GUACAMOLE EN MOLCAJETE

William Parker
ccSCOOP Food Editor

A molcajete is basically a large mortar and pestle used in Mexican kitchens to grind any number of things. If you like guacamole, think about getting yourself a molcajete of your own. With the pestle, you’ll make a paste of the chiles, the onion, the cilantro, and salt, and when you toss this with the avocados, each flavor will shine brilliantly. Use a food processor to help with the chopping. You may end up with some leftover ingredients, because the key is to toss guacamole to your taste.

What You’ll Need:

Molcajete with pestle
OR
Medium wooden salad bowl and a wooden spatula or spoon

3 ripe Haas avocados
6 or 7 Serrano or Jalapeño chiles, finely chopped
1½ cups finely chopped cilantro leaves
1 medium while onion, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, skinned, seeded, and diced
1 teaspoon salt or to taste

In the bowl of the molcajete, place 2 tablespoons of each of the following: chopped chiles, chopped cilantro, and chopped onion. Add the salt and mash to a fine, foamy paste with the pestle. If you’re using a wooden salad, mash ingredients with the wooden spatula or the back of a wooden spoon.

Cut the avocados in half lengthwise and gently twist to separate the two halves. Discard the pit and score the flesh with a knife lengthwise and then crosswise. Scoop cubes out of the skin with a spoon and place in the bowl with the paste.
Gently toss the avocado with the paste.

Then add: 10 tablespoons chopped onion, 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, 1 tablespoon chopped chiles, and all the chopped tomato.

Toss gently and taste. If desired, you can add more onion, cilantro, chiles, or salt at this point.

Toss thoroughly before serving with tortilla chips.

You can buy your own molcajete for $18.99 at
Picante Uno in Valatie.
3020 Main Street/Route 203
518 758-6631