Prepare your Taste Buds

Once you have made this homemade guacamole, it will be hard to ever buy the store-bought version again. It is simple to make and the fresh flavors from the scallions, cilantro and lime juice make it worth the few extra steps that it takes to enjoy guacamole from scratch. This is one of the most requested recipes by my kids and its flavors far surpass any store-bought version!

How to Make Guacamole

In a small bowl, combine the lime juice, jalapeño and scallions. Allow the mixture to sit while you prepare the avocados.

Begin by slicing the avocados in half and removing the pits. Without piercing the skin, use the tip of your knife to score the flesh into small squares. Scoop out the diced avocado with a spoon into a medium sized bowl.

Next, add the scallion mixture, cumin, garlic powder and kosher salt to the bowl of avocado and mash until you have your desired guacamole texture.

Gently fold in the chopped cilantro and season to taste with more salt, if needed.

The guacamole can be served immediately with tortilla chips and pairs well with my recipe for Homemade Salsa.

BUT, I recommend refrigerating the guacamole for at least one hour before serving to allow the flavors marry. Place in an airtight container, using a spatula, press the guacamole evenly into the container, making sure that there are no pockets of air. Next, press plastic wrap directly on the top surface of the guacamole to prevent browning and seal the container with a tight fitting lid.

Handy Hints for Guacamole

•For a mild version of guacamole, slice the jalapeño in half lengthwise, then using a spoon, remove the seeds and the membrane before mincing.

•For a spicy version of guacamole, leave the seeds and the membrane intact and mince.

• If making guacamole in advance: 24 hours is best to ensure freshness, but I have been able to prepare and store it for up to 48 hours in advance. However, it is imperative that it is sealed well as noted above. If some browning on the surface occurs, you can easily scrape off the top layer with a spatula.

• When planning to make guacamole, it is always wise to purchase your avocados ahead to make sure they will be perfectly ripened. Continuing reading below for more tips:

• What to look for when buying avocados to make guacamole same day: You should feel for a firm but tender avocado. Another trick is to pop off the small stem at the end of the avocado-if you find green underneath it is ripe and ready to go.

•If you need to speed up the ripening process for avocados: add them to a brown paper bag with a banana, fold over the top of the bag to seal it tightly and then store in a dark place. For firm and green avocados this will take about 2-3 days. *(Bananas have a plant hormone called ethylene gas , this is a plant hormone that speeds up the ripening of other fruits).

•If you have ripe avocados that you need for later use: Once avocados are ripe, they can be stored in the refrigerator to slow down the ripening process, depending on how ripe they are they can last for up to one week.

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