guacamole

I am not a Mexican food fan but this dish is so easy to prepare. I have a short version if don't have much time to prepare or a long version if you have time to prepare a more sophisticated one. We have it from time to time as an evening snackie when we watch movie at night. I know it's not good to have snacks at night but avocado is antioxidant....meaning anti-aging!!! OK, OK, we only eat this occasionally, I don't need to rationalize and be so mean to myself, right?

Guacamole can be prepared a few hours ahead, and keep in the fridge. To prevent it from being oxidized, you will need to cover the bowl with Clingfilm, pressing it onto the surface of the guacamole to avoid contact to air.

Ingredients for Quick version:

• 2 big ripe avocados
• a packet of guacamole mixing powder
• 2-3 tbsp lime juice (if available at home, this will help preventing oxidation)
• a pack of Nachos
  

Method:

1. Cut the avocadoes in half, peeled and cut into cubes. Then use a fork to mash the avocado into a paste in a big bowl.
2. Mix in the guacamole mixing powder and fresh lime juice.
3. Serve immediately with Nachos or keep in fridge as described above.

Note: I don't use the whole pack as it may be too spicy.

Ingredients for long version:

• 2 big ripe avocados mashed
• 1 small onion (or red onion), finely chopped
• 1 jalapeno chile (seeds and ribs removed and finely chopped), the canned one works as well
• 1 plum tomato (seeded and cut into small cubes)
• a handful of chopped coriander (or cilantro, how it is called in the US), you can chop the stems and leaves.
• 2-3 tbsp fresh lime juice
• a bit of salt if necessary

Method:

Basically the method is same as the quick version except we use more fresh ingredients here. You can add some guacamole mixing powder if you like but if I am making such a big effort to make this one, I would opt out the powder as this give you a more natural and fresh flavor.

So why not pick a movie and try it out this weekend!

long table vs round table

When I was in HK, I seldom invite my friends to come to have dinner parties at my home for two main reasons:

• I lived with my parents
• HK is too convenient with all kinds of cuisines you want: from causal to formal at all price levels

Now that living in Basel, it's more common to invite friends over from time to time. It is very enjoyable to have these types of gathering, it's more relaxing and fun than dining in restaurants, I must say. They are more formal in general here. In my opinion, if you eat out, you should feel relaxed. One more thing I found is that it's easier to chat with your friends when you are in someones place. Why? Do you notice that in general the Western style restaurants use long tables and Chinese restaurants use round tables? I find it more difficult to mingle with the group when you sit in long table. You end up only be able chatting with your left and right. And in the end the group dinner splits in 2 or more subgroups. And of course you can challenge that what about those big round table for 12 people, but that's more a banquet occasion.

Anyway, after sharing my funny views, I have come to an idea to note down my favorite dishes that are suitable to prepare for a causal party or an apéro. May be you feel the same problem to decide what you would like to prepare for your friends some times. I personally find a group of 6 or 8 people maximum will be most ideal, too many people I find it rather difficult to handle if you want to have some decent food.

I am going to write about guacamole as my first favorite snack.

Please do feel free to add in and give some suggestions to me and perhaps share your recipes.