Fresh Guacamole

Recently I was at a local market and noticed a young mother buying a case of powdered guacamole mix.  I mentioned "you must really like that stuff".  She said, "I like to feed my family healthy things, and this is on sale for 1/2 off, (99 cents a package), and I only have to add avocado."  I asked to look at the back of one, and said "why don't you just make your own from scratch for less money?"  She said, "I don't know how and don't have all day".  I told her how it only took 5 minutes and a couple of ingredients.  I also mentioned that if she used this product, all she would be serving her family is avocado with a teaspoon of "organic seasonings" and the rest is powdered fillers.

Even if you look at the most popular packaged product on the shelf, you can't pronounce some of the items used to make the package, that you add to your avocado.  I can make twice the amount, (since I'm using only fresh ingredients), for less money.  When we have "Mexican Fiesta" parties, there are two items that I am always requested to provide; anything using my tomatillo sauce, and my fresh guacamole.  And they always are the first items to be eaten.

You will need:
avocado
garlic
onion
tomato, (I like to use Roma)
red sweet pepper
lime
salt
pepper
cilantro  (fresh is best, but all I had on hand today was dried, so we're making do with this).

Cut the avocado in half and remove the pulp.

Mash the pulp, (sometimes I mash the pulp real fine, other times I like a chunkier version - it's all a matter of taste).

Juice the lime, (I find that 1/2 lime per avocado is usually enough, depending on the size of the limes - I buy fairly large size limes).

Add salt, (approximately 1 teaspoon per avocado - NOTE: I always use sea salt, it gives a better taste).

Add pepper, (approximately 1/2 teaspoon per avocado).

Add 1 or 2 cloves of finely chopped garlic, (depending on your taste - we like a lot of garlic).

Add finely chopped onion, (about 1/4 cup per avocado).

Add finely chopped red pepper, (approximately 3 Tablespoon per avocado).  If you want some heat in your guacamole you can also add some finely chopped jalapeno pepper, (depending on your taste for heat).

Add your finely chopped tomato (1 per avocado)

Add the cilantro, (about 2 Tablespoons of dried or fresh cilantro, chopped).

OK - now mix everything up well.

That's all there is to making a good guacamole.   And it's pretty with the red tomato and pepper, not flat like the packaged kind.  (If your looking to make a larger batch or guacamole, just double the ingredients.)

Now give it a taste for seasoning.  Does it need a little more salt or lime juice?  If so - add it to your family's taste.  Remember, you control the seasonings, not some manufacturing company.

You can store it in an air tight container in the refrigerator for a couple of days.  Of course in our house it doesn't last one day.  A bag of chips or a taco and some fresh guacamole - YUMMY!  And don't be afraid to play around with the ingredients - mix it up, make it your own.

Enjoy!!