Many aspects of the Mexican culture are related to food, and there is one dish in particular that can be described as an essential part of itsnational identity.It has been around since the time of the Aztecs.
They considered it to be an aphrodisiac ingredient, and a symbol of manhood since it was associatedwith the testicl*s.
It is green on the inside, with black skin, and in its center a brown seed: The avocado. Itsflavor is beyond unique, almostcelestial, and the many ways in whichit can be prepared makes it even more special. There is one dish that stands above the rest: The Guacamole.
Legend says that the Aztec god of knowledge, Quetzalcóatl (ket-sal-ko-ah-tl) not only retrieved human bones from the underworld and poured his blood on them to bring them back to life, thus saving the human species. He also shared the sacred guacamole recipe. How magical can guacamole get?
The creaminess of the avocadocombined with the slightest heat of the chilli, the texture of the tomato and cilantro is an explosion of flavors that has no comparison.Thecrunch of a tortilla chip with the smoothness of guacamole is a match made in heaven.
If you speak to any Mexican, they will say they are guacamole experts, as if it were a genetic attribute passed on from generation to generation.
Thisexotic and extravagant dish is not so simple to prepare and you need a stroke of culinary inspiration to prepare the perfect guacamole.
If youwant to bethe soul of the party, alegendary host, or you simply wishto delight your friendsduring the Monday Night Football games, we giveyou the most successful guacamole recipes that will impress the most demanding palates.
*The directions of the original recipe can be followed on the rest of the recipes. There will be some variations on ingredients that will transform the final dishes*
Original Recipe
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
1 medium sized onion
1 medium sized tomato
1 Serrano Pepper
1 tbsp. of lime juice
Half bunch of fresh cilantro
Salt to taste
Directions:
Chop the onion, tomato, and cilantro. Deseed and chop the Serrano pepperseparately.
Add and grind all the ingredients, except for the pepper, into alargemortar andpestle.
Remove the skin fromthe avocados and scoop the flesh into the mortar and add lime and salt. Mix all the ingredients together. Maintain a chunky texture and we recommend you add the chopped chilli at the end so you can control the spiciness of your guacamole.
(If you want to try out the full Mexican experience, add the ingredients into a molcajete, a rustic and ancient Mexican mortar and pestle.)
Guacamole Fuego
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
1 medium sized onion
1 medium sized tomato
2 Serrano Peppers
1 tbsp. of lime juice
2 tbsp. of fresh cilantro
1 tbsp. of Cayenne pepper
Salt
Tabasco Sauce
Directions:
Follow the instructions of the original recipe but this time you will add cayenne pepper, tabasco sauce, and one more Serrano pepper. This is a guacamole only the brave will dare to try.
Guacamole, and Salmon
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
1scallion
1 medium sized tomato
1 Serrano Pepper
1 tbsp. of lime juice
250 g of sliced smoked salmon /8.8 oz ofof sliced smoked salmon
Nacho chips or small slices of toasted bread
Salt
Directions:
Spreadthe guacamole over the bread or the nacho chips, and on the top use the slices of smoked salmon. This dish can be served in more formal events, for example if you want to impress your in laws, or for a romantic date with your S.O.
Guacamole Gourmet
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
50 gof blue cheese /1.8 oz of blue cheese
Chopped smoked almonds
1 medium size onion
1 medium sized tomato
1 Serrano Pepper
1 tbsp. of lime juice
2 tbsp. of fresh cilantro
Salt
Directions:
Follow the instructions of the original recipe to make the guacamole. Add to the original mix some blue cheese and almonds. The cheese will give it a strong flavor and the almonds a crunchy texture.
Frutti di Mare Guacamole
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
Crab meat
Small size shrimp
1 medium size onion
1 medium sized tomato
1 Serrano Pepper
1 tbsp. of lime juice
2 tbsp. of fresh cilantro
Salt
Directions:
Peal, and boil the shrimps and the crab. Put it aside for a moment.Add the original guacamole mix to the crab and shrimp.The sweet flavors of seafood will combine perfectly with the acidic notes and saltiness of the guacamole.
Tropical Guacamole
Ingredients:
4 or 5 ripe avocados
Crab meat
Small size shrimp
1 medium size onion
2 Serrano Peppers
8 tbsp. of lime juice
1 mango
1/2 cup of jicama
1/4 cup of grains of pomegranate
Salt
Directions:
Chop the onion and marinate it with 4 tablespoonsof lime for at least 1 hour. After this period of time, drain andput the onion to one side. Placethe Serranos with the rest of the lime juice in a blender and add the avocados one by one, until the mix looks creamy. Wash, peal, and chop the mango, and jicama.On a bowl mix the guacamole with the grains ofpomegranate, jicama, mango and the previously marinated onion.
Joe Montana Guacamole
Ingredients:
2 ripe avocados, seeded, peeled and diced
1 medium-sized tomato, diced
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced
½ cup black beans, drained and rinsed
4 green onions, thinly sliced
2 tbsp. of lime juice
½ cup sharp aged cheddar cheese, shredded
Salt and pepper
Directions:
Add one avocado to a bowl and lightly mash it, then add the tomatoes, jalapeno pepper, and lime juice into the mix.Add beans, onions, cheese and the remaining avocado. Stir well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Chill until it’s ready toserve.
Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.
The avocado is such a universal ingredient that we can see the influence it has had even in the art world, in important paintings, for example, in this version of “The Starry Night.”
