Simple Guacamole with Smashed Plantain Chips

Happy Cinco De Mayo!

This is an ultra simple way to make Guacamole. I learned how to make it by the Personal Chef I work for, Bill, who was actually taught by an 85 year old lady from when he was down in Mexico cooking for some people on a beach right after they got off their private jets….hard life!! This lady walked up to him and asked him why he was putting so much “crap” in his guacamole. She said, “You only need 2 ingredients! Don’t mess with it, it’s guacamole, not a salad!”. Lime juice and Sea Salt are the only 2 ingredients she uses, but I like to put a swig of olive oil and lemon juice in it to prevent from browning. And the secret is to mix it with your hands; gives it a smooth texture with lumps of avocado still remaining.

The Smashed Plantain Chips I learned how to make from this neighbor I had who was from Puerto Rico. She makes them almost every meal. They’re a fun substitute from regular chips if you want to WOW your guests, and also a great Gluten-Free option!

Simple Guacamole + Smashed Plantain Chips

slice all around and twist.

give seed a bit of a hack with chopping knife, twist, and it comes right out.

use 3 Avocados for every 4 people.

roll your limes and lemons to loosen up juices inside before squeezing.

only need juice of 1 lime to every 3 avocados.

2 big pinches of sea salt.

glug of olive oil.

juice from 1/2 lemon.

trick: mix & mush with hand.

get a fun festive bowl…i collect these from thrift stores whenever I can.

perfect texture.

cut ends off plantains…color should be yellow with brown spots.

slice down and peel back to get skin off…the skins are A LOT tougher than banana skins.

going to be slight pink color to them.

fry on both sides in olive oil till slightly light brown.

SMASH part! smash with something flat.

put smashed plantains back into olive oil and cook both sides again till med brown.

drain on paper towels and season with GARLIC SALT.

i like to add fresh chopped cilantro before serving.

So incredibly healthy & delicious!!!

-Wholesome Gal

Get Creative with your Pops

mint pops

MINT POPSICLE

Mmmmmm. Creamy, minty, refreshing.

I love Popsicles! Especially creamy ones….chocolatey creamy ones are even better! I’m not much of a fruity, sorbet kind of girl. The creamier the dessert, the better. You can put whatever you want in a Popsicle mold. I have a TON of mint growing on my balcony, and I love, loveĀ  mint! Making your own Popsicles is super easy and super healthy for you and your kids…well, depending on what you put in them! Plus it’s a fun little project to do with your kids in the kitchen. Buy a whole bunch of molds and see what kind of creative, crazy concoctions they can come up with!! Raspberries with Cheerios, Cinnamon Gram crackers, and Peanut Butter Popsicles….sure kids!!

For mine I used Greek plain yogurt, organic honey, lemon zest & juice, milk, and mint. I blended it up in my blender, poured into a mold, waited 2 hours and presto….creamy dessert for me!

 

mint from my balcony garden

mint

 

these are actually jello shot molds haha:)

What kind of pops are you going to make this summer?

Kelly

Pile Them High!

Gluten-Free Strawberry Cupcake Pancakes

Gluten-Free Strawberry Pancakes

The reason I call these “Strawberry Cupcake Pancakes” is because they taste like Cupcakes! The only thing I wanted to eat today were some pancakes. Maybe because of all the grilled food I ate over Memorial weekend, I don’t know. But a stack of pancakes with some butter was the only thing I wanted going into my stomach today! Continue reading

The French and Moroccan’s will Dance Tonight

Gluten-Free Strawberry Clafoutis

Strawberries

I’m going over my friend’s house for dinner tonight, she’s making Moroccan Chicken. So I thought I would make us a dessert that’s of completely different origin: a traditional French baked dessert, Clafoutis. Talk about the other end of the spectrum! Clafoutis is a dessert baked in a buttered dish with dark cherries and a thick batter poured over it. But you can also use prunes, blackberries, plumes, or apples. I’m using strawberries since they are in season right now. Continue reading