Thursday, August 20, 2009

The Best Things in Life Are (Already) Raw...Or, Holy Guacamole!


When people are incredulous that a vegan, raw diet could be yummy, I like to point out that many of the most absolutely delicious things they already love to eat are actually vegan and raw. Exhibit A: Guacamole. Exhibit B: Gazpacho. Not to mention every delicious fruit and vegetable they’ve ever greedily eaten, all fresh and crunchy and juicy.

Anyway, guac. It used to seem like such a huge treat to me, but now I make it all the time. Once you get in the habit, it’s super easy.

Here’s what I do:

Dice up about a quarter cup of yellow, white, or red onion – whatever you have. Maybe go a little lighter on the red, unless you really dig the spicy onion taste.

Add some diced up jalapeño. I usually use about ¼ of a smallish pepper. Use more if you love it, less if you don’t. PLEASE be careful not to stick your fingers in your eyes after you dice it, and wash your hands right after.

Throw in some fresh cilantro (say, a packed tablespoon or so), squirt a half a lime on there, and let those guys soften up together a little.

In the meantime, pick your two ripest avocados, slice ‘em up that cool way you’ve seem on the Food Network, with the fancy knife-in-the-pit trick, and smoosh them up in the bowl with the other stuff. Add a small, diced tomato (I like to take the seeds out, but you don’t have to) stir it up, and add more lime if you want, and salt to taste. I use at least an entire lime for every batch, which keeps it from turning brown. If you don’t have some of the ingredients, no worries…the keys here are avocado and salt. Use lemon instead of lime, skip cilantro if you think it tastes like grass (my mom does), throw in a pinch of cayenne instead of jalapeños.

My favorite thing for dipping is pieces of endive, just separated from their little head, and cut in half or thirds. Perfectly scoop-like. In restaurants, I ask for slices of cukes or carrot, and most places are pretty nice about it. Or throw a blob of your creamy, tangy guac right on some lettuce, and call it lunch!

Anyway, the point is this: raw or live food is not strange or kooky. You already eat it – you just need to eat more!

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