How to Make Simple Guacamole

Whether you're throwing a festive Cinco de Mayo party or simply hanging out with friends on a summer evening, a simple guacamole recipe creates just the right appetizer to serve to your guests. With a few quick steps, you'll be making a bowl of fresh, zesty homemade guacamole in no time.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Wooden bowl
• Cutting board
• Sharp knife
• Spoon
• 1 large tomato
• 4 soft avocados
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 large red onion
• Salt and pepper
• Tabasco

1. Cut your avocados in half and pull out the pit. Insert your thumb between the skin and the "meat" of the avocado. Run your thumb around the rim to pry out the avocado. If the big nut is soft enough, you'll be able to easily pluck the matter from the shell. Put the avocado chunks into a wooden bowl.

2. Loosely chop up the avocados in the bowl by running a large knife through them, changing directions several times. Depending on how chunky you prefer your guacamole, you will run the knife through between 5 and 10 times.

3. Squeeze lemon juice directly onto avocados so that they retain their bright green color rather than turning brown, which is not a very appealing color for a bowl of guacamole.

4. Chop the tomato and red onion on a cutting board and add to the bowl.

5. Salt and pepper to taste. Add Tabasco with a few shakes of the bottle to taste. Lightly stir with a large spoon to distribute the seasoning, and serve.

Tips & Warnings

• To keep guacamole overnight, press cellophane directly onto guacamole dip (pushing out any and all air pockets in between). This will keep the guacamole fresh and colorful. Guacamole is often better the next day. Give it a quick stir and serve again.