Easy Guacamole

My family has become increasingly obsessed with guacamole. I now have a consistent supply of avocados in the fridge, at various stages of ripeness, because I make it at least once a week. In my fondness for fresh food, I prefer to make it myself and would always use fresh cilantro, shallots, and garlic. Considering that all of those items needed to be chopped first, it was not the quickest snack to put together for the kids after school, nor did I always have fresh cilantro on hand. I have recently found some products that have provided me shortcuts without sacrificing flavor or freshness. The only thing faster than this guacamole is buying it pre-made and it is easy enough for my kids to make! It can be thrown together in a couple of minutes, and the best part is that there is minimal cleanup afterward!

What you need:

Tools-
cutting board (sometimes I don't even use one)
knife
spoon
masher
mixing bowl

Ingredients-
2-3 avocados
1 lime
dried chopped onion
cilantro paste (produce department near herbs)
cayenne pepper
frozen garlic cube (Trader Joe's)
​salt (I prefer pink Himalayan in a grinder)

The products that make this so easy are the Gourmet Garden stir in pastes and the Dorot frozen crushed garlic cubes. I bought these a few months ago for the first time, and now they have become staples in my kitchen. I use them regularly when I need to save time. I used the cilantro paste, but I prefer the Dorot garlic cubes over the Gourmet Garden garlic paste because it is an exact measurement, one cube = one clove. I like to add shallots to my guacamole but these dried onions are a great substitute that I always have in my pantry.

What you do:
~Cut the avocados lengthwise around the pit and twist to separate. The pit will be in one of the halves. To remove it, carefully score it with the knife and twist. The pit will come right out and can be thrown away.
~Scoop out the avocado with a spoon into a mixing bowl.
​~Roll the lime on the counter/cutting board with your palm to soften before cutting. This will yeild more juice from it. Squeeze all of the juice over the avocado.

~Add a sprinkle of the cayenne pepper (about 1/8tsp)
A squeeze of the cilantro paste (about 1tsp, or a handful of fresh cilantro chopped)
One garlic cube (or one clove garlic finely chopped)
A good shake of the dried onion(about 1 tsp, or one small shallot chopped) 
5 turns of the salt grinder
​~Mash it all together!!

~Sample the guacamole to see if there is a need to add more or less of any of the ingredients to your taste, but I have found this ratio to be spot on every time!
​~Get your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!
​Tag @itallbeganinfrance if you like to post your food like I do, and I will be sure to give it a like :)