Gracious Vegan Guacamole

By the Gracious Vegan

This is the result of many attempts to get the flavor "just right." It's simple and aimed at making sure you can taste the avocado. You can make it your own by adding spiciness and texture, either with salsa, hot sauce, and/or diced vegetables (especially tomatoes and onions). For plant-based eaters, guacamole can provide an important substitution for cheese and sour cream. When I use guacamole in a burrito or taco, or on a tostada or nachos, I don’t miss the cheese at all.

Mash together the following ingredients with fork or pastry blender.

• 1 avocado, peeled and pitted

• 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice

Stir in the following ingredients.

• 1/2 clove garlic, minced, or 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

• Scant 1/4 teaspoon salt

• A few grinds of black pepper

• (Optional) 2-3 Tablespoons of your favorite salsa or some drops of Tabasco or other hot sauce

• (Optional) Diced onion and/or diced tomatoes

The guacamole is ready to serve. Guacamole starts to turn brown quickly, so plan to make it as close to when you’ll be eating it as possible. If I have to make it early, I cover it with plastic wrap and press the wrap on the surface of the dip to keep it as green as possible.

To make the Fiesta Dip shown in the photo, create concentric circles of the following ingredients (or make up your own combination) and serve immediately (or refrigerate until time to serve it).

• Refried beans (for homemade, try my Copycat No-Fat Rosarita Refried Beans (Instant Pot))

• Salsa and sliced green onion

• Guacamole

• Vegan Crema or other vegan sour cream

• Sliced olives

• (Optional) Diced tomatoes, diced onions, chopped cilantro

Guacamole goes well in these dishes:

• Spicy Sweet Potato Chipotle Quesadillas with Guacamole

• Vegan Baked Taquitos

• Baked Sweet Potatoes with Easy, Tasty Toppings

• Instant Pot Mexican-Inspired Quinoa

• Sheet Pan Soy Curl Fajitas

• Three Sisters Quesadillas

• Stuffed Potato Skins

Timing: About 15 minutes

Gluten-free