Keep Cookin'

On a recent trip to the United States, I decided to try a local, family-run Mexican restaurant, which advertised authentic recipes from over 3 generations and, one item on the menu which caught my eye was home-made chunky guacamole. Rather than bringing the guacamole ready-made to your table, staff brought the pre-prepared ingredients and made it in-front of you – obviously I thought it would be useful to take note!

Unlike other guacamole I have tasted before, this was not pureed (in to a consistency resembling baby food!) or an odd-shade of green, but chunky and fresh and has already received good reviews from friends during a picnic last week!

One ingredient used was a Mexican cheese, however, I have been unable to source this back home and so have removed it from the ingredients list below. I shall update this post when I locate a supplier!

Ingredients (makes a tub enough to serve 4 for a side salad, or 2 for a dip to much watching a film!):

• 2 Avocados (ripe)
• 4 or 5 small shallots, chopped finely
• 2 to 4 cloves of garlic (dependent on your taste preference) – crushed or chopped finely
• 2 tomatoes – chopped, but not too finely
• 1 Green chilli, chopped finely
• A good handful of chopped coriander
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Juice of a lime

Method:

If you had a large enough pestle and mortar, I would recommend mixing and smashing up the ingredients in this, as you will extract more flavour, however, the method below assumes you do not.

• Slice the avocado in half, remove the stone and scoop out the flesh
• Slice the flesh relatively finely, but leaving chunky rather than down to a smooth paste
• Place the avocado in to a bowl and add the garlic, tomatoes and chilli
• Mix together the ingredients and season with salt/pepper to taste
• Add the lime juice and mix once more
• Taste – adjust seasoning and add further ingredients if you feel the balance is not right

This can be placed in to a sealed container in the fridge and kept for a couple of days, however eat straight away for the ultimate fresh taste!

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