Guacamole (Basic guacamole)

Guacamole always makes for a delicious dip for loads of finger food, also a side dish for grilled meat or a salad dressing. It originated in Mexico and the star ingredient is avocado. It is a very healthy dip because avocados are loaded with nutrients. It is easy to make and doesn’t take time, guacamole can be smooth or chunky, it is all a matter of preference.

Always use ripe avocado to make your guacamole for best flavour. Avocado once cut, goes through an oxidation process that turns that beautiful green flesh to a brown colour, acids are added to guacamole to prevent this. Acids like lemon, lime or orange juice, vinegar etc.

If you don’t have or like the taste of acidity in your dip omit it, so if you want to store leftover, spread it out on a plate and press plastic wrap (cling film) to the surface, tightly making sure air doesn’t get in, then refrigerate. If after all this, it still turns brown, do not despair, scrape off the top or stir it very well and still enjoy your delicious guacamole.

This is a basic recipe, and as with other dips, there are so many additions you can play with: chopped tomatoes, cilantro, garlic powder, coriander, bacon, sweet corn, spring onions, sour cream, mayonnaise etc. I plan on trying finely chopped scent leaf or curry leaves. I will report back.

To make Basic Guacamole

1 large avocado
1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice 
1 tablespoon finely chopped onions
salt
1 deseeded, finely chopped chili pepper (shombo)

Wash and dry avocado.

Cut it lengthwise and remove the seed.

Scoop out the flesh using a spoon or peel off the skin, place flesh in a bowl.

Use a fork to mash roughly or dice the avocado for a chunky guacamole. For a smooth consistency, use a potato masher or small mortar and pestle.

Add the lemon juice, onions, salt and chilli pepper (shombo), stir well to combine.

Guacamole can be served with so many things: Chips (sweet potato), plantain, Irish potato, tortilla, roasted beetroot, vegetable sticks (carrot, cucumber, celery), deviled egg, crackers, toast, burger, taco etc.

Notes

• You can also make a combination of smooth and chunky guacamole. Just mash part of your avocado and dice the other part then mix together.

If you enjoyed the Basic guacamole, you will also enjoy the Spicy Roasted Green Pepper Sauce, Fresh Tomato Salsa, Simple Sofrito Recipe and my Minced Meat Herb Empanada filling.

Do you have any comments, questions or suggestions, please leave a comment below.

Share this recipe using the share buttons.

Subscribe to the blog for instant notifications of new recipes.

Follow on Instagram: @thepretendchefofficial, Twitter: @thepretendchef Facebook: https://web.facebook.com/thepretendchef/, Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/thepretendchef/