Photo by Iuliia Nedrygailova/iStock
MAKES 4 CUPS
6 ripe avocados
Juice of 3 limes
1 medium red onion, chopped
1 large garlic clove, minced
2 jalapeno chilies, chopped fine
1 handful fresh cilantro, chopped
Olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ teaspoon cumin
¼ teaspoon chili powder (or cayenne, for spicier flavor)
Halve and pit the avocados. With a tablespoon, scoop out the flesh into a mixing bowl. Mash the avocados using a fork or a potato masher, leaving them a bit chunky. Add lime juice, onion, garlic, jalapeno and cilantro, and fold everything together. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Adjust seasoning to taste with salt and pepper, cumin and chili powder, and give it one final mix with a fork. Transfer to serving bowl. Lay a piece of plastic wrap tightly onto the surface of the guacamole so it doesn’t turn brown, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. Serve with favorite chips.
_____
Recipe tip
How to serve safe party food
Whether you’re tailgating, serving a buffet meal or setting out snacks at a party, you want to be safe with foods that will be left sitting out for extended periods of time. Make sure to check the temperature and condition of the food periodically. Cold items should be kept under 41 F, and warm items should be kept above 140 F. A food thermometer can help you check temperatures. If you’re grilling burgers, wear vinyl gloves while handling the raw beef, and cook the patties to an internal temperature of 160 F, to make sure they are bacteria free. Keep your grill going during the party so you can reheat warm items if necessary. Also, keep plenty of fresh ice in your cooler so you can chill cool foods as needed.