savory or sweet: cooling avocado

hello mes chéries!  hot hot hot temperatures all around the united states {and in london recently as well} are most deliciously counteracted by one ingredient: the avocado.  creamy, filling & nutritious, yet refreshing & light, particularly when combined with citrus and cilantro {british: coriander}, avocados are the prefect warm weather fare, and have been recently {and beautifully} featured in bon appétit magazine.  even their bright green hue screams fresh & cool!  despite my love for avocados, i have experimented with recipes featuring them very little {must change this immédiatement}.  

i do, however, know an amazing guacamole recipe.  amazing and addicting, and always the item most quickly devoured whenever i make it for a crowd.  je pense que it's the cumin that combines with the more standard ingredients to create a delicious twist.  i have, however, recently had a version containing simply mashed avocados, lime juice, cilantro, and a dollop of crème fraîche that was also divine.  but please do give my magic formula a try, and also take a peak at the excellent ideas for using the avocado on bon appétit's website.  i must make the smoothie and the soup right. now.  or just mash a half onto a piece of toasted bread with a sprinkle of sea salt and squeeze of lime or lemon tomorrow for breakfast.  trés, trés delicieux.  
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for the guacamole: 
adapted from here

scoop the pulp of three haas avocados into a large bowl, and toss with the juice of one lime.  add 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, and 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper {or more or less to taste: cayenne is hot!}, then mash into the avocado with a fork, until well mixed and your preferred consistency is reached.  then fold in 1/2 medium onion, diced, two roma tomatoes, seeded and diced, two tablespoons chopped cilantro, and one clove of garlic, minced.  let the flavors develop by allowing the mixture to stand at room temperature for about an hour before serving, or, at least try {it's okay if you can't resist}. 

oh and also, do try and buy the avocados three to four days in advance to allow for ripening, but if you just cannot wait, simply allow them to rest for about a day in a brown paper bag.  and good luck battling with the heat.  to think that just a week ago i was complaining about the london cool.  hope your wednesday is perfect ... xx hillary  

p.s. some more avocado ideas, savory and sweet:

{avocado on toast} 

{avocado popsicles}

{chilled avocado soup} 

{avocado ice cream, or gelato, or sorbet!}
all images via pinterest