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4 Reasons You Should Have Guacamole on the Table at Every Meal

The current popularity of avocados has made a quick, easy guacamole recipe like bringing a tiny party to every meal. Although you’ll never be short of an authentic guacamole recipe in this day and age, it’s actually not a new phenomenon. The Aztecs brought it to life, and after the Spanish conquest of Mexico back in the 16th century it has flourished into a popular dish that offers a menu of health benefits.

The term guacamole was the brainchild of the Aztecs, and it is literally translated as “avocado sauce”. Talking of avocados, did you know they’re often called “alligator pears” because of their shape and the texture of their skin?

This wonderful fruit should be a happy addition to the table at every meal.

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Why Guacamole Should Make a Regular Appearance

1. It’s Easy to Make

There are thousands of healthy, simple recipes for guacamole out there because it really is so easy to make. Just mix together a couple of ingredients and – voila! – you have the perfect addition to every meal.

Here’s one of the best guacamole recipes (makes 1½ cups):

You’ll need:

  • 3 medium avocados
  • 1 diced tomato
  • ½ white onion
  • ½ chopped cilantro
  • 2 tbsp lemon or lime juice
  • Salt and pepper to taste

To prepare:

  • Scoop the ripe flesh out of the avocados and mash it with a fork until it’s the texture you want
  • Add in the other ingredients and mix together

That’s it! It’s done – eat right away or store in the fridge with plastic wrap over the top to stop it going brown.

2. It’s Healthy

Avocados are considered a superfood, so you’ll find plenty of healthy, tasty recipes for guacamole out there. Thanks to its avocado base and its collection of fine ingredients (think of the tomato, lime juice, and cilantro), guacamole boasts a number of nutritional benefits, including a healthy dose of unsaturated fat (the kind your body needs) which lowers cholesterol and vitamin C.

The mighty avocado in your guacamole harbors over 20 different vitamins and minerals, like potassium which replenishes cells, fiber for a healthy stomach, and antioxidants which are good for eyes, skin, and hair. Avocados are also heavy in vitamin B6, an immune system booster that works to break down protein cells in the body, and vitamin K, a nutrient important for blood clotting.

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3. It Can Be Dressed Up or Down

Guacamole will never look out of place on the table because it has the perfect outfit for every occasion. Even just swapping the lime and lemon juice for bitter orange or grapefruit immediately creates two more healthy, simple recipes.

If you’re looking to go all out with your guac, though, there are an endless supply of good, healthy recipes out there.

Roasted garlic guacamole is a firm favourite, injecting a splash of sweetness to counteract the bitter lemon or lime. For a meatier version, slip in some blue cheese and bacon for an irresistible side dish or, for a fancy addition to your meal, mix in some crab and seasoning for a unique dish that’s stepped straight off the beach.

4. It’s Very Versatile

In the same way you can dress your guacamole up or down, you can also bring it to the party alongside a variety of other foodie guests. Guacamole goes hand-in-hand with a whole host of easy, healthy food recipes so you can literally serve it up with anything and everything.

We all know it’s the perfect accompaniment to tortilla chips and Mexican dishes, but have you thought about spreading it into egg or vegetable sandwiches? What about adding it to burgers for a tasty kick, or using it as a topping for scrambled eggs? Guacamole is also perfect for adding to quick and easy, healthy recipes for casserole, where it will enhance the flavor and really boost the nutrition levels (see previous point about the health benefits of guac!).

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Guacamole really is an ideal addition to every meal thanks to its rocking health benefits and its ability to dress for the occasion – and let’s not forget how easy it is to make! By using one of the many easy avocado recipes out there you can have a fun and tasty dish in no time at all.

 

 

Written by

Lizzie is a freelance travel writer who spends her time between sunny Spain and not-so-sunny England. When she’s not exploring new cities or wandering through art galleries you can find her chatting about the freelancing life on Twitter (http://twitter.com/wanderfulworld1), Facebook (http://facebook.com/wanderfulworldtravel, and on her blog, Wanderful World (http://wanderful-world.com). Give her a cup of tea and a good view and she’ll be happy for hours.