Guacamole is one of the easiest (and I’ll argue healthiest) snacks to make this summer, and year round. Gather your favorite ripe avocados and get to making your guacamole!
Happy Wednesday! It feels like it should already be Friday as it’s been one of those weeks! Anyone else with me? Sorry, I have been MIA on here this week, let me tell you sometimes things don’t go as planned.
Usually, it’s because I have a new client pop up, emails that need tending too, a dog that needs some extra attention and the list goes on. The lack of posting usually has nothing to do with my own well being, I guess there’s a first time for everything.
All I Want For Summer Is My Two Front Teeth
If you follow along on Instagram and/or you go to my gym/talk to me on a regular basis, then you know I had an incident with a pull-up bar on Monday. I have been doing CrossFit for 6 years now and while I’ve had some aches and pains and some nagging old swimming injuries, nothing has been quite as bad as this week’s mishap. Although if you ask my friends it’s not NEARLY AS BAD AS IT COULDVE BEEN. They’re very kind and compassionate, and only give tough love.
I will stand by the fact that CrossFit, if done correctly, is generally safe for all, especially with the help and guidance of coaches. But what can I say, sh*t happens? I was doing a normal workout {for me} with power cleans, box jumps and chest to bar pull-ups. The only difference was that I finally got butterfly chest to bar pull-ups. If you are unfamiliar, check out this video, to learn what butterfly pull-ups are. They are far more dynamic and explosive than a regular pull up and are not recommended for those who do not have the strength or shoulder stability for it. Also, it is no longer recommended for me for the time being 😀
Needless to say, my dentist came through (last minute) as did my friends. It was comforting to know that my friends have my back, are willing to tell me I look ok even with blood pouring down my face and are ready with jokes and tough love once they know I’m okay. I am okay, am advised to eat a mostly soft diet until next week when I go back to the dentist. I really want a crisp carrot and a juicy steak right about now, but that’ll have to wait…
Guac O’Clock
Okay, enough about all that, let’s get to whats important today, and that is guacamole. Good news is guacamole, if made to the texture of your choice can be smooth and soft. Winning!
I used to think guacamole was disgusting. It wasn’t because I had had it and hated the taste, it was purely because it looked like green mush and I had a very VERY unsophisticated palate. I wanted pasta, chicken fingers, mozzarella sticks and ice cream. Guacamole?! No thank you! I wish I could go back and tell myself I was missing out on what is now a food group of mine, but you live and learn, you know?!
My dad even used to call me Laura Teresa Acchione Guacamole…and I used to say “EEEWWWWWW” as if I even knew. If I had known the nickname was akin to a DELICIOUS food, I would’ve made it stick, but alas with a new last name it doesn’t roll off the tongue quite as well, you win some you lose some, you know?
Avocados Number
Speaking of guacamole, it is made with delicious avocados. While, yes avocados are over glorified and associated with basic girls all the time, they do have some great health benefits. Not to mention they taste good and are in fact proven to be good for your health.
When I worked at InsideTracker aside from oats, avocados were the food I recommended the most. Why? They are researched and found to be good for a lot of biomarkers related to overall health. Avocados are high in fiber, healthy fat, potassium, and much more. They have been shown to improve cholesterol and decrease triglycerides, both of which are good for the heart and overall health. Not to mention they are delicious and filling. I might be bias but man are they little superheroes in the food department.
Ready or Not
Guacamole is easy to make, it really is! The hardest part is finding ripe avocados. I recommend buying more than you need, just in case. To tell if they are ripe, look for:
Color a bit darker in green
Soft to touch but not so soft that you could poke your finger through.
If you take the like stem/nubbin off, it will be green, not brown
Cut it open and scoop it out with no problem
Sometimes, I’m sorry to say, it doesn’t matter if all the above is true, the avocado may not be ripe or may be too ripe. And that’s why I always buy more than I need.
That Molcajete Life
My bestie Nicole (she hates when I use her real name, sorry not sorry!) gave me a Molcajete for my birthday this year. I literally never knew I wanted or needed one until she gave it to me. It’s basically a heavy-duty mortar and pestle that is PERFECT for making guacamole. Ever wonder how guac was made in restaurants? Well, I now know the secret and am sharing that secret with you. The answer is A MOLCAJETE. For whatever reason, it breaks down the avocado to the perfect consistency and I AM IN LOVE.
Grab one for you or your bestie and start making the best guac of your life. I’m serious!
Easy Guacamole
The next time you are tasked with bringing some dish to a party, volunteer to make this easy guacamole recipe. Not only is it easy on time, it is also a crowd pleaser. Every time I make it, it’s the first thing to go and I usually have to make a second batch if I’m hosting the party.
I recommend serving it with tortilla chips (my two favorites: here & here), veggies, or heck eat it with a spoon like I had to this week. You can even serve with tacos, pulled pork, eggs, salads and pretty much any other dish you want.
Pro Tip: While not ideal, storing your unpeeled/uncut avocados in the refrigerator will prolong their life at home.
Bonus Pro Tip: If you decide to cut an avocado and not use it all at once, leave the side with the pit stored in an airtight container with a little bit of water in said container.
1 jalapeño, diced (seeded-optional, depends how hot you can handle!)
2 Tbsp lime juice (~ juice of 1 lime)
1/2 cup cherry/grape tomatoes, quartered
1/4 tsp paprika
1/4 tsp cumin
Salt & Pepper, to taste
Instructions
Normal Version
In a medium bowl, scoop avocado out of skin and mash with a fork (can use a food processor if prefer smoother consistency).
Add the rest of the ingredients and mix to desired consistency
Molcajete Version
In a Molacajete, add onion, cilantro, jalapeño, lime juice and about 1 tsp of salt. Using the pestle, grind the onions and cilantro with the lime juice & salt until onions & jalapeños start to break down.
Scoop out avocado and add to the Molcajete, grind down until avocado is mashed to desired texture.
Add spices, salt, pepper & tomatoes, grind gently to combine.
To Store
If you somehow leave any guacamole up for grabs, store in an airtight container with plastic wrap
touching top of guacamole. For added freshness, store with 1/2 lime and squeeze extra lime juice on top.
Avocados Number
