Avocado Dip or Guacamole

On the big game day we had plans to meet at friends place n cheer for our favorite team enjoying delicious pizza and coke. But blame it on bad weather we could not move out from home. Car was covered in snow, rough winds and freezing cold. Need a plan B to enjoy the game, what better than a homemade Avocado dip with tortilla chips... well the mood was already set for eating Pizza... prepare a home made dough and bake Pizza to make it very special on the cozy cold night. Needless to say favorite team won.

I have prepared this Avocado dip/Guacamole for more than 100 times now and every time it turns out great. Many a times people learn health benefits of eating avocado and end up buying Avocado's without knowing how to use it. I started with only using Avocado for Guacomole, off late I have found many different ways to include it in our daily routine. My son just cant say no to simple yet nourishing Avocado milk shake. Avocado chutney, Avocado Parata, Avocado dry-fruit dessert and Avocado cocoa spread are many different ways I enjoy this awesome fruit. I have already shared Avocado cucumber salad and Parata recipes here and here.

Preparation time : 20 mins

Ingredients

• Avocados  - 1

• Onion - 1/2 Cup (finely chopped)

• Tomato - 1/2 small

• Jalapenos - Finely chopped 1 sp

• Fresh lime juice - 1 -2 sp

• Cilantro - 2 sp (finely chopped)

• Extra virgin Olive Oil - 2 sp

• Salt - as per taste (1/4 th sp)

Method

1. In a large bowl add finely chopped Onions, lime juice and approx 1/4th sp of salt and keep it aside for 15 mins
2. Add finely chopped Tomatoes, Jalapenos(remove the seeds for mild flavor) and Cilantro.
3. Cut and discard seed and scoop in the perfectly ripened Avocado to bowl with the help of spoon. you can smash Avocado into fine paste or chunky as per your taste, I like it chunky n hence smash it with fork.
4. Drizzle extra virgin Olive Oil n mix well until all incorporated. Fresh home made easy yet healthy guacamole dip is ready. This can be enjoyed with salty crackers, tortillas Chips, lettuce wrap. I also like to top it on cucumber and Tomato slices.

Red beans Sweet corn Salad

Again this one is easy, nutritious, very  kid friendly recipe. This salad can be a great side dish too and also can be used as fillings for wraps. I usually prepare this salad for evening. As a pre preparation soaking of Rajma for minimum of 6-7 hrs is required and pressure cook until very soft and tender, rest is as simple as adding remaining ingredients in a large bowl, mix well and you are done. For more information on health and nutritional benefits of Beans please check here and here.

Ingredients:

• Rajma - 1 cup
• Sweet corn - 1Cup
• Finely chopped Onion - 1/2 cup
• Finely chopped Tomato -  1/2 cup
• Jalapenos - 1 (Seeds removed)
• Cilantro - for garnishing
• Salt - As per taste
• Chat masala - 1/2 sp
• Lime juice - 1sp
• Green Chili - 1-2 (Optional)

Method:

1. Pressure cook soaked Rajma into very soft and tender (4-5 whistles). Once Pressure is eased, add 1/4 sp of salt and cover the lid. Let it sit for 15 mins, strain the excess water and allow beans to cool for 5-10 mins.
2. In a Sauce pan, boil water with pinch of salt, add the sweet corns and allow to cook for 5 mins, strain excess water and allow few mins to cool.
3. In a large mixing bowl add Cooked Beans, Sweet corn, finely chopped Onions, Tomatoes, Jalapenos and Cilantro. Add Pinch of Salt, Chat Masala n drizzle a dash of lime juice, mix well n Serve.

Below I have used the Beans and Corn Salad along with Guacamole as a filling for whole wheat rotis. They make a great filling for tortillas andwraps too.