Introduction: Kids Can Cook: Guacamole

By
About: After years working as a Silicon Valley professional, I'm gradually returning to my roots: educating kids, teens, and even adults. I'm especially passionate about cooking, and teaching today's youth how they …

Here's how to make guacamole. Good news about guacamole is that you can get very creative: try as-is, then adjust the amount of pepper sauce, lime, salt & pepper you add. You can also add many other ingredients: chopped tomatoes, cilantro, garlic, chunks of fruit - anything goes!

Before starting, be sure your avocado is ripe. Often avocados in the store are hard like a rock. You'll want to make sure it's a little soft to the touch. If it is hard as a rock, keep it on the countertop and check daily to see if it's ripe.

This instructable requires a knife to slice an avocado in half. If the chef isn't comfortable with a sharp knife, have a chef that is used to knives slice the avocado in half before starting.

Step 1: Prepare Your Space & Halve the Avocado

Before beginning, make sure you have plenty of elbow room to work. Find the ingredients and equipment you will be needing:

Equipment:

  • Small mixing bowl (ideally large enough to mix all ingredients in, but also serve from)
  • Measuring spoons
  • Spoon for mixing
  • Potato masher (optional but makes for smooth guacamole)
  • Cutting mat or block
  • Sharp knife for halving avocado

Ingredients:

  • 1 ripe avocado(s) (should give slightly when you apply pressure to the skin)
  • lime juice
  • hot sauce
  • salt
  • pepper

With a sharp knife, slice your avocado in half, being sure NONE of your fingers are in the path of the knife.

Step 2: Squeeze Out the Contents of the Avocado

Squeeze the contents of your avocado into a mixing bowl by mashing the avocado skin together, squishing the avocado guts into the bowl. If your avocado is too firm, use a spoon to scoop the avocado guts into a bowl.

Step 3: Add Avocado Seasonings

Add the following ingredients into the bowl. You can more or less of each ingredient based on your own taste.

  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • 1/2 teaspoon hot sauce
  • a shake or two of pepper

If you are using two avocados, you will need to DOUBLE (x2) each of the above items.

If you are using three avocados, you will need to TRIPLE (x3) each of these items.

Step 4: Mix Well

Mix up your avocado and spices, either with a potato masher or a spoon. You may need to tap the utensil on the rim of the bowl to release the guacamole stuck to it (or, use a second spoon to release the guacamole from the utensil.)

Step 5: Add in Extras

Gently mix in any chunky ingredients you like in your guacamole. Here, we've added prepared pico de gallo (chopped up tomato, onion, pepper, and cilantro). Be creative!

Step 6: Serve & Enjoy

Pour the number of tortilla chips you think you'll need into a bowl or basket lined with a napkin. Serve together with the bowl of guacamole, either as a side course to dinner or as a snack. Enjoy!

Step 7:

Step 8: