Tag: meal for one

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Tourist Guacamole

Tourists Guacamole
pre guac by timlewisnm

Have you ever stayed in a furnished apartment in Mexico? In a lot of ways, it’s the way to go. You’ll have your colossal water bottle with gallons of purified water at your disposal, and at least some kitchen utensils in your kitchenette.

But you won’t have any seasonings. Your knives will be dull. There will be no garlic press.

I was staying with a friend in such an apartment the last time I was in Mexico. Neither of us had 100 pesos to rub together, and so even going to the street stall with the great tacos al carbon was a special occasion. But with a package of tostadas, a bag of Hass Avocados, some limes and some Tajin, we had a great source of lunch. Not balanced nutrition, mind you, but a collection of memorable lunches.

In Mexico, we had tostadas, because you can get good storebought tostadas. Unless you have a source for good tostadas, just use tortilla chips.

INGREDIENTS

  • 1 Hass avocado (or whatever type of avocado is available)
  • .5 lime
  • a pinch of queso fresco (optional)
  • a pinch of Tajin Clásico Seasoning*
  • 4-6 tostadas or part of a bag of tortilla chips

PREPARATION

  1. Cut the avocado in half. Remove the pit (a dull knife is perfect for this), and scoop the flesh out into a shallow bowl
  2. Mash the flesh with a fork. It’s kinda nice if it’s lumpy.
  3. Add a squeeze of lime juice to taste
  4. Crumble some queso fresco if you have it.
  5. Garnish with a little tajin to taste, and spread onto a tostada. Eat it somewhere sunny and enjoy.

NOTES

* Tajin Clásico Seasoning is a Mexican seasoning salt (or as they call it, a powdered hot sauce) made of ground chili peppers, sea salt, and lime flavoring. It’s used on and in just about everything — especially fruits and vegetables. It’s essential on elote, and on fresh cut fruit, lovely on ceviche, and works great as a rim for a tropical cocktail. You can buy it at just about any market in Mexico, or in any market that caters to Mexicans and Latin Americans in the U.S. — or, online at tajin.com.  I’ve seen it in US big box groceries before.

Image by Timlewisnm. Thanks,  Tim!