A brown stone & pass the guacamole!!!

We enjoyed our family get together in Chicago, and of course the time just flew by too quickly. We stayed in a lovely brown stone in the Lincoln Park area. This completely furnished home had everything needed...minus a potato masher (more on that later). It nicely slept all 7 of us and worked great for a family with little ones. So much easier then hotel rooms and had a lovely "home" atmosphere. We enjoyed having a kitchen and grill on the back patio for family dining. We were just a short train ride to Wrigley Field and within walking distance to the Armitage shopping district. Lots of fun little boutique shops, a cupcake bakery & The Paper Source....love that store!

I've noticed that son Matthew likes to share his cooking skills when we gather together. He seems to always treat us to something yummy. Last trip home it was his home-made buffalo chicken wings on the grill. This trip it was his home-made guacamole. One small glitch, NO potato masher in the kitchen...not one to be found anywhere. Not a good thing when the avocados are a day from being good & ripe...but he improvised and after a curse word or two the dip was made & enjoyed by all...even mom who doesn't like guacamole!! Guacamole, give me guacamole... this is a new "acquired taste" & I keep craving this darn dip. Now granted, avocados weren't exactly something a Minnesota farm girl was raised on, but boy I did not know what I was missing!!

MATTHEW'S GUACAMOLE DIP

3 avocados (peeled, chopped & mashed with potato masher)

juice of 2 limes

1 tsp. salt

1/2 cup onion (finely chopped)

1 - 2 T. fresh Cilantro (finely chopped)

1 tomato (chopped finely)

1 tsp. fresh minced garlic

pinch or two of cayenne pepper

Mix all together and serve with corn chips

Avocado Facts

• Avocados contain 81 micrograms of the carotenoid lutein, which some studies suggest help maintain healthy eyes.
• Avocados contribute nearly 20 vitamins, minerals and beneficial plant compounds that can contribute to the nutrient quality of your diet.
• Avocados, due to their mono and polyunsaturated fat content, are a healthy substitution for foods rich in saturated fat.
• One-fifth of a medium avocado (1 oz) has 50 calories and contributes nearly 20 vitamins and minerals making it a good nutrient choice.
• Avocados contain 76 milligrams beta-sitosterol in a 3-oz serving of avocado. Beta-sitosterol is a natural plant sterol which may help maintain healthy cholesterol levels.

Enjoy & pass the guacamole,

brenda