Easy to Make Guacamole Dip

You can make guacamole that people will rave about! It's easy, and you don't need any fancy kitchen utensils or appliances.

What You'll Need To Have Ready

Assemble the following kitchen items:

• Cutting board

• Sharp knife

• A shallow-lipped dish or bowl, preferably with a flat bottom

• A potato masher, hand-held is better than an electric whipper

Ingredients (for one batch, feeds 2-4 people as a side dish or dip for chips):

• 2 Haas avocados*

• Fresh cilantro (usually comes in a small bunch or plastic bag in the produce area)

• 2 Roma tomatoes

• 2 fresh limes (not lime juice)

• Sour Cream (fat-free is OK)

• 1 package of Guacamole seasoning (Schilling, McCormick, or Lawry)

• Cumin (a spice)

• Your favorite salsa (homemade or favorite brand)

• Favorite tortilla chips

* Do not use green-skinned "Chilean" avocados. Haas (or "California") avocados have a very dark skin, almost brown, and the skin has a "wrinkled" appearance. To select avocados that are "ripe" (ready to use), pick up the avocado, hold it in your palm (like you are holding a ball), and squeeze very gently, but with some pressure. The avocado should "give" a little (that is, not feel solid or too firm). If it is "squishy" (really soft), then try another one. Don't buy too far ahead of time (I like to get them the day before). DO NOT REFRIGERATE prior to making the guacamole.

Making the Guacamole

1. Rinse the avocados. With a sharp knife, but avocado in half. There is a very hard "seed" inside the avocado, so after you've sliced it all the way around, grasp the two halves and "twist" to pull apart. You can scoop out the seed with a spoon, then scoop avocado flesh out of the skin and put in the dish or bowl.

2. Pinch off several leaves from the tops of the cilantro and rinse. Trim off stems. Cut through the leaves many times until as finely minced as possible. Scrape into avocado.

NOTE: Cilantro is very potent. Start with just a little bit. After the guacamole has been completely mixed, taste test. If you need more "zest," then begin to add a little more cilantro and taste. Continue until you have the zesty flavor that is right for you!

3. Rinse the tomatoes. Cut in small pieces and then mince as finely as possible. Add to the avocado.

NOTE: I like to do the cilantro first, and then the tomatoes, without rinsing off the cutting board. This way, you can pick up all the cilantro flavoring that's still on the cutting board!

4. Cut one lime in half. Take one half and squeeze most of the juice into the avocado.

NOTE: Limes can be very strong, flavor-wise. Start with just half a lime. If you need more of a lime flavor, after making the guacamole, you can squeeze in a little more juice. Be careful! Don't add too much liquid to the guacamole or it will be too runny!

5. Spoon in a dollop of sour cream (about a soup-spoonful) into the avocado.

6. Open and empty the entire packet of guacamole seasoning into the avocado.

7. Add a "pinch" of cumin to the avocado.

NOTE: Cumin is a very strongly flavored spice. Add in just a little bit at a time until you have the right taste that's best for you.

8. Add a spoonful of salsa (about a soup-spoonful) to the avocado.

Now that you have all the ingredients in one bowl, begin to mash (with your potato masher). Continue mashing until almost all of the avocado has been mashed smooth (that is, mash until only little chunks of avocado are left, some avocado will be thoroughly mashed like mashed potatoes).

Taste, using a chip that you are going to serve with it. Depending on your personal preferences, you can now begin to add small amounts of cilantro, lime, and cumin until you have just the right zestiness! If you go overboard on any one ingredient, you can offset with little pinches of sugar (add in a pinch at a time, mix well, and taste), until you have the perfect flavor.

Provides enough dip for 2-4 people. If using as a side dish to tacos, burritos, or fajitas, you might want to double the recipe so that you have enough for the side dish and as a dip for chips.

When To Make and How To Store Your Guacamole

You can make the guacamole ahead of time, although I recommend that you make it the same day that you are going to serve it.

Put freshly made guacamole in a glass dish or container, and refrigerate. If you are going to be refrigerating for more than 6 hours, add 1 teaspoon of reconstituted lemon juice, and mix in well. This will prevent the guacamole from turning brown.

When you are ready to serve, I suggest that you serve in a wooden bowl. Using a cut lime, smear the inside of the wooden bowl with just enough lime juice to wet the surface. Spoon in the guacamole.

For a festive touch, spoon a very small dollop of sour cream into the middle of the guacamole. Break off one or two leaves of cilantro, leaving enough stem so that you can push down into the sour cream (so that the cilantro leaves stand up). Then rim the outer edge of the guacamole with a little bit of freshly minced tomato.

Serve with chips or as a side dish to your favorite Mexican or Tex-Mex meal!

About The Author

Jan K., The Proofer is freelance proofreader and copyeditor.

Visit http://www.janktheproofer.com for more information about Jan's services; for work at home articles and free printables. For work at home moms, visit Jan's sister site http://work-at-home.momsbreak.com for articles, free printables, and work at home T-shirts and other fun products.

© Copyright 2004 All rights reserved.

---

Swordfish, a Nutritious and Healthy Addition to Any Diet

Swordfish belongs to the group of fish that have recently... Read More

Homemade Cinnamon Rolls from Scratch (in 2 hours or less!)

If I've heard it once, I've heard it a dozen... Read More

Vegetarian Gourmet----Meatless Makeovers

Three years ago I decided to go "meatless." It wasn't... Read More

Oatmeal-Apple-Raisin Muffins

These muffins are not only tasty, but they're also a... Read More

Mouth Watering Memphis Style Pork Ribs

The Memphis Style pork rib is one of the most... Read More

Chocolate Zucchini Cake Creates National Zucchini Shortage

There are few garden vegetable that are prolific as zucchini... Read More

What Wise Guys Eat

When I lived in the North End of Boston, in... Read More

Grilling Recipes Give People Tasteful Tremors Just Thinking of BBQ Grilling!

Grilling recipes give people tremors just thinking of the explosive... Read More

Converting Recipes for Your Crockpot

Crockpots vary but the low setting is typically around 100... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Apricot Chicken

Just because you are watching your weight, doesn't mean the... Read More

Chicken Adobo

This particular recipe is Phillipian. Here are the ingredients you... Read More

Ice Cream In A Baggie

Yes, it sounds dangerous and the potential for messes seems... Read More

Spanish Food - The Tasty Tortilla

It certainly is a poor man or woman who cannot... Read More

Chocolate Tasting Techniques

First of all start with an empty stomach. This has... Read More

Making Pancake Batter the Night Before (with Recipe)

Mornings are hectic. If you make your pancake batter the... Read More

Making Whoopie!

Whoopie Pies that is! Other known as "Moon Cakes"Wicked WhoopiesAmy... Read More

How to Make a Delicious German Crumble Cake in 4 Simple Steps

In high school, learning a new recipe (especially dessert recipes)... Read More

Easy Trail Mixes

Before you set off on your next family walk or... Read More

Healthy Yummy Bran Muffins

An Individual Health Recipe to EnjoyToo many people start their... Read More

Main Dish Zucchini Recipes

With summer coming to an end, you probably have an... Read More

How to Make Your Own Low Fat Vanilla Ice Cream

Sometimes, when you have set yourself in the weight loss... Read More

Low Fat Flaming Bananas Treat

Nutritional Information: Serves 3, Fat: 8 g, Cal: 299, KJ:... Read More

Handy Home-Prepared Mixes

Pre-packaged store-bought box mixes are expensive. Have you considered homemade... Read More

Steaks

Eating steak has always been a symbol of prosperity. During... Read More

Low Fat Pasta: Why and How to Make it.

Making your own pasta is not difficult. It's actually very... Read More

Fish Recipes

These recipes are wonderful and they are old family recpies.... Read More

Thai BBQ or Barbeque Chicken Recipes

What makes Thai BBQ chicken recipes so delicious? It is... Read More

Use Up Those Leftovers!

Managing leftovers is a challenge we all face! Throwing food... Read More

In Grandmas Kitchen (Part I)

One of my fondest childhood memories is being in the... Read More

Homemade BBQ Sauce Recipes

What makes great homemade BBQ sauce recipes? Well, it could... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Chicken Tikka

Long term weight loss isn't about hunger, misery and crash... Read More

Weight Loss Recipe: Crustless Quiche

Crust-less QuicheQuick and easy, this meal is great either hot... Read More

Easy Insalata Caprese

It's tomato time! If you're a gardener, you might be... Read More