Guacamole

Makes about 1 cup (2 to 4 servings)

• 2 avocados
• 1 tablespoon lime or lemon juice
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ¼ teaspoon hot sauce (optional)

1. Cut the avocados in half and remove the pits.

2. Scoop the green part out of the skin and put it into a mixing bowl.

3. Add the lime or lemon juice, salt, and hot sauce, if using, and mash with the back of a fork until the guacamole is smooth and creamy.

Chef’s Notes

Avocados are ripe and ready to make guacamole when they are soft to the touch and have the texture of a banana.

You can add many other ingredients to guacamole, such as cilantro, minced garlic, chopped tomatoes, and sour cream or yogurt.

Using Acid to Keep an Avocado from Browning

Adding lemon or lime juice to avocado after cutting it prevents the avocado from losing its bright green color and turning dark brown.

About Avocados

Although there are many varieties of avocados, two distinct types are found in our local grocery stores. Hass avocados are small (about 6 ounces), pear shaped, and have dark bumpy skin and a rich creamy flesh. Choquette, or hall, avocados are mostly grown in Florida and are large (up to 2 pounds) with bright green skin and flesh that is mild in flavor and a bit soupy when pureed. Avocados are nutritious and contain monounsaturated fat, a healthy type of fat.