I love experiencing the tastes of different cuisines and I use any excuse I can find to switch things up a bit at the dinner table. Celebratory dates from around the globe are perfect for this and May fifth marks听Cinco de Mayo: a celebration of Mexican Heritage and Pride.
A common misconception is that听Cinco de Mayois Mexico鈥檚 Independence Day, which is actually on Sept. 16.听Cinco de Mayois simply Spanish for听Fifth of Mayand is a regional holiday that commemorates Mexico鈥檚 defeat of the French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Regardless however, of this distinction, it is a perfect day to prepare and enjoy Mexican food.
I have tasted a number of homemade salsas and guacamoles and many of them have fallen short of being incredible, let alone worthy of being called Mexican cuisine. True guacamole (pronounced听gwahk-ah-"MOLE"-lee) is not avocados that have been mashed together with an envelope of powders called 鈥済uacamole mix鈥�. I know there are a number of people that may struggle in the kitchen, or don鈥檛 believe they have the time in their schedules, to successfully chop a few handfuls of ingredients, but once you try this recipe you will never want to go back to the powdered mix.
The only ingredient in this recipe that may seem foreign to you is 鈥渟ambal oelek鈥�. It is a crushed chili product that comes in a liquid/paste form that is basically a re-hydrated form of the dried crushed chilies you have on your spice rack. It can usually be found in any major grocery store down the Asian food aisle or imported food aisle or in any gourmet food store.
Even if you have always made your guacamole from fresh ingredients, I am certain that you will still appreciate the complexity and balance of flavour this recipe has to offer, as well as the texture. Eat, enjoy, and be merry this fifth of May鈥� but try not to dance around the sombrero too much.
Fresh Guacamole
听鈥淎vocado Salsa at its best 鈥� chunky and full of flavour! The lime juice will help to keep the avocados from oxidizing (turning brown).鈥�
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2 soft avocados
Juice from 1 large lime
1/4 yellow bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 red bell pepper, finely diced
1/4 red onion, finely diced
1/2 jalapeno pepper, minced
1 garlic clove, crushed
1/2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp sambal oelek
1/2 tsp sugar
Salt & pepper, to taste
- Cut, pit, and peel the avocados. Mash them in a medium bowl with the lime juice.
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Add all of the other ingredients to the bowl and mix together. Refrigerate until needed.
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Chef Dez is a Chef, Writer, & Host. Visit him at听
