Some gourmands may kick me for sharing such a simplistic version of this popular dip. Nevertheless, as a frugal foodie on a tight budget, I’ve learned that sometimes basic is more than good enough.
We’ve hardly ever had homemade guacamole at our house. One reason is because I have a hard time spending a whole precious dollar on one small fruit (yes, call me cheap… but I hope the title of this blog indicates how I feel about that). Another reason is because I only have so much money to spend on food in one week, and it’s hard to work entire ingredients into the weekly budget that will only be used for one small side dish. Since I don’t often have dried chilies, cilantro, or lime juice on hand, this nixes most guacamole recipes.
So what’s a frugal cook to do when she finds avocados on sale? Especially when she knows how jam-packed with healthy fats they are, but she doesn’t really care for the taste of plain avocado.
Enter this basic, simple, frugal guacamole recipe. You can dress it up with a little bit of garlic clove or fresh cilantro if you have it. However, even if you don’t, it works deliciously well.
Simple Guacamole
Adapted from Whole Foods for the Whole Family
INGREDIENTS
- 1 ripe avocado (you know it’s ripe when it gives slightly to pressure), peeled, pitted, and chopped
- 1 tablespoon lime juice, lemon juice, or white vinegar
- 1-3 tablespoons onion, minced (to taste)
- 1 small tomato, seeded and chopped (use seed parts to top your tacos or beans and rice)
- Pinch of salt (to taste)
DIRECTIONS
- In a small bowl, mash avocado pieces, lime juice, and minced onion.
- Add tomatoes and salt to bowl, and stir to combine.
- If making this ahead of time, place the avocado pit in the middle of the guacamole, then cover the container and refrigerate. The pit will help prevent the guacamole from turning brown (thanks for tip, Susie Bee!)
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
Do you ever need to adapt recipes to be more basic?
Cheers,
For more great frugal eats, check out today’s edition of What’s on Your Plate!
10 comments
Susie Bee on Maui (Eat Little, Eat Big)
06/01/2011 at 9:50 AM (UTC -6)
Sounds great to me! Given how busy we all are, adapting and simplifying fancy recipes are a way of life, and often end up creating something just as good as the original.
Glad you found the tip about the seed helpful!
Ollamha Anne
06/01/2011 at 5:57 PM (UTC -6)
Your recipe is very much like mine! If I have it, I will add a few spoonfuls of cottage cheese, and a wee bit of chipotle mayo. Delicious!
Steph
06/01/2011 at 7:17 PM (UTC -6)
Ollamha Anne – chipotle mayo sounds like a tasty addition!
Lake Lili
06/01/2011 at 8:13 PM (UTC -6)
We use use the same recipe but use lemon pepper instead of lemon juice. Our biggest challenge is keeping the avacado around long enough – they tend to disapear fast… also very tasty when drizzled with baslamic dressing.
Susie G
06/02/2011 at 12:44 AM (UTC -6)
My dad makes the best guacamole, everyone says so. He uses two ingredients, fresh avocado and Pace Picante – that’s it
Lee Ann
06/02/2011 at 5:11 AM (UTC -6)
This is the only way we like it! I sometimes have cilantro growing in the herb garden, in which case that def makes it in the mix. Maybe a small dollop of sour cream or (more likely in my fridge) homemade, plain yogurt. Makes it creamier. Delish!
M. E. Anders
06/02/2011 at 10:20 AM (UTC -6)
Yes, Steph, I do adapt recipes to fit whatever I have on hand. This is exactly how I’ll prep my guacamole when I get an odd avocado in the CSA box.
Megan at SortaCrunchy
06/02/2011 at 11:30 AM (UTC -6)
I loved this! Our guacamole is so simple, I don’t even know if you can call it guacamole! It’s just smashed up avocado, generous sea salt, and lime juice. So, so simple and SO delicious.
I am all about simplifying to bring out the natural taste in food!
Tami
06/03/2011 at 9:39 AM (UTC -6)
we just mash up an avocado and add a few spoonfulls of salsa…yummy!
Katie @ Imperfect People
06/03/2011 at 10:10 AM (UTC -6)
YUMMM-Y! I love guacamole but have never made it. That sounds VERY easy and cheap. I will add it to the grocery list! Thanks