Courtesy Helen Lampkin
You want the guacamole they all keep talking about? Practice. Practice. Practice. The technique is as important as the freshness of your ingredients! Keep your main guacamole simple and you can then dress it up with all kinds of other goodness.
Classic Guacamole
4 avocados, ripe
2-3 limes freshly squeezed
1-2 Serrano or jalapeno chile, diced
1 teaspoon crushed garlic
2-3 tablespoons onion, diced
½ -1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
Choose firm but ripe avocado. Before slicing open, remove the stem and discard. Scoop out seed with a spoon and discard. Scoop out avocado flesh with a spoon and place in a mixing bowl. Squeeze lime juice into a bowl. Add diced chile pepper, onion,garlic, and salt. Using the end of a stainless whisk, chop into the avocado flesh and other ingredients. Don’t over mix. You want to keep some bits of avocado to retain the integrity of the avocado. Add cilantro and gently stir in. Taste and adjust seasonings and heat if necessary. Spoon into serving dish and top with additional cilantro sprigs.
Cook’s notes: I like to add additional toppings, or stir in additional ingredients. Set up a Guacamole Bar for your party-just make a big batch of Classic Guacamole and serve several additional toppings on the side and let your guests choose. Or, make a Guacamole Flight by choosing three ingredients, first being mellow, second a bit stronger, third make it spicy!
Strawberries
Goat cheese, crumbled
Bacon crumbles
Pickled veggies
Roasted veggies
Pomegranate seeds (arils)
Pesto
Toasted Pepita
Cotija Cheese
Aleppo Pepper
Edamame, shelled
Tomato
Corn
Radish
Peaches
Pineapple
Pecans
yield 8 servings