How to make guacamole

Gather your ingredients. I'm making a batch for a party, so I'm using 5 avocados. You can cut down the ingredients to make less. Just add them bit by bit & taste test as you go.

You'll need a large bowl. Make it a nice one so you won't need another bowl for serving it.

1st make sure avocados are ripe. It should give slightly when you squeeze it (gently) if squishy it's gone bad & if hard it's not ripe. If it's hard, put in a paper bag with top rolled up for 2 days.

This is an avocado gone bad, as you can tell by the black spots. It's common to find one bad or bruised one in the bunch. You may be able to save some of it by using only the parts that aren't black.

This avocado is perfectly ripe. I'm using Fuerte avocados because they're creamy and flavorful, but you can use any kind. Hass avocados have thicker skin & are the most common sold at grocery stores.

Slice the avocado. Then hold it in the palm of your hand & lightly hit the pit with the knife blade (be careful). Hit the pit hard enough for the blade to get stuck in it.

Twist the knife, pulling up and away from the avocado at the same time. The pit should come out easily of the avocado is ripe. Keep one of the pits for use later.

Peel the avocado, if the skin comes off easily.

You can use a spoon to scoop out the avocado if the peel sticks.

Place the peeled avocado in the bowl.

Mash the avocado with a potato masher or a fork.

It should look like this when you're done mashing.

Chop the onion into medium to small pieces. You don't want the pieces too big - you want them to add flavor not to overpower the dish.

Chop the cilantro.

It should be somewhat fine like shown in the picture. Big leafy pieces will stick together and won't distribute well when mixed into the guacamole.

Add the onion, cilantro and a teaspoon of salt to the avocado in the bowl.

Mix everything up.

Add 1 1/2 tablespoons of lemon juice & mix well. Taste test & add whatever is needed - you may like more onion or salt than I do - make it your own! You can add chopped jalapeños for a kick.

Once you're satisfied - smooth out the top of the guacamole and add a pit. (The pit helps keep it from turning brown as fast). Enjoy with your favorite tortillas or tortilla chips!