Guacamole

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!

Guacamole. I’ve gotta admit, I love it!

Actually both my husband and I love it (I think he loves it more though)

Outside of the fact it tastes amazing, it is also full of good healthy fats. Avocado is high in monounsaturated fats, similar to what is in olive oil. Eating avocados or guacamole on a daily basis allows your body to use that fat for energy, burn more fat (ultimately releasing weight) and allow you more satiety throughout your day. The days I eat more fat I feel happier, not hungry and are satisfied when I eat a meal. An Avocado (or half an avocado) a day feeds your brain, is heart healthy, nutrient dense and full of antioxidants.

This year I got my husband a Molcajete for his birthday. For those who don’t know what a Molcajete is, it’s the bowl that is in the picture with the guacamole. It is very similar to the mortar and pestle but is is a Mexican or spanish version of it. It is carved from volcanic rock is one of the oldest kitchen tools. They are hand carved from a single piece of basalt rock. Once you get it you have to season it first by grinding rice into the bowl (for about an hour it seems) to smooth down the rough stone and get it ready for making guacamole. The volcanic stone absorbs flavors, so you don’t want to use it for anything but latin flavors. Lots of garlic, cumin and onion flavors become a part of the Molcajete.

 

To clean the Molcajete you will just use water and possibly a clean wash cloth or brush. You don’t want to use soap because that will un-season the bowl and the stone will start to absorb the flavor of the soap you use. It is similar to cleaning ceramic baking dishes or cast iron pans.

Ways you can use a Molcajete:

• Ideal for crushing whole spices
• Great for serving guacamole
• Line with lettuce leaves to use as a serving bowl
• Serve hot salsa or dip in the bowl because it can be heated to high temperatures

If you don’t have a Molcajete and don’t want to buy one, you can still make amazing guacamole in a bowl! The Molcajete makes it fun and a fun serving/ entertaining tool.

How to use Guacamole

We eat guacamole on a lot of foods. Here are some of my favorite uses for Guacamole:

1. With veggies. Cucumber, celery, carrots or cauliflower

2. On grain-free crackers. (Recipe here)

3. On Eggs: Top on eggs made any way for more flavor and more healthy fats. I have some other egg recipes I love putting guacamole on.
Breakfast Avocado Eggs
Breakfast Sweet Potato Skillet
Mexican Breakfast Skillet)

4. Perfect to top Mexican or Latin Main Course Meals.
Salsa Chicken
Taco Bake
Crockpot Chicken Tacos

5. With a spoon… can I say that?? Well, this definitely happens when I need a snack. Why not just take a spoonful or two of the guacamole for a burst of healthy fats when you need it?

Ingredients

2 avocados, seed and skin removed

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

2 Tablespoons red onion, finely chopped

2 roma tomatoes, finely chopped

1/2-1 lime, juiced (adding more or less depending on how much you want in your guacamole)

 

4 stems cilantro, chopped

salt and pepper, to taste

1/8 tsp chili powder, optional

1/8 tsp cumin, optional

Directions

• Cut avocados in half, the long way, and take out the seeds
• Spoon out avocados into a large bowl (or Molcajete**) and mash with a fork
• Add garlic, onion, tomatoes and stir to combine
• Add the lime juice, salt and pepper and spices (optional) to your flavor preference
• Serve Immediately or if you are going to store your guacamole, press down a layer of cling wrap to prevent oxidation and the mixture turning brown. You can also put the 2 avocado seeds back in the guacamole because that is also a great tool for keeping the guacamole from turning brown. Just make sure to take out the seeds before you serve. Refrigerate until ready to serve

** If you do have a Molcajete you will make the guacamole in a different order. The reason you have the mortar and pestle is so you can crush the garlic and onion prior to adding the avocado. So take the garlic and onion and make into almost a paste in the Molcajete. Then add the avocado and the rest of the ingredients to make the guacamole. It adds more flavor, which is another main reason you would use a Molcajete.