Guacamole is an element of Mexican food that has transcended the bounds of ethnic cuisine and become a worldwide favorite. You can find it in the deli at the grocery store or in gourmet sandwiches. It’s no wonder it has its own day on September 16th! What makes guacamole so appealing is its simplicity and the delicious flavor it gets from just a few wholesome ingredients. If you’ve ever gone out for Mexican food in NH, you know that no meal is complete without fresh guac. It’s also easy to make yourself so that you can have the perfect accompaniment to your homemade Mexican food.
What’s the secret to making perfect guacamole every time? Read on to find out!
Choose your avocado.
For many people, the hardest part about making their own guacamole is choosing the right avocado. It needs to be just at the right stage of ripeness. If it’s too early, the avocado will be hard and flavorless. Too late, and it will be too mushy and can taste “off.” Finding an avocado that’s ready can be tricky at first, but you’ll soon get the hang of it.
Look for an avocado whose rind is more black than green, and press your thumb into it ever so gently. If there’s a little give to it, you’re good to go.
Stick to a few ingredients.
Although avocado has quite a mild flavor, you don’t want to overpower it by adding too many ingredients. The first time you make guacamole, we recommend sticking to the basics: mashed avocado, salt, and lime juice. Once you’ve perfected that, add in a few more traditional ingredients, such as tomatoes, red onion, and cilantro. (You might recognize that list as the ingredients of pico de gallo.)
Keep it fresh.
No matter what you put in your guacamole, it’s essential to use fresh ingredients. It’s also crucial to keep your guac fresh if you have to save some for later. Guacamole turns brown pretty quickly when exposed to the open air, so you want to keep it airtight when you store your guac. If you’re covering a bowl with plastic wrap, press the plastic down so it touches the surface of the guacamole rather than leaving an air gap. If you store it in a container with a lid, pour a thin layer of water, lemon juice, or lime juice on top of the guacamole before putting the lid on. When you’re ready to finish it off, pour the excess liquid away and stir the guacamole.