Roasted Garlic Guacamole with Help-Yourself Garnishes
(from largomason’s recipe box)
Kitchen Tip: To toast pumpkin seeds, place in a small dry skillet and cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.
Ingredients
- For Guacamole:
- 6 large cloves garlic, unpeeled
- 6 ripe medium avocados
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro, loosely packed
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, plus more if desired
- 1 teaspoon salt
- For Garnishes:
- 3/4 cup Mexican queso fresco, queso añejo, salted pressed farmer’s cheese, firm goat cheese, mild feta or Romano, finely crumbled or grated
- 3/4 cup toasted pumpkin seeds (see Tip)
- 3/4 cup sliced pickled jalapeños
- 1/2 cup crumbled crisp-fried bacon or 3/4 cup coarsely crumbled chicharrón (Mexican crisp-fried pork rind)
- 1 16-ounce bag large, sturdy tortilla chips
Directions
-
To prepare guacamole: Place unpeeled garlic in a small dry skillet over medium heat; cook, turning occasionally, until soft and blackened in spots, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool, then slip off the skins; finely chop. Scoop avocado flesh into a large bowl. Add the garlic, cilantro and lime juice to taste. Coarsely mash everything together. Season with salt. Transfer to a serving bowl and place plastic wrap directly on the surface of the guacamole. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
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To set up the guacamole bar: Scoop garnishes into small serving bowls and put the chips in a large basket or bowl. Encourage guests to spoon a little guacamole on a chip and top with garnishes that appeal.