El Salvadorian Dip & Chips

Recently, I met a fun couple from El Salvador who taught me their version of guacamole. Apparently, it’s a staple in their home. With only five ingredients, it’s easy to prepare and quite fun, especially if you fry your own tortilla chips. Since learning how to fry chips, it’s hard to go back to store bought ones. I especially love the way the warm chip feels with the cool guacamole.. This is a fun experience with older children who are interested in cooking and adults too. Plan to make a lot, because they go fast! For me, it was those in the kitchen cooking that kept eating them….oops! I do love a good crunch and some tasty guacamole. I hope your family enjoys it as much as mine has.

El Salvadorian Dip & Chips

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados, pitted and diced

• 3 vine ripe tomatoes, diced

• 1 lime, juiced

• handful of cilantro

• salt to taste

Directions:

1. In a medium sized bowl, mash avocados.

2. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine.

3. Serve immediately or refrigerate while chips are frying—recipe follows….

Fried Tortilla Chips

Ingredients:

• Fresh corn tortillas (The best place to get them is in a hispanic grocery store.)

• Avocado oil

• Mineral salt

Directions:

1. Add avocado oil to about 1/2 inch in a deep skillet. Heat on high.

2. Cut corn tortillas in half three times making 6 triangluar shapes.

3. Carefully place tortillas in hot oil and fry until golden brown. Turn over and continue frying until brown but not burned.

4. Drain on paper towels.

5. Sprinkle with mineral salt.

6. Serve with guacamole or salsa.

The Best Guacamole

A decade ago, I made guacamole an entirely different way. Ordinarily, I would mash the avocado then add prepared salsa and mix it up. It was easy and my go to. Then, my daughter, Joslyn, was home on college break and made her version of guacamole. Since then, I completely aborted my version. Her version is so addicting, I tend to use 3 or 4 avocados since this dip goes so fast. It has basic ingredients that can be omitted and adjusted to each person’s liking. Avocados are a unique fruit in that rather than being high in carbohydrates, they are high in healthy fats.

Numerous studies continue to show their nutritional benefits, including vitamin K, C, B, and E. They also contain folate and potassium (more than in a banana.) Avocados also contain fiber, which help with weight loss and lowers the risk of many diseases. Some people may think that eating fat will have a negative effect on the heart, however, avocados can help to actually lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels. So enjoy avocados, if not in guacamole, sliced on the side with salad or morning eggs.

The Best Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe avocados

• 1/4 cup red onion, diced

• 2 garlic cloves, minced

• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

• 1 lime, juiced

• 1-2 tsp pink salt

Directions:

1. Cut avocados in half, remove seed. Scoop out flesh with a large spoon and transfer to medium sized bowl. Mash with either a potato masher, fork, or mortar pestal.

2. Add remaining ingredients, stirring to combine. Adjust to your own taste.