avocados in shakes!