With the holiday season upon us, parties are in full swing. Whether you are hosting or attending, we can all use more quick and easy recipes for our entertaining repertoire. Enter the mighty dip. They can typically be made ahead and offer a range of accompaniments from chips to crackers, and from vegetables to fruit slices (as in this wonderful recipe). One of my favorites is guacamole. A simple recipe, I know and I’m sure you have your own. I like mine zesty and garlicky. Guacamole has the added bonus of being naturally parve, gluten free, vegetarian, and vegan (if you are gf of course the issue is what to dip in the guac).
Israel doesn’t have the best avocados but recently I struck gold with a bag of perfectly ripe ones, so I had to make my favorite dip. Look for avocados that are dark green and yield slightly to pressure. You want them soft, but not too soft. Once the guacamole is made I always use my mom’s trick of leaving the pit in the middle, which helps prevent the guacamole from browning. Although guacamole is best enjoyed the same day, it can be covered and refrigerated overnight. It will brown slightly, but just mix it up and it will be good as new.
For some of my other dip ideas check out smoky salsa to go with this guacamole, authentic hummus, vibrant beet, chickpea, and almond dip, and a whole array of spreads in this post on Israeli Mezze. And for this week’s blog hop, I want to see your favorite dips and spreads! The possibilities are endless and I can’t wait to be inspired.
- 5 small Hass avocados
- 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
- ¼ cup finely chopped onion
- ¼ cup chopped cilantro
- 1 tablespoon lime juice
- Salt
- Peel, pit, and chop the avocados and put them in a large bowl with the garlic.
- Mash with a potato masher, mortar and pestle, fork, or the back of a wooden spoon until desired consistency is reached (I like mine slightly chunky).
- Add the onion, cilantro, and lime juice and season with salt. Stir to combine.
- Taste and season as needed.
- Serve with tortilla chips.
Thanks for the linkup and the great avocado dip. I love your site and photos. Got you in my google reader!
Thanks so much for linking up and for your sweet comments 😀 So glad you like my site! Makes my day. Happy holidays!
Where did you manage to find tasty, ripe avocados? I am dying for some guac that doesn’t have that disctint B7 flavor.
So sorry for the ridiculously late reply!!! I got the avocados at the Mega Bol off Ben Gurion in that complex with all the other supermarkets but the Mega in the big may have them as well. They came in a big bag and were the best I’ve had in Israel yet!
I haven’t had a good avocado dip in a long time. It might be time to search for some ripe avocados!
I hadn’t either but man, there’s nothing like it!
Yummm! I am big fan of trying new dips.. Yours looks just perfect! WIll be sure to check in for more recipes.
Thanks!! I just love dips, they are so versatile and great for entertaining!
I had to dig deep into my archives to find a dip 🙂 Perfect theme with the upcoming holidays!
So glad you did! Thanks for linking up Liz and happy holidays!!
Beautiful guacamole! So green and brilliant and totally festive 🙂
Thanks! I never realized how festive guacamole can be, but it really is perfect for Christmas 😀
Avocados are on sale at our grocers and this is a delicious reminder that I need to pick some up. I never get guacamole at Tex Mex restaurants-too expensive for the little dab you get. Homemade is always better anyway-yours here looks so tempting and that lovely green color-yum!
Lucky you! And I totally agree, guacamole is so overpriced in restaurants! Just nuts considering how easy it is to make at home. Happy holidays Tina!
Katherine,
What a healthy dip- all natural just the way nature provided. Your guacamole looks really tasty. I’m ready to dig in..
Thanks Judee! Yup, like some of the best things in life this is simple and natural 😀
Thanks for the opportunity to link up! LOVE dips of all kinds!
Thanks for linking up Rachel! Me too, they’re the best!
One of my favourite snacks…I always throw the it back in the bowl once everything is mashed. It seems to keep it from going brownish longer.
Me too! Great tip!
Nice guac! We grow avocados on our family farm and can send subscriptions of fresh avocados direct to you. Check out our family site; it’s a great way to have top quality avocados in the kitchen or send a healthy, green gift. Every day we share great avocado recipes on our Facebook page…today we’ll share your post! Facebook/Avocados_Direct Thank you!
So cool I can’t wait to check out your site. Thanks Mimi! Happy holidays 🙂
what a beautiful guacamole dip, the colours are amazing! unfortunately don’t have any dips to share this time
Thanks Shannon!! Maybe you’ll get some dip inspiration from the blog hop 😀
Katherine, I looooove guacamole! And yours looks amazing!
Thank you Giulia!! Me too 😀
I love homemade guacamole 🙂 Reminds me of high school – we had a girl’s cooking night once a month, and the guacamole making efforts were epic!
Me too! That is so cute, I love that you did that in high school!
Love guacamole! Yours looks so yummy!
Thanks Angie! Me too 🙂
Holy yum! I love avocadoes and guacamole is super delish!! Just wish avocadoes are cheaper 🙁
Haha me too! Yes, sometimes avocados can be quite pricey. Depends on where you are and the season. I was able to find some for very cheap recently.
Definitely my kind of guacamole. It’s all about the avocados! Thanks for hosting this hop! You’re the greatest!
Yes, all about avocados!! Aww thanks MJ – you’re the greatest! Happy holidays 😀
Guacamole never gets old. I put similar ingredients in mine.
Amen! I can’t get enough guacamole.
Guac is looking good! Yum!
I added a couple of my fave dips to your blog hop. Not sure if they are moderator approved or what b/c I don’t see them but I tried 🙂
Thanks Averie!!
nevermind…they’re alphabetized…I was looking at the end. My bad!
Glad they made it on there. I set it to “random,” sorry for the confusion. Thanks so much for linking up and happy holidays!!
Hi Katherine. Hope all is well with you. Looking forward to the weekend. We might even finally get our tree this weekend. Lol. This dish is just lovely. I have a confession though. I am 42 and never tried guacamole. Am I being booted out of the foodie community as we speak? Lol. Yours looks super good. I am all for garlic as you know. xx
We just got our tree the day before yesterday, so you’re not behind at all! Kim, I can’t believe you’ve never tried guacamole. That is crazy. Give it a go!!! Merry Christmas 😀
I love avocado and guacamole! I make this all the time, but didn’t know that the pit keeps the avocado from browning. I gotta give that a try next time. Thanks for sharing that tip!
Me too! The pit trick really does seem to work. I can’t explain it, but there you go!
Though I love dips and spreads but guacamole dip and sour cream dip are my favourites. Love the coarse look of your guacamole dip.
Me too!! Sour cream dip is also amazing!
We always order guacamole when we go to a Mexican restaurant because my kids don’t eat spicy salsa and they love avocado. I should make it at home with your recipe. Keeping the seed to serve with the guacamole is a great idea. How come I never thought of that??
Yum! That’s great that your kids like guacamole. I bet they would love it when you make it at home!
You make guacamole just like I do. Yay, we’re awesome! haha
You have become a blogging machine. A post every two days. I can’t keep up with you! 🙂
Yay! It’s the best! Haha, yes too many recipes to share! I’ve been terrible at keeping up with other people’s blogs the past week though – but just got a new Mac so now am going to be on top of it! Happy holidays 😀
Now when the holiday season is coming up this is what we are all looking for. I always make my white bean puree dip and love it. But always good to try some new things.
Oooh love white bean dip – can’t wait to check yours out! Thanks for linking up and happy holidays!