Chunky Guacamole, my best friend this evening.

It feels unbelievable that I have some me time this evening. How did this happen?
  
It happened and I enjoyed a good cup of tea with some freshly made Guacamole and Tortilla Chips. No, I didn’t make the chips :). I actually love guacamole so much that I don’t need any chips to dip in it, my own finger is enough…..just dip and lick….nothing and I mean nothing can match the taste of the food which is eaten with bare hands. If you think that it is silly of me then be it :).

  
Here is my favorite Chunky Guacamole recipe, which can be hurled in 2 minutes with no special kitchen equipment besides a humble knife and a fork. Yes, that’s it :). Awesome, right?

Yields : 3/4 cup

Ingredients :

Avocado, ripe : 1, medium to big in size.
Garlic pods : 2, big or 3-4 small, grated or minced
Green chili : 1. You may use thai green chili, Indian green chili, jalapeño or Serrano. I used Serrano and deseeded it.
Cilantro or coriander leaves : 1/4 cup, chopped fine
Lime juice of 1 lime or approx 2 tbsp
Sat to taste
Cumin powder : 1 tsp. I used roasted cumin powder, but you may use the plain too.

Method :

Cut the Avocado and take the flesh out in a mixing bowl.

Add chopped and deseeded chili, minced garlic pods, chopped cilantro leaves.

Add salt, cumin powder and lime juice.

Take a fork and mix and mash everything together. Don’t mush it too fine. Chunks of Avocadoes feel heaven in mouth.

All done :).

Some Health Benefits of Avocado :, Source of information is Best Health Magazine

1. Avocados are packed with carotenoids : Avocados are a great source of lutein, a carotenoid that works as an antioxidant and helps protect against eye disease. They also contain the related carotenoids zeaxanthin, alpha-carotene and beta-carotene, as well as tocopherol (vitamin E).

2. Avocados can help you lose weight : Half an avocado contains 3.4 grams of fibre, including soluble and insoluble, both of which your body needs to keep the digestive system running smoothly. Plus, soluble fibre slows the breakdown of carbohydrates in your body, helping you feel full for longer. Avocados also contain oleic acid, a fat that activates the part of your brain that makes you feel full. Healthier unsaturated fats containing oleic acid have been shown to produce a greater feeling of satiety than less-healthy saturated fats and trans fats found in processed foods.

3. Avocados can help stabilize blood sugar : Rich, creamy, and packed with beneficial monounsaturated fat, avocado slows digestion and helps keep blood sugar from spiking after a meal. A diet high in good fats may even help reverse insulin resistance, which translates to steadier blood sugar long-term.

4. Avocados can protect your unborn baby—and your heart : One cup of avocado provides almost a quarter of your recommended daily intake of folate, a vitamin which cuts the risk of birth defects. If you’re pregnant—or planning to be—avocados will help protect your unborn baby. A high folate intake is also associated with a lower risk of heart attacks and heart disease. Does your family have a history of heart problems, or do you have risk factors (such as being overweight or smoking) for heart disease? Avocados could help keep your heart healthy.

5. Avocados can help lower your cholesterol : As well as increasing feelings of fullness, the oleic acid in avocados can help reduce cholesterol levels. In one study, individuals eating an avocado-rich diet had a significant decrease in total cholesterol levels, including a decrease in LDL cholesterol. Their levels of HDL cholesterol (the healthy type) increased by 11 percent. High cholesterol is one of the main risk factors for heart disease. The cholesterol-lowering properties of avocado, along with its folate content, help keep your heart healthy.