California Guacamole

Photo: flickr user blmurch

Ingredients

3 mediums fully-ripe avocados

cup freshly-squeezed lime juice

cup freshly-chopped cilantro

1 medium shallot minced

1 tablespoon Roasted Whole Garlic (see recipe)

1 small jalapeno seeded, minced

1 teaspoon salt

Preparation

Halve one avocado, remove pit and scoop flesh into medium bowl. Repeat with remaining avocados. Pour lime juice over avocado flesh.

Using a fork or potato masher, mash lightly until mixture is still a little chunky. Stir in cilantro, shallot, Roasted Garlic, jalapeno and salt.

Serve with tortilla chips. (Guacamole can be made ahead and covered with plastic wrap and kept refrigerated for up to 8 hours. Return to room temperature before serving.)

This recipe yields about 2 cups, serves 4 to 6.

Comments: There are as many different guacamole recipes as there are cantinas in Tijuana. Mine is a simple version, subtly flavored with roasted garlic and shallots. I try and keep the processing of the fresh ingredients to a minimum to let the flavors each play their role and always use fully-ripened, pebble-skinned Haas avocados.

Wine Recommendation: Here in California, guacamole is inseparable from beer. There are many great Mexican beers but if you can find Pacifica or Tecate you"ll enjoy their fresh, crisp bite with this classic Mexican appetizer.