Holy Guacamole!

Whenever I discover perfectly ripe avocados on my weekly grocery shopping trek, I do a little happy dance right there in the produce section (it's true, check the surveillance tapes at Redner's). Perfectly ripe avocados = perfectly fresh guacamole! With just the addition of lime juice, cilantro, tomatoes, and a few seasonings, the result is truly sublime.

Of course, there are as many different recipes for guacamole as there are bad reality shows on TV (Bridalplasty, I'm talking to you!). Mine has gone through a few variations throughout the years, but since I came up with this one, I haven't made it any other way.

You'll need some ripe avocados, lime juice, tomatoes, fresh cilantro, freshly ground pepper, kosher or sea salt, a pinch of sugar, garlic powder, and chili powder. If you don't know how to process an avocado, just do a search on youtube for a tutorial.

I use chunks of avocado and diced tomatoes along with a generous portion of chopped cilantro. I love lime juice, so I use the juice of one large lime or two small limes. Season with salt and pepper. Throw in a pinch of sugar along with a light sprinkle of garlic powder and chili powder, and mix everything together. Taste the guacamole and adjust the seasoning as you like.

That's it! When you keep it as simple as this recipe, your mouth will do a happy dance tasting each of these phenomenal ingredients. I love the creaminess of the avocado mixed with the tartness of the lime, sweetness of the tomato, and distinct flavor of the cilantro. The garlic and chili powder are subtly in the background, but if you want them to be more prominent, use some fresh garlic and a bit more chili powder. You can also give it a kick with cayenne. I'm not a big fan of raw onions, so I don't use them here, but knock yourself out if that's what you like.

Make what you like, and like what you make!