Pico De Gallo by The Frio River

A fresh Pico De Gallo is a handy dish to have around.  Its simple and versatile.  When the summer tomatoes start showing up at the local market or in your garden Pico is just that much better.  I like the randomness of the chopped pieces; as well as, the variations of spice and flavor.  A fresh batch doesn't last long around our house.

This is our outdoor kitchen at our family camp on the Frio River.  Fixin food is comforting here.  Food tastes better here. The secret ingredient is the aroma of the river.  It has a soothing effect on the soul.  Food made with a relaxed soul is good for the digestion.

Guacamole and Chips

A great starter, that's what I am.  Michelle is the finisher.  I open.  She closes.  We're a team.  There are exceptions of course.  For possible new clients, Michelle opens, I mettle, she closes.  I'm like the filling in a good cake.  Then there are the rocks in the drive way (see 2010 What Happened post).  I started, Michelle did mettle, now she reminds me that I need to finish.

I get started on things and then my mind begins to...

In the spirit of starting, here is a recipe for Guacamole.  One of my all time favorite starters.  Guacamole can also be a finisher.  I have been known to dive into the fridge for a late night guacamole nom nom session.  Guacamole is not only fun to say, but it's versatile.  It can be a starter, a finisher, in a salad, under an egg, over a chip, on a burger, and right beside a steak.

There is another thing about guacamole some people might not realize.  It is one of the few four syllable words that you can say real fast 5 times in row.

Guacamole, guacamole, guacamole, guacamole, guacamole.

See how easy that is. It also happens to be that easy to make.  Just be sure to pick some avocados that are a little soft, and some tomatoes that are a little extra ripe.  If you can't find soft avocados, put them in a brown paper bag for a day, or so they say.  I've never tried that.

We went to a New Years party, so  I asked Michelle "What are we bringing?"  Michelle bellowed from the sofa "YOU sure do make a nice guacamole."   Yep. I fell for it, so here you go.