Friday, March 14, 2008

Afternoon snack

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Now that the sun is setting later, a man's thoughts turn to afternoons on the deck. Just about my favorite thing to do is to sip on a margarita, enjoy some guacamole and deconstruct the world around me. So, mix up a set, go outside, and give me a call.

The Cadillac Margarita - a recipe I have modified over almost 20 years of testing - is an outstanding choice, but if you plan on going somewhere later, this is not for you. Serve it in a martini glass to get the point across to the uninitiated.

1.5 oz. of a nice tequila (Astral is my current choice.)
.5 oz. Cointreau
.5 oz. Grand Marnier
1 oz. freshly squeezed lime juice
.5 oz of honey (or agave nectar)
Salt

Rim a chilled martini glass with lime and coat with salt. Combine the tequila, Cointreau, Grand Mariner, lime juice and sweetener in a shaker with ice, shake, and let it sit for a minute or two. Shake again and serve. Repeat.

Making an incredible guacamole depends on one's ability to find fresh ingredients and the willingness to experiment with spices. I include various Indian curries (yes, really) in addition to a teaspoon of chili spices in order to give it a warm (but not too hot) contrast to the cool avocado. Don't be afraid to use more spice: Most guacamole is mediocre because it's too bland. If you can plan ahead (who has the time?), guacamole always tastes better on Day II. You'll need:

2 avocados (the more you use, the more spices you'll want to add)
1 small, chopped and strained tomato
.5 cup of minced shallot
4 cloves of minced garlic
1 teaspoon of fresh chilies, or 1 teaspoon of chili powder (at least, to taste)
2 limes, juiced (to taste)
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste
Minced cilantro leaves for garnish

It's good to mince where it says mince. If you have a potato masher, this is the best tool for combining the ingredients, but a hand mixer will do well, too. Leaving the final product in a mostly mixed state - as opposed to fully pureed - is more pleasing aesthetically in the same way that mostly dead is preferable to all dead.

Serve with salted blue corn chips.

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