Sensational Guacamole

I grew up in San Antonio, where guacamole is a staple, if not its own food group! If it wasn’t served at a gathering, people felt they had been cheated and that something was missing. One of my friends liked to eat it with a spoon, saying that “corn chips were just launch pads for the green goodness that was guac”.

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I formulated this recipe to showcase the chunky-smooth texture of the avocadoes with just the right blend of garlic, lime, onion, and salt. Quite a few times, people have asked me for the recipe, thinking there is something special in it, and been surprised at the short ingredient list. What makes this guacamole distinctive is two 30-second zaps in the microwave (before the avocadoes are added, of course)! The first is with just minced garlic, to soften and char it. The second also includes red onions and lime juice – this takes the ‘bite’ out of the onion, and diffuses the garlic and onion flavor into the lime juice, and eventually into the avocadoes.

Guacamole is traditionally served with tortilla chips. I am not quite on the level of eating guacamole with a spoon, but I do enjoy eating it with carrots (bonus if you can find a bag of ‘carrot chips’), for a lower-carb option. Serve at parties, football get-togethers, or even a before-dinner appetizer for family.

Personally, I usually don’t add anything extra to this guacamole because when I make it I crave the pure, unadorned, avocado-forward flavor of the original, but in case you want to make your guac a little fancier, I have listed some options for add-ins and toppings. Happy eating!

Ingredients:

• 3 large avocadoes, pitted, peeled, and sliced or chopped
• 1 large lime, quartered
• 1 tbsp finely chopped fresh garlic
• 1/3 cup chopped red onion
• 1/2 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Place chopped garlic in a small microwave-safe bowl or ramekin.
2. Microwave on high for 30 seconds. Remove from microwave and add chopped red onion to bowl.
3. Squeeze juice from two lime quarters on top of garlic and onion.
4. Microwave on high for another 30 seconds.
5. Remove bowl from microwave and sprinkle salt on top of the mixture.
6. Place all avocado slices in a large bowl. Add garlic and onion mixture, and lightly mash with a fork. Do not overmix – you want the final product to be somewhat chunky.
7. Squeeze juice from the remaining two lime quarters into guacamole, and give it one last stir before serving.

Add-in options (optional!):

• 1 roasted Roma tomato, cut into small pieces
• 3 Tbsp chopped cilantro
• Kernels from one ear of roasted corn
• 1/2 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh pineapple, finely chopped

Topping options (again, optional!):

• 1/4 cup cotija cheese
• 1/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds