Guacamole Dip

 Raise your hand if you like Guacamole! I sure do. I'm addicted to avocados anyway, so when you add in all the other goodies and chips, well, Guacamole is heaven on a chip. Creamy or chunky, I don't care, I'll take it please. My husband doesn't like it at all, but I don't mind. I just don't have to share it! Hehe.
I've had this recipe for many years and have found that you really have to go by taste when making Guacamole Dip. Avocados come in different sizes, as do tomatoes, so following the recipe to a tee is difficult. If you have made this dip before you already know this, but if you are making it for the first time, you have to learn to adjust the recipe to you personal likes. When avocado are large, I use more tomato, when they are small I use less tomato. Just make it yours. Don't use what you don't like. Here's my recipe from the archives.

Guacamole Dip
From Lynda's Recipe Box

2 ripe avocados
1 tomato, diced- I used 1 Roma this time
1/2 of a small onion, diced, or to taste-I only used about 2 tablespoons
1 or 2 small jalapeno peppers, seeded and diced-sometimes I use pickled jalapenos
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, or to taste- Don't leave this out; it not only adds flavor, but helps to keep the avocado from turning brown.
1 clove garlic, minced-optional (I don't use)
1/4 -1/2 teaspoon salt
black pepper to taste
about 2 tablespoons cilantro, optional

Cut the avocados in half length-wise, and using a spoon scoop out each half and put in a bowl. Mash well with a fork. Add the remaing ingredients and stir. Place plastic wrap right on top of the dip to seal out any air. (Guacamole will turn dark as it is exposed to air.) Chill dip well, and serve with tortilla chips. Enjoy!
Try this Fresh Orange Guacamole, for a different twist.

Fresh Orange Guacamole

I love Guacamole. My husband, on the other hand won't go near it, so if I make it, I need to make sure company is coming. If not, I get to eat the whole thing! That was the case this time so I made half a batch of this recipe from the December issue of Southern Living magazine. I ate the whole thing!
I was enamoured as soon as I saw the photo of this Fresh Orange Guacamole, so I had to try it. The avocado is mixed with onion, jalapeno, orange, and orange juice. It can be topped with a few pomegranate seeds for extra color if desired. It is a very pretty presentation. It is different, but I liked the burst of orange flavor with each bite of orange I took. I did miss the lime juice that I normally use though. Lime gives this dip some punch, something that the orange juice didn't. I couldn't taste the orange juice at all, and the jalapeno I used had very little flavor. I am going to make this again, and try using lime juice instead of the orange juice. But, I'd still love to find this guacamole at any food event, and certainly it would be a wonderful addition to a New Years celebration. So give it a try if you are looking for a new way to serve your guacamole.

Fresh Orange Guacamole
adapted slightly from Southern Living - 1/2 recipe
2 ripe avocados
1/2 of a navel orange, peeled and cut into 1/2 in. pieces
1 tablespoon finely diced red onion
1 1/2 teaspoons fresh orange juice
1/2  jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
1 garlic clove, minced- I did not use this
salt and pepper to taste
fresh pomegranate seeds for garnish- optional

Scoop avocado pulp into a bowl and mash with a fork until chunky. Stir in the orange and the rest of the ingredients, except the pomegranate seeds. Cover and chill at least 1 hour. Garnish with pomegranate seed if desired. Enjoy!