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Guacamole Taquero: Taco-Shop Guacamole

By Roberto Santibañez and JJ Goode

4.5

(35)

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Guacamole Taquero: Taco-Shop GuacamoleRomulo Yanes

Editor's note: Chef Roberto Santibañez, the chef/owner of Fonda in Brooklyn, New York shared this recipe as part of a festive taco party menu he created for Epicurious. He recommends serving this guacamole with his Carnitas or Carne Adobada Tacos .

Before you start gobbling delicate corn tortillas topped with salty, tasty meat in the taquerias of central Mexico, you get to crown your snack with your choice of several salsas, often including what might be my favorite taco condiment of all: guacamole taquero. Blurring the line between guacamole and salsa, this smooth blend of creamy avocado and tart tomatillos packs a spicy punch from serrano chiles and a hint of pungent epazote (many cooks add cilantro instead and so can you). I'll put this on just about any imaginable taco, but it's especially amazing spooned over those filled with Carnitas ,Steak , and grilled cactus.

Recipe information

  • Total Time

    15 minutes

  • Yield

    Makes 2 cups

Ingredients

1/2 pound tomatillos (5 or 6), husked, rinsed, and coarsely chopped
6 large (about 3 1/2 inches long) fresh epazote leaves or cilantro
2 small garlic cloves, peeled and coarsely chopped
1/4 cup coarsely chopped white onion
2 fresh serrano or jalapeño chiles, coarsely chopped, including seeds, or more to taste
1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice, or more to taste
1/2 teaspoon fine salt, or 1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 small ripe Mexican Hass avocado, halved and pitted

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Put the tomatillos into the blender jar first, then add the epazote, garlic, onion, chiles, lime juice, and salt. Blend until very smooth, at least a minute (be patient; see note below). Scoop the avocado flesh with a spoon into the blender jar and blend until smooth. Add a little water, if necessary, to achieve a pourable texture. Season to taste with additional chile, lime juice, and salt, and blend once more.

    Step 2

    This salsa tastes best the day it's made, but the acidity from the tomatillos will keep it from discoloring as quickly as most guacamoles. It'll still be delicious the next day if you store it in the refrigerator with a piece of plastic wrap pressed against the surface. Let it come to room temperature before you serve it.

  2. Note: Blending Stubborn Tomatillos

    Step 3

    It takes a minute or so for the blades of the blender jar to catch raw chopped tomatillos. Once they do, all the ingredients will be pulled toward them. Be patient, and do not add any water. If the tomatillos don't liquidize after a minute or so, stop the blender, prod them with a wooden spoon, and try to blend again.

Adapted with permission from Truly Mexican by Roberto Santibañez with JJ Goode, (C) 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
TagsSalsaCondimentGuacamoleMexicanLatin AmericanTomatilloVegetableAvocadoSerrano ChileChileJalapeñoDairy FreeGluten FreeNut FreeVeganVegetarianEasyQuickNo-CookBlenderSuper BowlCookbooks

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