Two Sisters: Katy's Easy Guacamole Recipe
My best friend calls Katy and me "the most sisterly sisters." I assume this means we have all the ups and all the downs to the most extreme extremes: Katy's bossy and over-protective, I'm defensive and reckless, and the next thing you know we're laughing at jokes no one understands but us. "Sisterly sisters" don't just get into screaming matches that cause the neighbors to worry (which we did), they do all the stuff of 19th century novels and mid 80's sitcoms like swap clothes and braid each other's hair, play dress up and cuddle with puppies and kittens on snowy nights. Some time after we both went through puberty, we learned all the things we have in common: we both love to drink and travel, ideally in tandem, watch seminal films like Baby Boom and Two Weeks Notice in bed, and wear pretty, but holey, vintage dresses.
And though I've received lectures from her about safe sex at crowded dinner tables, been forced to sleep in the "crack" of two twin beds pushed together at childhood sleepovers, and made to type her college application essays, she's unbelievably good to me: she gives the best, most supportive career advice, and can make a cocktail out of motor oil and dinner out of a head of cauliflower. She's got guts, and she's one of the most modest (and most successful) people I know. And lucky for those of us in her life, she's in posession of a really generous heart -- and I don't just mean the cashmere sweaters and silk pajamas she gifts.
I mean, in part, that when I moved to New York, she took me in. And when I could only afford ramen, she ordered me burritos. And sometimes, if I was lucky, she would make this guacamole. There's no real recipe here. We used three avocados, four jalapenos, a bunch of cilantro, and one lemon. The secret, Katy says, is using a mortar and pestle (or a similar makeshift version) to mash the herbs, jalapenos and lemon together to release their oils. It's a long process that involves a lot of adding and tasting, talking, drinking, adding and tasting. Knowing her guacamole is the best, I think she secretly likes to torture her dinner mates by drawing out the process as long as possible. And as helpless, hungry fools, wait we will.
I mean, in part, that when I moved to New York, she took me in. And when I could only afford ramen, she ordered me burritos. And sometimes, if I was lucky, she would make this guacamole. There's no real recipe here. We used three avocados, four jalapenos, a bunch of cilantro, and one lemon. The secret, Katy says, is using a mortar and pestle (or a similar makeshift version) to mash the herbs, jalapenos and lemon together to release their oils. It's a long process that involves a lot of adding and tasting, talking, drinking, adding and tasting. Knowing her guacamole is the best, I think she secretly likes to torture her dinner mates by drawing out the process as long as possible. And as helpless, hungry fools, wait we will.
Comments
Sebastian: I asked Duncan the very same thing. Now we joke "What is Fozzie Bear's favorite snack? Waahka-Waahka Mole!"
Posted by: alison | May 1, 2006 1:32 PM
Heh. That's pretty funny. No matter how you pronounce it, Katy's guacamole is divine. As soon as the camera stopped rolling we ate it all and licked the plate clean. :)
Posted by: Sebastian | May 2, 2006 11:21 AM
I thought you'd enjoy the muppet reference. Congrats to you both on ANOTHER STELLAR episode. It is just so much fun to beam you all into my office -- what a lovely break from my day to pop out of a stressfull meeting and into Katy's kitchen (or your apartment, or the streets of Brooklyn...). The best part is, no one knows I'm not working! And FYI, I often catch myself talking back to you all (or the computer, more accurately). I cheered for the Silpat, and gasped in delight at the mention of the lemon juicer I gifted to Katy...
Posted by: alison | May 2, 2006 1:01 PM
it was the best present ever.
xk
Posted by: Katy of the Luke | May 2, 2006 8:37 PM
Just in time! I've ripened some avocados and was without recipe until now. Griffin will melt.
Posted by: ashley in montana | May 3, 2006 1:54 PM
I totally stopped two cranky New Yorkers from complaining about underripe avocados in Whole Foods on Saturday by letting them in on your apple-in-a-bag trick. Pink of Perfection is making me a more gregarious and helpful person!
Plus, you are the most creative hyperlinker ever. I loved the push in the 'Little Women' direction.
Posted by: Collyn | May 8, 2006 9:57 AM
yay! this is our 100th comment! :) couldn't resist.
Sebastian
Posted by: Sebastian | May 8, 2006 2:14 PM
That just made me hungry!!
Posted by: JaG | May 20, 2006 5:33 AM
I was gifted with the same juicer by my great-aunt! I'd never seen one like that, and I'm in love with it. The Guacamole sounds great. Can't wait to try it.
Posted by: Calli | June 23, 2006 3:51 AM
I'm not sure why it took me so long to try this recipe...perhaps the lack of m&p. I just came home and threw this together for lunch and I'm glad nobody else is around to see me a)greedily licking the bowl and b)ask me to share. I will never make another kind of guacamole again!
Posted by: Jen | March 1, 2007 1:44 PM