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Homemade Simple Guacamole

This homemade simple guacamole recipe is one you will make again and again and again. This video will take you through it step by simple step…
homemade simple guacamole

Guacamole is awesome. It’s really high on the list of great things that we can thank fresh avocados for. I mean, guacamole was around and amazing way before avocado toast.

Avocado toast is delicious, but guacamole is a classic. Everyone should have a great fresh homemade simple guacamole recipe in their arsenal. When you make this the first time — whether you serve it to thankful guests or eat the whole bowl yourself (and yes, I’ve been there done that…) — you will never buy store-bought guacamole again.

And it’s easy. Really easy.

 

I am going through this recipe with you, in real time, step by step.  A lot of times when I cook for you or cook with you, I don’t do it in real time because really I think it can be tedious  to watch me cook forever and take the time to do all of my prep. But today is different because I am making guacamole. And it’s simple.

This is something you can master in minutes.

It’s a must. Watch the video above or read the instructions below — but whatever you do, you’ve got to make this recipe over and over again. It’s that good.

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Okay, guacamole is delicious. You get the picture. But, guacamole is also a healing food. What’s better than a recipe that’s simple, delicious, and healing? Ummmm…. nothing!

Check out my article on the 5 Little Known Health Benefits of Avocados.  This gives you even more reasons to make homemade simple guacamole.

If I haven’t convinced you yet, I want you to follow along with the video above. Come on… make it with me; it’s fun to cook with someone else.

We’re going to use two ripe avocados. Now, I know the big joke with avocados is that one second they’re ripe, and then the next  second they are bad. So, here’s what you do.  Go to the supermarket or the farmers’ market and make a beeline to the avocados. Press on them as you would other fruit, like peaches or  nectarines.  You don’t want them to be mushy, but you don’t want them to be hard.

Peel off the little stem on top — it just flicks off with your fingernail.   When you look inside it should be green, not brown. If the avocado is a bit soft to the touch but the stem end is still green, that means it’s a good avocado. It’s ready to eat. So, if you want an avocado to eat soon, this is the one for you. Never buy the ones that are brown under the stem. These are overripe. If the avocado is still hard, you can buy it and then let it soften on your counter for a bit. Until you get used to doing it by touch alone, make sure you flick that little stem off.

For this homemade simple guacamole here’s what you need:  We’re using two avocados.  We’re using a handful of fresh cilantro. We’re using some tomatoes, as much as you like, or as little as you like. You can customize this recipe in so many ways. When I made my guac I had Roma tomatoes. I also had grape tomatoes. And, because it’s tomato season here,  I also had tomatoes on the vine. Use whatever’s ripest.

homemade simple guacamole

We’re going to use some red onions, as much or as little as you like. I had some tiny little red onions, so I used one. Often, I will use about a third or so of a regular sized red onion. And — really important — we’re using fresh lime juice. It depends on how juicy your limes are, but plan on the juice from one or two limes. Then we’re using sea salt. And that is it… unless you like a little hot sauce… you can put a little hot sauce in yours too, but that is really it. It doesn’t need anything else. Trust me on this.

And we don’t need any fancy equipment. I like to use my old fashioned potato masher… this makes it really easy.

So, here we go. Get your bowl ready. You can see in the video that I used my really cool bowl that’s made from a half a coconut… I just love this thing.

But here’s another tip to make this as easy as possible: Put your pretty little serving bowl off to the side. Grab your big mixing bowl and mash up the ingredients in that big bowl — it makes things so much easier. When you are done, you can transfer the guacamole to your pretty little bowl.

Okay, this is how you prepare an avocado. You can watch the video above to see — start to finish — how to easily get the flesh out of the avocado. We cut it down the center along the pit. We twist it open, and we take out the pit.

Instead of peeling the skin from it, which some people do, I find it easier to  take a spoon and scoop out all of the flesh.

When you are done scooping the luscious green flesh into the bowl, you’ll notice that there’s  a little bit of this flesh still inside the skins. Save this, turn it inside out, and rub it on your face. Yeah, you’ll look a bit like Elfaba, but it’s so good for your skin; the avocado really helps keep you luminescent.

homemade simple guacamole

Okay, so, the avocados are in the bowl. Next, dice up some tomatoes. Add them to the avocado.

By the way… let me digress a bit with a little interesting health information… avocados are good for hot flashes. And they are good for your mood. These are two really great reasons to make this homemade simple guacamole… I’m just sayin’…

Avocados actually are one of those feel-good foods that you hear me talk about.  They are included in my list of 17 Foods To Boost Your Mood. I know they taste good, but they’re also a feel-good food.

If you eat the right foods and herbs for your unique body and circumstances, you can heal yourself. All you need is the correct information. And I’m here to give it to you. So, make this homemade simple guacamole recipe. And, if you want to learn more about healing whatever your specific concerns are, I’d love to help you create a healthy lifestyle plan specifically for your unique needs, so sign up for a free phone consultation and we can chat about it.

The beauty of a recipe like this is that you can taste as you go and you can add more of something as you see fit.

Are you a cilantro lover? Cilantro is one of those ingredients you either love or hate. I’m a lover, so I use a bit of cilantro in my guacamole. I always put cilantro in my guacamole and even people who say they hate cilantro, love my guacamole. I think this may be because the fresh lime juice evens out the taste a bit.

Chop up the cilantro well. If you have a good chef’s knife, it makes a huge difference. If you are trying to do this with a knife that is dull, it’s not only is it dangerous, but you’re making a ton of extra work for yourself.

Next I want you to put in your red onion. Watch the video above to see the best way to slice an onion. We’re going to leave the hairy root end on, cut off the other end, then cut it in half right through the root. Then, we peel the onion and finely chop it — nobody likes huge pieces of onion in their guac…

The next thing we need is lime. Roll it around on the counter and press on it a bit to loosen up the juice inside. Then, cut it in half and squeeze the juice from one half into the avocado. Taste it to see if you also want to use the other half. You’re the boss here.

Take out your good old fashioned potato masher, and mash up your guacamole. Do this in your large mixing bowl.

Then, scrape the guac into whatever pretty little serving bowl you like. Taste for seasoning, and feel free to add sea salt as needed.

If you cooked along with me in the video, I think the actual making of the guacamole took about five minutes. And it actually will take less time when you make it without me because I was babbling on a bit.

homemade simple guacamole

Here are the details on the health benefits in this awesome homemade simple guacamole recipe:

Avocados are one of my favorite foods, both for their health benefits and because they taste great. In Chinese medicine, some practitioners recommend avocados to raise the sperm count. I like them because they are good for anemia, dry skin, palpitations, constipation, and hot flashes due to menopause.

In Chinese medicine, we use tomatoes to aid in digestion and to help detoxify the body. They are also good to combat excess cholesterol, lessen inflammation and curb asthma. Tomatoes can also quench thirst, and they can help fight some kidney infections.

Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

Cilantro is also known as Chinese Parsley. It is good for the common cold, indigestion, and energy flow in the body. An old Chinese remedy for the common cold and even for measles was to drink cilantro and mint tea. Cilantro is one of those herbs you either love or hate; I’m a lover…

Homemade Simple Guacamole
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Recipe type: appetizer, dip
Cuisine: paleo, whole30, gluten-free
Author:
Prep time:
Total time:
Serves: 1 cup
This is the only guacamole recipe you will ever need. It's simple, healthy, and oh so delicious!
Ingredients
  • flesh of 1 large or 2 small ripe avocados
  • about ¼ cup diced fresh tomatoes
  • 1 to 2 Tbs fresh minced cilantro
  • juice of 1 or 2 limes
  • sea salt to taste
Instructions
  1. Put all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Mash with a potato masher or fork.
  3. Season with more salt if needed.
  4. Scoop into a smaller serving bowl.
  5. Enjoy!

 

homemade simple guacamole

Sauteed Squash Blossoms

sauteed squash blossoms

Before this season, I had never cooked squash blossoms before. I’ve eaten them, but not cooked them. I think the delicate nature of them had me in a kind of awe. They are so pretty, and so dainty that you can almost see through them. But after making these sautéed squash blossoms, I will be buying them each and every time I see them.

I was at my local farmers’ market when I finally jumped in and bought these beauties. There were so many containers of these gorgeous yellow-orange flowers. They were stacked up in a big floral mountain. It was like a country meadow. They were calling me name.

It’s such a short season for these blossoms, that I recommend that if you see them, you buy them. Don’t make the mistake I made of waiting. And waiting. And waiting. Ugh… so much lost time…

Oh, and the lovely vendor talked to me a lot about how to cook them.

And all of a sudden, my zucchini/squash blossoms phobia went away.

Squash blossoms (a.k.a. zucchini blossoms) are awesome. And easy to cook. Yup, I can say that now. I think everyone should try them. Often, when you see them on restaurant menus, they are stuffed with cheese. But, when you make them yourself, you can sauté them simply like I did here. This way, you can enjoy them for the healthy, simple, beautiful vegetable that they are. Yes, you just have to make these sautéed squash blossoms. No ifs, ands or buts… it’s a must.

I mixed my sautéed squash blossoms into a big bowl of grain-free pasta the last time I had them. I’ve also spread them out on a cheese-less pizza. OMG… these things are so good!

I love to customize recipes for specific needs … let me customize a recipe for you that will work for whatever’s going on in your body now… I’m such a geek that I really do get excited about doing this. I’ve got a veggie with your name on it…  So CLICK HERE to be taken directly into my calendar to sign up for your free phone consultation.

If you are looking for another easy vegetable dish, try my recipe for Sesame Green Beans.

sauteed squash blossoms

Here’s why these sautéed squash blossoms are good for you:

Squash blossoms (or zucchini blossoms) are high in Vitamin C, calcium and iron. One cup has only 5 calories.

Grass-fed butter is a great source of healthy fat. It contains no carbohydrates, and it can actually help regulate your blood sugar. The nutrients in grass-fed butter are so much higher than those found in butter that comes from the milk of grain-fed cows.

Garlic is amazing in its antiviral and antibacterial capabilities. Garlic is actually a Chinese herb (Da Suan). It’s used to kill toxins and parasites and also to reduce swelling in the body. It’s what I call a great “A” herb: anesthetic, antibacterial, anti fungal, antioxidant, antiviral, etc….

Sea salt contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, and iodine — all minerals that are necessary for a healthy body. Himalayan sea salt is good for your bones, sleep, libido, muscles, and heart.

sauteed squash blossoms

If you make these Sautéed Squash Blossoms, please be sure to let me know in the comments below. I love hearing how you like a recipe, and I love to answer your questions! If you make it, be sure to take a photo and tag me and post it on Instagram.

Sauteed Squash Blossoms
5.0 from 9 reviews
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Recipe type: vegetables, side dish, simple
Cuisine: vegetarian, seasonal
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 3
Squash blossoms are awesome! If you've never had them, buy them now. This recipe takes 5 minutes to prepare... and then you can mix them into pasta or top your pizza with them!
Ingredients
  • 10 - 15 organic squash/zucchini blossoms
  • 1 Tbs grass-fed butter
  • 1 smashed garlic clove
  • sea salt and black pepper to taste
Instructions
  1. Gently spread the petals of each blossom, and rinse out each one, making sure no bugs are hidden inside.
  2. Heat the butter in a large saute pan. When it's melted, add the garlic clove and stir it around for about 30 seconds.
  3. Gently place as many blossoms as will fit in a single layer in the pan. After about 10 seconds, flip them over. Only leave them on the second side for about 10 more seconds. Repeat with remaining blossoms.
  4. Stir some sautéed blossoms into a bowl of hot grain-free pasta, or top your pizza with them.
  5. Enjoy!

sauteed squash blossoms

4 Ingredient Vegan Potato Salad

Potatoes can actually be great for your digestion…

4 ingredient vegan potato salad

I have a fickle relationship with potatoes. Sometimes I love them and sometimes I hate them. Well, really, I always love the taste of them, but I don’t always love the way my body reacts to them. That being said, when I use really good quality organic potatoes, I’m usually a happy camper. And, in my book, there is nothing better than a good potato salad as a side dish. For everything. And this 4 ingredient vegan potato salad is the easiest side dish ever. And just to sweeten the pot — it stays delicious for many days in the fridge…

My favorite food of all times is french fries smothered in brown gravy. Yes, I really said that out loud. I don’t know why, but it feels kind of cathartic to release that info…

So, when I say sometimes I’m afraid potatoes won’t agree with me, maybe that has something to do with it… hmmmm…

“What makes this potato salad vegan”, you ask? It’s made with an aquafaba-based mayonnaise. Aquafaba is a creamy blend of chickpeas and kombu and it’s awesome (way better than it sounds)! You can buy aquafaba based jars of mayo now in some markets. This condiment is truly the work of a genius.

When I made this 4 ingredient vegan potato salad last week, I served it several times. To several different people. Not even one of them knew it wasn’t made with a full-fat creamy regular mayonnaise. Even better, nobody could tell that I was serving 3-day-old potato salad. I know, it makes you a little scared of receiving a dinner invitation from me, doesn’t it?

Anyway, this recipe couldn’t be easier. It almost seems silly to post the recipe. But, I will.

And, if you are looking for another great easy potato recipe, try my recipe for Crispy Spicy Roasted Potatoes.

4 ingredient vegan potato salad

Here are the great ingredients in these every-so-simple 4 ingredient potato salad:

Potatoes are good at soothing ulcers and neutralizing acid in the stomach and they help relieve constipation. These tubers also can help relieve arthritic inflammation. So, even though sweet potatoes are thought of as the white potato’s more nutritious sister, regular old potatoes can be just what the doctor ordered.

Onions are great for your immune system; they are a natural antihistamine. In the winter, I eat lots and lots of onions… I guess I should feel sorry for the people close to me! Recently, I recommended that a patient with bronchitis put sliced raw onions in her socks when she went to sleep… she woke up so much better; they actually can rid the body of bacteria. (I know I’ve told you this before, but it really is awesome!) Onion is a superhero in the food world!

Chickpeas actually help calm the spirit. They relieve anxiety and soothe irritability… it kind of makes you realize why hummus is so popular… The mayonnaise I love for this recipe is made from aquafaba (chickpeas).

Dill is considered a chemoprotective in that it can help neutralize some carcinogens. It also helps fight bacteria in the body.

Sea salt contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, and iodine — all minerals that are necessary for a healthy body. Himalayan sea salt is good for your bones, sleep, libido, muscles, and heart. Be aware, sea salt is not the same thing as traditional table salt…

4 ingredient vegan potato salad

4 Ingredient Vegan Potato Salad
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Recipe type: potatoes, side dish, salad, simple
Cuisine: American, traditional
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 6
This is the easiest, most delicious side dish ever! You need to make this... and it keeps well in the refrigerator for days!
Ingredients
  • 1-1/2 lb small red potatoes, unpeeled, quartered or cut into 1-inch pieces if potatoes are large
  • ½ of a red onion, minced
  • 3- to 4- Tbs vegan mayonnaise (I used this one)
  • ½ tsp dried dill or 2 tsp fresh dill, minced
  • sea salt, to taste
Instructions
  1. Boil the potatoes just until they are tender; do not overcook them!
  2. Drain and rinse under cold water.
  3. In a large bowl, gently toss the potatoes with the onion, mayonnaise, dill, and salt.
  4. Serve alongside everything and enjoy!

4 ingredient vegan potato salad

Salt And Pepper Roasted Green Beans

These salt and pepper roasted green beans are a deliciously simple way to improve your digestion…

salt and pepper roasted green beans

Sea salt is awesome. I don’t think it’s on the official superfoods list, but it should be. Did you know that if you don’t have enough salt, your body gets dehydrated? And if you are getting the right amount of salt, then your energy levels will improve. So, try these salt and pepper roasted green beans… they are a quick, delicious fix!

I’ve learned to put a big pinch of sea salt into my water in the morning. I’ve been doing this for years and now I’m seeing that this salted water is becoming an “in” thing. Maybe that’s because sea salt contains some really great minerals (think magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, and iodine).

Now, don’t start telling people that I said salt is awesome. I said SEA salt is awesome. Don’t go buying what passes for salt in the supermarket. “Table” salt is not sea salt. Buy real sea salt!

My favorite type of sea salt is pink Himalayan salt. I know, as I’m typing this, I’m thinking to myself that all this talk of salt is probably boring you to tears. But, it’s so important, so I’m just going to continue on… Himalayan sea salt is good for your bones, sleep, libido, muscles, and heart. Really. Ok, my rant is done.

Now, on to this recipe for salt and pepper roasted green beans. It’s so simple. It’s the perfect side dish. In my house we eat these beans with everything. For awhile I was making my recipe for Sesame Green Beans. A lot.  But sometimes Asian tastes don’t go well with what I’m serving, so enter these simple roasted green beans that are just so good and have so much flavor — and it’s all from salt and pepper.

Try these beans and you’ll be hooked like I am!

salt and pepper roasted green beans

These salt and pepper roasted green beans have so few ingredients but they are so good for you:

Green beans have a lot of fiber, vitamin A, vitamin B, and iron. Eating green beans can help rid the body of toxins and can help regulate metabolism. They also can help relieve that feeling of excessive fullness in your stomach and excessive belching. In Chinese medicine, green beans are eaten to clear up chronic diarrhea and even for some lower back pain.

Sea salt, as discussed above, contains magnesium, calcium, potassium, zinc, iron, and iodine — all minerals that are necessary for a healthy body. Himalayan sea salt is good for your bones, sleep, libido, muscles, and heart.

Black pepper is a Chinese herb (Hu Jiao). It’s used to control vomiting and diarrhea and is good for some stomach pains. This common herb also can help the body more easily absorb nutrients, and it is sometimes prescribed to lessen the symptoms of respiratory ailments.

salt and pepper roasted green beans

Salt And Pepper Roasted Green Beans
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Recipe type: vegetables, roasting, beans, green beans
Cuisine: paleo, vegan, vegetarian, whole30
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 4
This is the easiest, most delicious, and healthiest side dish ever! Just try it and you'll be hooked!
Ingredients
  • 1 lb.fresh green beans, trimmed
  • 2 Tbs extra-virgin olive oil
  • kosher-style sea salt and black pepper to taste (use a generous amount)
Instructions
  1. Preheat your oven to 400°F convection setting, or 425° regular bake setting.
  2. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper.
  3. Spread the beans onto the sheet. Don't pile them up; spread them out.
  4. Drizzle the oil on top of the beans.
  5. Sprinkle a generous amount of sea salt and fresh ground pepper onto the beans. Mix them up with your hands or tongs.
  6. Roast in the oven 20 minutes, or until the edges start to brown and the beans are crisp-tender.
  7. Enjoy!

salt and pepper roasted green beans

Simple Baby Bok Choy

This simple baby bok choy is the perfect side dish for everything!

simple baby bok choy

I get yelled at all of the time for not sharing some of my simplest recipes. Okay, yelled may be a bit strong. I get questioned a lot as to why I don’t share some of my simplest recipes.

I’m always so mindful of not talking down to people. I mean, there are just so many things that I don’t do well and I would hate it if someone made me feel bad about those things. So, I don’t post some of my easiest recipes because I never want anyone to feel that I think they are not on the ball.

Anyway, enough rambling… here’s how I make my simple bok choy. And I make it a lot. It’s one of my favorite vegetables. This simple baby bok choy goes so well with so many things. And you can spruce it up any way you like. I love to cover it with sesame seeds. Or sometimes I will drizzle a little toasted sesame oil on it. Or, sometimes I like to pick it up with my hands and dip it in spicy mayo. (I know, it sounds a bit off, but it’s really good!)

Here’s a recipe of mine for Chili With Bok Choy... you’re gonna love it!

simple baby bok choysimple baby bok choy

This really is the perfect simple, healthy side dish:

In Eastern medicine, bok choy is used to quench thirst, aid digestion, prevent constipation and treat diabetes. It is rich in vitamin C, beta-carotene, folate and fiber. And there are only 20 calories in one cup of Bok Choy. So, it’s good for you, it’s easy to prepare, and it tastes good.

Ginger is a Chinese herb (Gan Jiang) that warms the body. It’s especially good during cold weather and also during seasonal changes. So, when it’s winter or when winter is trying to turn into spring, and we (those of us on the east coast) get some of these cold, raw, damp days, ginger will make you feel better and will help boost your immune system. Old folklore shows that ginger was rubbed on scalps to stop baldness. And, in some circles, a ginger paste is still rubbed on arthritic joints to stop pain (don’t try this at home unless you are diagnosed with a cold-condition by an acupuncturist).

I am a big fan of replacing regular table salt with sea salt. Sea salt is not processed very much, allowing the minerals (and there are many) to remain in a state in which the human body can easily process them. Salt actually can help with various skin conditions, is good for your teeth, helps with some painful eye condition and can help stave off muscle cramps. It helps with digestion and it lessens the effects of food poisoning. Salt is actually a Chinese herb called Mang Xiao and is used to treat constipation and eye conditions.

Simple Baby Bok Choy
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Recipe type: vegetables, side dish
Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Japanese
Author:
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Just plain bok choy. It's simple and it's deliciously healthy!
Ingredients
  • One huge bag of baby bok choy.
  • 10 quarter-sized slices of fresh peeled ginger
  • sea salt
  • optional toppings: sesame seeds, toasted sesame oil, spicy mayonnaise
Instructions
  1. Add about 1-inch of water to a large pot. Add lots of sea salt and bring it to a boil.
  2. Drop in the bok choy and the ginger.
  3. Give it a stir to make sure it's all wet.
  4. Cover the pot and lower the heat a bit.
  5. Let cook a few minutes, then uncover and stir it up.
  6. Check your bok choy after a few minutes, because as soon as it's how you like it, shut off the heat and drain the pot.
  7. Make sure not to overcook this delicate vegetable!
  8. Top with sesame seeds or drizzle a bit of toasted sesame oil on top and sprinkle more salt as you see fit.
  9. Me, I'm dipping mine in spicy mayo...
  10. Enjoy!

simple baby bok choy