KTINA'S GUACAMOLE
This is a fan favorite and a must those who love Mexican food. Perfect whether you're just in the mood for a snack of chips, salsa & guac or as an accompaniment to your Cinco de Mayo or Taco Tuesday spread.
Equipment
- Chef's Knife
- Cutting Board
Ingredients
- 4-5 Ripe Avocadoes, preferrably Haas
- 1/2 Cup Red Onion, minced (1/2 medium red onion)
- 1 Jalapeno, seeded & minced finely
- 1 Clove Garlic, grated on microplane (or pressed w/ garlic press)
- 1 tsp Ground Cumin
- 2 TBSP Lime Juice, freshly sqeezed) (1-2 limes)
- 1/4 Cup Cilantro Leaves, chopped
- 1/2 tsp Kosher Salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground Black Pepper
Instructions
- Halve avocadoes lengthwise and carefully remove the pit.
- Scoop out the flesh and add to a mixing bowl or shallow baking dish.
- Add remaining ingredients and mash together with a potato masher or a large fork until well blended, but still a little chunky for texture.
- Garnish with a little more chopped cilantro and serve with tortilla chips.
Notes
KTINA'S TIPS:
- Unlike many recipes, I don't care to use chopped tomatoes. Initially, I omitted them for a friend with a tomato sensitivity and simply found I didn't miss them. Further, the leftover guacamole keeps better, as the tomato juice leeches out and contributes to the guac turning brown.
- Ripe avocadoes should give slightly when pressed with your thumb.
- To ripen avocadoes, place alongside bananas in a bowl on the counter or place in a brown paper bag for a day or two.
- To remove the pit, use a spoon or gently press the corner of your chef's knife closest to the handle into the pit and twist to remove. Resist the temptation to smack your knife blade into the pit to avoid injuries (just ask my friend Katy).
- I find it is easiest to simply squeeze the avocado flesh from the skin into your bowl or shallow dish (I like to wear nitrile gloves for less mess).
- Add more jalapeno if you prefer more spice.
- I like to wear nitrile gloves when working with jalapenos to avoid getting the oils in contact with my fingertips . . . even a few hours and several hand washings later it still stings when trying to remove a contact lens, trust me.