“I don’t understand why any my friends can’t just go to Madrid for a couple days.”
This was the latest in a series of laments I’ve laid on my husband this past week. Despite just returning from a work retreat in Punta Cana my travel bug is still running it’s course and I feel an urge to hop on the next plane available and travel to another destination.
Meanwhile my husband, who has joined me on 3 Caribbean trips in the last 3 months, is travel-spent and will be spending the next month and a half in the safety and comfort of our home before returning to his summer job.
I suppose the next best cure for travel fever is cooking dishes inspired by far away places. Even though this guac won’t be nearly as fun to eat as it would enjoyed on a beach somewhere with a chip in one hand and a mojito in the other while steel drums play in the background, it will do alright. In fact, I promise it will taste better than the kind of guac you get at a resort or overpriced beachside restaurant.
Every food blogger and their mother has a variation for guacamole. Mine is nothing crazy. No roasted fennel to add rich sweetness, no chipotle to add a smokey note, and no pineapple or other tropical fruit. Just avocados, cilantro, lime juice, and garlic. Plus a little salt and pepper.
I take a little extra time to work the garlic into a pulp using a pinch of salt and the side of my knife. This prevents big chunks of garlic from getting into your guac. I sprinkle the garlic cloves with salt and press the heel of my hand against the side of my knife in a dragging motion to crush the garlic.
I also like to work everything together on my cutting board. Mashing the avocados with the crushed garlic helps get everything incorporated.
The flavors of fresh, homemade guacamole are unbeatable. And it couldn’t be easier to make. If you’ve been relying on store bought or restaurant guacamole, you will be so proud of yourself when you start making it yourself.
Easy 4 Ingredient Guacamole
- 2 Cloves Garlic
- 1 Cup Chopped Cilantro
- 2 Ripe Avocados
- Juice from 1 Lime
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
Place the garlic cloves, with the skin, on a cutting board. Use the side of your knife to smash the garlic cloves one at a time and remove the skin. Sprinkle the cloves with a pinch of salt and place the side of the knife on the garlic. Press the heel of your hand against the knife and use a dragging motion to work the garlic into a pulp.
Mash the avocados with a large fork right on the cutting board and stir the garlic throughout. Add the lime juice and cilantro and continue to mix everything together. Add salt and pepper and give it a taste to get the seasoning just the way you like. Serve with chips (and a mojito, optional) and enjoy!
