GUACAMOLE DIP

RECIPES FOR DAYS WHEN YOU COME HOME EXHAUSTED AND DON’T WANT TO COOK ANYTHING THAT’S TOO HARD, TOO COMPLICATED OR TOO TIME-CONSUMING.

This is one of those recipes that you're so glad you have on hand because you can make it at a moment's notice and it's so easy you can practically do it blindfolded and with both hands tied behind your back. Everyone loves guacamole and right now when tomatoes are so plentiful and so absolutely delicious, you can put the two together and come up with something completely wonderful. The original recipe did not call for tomatoes, but as you can see, here they are and because they add so much I can practically guarantee you won't want to make it without them. The thing about guacamole is that it doesn't keep so you have to make this recipe just before you plan to serve it. Use only the most ripe avocados which is why you might want to let them ripen a few days after you buy them if they are too hard. Guacamole made with avocados that aren't quite ripe just isn't the same. They need to be mushy enough to flatten with a fork just like bananas that you are using to make banana bread.

Life is good when you have some good guacamole, some crisp corn chips and something fun to do like visit with friends or watch a game on TV. You can serve this as an appetizer, as part of a meal or it can stand alone as a snack. Either way, you'll be glad you made it and so will everyone else. Here's how:

2 avacados mashed

2 medium tomatoes, peeled and cut into small pieces

2 Tbsp. salad dressing

1 tbsp. lemon juice

Add 1 package Guacamole seasoning mix (McCormick or Concord Foods--Mild, Medium or hot)

Mix together and serve with chips. That's it. What could be easier? Serves 4-6.