HOLY GUACAMOLE - IT'S ALMOST CINCO DE MAYO

Earlier this month I spent a week in Mexico for one of my best friend's weddings.  We stayed in Tulum at Mezzanine, a lovely 9-room hotel on the beach, for the first three nights of our trip.  We then moved to the gorgeous Rosewood Mayakoba in Playa Del Carmen for the wedding and remainder of the week.  With my tan still in tact and Cinco de Mayo only a few weeks away, I started to get really excited about rounding up things for this posting.  Check out my delicious Guacamole recipe below, pics from my Mexico trip, and some items that will get you in the mood for the 5th of May (my favorite of these items: the Custom Wedding Paper Banners in the collage below).

GUACAMOLE RECIPE
Yields approx. 3 cups

2 large ripe avocados; pitted, peeled and chopped coarsely
1 ripe red tomato; seeds and pulp removed, chopped
1/3 yellow, white or sweet onion
1/4 cup serrano chillies; chopped and serve with seeds (hotness varies so it's ok to use sparingly)
1/3 cup fresh cilantro; chopped coarsely
1/3 cup water, plus more as needed
5 Tlbs. fresh lime juice (personally I like to add even more but start with this and add more as needed)
coarse salt and pepper to taste (more salt than pepper)

In a food processor (click here to find how to make it with a Molcajete if you have one), combine the avocado, onion, chillies and cilantro.  Puree until smooth.  Add the lime juice and water.  Combine until blended (add additional water if needed).

Note: If you don't have a food processor, don't worry.  In a large bowl, mash the avocado using a fork.  Then add in the chopped onion, chillies, cilantro and mix.  Mix in the lime juice first.  Then add water slowly and stop when you feel the dish is at the right consistency.

Transfer to a small bowl.  Add course salt and pepper to taste.  Also, I like a lot of lime juice so feel free to add more, if desired.  Just before serving, add the chopped red tomato to the guacamole and mix.

Note: Often times guacamole can turn brown hours after making it so a tip to help it last just a bit longer: put that giant avocado seed at the bottom of the serving bowl before pouring in the guacamole to help the avocados from browning.

Some more fiesta ideas to brighten up your day on Cinco de Mayo:

Miguel Margarita Glass ($7.95); Red Table Cloth ($5/foot); Cast Iron Tortilla Press ($19.95); Fiesta Dinnerware ($15 a plate); Orange Ranunculas; Paper Flowers ($9.92 for 6); Hand Painted Mexican Plate ($34.95); Frida Kahlo Market Bag ($25); Loteria Greeting Cards ($12 pack of 6); Hand Painted Soap Dispenser ($24.50); Milcajete ($49); Cholula Mexican Hot Sauce ($4.95); Tray (£6.99); Custom Wedding Paper Picado Banners ($63); Flecos Blanket (£89.90)

{photos: Julia Ferguson, Simply Recipes}