Arab-Style Guacamole

Ingredients

While the original Mexican guacamole relies heavily on ingredients like cilantro and lime, this Arab-style adaptation incorporates Middle Eastern flavors. We substitute cilantro with parsley and add a touch of mint for a refreshing twist. Additionally, we use lemon juice instead of lime to enhance the citrusy notes. Finally, we introduce a pinch of cumin and sumac to infuse the guacamole with a subtle Middle Eastern spice. We alse have the original recipe for Guacamole, so you can check it out.

• 2 ripe avocados 2 ripe avocados
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped 1 small red onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, deseeded and diced 1 tomato, deseeded and diced
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped 2 tablespoons fresh mint, finely chopped
• 1 small green chili, deseeded and minced 1 small green chili, deseeded and minced
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/2 teaspoon sumac 1/2 teaspoon sumac
• Salt, to taste Salt, to taste
• Pita bread or tortilla chips, for serving Pita bread or tortilla chips, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 160 kcal / 670 KJ
• Fat: 14g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 9g (Sugar: 2g)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 6g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Cut the avocados in half, remove the pits, and scoop the flesh into a bowl.
2. 2.
   Mash the avocados with a fork until smooth, but still slightly chunky.
3. 3.
   Add the chopped red onion, diced tomato, parsley, mint, and minced green chili to the bowl.
4. 4.
   Drizzle the lemon juice over the mixture and sprinkle with ground cumin, sumac, and salt.
5. 5.
   Gently fold all the ingredients together until well combined.
6. 6.
   Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
7. 7.
   Transfer the Arab-style guacamole to a serving dish.
8. 8.
   Serve with warm pita bread or crispy tortilla chips.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Avocados — Choose ripe avocados that yield to gentle pressure when squeezed. If they are not ripe enough, place them in a paper bag for a day or two to speed up the ripening process.
• Sumac — Sumac is a tangy spice commonly used in Middle Eastern cuisine. It adds a unique citrusy flavor to the guacamole. If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with a small amount of lemon zest.

Tips & Tricks

• For a creamier texture, you can blend half of the guacamole mixture in a food processor before combining it with the remaining chunky mixture.
• To prevent the guacamole from browning, press a layer of plastic wrap directly onto the surface of the dip before refrigerating.
• If you prefer a spicier guacamole, leave the seeds in the green chili or add a pinch of cayenne pepper.

Serving advice

Serve the Arab-style guacamole in a shallow bowl or on a platter, garnished with a sprinkle of sumac and a few fresh mint leaves. Accompany it with warm pita bread or crispy tortilla chips for dipping.

Presentation advice

To add an elegant touch, drizzle a swirl of extra virgin olive oil over the guacamole just before serving. You can also arrange a few lemon wedges around the dish for a pop of color.