Rediscovering Guacamole in a Flash!

Having found an abundance of tortilla chips in the pantry, I decided to make guacamole. What a pleasant surprise to discover how fast and easy it is to make a fresh, delicious and authentic guacamole--also very inexpensive when avocados are in abundance at the market! Though purists would argue you need a special mortar and pestle made from volcanic stone you really don't need any special equipment--a fork will work just fine. I actually have been using my potato masher to coarsely (and quickly) mash the avocados. In less than 15 minutes you can wow your friends and family

Below is a simple guacamole recipe from The New Basics Cookbook (one of my all-time favorite cookbooks). The recipe is easily halved making it a perfect appetizer-sized portion for 2-3 people!

Ole Guacamole (From The New Basics Cookbook)

2 ripe avocados, halved and pitted
4 teaspoons fresh lemon juice (or lime juice--though lemons are cheaper)
1 large ripe plum tomato, seeded and chopped
1 Tablespoon chopped red onion
Salt and freshly ground pepper, to taste
Dash of Tabasco or hot pepper sauce

1. Scoop the avocados in to a bowl. Add the lemon juice, and mash the avocados coarsely.
2. With a fork, gently mix in the tomato, onion, salt and pepper, and Tabasco sauce. Serve within an hour or two at room termperature.

Makes about 1 1/2 cups.