Guacamole—a word that dances on the tongue like the flavors it embodies. There’s just something about that creamy, green goodness that makes even the gloomiest day feel like a sunlit fiesta. I remember a summer picnic where a bowl of homemade guac disappeared faster than you could say “olé!” Seriously, who knew mashed avocados could inspire such a frenzy?
Steps
- Cut three ripe avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a mixing bowl. Use a fork to mash them until you reach your preferred consistency, whether chunky or smooth.
- Finely dice a small yellow onion, two Roma tomatoes, and a jalapeno pepper, then chop fresh cilantro. Mince two cloves of garlic and juice a lime.
- Add the diced onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno, minced garlic, lime juice, and sea salt to the mashed avocados in the bowl. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Taste the guacamole and adjust the seasoning by adding more salt or lime juice if necessary. Serve immediately with tortilla chips for dipping.
- If storing leftovers, press the guacamole flat in a container, cover with a half-inch layer of water, seal the container, and refrigerate. When ready to eat, pour off the water and stir.
Ingredients
- 3 ripe avocados
- ½ small yellow onion, finely diced
- 2 Roma tomatoes, diced
- 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro, finely chopped
- 1 jalapeno pepper, seeds removed and finely diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- Juice of 1 lime
- ½ teaspoon sea salt
Nutritional Values
Calories: 554.4kcal | Carbohydrates: 36.9g | Protein: 7.5g | Fat: 47.4g | Saturated Fat: 6.6g | Sodium: 916.5mg | Fiber: 22.8g | Sugar: 5.1g
FAQ
- What are the essential ingredients for authentic guacamole?
- Authentic guacamole requires just a few high-quality ingredients: ripe avocados, onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno pepper, lime juice, garlic, and salt. These combine to create a fresh and flavorful dip.
- How can I choose the best avocados for guacamole?
- When selecting avocados, look for those that are ripe but still firm. They should have a slight give when gently pressed. It’s best to pick avocados with the stem still attached to avoid any brown spots inside.
- What is the best way to store leftover guacamole and prevent it from browning?
- To keep guacamole from turning brown, place it in a storage container and flatten the surface. Add about half an inch of cold water on top, seal the container, and refrigerate. When ready to eat, simply drain the water and stir the guacamole.
- Can I use bottled lime juice instead of fresh lime juice in guacamole?
- It’s recommended to use freshly squeezed lime juice for the best flavor. Bottled lime juice often has a muted taste that can alter the overall quality of the guacamole.
- How can I adjust the spice level in my guacamole?
- To adjust the heat in your guacamole, you can modify the type or amount of pepper used. For a milder flavor, use less jalapeno or remove the seeds. For extra heat, consider using a serrano pepper instead.
Tips
- Opt for ripe, firm avocados to ensure the best guacamole. Avoid overly soft or mushy avocados, and check that the stem is still attached to reduce the chance of brown spots inside.
- When storing leftover guacamole, flatten the surface and add about half an inch of cold water on top before sealing the container. This helps maintain its vibrant green color for up to three days.
- Always use freshly squeezed lime juice instead of bottled varieties for a brighter, fresher flavor in your guacamole. Mexican limes are recommended for their juice yield.
- To prevent a watery guacamole, select Roma tomatoes as they are less juicy, and finely chop them before mixing with the other ingredients.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl – If you don’t have a suitable mixing bowl for mashing and mixing the ingredients.
- Avocado Slicer – To make the process of slicing and pitting avocados easier and safer.
- Garlic Press – For efficiently mincing garlic cloves.
- Citrus Juicer – Useful for extracting juice from fresh limes.
- Storage Containers – To keep leftover guacamole fresh using the water method described.
- Herb Chopper – For finely chopping cilantro if you don’t have a suitable knife.
