Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Leftovers!

Mindy here and I hate to disappoint, but I did not bake/cook anything post worthy this week. Craziness and heat abound here in Texas, so I'm going to play off of Jan's post yesterday and give you my favorite way to use pico de gallo.

Sometimes I make my own, but it's usually easier for me to pick up a small ready-made container from the produce section at the grocer. Especially if I'm already there to get avocados. I mean, come on, these two go together like Burns and Allan, Oreos and milk.

So here's whatcha need for easy peasy, yummy-in-your-tummy guacamole.
  • pico de gallo
  • 2-3 avocados, or more, depending on how much guacamole you want. Make sure they give slightly under gentle pressure. Not to hard, not too soft.
  • 1-2 limes
  • salt
  • 1-3 cloves garlic, minced
First you'll want to half your avocados lengthwise. Remove the pit/seed/whatever it is, and spoon out the avocado into a medium sized bowl.

Now, cut your lime(s) in half and squeeze juice over the avocado. I just use my slightly parted fingers to catch any seeds. The acidity of the lime juice not only adds a nice tang, it also helps prevents the fruit from turning brown too soon. Mash this all together. I like a few chunks of avocado in my guac, so feel free to make however you like.

Next, add your pico de gallo (as much or little as you want), garlic and salt to taste. Stir and serve.

See. Easy. Add a bag of tortilla chips around my place and you are soon looking at the bottom of an empty bowl. They love this stuff. Of course, you can also use it on tacos, fajitas, sandwiches, you name it.

Do you like avocados? What's your favorite way to eat them?

Thanks for the pico, Jan. Hope y'all like the guac.

19 comments:

  1. I was never an avacado fan but I've learned to like them, since we always have a few on hand.

    Did you know that if you leave the seed in the other half, you can put it in the fridge and it won't turn brown? Also works if you have a small bowl of it. Just plop the seed in and it somehow keeps it fresh.

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    1. You know, I've heard that, Virginia. Tried it too, but it never seemed to work. I usually put it in an airtight container, sealing plastic wrap over the surface before putting on the lid. Eh.

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  2. Aussie girl needs some translation.
    what are Burns and Allan? and what is pico de gallo
    I do know what an avocado is.
    no dont really like them I dont think.

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    1. Oh Jenny, it's always funny to see which of our Americanisms translate and which don't!

      Burns and Allen were two comedians - George Burns and Gracie Allen (husband and wife) - who were popular from Vaudeville through the early '60's when Gracie died. George went on and continued his career up until his death in 1996 at the age of 100. You can see videos of their act on You Tube.

      I'll let someone else translate Pico de Gallo!

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    2. Jenny, Jan made the pico de gallo in Monday's post. It's a Mexican salad, of sorts. Tomatoes, onion, cilantro, and peppers are its base.

      Avocados, at least the ones we get, generally come from Mexico or California. The outside is medium to deep, dark green while the inside is, well, avocado green:-) You might have to google that one.

      The inside, when ripe, is tender and almost kind of creamy with a mild flavor. It goes great with Mexican food. However, it can be considered an acquired taste.

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    3. Oh i have heard of Burns and Allen now I thought it was some sort of food.

      We have large Avocados on sale at present dark green outside.

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    4. Jenny! Me, either! That makes us a team, honey!

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  3. This looks so good, Mindy!

    My biggest problem is that I'm the only one in the family who likes avocado, so I'd have to eat it all myself...

    wait, maybe that isn't such a bad thing!

    I'll have to try Virginia's avocado seed trick with the leftovers.

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    1. Jan, you could have a great guacamole salad for lunch one day. Ole!

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    2. And what do you mean looks? I had no pics :-)

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    3. I used my writerly imagination?

      Actually, I think it's the way I read recipes...I can almost taste the flavors going together, but if I said "This tastes so good" you'd really think something was bonkers. So, the recipe "looks" good :)

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  4. My sister told me about that trick with the seed, Virginia! And I think it really does work. :)

    Mindy, I love this recipe. I never think to add lime juice! Another thing I do differently that might make it easier for some is to use garlic salt instead of fresh garlic and salt.

    I'm like you. I pick up salsa in the produce section. It's made locally and is almost as good as homemade. :)

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    1. Missy, sometimes we just need easy.

      I'll have to give the seed trick another go and see how it works next time.

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  5. I leave the seed in and cover with some of the peel and wrap in a papertowel and it does so-so - wrap is even better IMO - not taking chances those suckers are $1.25 here and those aren't the big suckers either!

    hmm...tacos, salads, by themselves..sandwiches esp with toasted bread..mmmm..my latest has been those hard as rocks wasa multigrain crisps - spread with hummus, feta cheese maybe, ham, spinach leaves and avocado! sometimes I skip the hummus and feta and spread the avocaod and use light swiss...thee are good for weight loss since I have to eat slowly and take little bites or risk chipping a tooth! :-)
    Susanna

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    1. LOL! Yes, those wasa crisps will do that, Susanna.

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  6. thanks to Wholly Guacamole and premade pico in stores (thank you God for Texas!) you can just dump the 2 together and voila you're done! or dice up some 'real' avocado and stir in to make it look homemade.

    yep those crisps definitely slow me down Mindy! :-)

    Susanna

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  7. Okay, not that the lot o' youse has gone home, here's my Yankee wuss gut confession: (I'm Catholic, so this is normal for me, no worries!)

    I don't do Mexican. Or Tex-Mex. Or 'cados. Or chiles/chilis...

    I know, I know. You're all scratchin your heads or some such and saying to yourselves: "What on Earth does she eat????"

    Sigh.

    I hate the phrase weak stomach, but there you have it. THE SNARK CANNOT HANDLY SPICY FOOD AND DOESN'T LIKE AVOCADOS.

    Luckily I live in the Northeast where this rarely creates a problem, but I figured it was time to 'fess up!

    Ruthy is a wuss.

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    1. that's ok Ruthy..you probably couldn't find any good Tex-Mex up there anyways! my dad said one time that there were 2 things he'd never eat north of Texas ever again - mexican food and catfish! He and my mom used to visit Branson,MO all the time and I tried the 'crowded parking lot' mexican food restaurant and it was awful - the people behind us told the owner it was the most delicious food they'd eaten - it was all I could do not to turn around and tell them it was garbage! I didn't like avocados til about 10 yrs ago and I go in phases with them - I'm either wanting them or totally not.

      Susanna who doesn't like clams or salmon or most swimmy things...

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    2. Ruthy, confession is good for the soul. And avocados are good for the heart. But that's okay. At least you were honest. Now I can run around sing-songing, "Ruthy is a wuss." :-)

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