guacamole

Guacamole

I love guacamole!  It features the amazing avocado better than any other dish.  The major downfall is that avocados can be really expensive.  However, the other day the local super market had them on sale for 3 for $1.  Yep, so for little to no money I can have my favorite chip dip.

GuacamoleAdapted from Alton Brown

  • 3 avocados
  • 1 lime, juiced
  • 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon cayenne
  • 1/2 medium onion, diced
  • 2 Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
  • 1 tablespoon chopped cilantro, optional
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced

The first step is to set up your mise-en-place – French for “putting in place”.  Basically before attempting to assemble the dish you need to have all of the ingredients prepared.  Dice the onions, mince the garlic, chop the cilantro and finally seed and dice the tomatoes.  This is an important step, if you do not seed the tomatoes, your guacamole will be runny and unappetizing looking.  Cut the tomatoes in half and then use a spoon or your fingers to remove the seeds and liquid from within the tomatoes.

Seeds Removed

Next you need the avocados.  Make sure that you pick up ripe avocados at the store. You want them to be soft and not rock hard.  A good indicator is if the skin has a little give when you press your thumb into it.  If you are unable to find ripe avocados you can place unripe avocados in a brown paper bag and they will ripen within two days, usually overnight.

The Amazing Avocado

Next you need to core and peel the avocados.

Avocado Halved

This is simple.  Cut the avocados in half.  On one half, the seed will stick to the avocado.  Using a spoon or a knife pop it out.

Use a spoon to scoop out the fruit

Then using a spoon, separate the skin from the fruit of the avocado.  Once you get it going, the fruit will pop right out.

Squeeze the lime juice over the avocados and stir so that the lime juice evenly covers the avocados.  This will prevent them from browning.

Toss the avocados with lime juice

Add the salt, cumin, and cayenne and mash the avocados with a fork, potato masher or whatever clean tool you have lying around that will get the job done.  I have used a pastry blender, nut chopper.  They all work and get the job done.

Mash the avocados

Next, add the onions, tomatoes, cilantro, and garlic.  Fold everything together.

Add the remaining ingredients

Then let the guacamole sit at room temperature for 1 hour and then serve.

Guacamole

Simple, delicious and extremely easy.

Time for a party

This is a must for every summer party.

Rex

Rex is an avid griller, barbecuer and bacon enthusiast. He is the Pitmaster for the Rex BBQ competition team. Rex was also featured on the TV show American Grilled. If you have any questions or wish to have Rex decode your favorite dish, click on the ASK REX link in the menu above.

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14 thoughts on “Guacamole

  1. If you make it ahead of time, cover the surface with thin slices of the lime to preven further browning. It works better than other methods I've tried (putting the pit back in the dip, adding more citrus juice, etc.).

      1. I could see the layer of limes working better as the acid would keep the guacamole from turning grey. I have not tried it though. Next time I make guacamole, I will let you know.

  2. I wanted to comment that although we loved this recipe, it is quite spicy. As a dip for parties it works great! But paired with a spicy taco or burrito, it is too hot. You don't get the cooling benefit of a nice traditional guacamole.

    Having said that, I would happily serve this at a pool party (or football party) with chips as a dip, but as a side dish with other spicy foods…. I would opt for a traditional guac.

    Still, all in all, a delicious quacamole alternative! ~brian

    1. Brian,

      That is a good point. My taste buds are numb to heat and so I usually add to much cayenne. However, the guacamole can be made without the cayenne and it will still have all of that delicious flavor. Thanks for the note on the heat Brian.

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