Snack Pack: Homemade Guacamole (& Cucumber Chips!)

I never liked avocados growing up. I don't know if it was the color, the taste, or maybe a mixture of the two, but I just didn't like them. Of course, that also meant that, to me, guacamole was "ewww, gross!" and I just didn't touch the stuff.

Fast forward 15 years and, like most of the foods I didn't like as a kid (asparagus and any kind of seafood, for instance), I'm suddenly obsessed with everything the avocado has to offer. It's so unbelievably yummy...and good for you, too!  One of my favorite things about it is that it's best when simply prepared, in a recipe that allows it to shine. And you know how I feel about simple and easy. It's kind of my thing. Ok, it's REALLY my thing.

The forecast for this weekend (for my fellow Atlantans) is sunny and warm, and I'm planning on spending some quality time out on my deck soaking up some rays, hanging out with my favorite boys (the hubs and our two dogs, of course), and snacking on some of my fine-weather-favorites...today's recipe included.

The cucumber chips are a great option for  GF-er's, though you can also grab a bag of Tostitos corn chips as well if gluten's a no-no for you. If not, feel free to pair this great guac with any chip or dipper you like!

Homemade Guacamole (& Cucumber Chips)

1/2 tsp kosher salt

2 avocados, halved and pitted

1 1/2 tbs red onion, finely chopped

1 lime

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

1/2 small serrano chile, finely chopped

1 medium cucumber, sliced into rounds or chips for dipping

Scoop the flesh from the avocado halves into a small bowl and mash with a fork. Add onion, cilantro, juice of lime, chile and salt. Stir to mix ingredients. Serve in a bowl with cucumber slices. If desired, lightly salt and pepper cucumber.

Don't forget to follow me on Twitter @Cocktail_Cutie!

Until next time...

Cheers!

Snack Pack: Homemade Spicy Garlic Pickles

I've noticed over the years that I tend to get hungry at particular times of the day. I'll just be hanging out, doing my thing, and all of a sudden my stomach will start talking to me. One of my closest friends has a theory, and I'm very much inclined to agree with her - we (along with many of our co-workers and friends) each have a chubby little kid living inside of us urging us to eat poorly...and to do it a lot. I've named mine Jack ,and I blame him on all of my not-so-healthy food choices. For some reason when the clock strikes 11 am or 5 pm (and sometimes even 9 pm), he really starts yappin'...and he never wants anything that even remotely fits the definition of "healthy."

However, when I made the gem of a recipe I'm going to give you today, Jack changed his tune a little bit. Normally, he wants cheese dip and chips, or cheez-its, or cajun boiled peanuts or any number of goodies that a little kid might want. Until now. Who knew that a pickle could be so fantastic? So flavorful? And...so easy?!

Yep, that's right. I don't have the patience to can, so I really needed a recipe that would allow me to by-pass that process all together. I did a good bit of reading, looked over quite a few recipes, and came up with this super yummy snack that requires little to no work. Little effort, great reward. And that little kid inside of you will love them!

Homemade Spicy Garlic Pickles

3 small cucumbers, quartered

5 fresh dill sprigs

4 garlic cloves, sliced

1/2 cup distilled white vinegar

1 1/4 cup water

1 tbs salt

1/4 tsp sugar

1/2 tsp dill seed

1/2 tsp mustard seed

1/2 tsp coriander seed

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 tsp celery seed

1 tsp peppercorns

1 qt jar with sealable top

Combine water, vinegar, salt and sugar together until salt and sugar dissolve. Pack cucumbers into canning jar and place dill sprigs in spaces in between the cucumber slices. Add garlic cloves and spices and add water/vinegar mix until jar is filled to the top. Seal the top of the jar and turn upside down once to mix spices throughout. Place in refrigerator for 24 hours, and enjoy!

These pickles will last up to two weeks in your fridge. If you don't like spice, eliminate the red pepper flakes and peppercorns. You'll still get the garlic flavor without so much of the spice.

Of course, special thanks to Mary Katherine Mitchell for introducing the theory that has led to the creation of Jack, Gordon, Igor, Lucy and all of our other friends!

Until next time...

Cheers!