Holy Guacamole! Elevate Your Guac with Fresh Herbs

No summer party is complete without guacamole and chips! Guacamole is a popular appetizer for a reason, it is tasty and nutritious. You can elevate your guacamole game with herbs fresh from your garden.

Herbs are a great starter plant as they don’t require too much work. You can even grow an herb garden in your kitchen. From basil to dill, there are so many herbs that you will want to keep at your fingertips to enhance your dishes.

Now that you have a bunch of fresh herbs, you are probably wondering what to do with them. One great way to use fresh cilantro is by making guacamole!

Get Creative with Fresh Herbs

Put down the saltshaker! Bring flavor to your dishes with delicious herbs. Try growing your own this week so you can have fresh herbs at your disposal. Here are some popular herbs and their health benefits:

Mint: Fragrant mint has a cooling aftertaste that can freshen up any meal. Spearmint is wonderful to cook with because it pairs nicely with both sweet and savory flavors. You can cook mint in dishes with parsley, carrots, tabouli, or peas. Use it to top off fruit salads for added refreshment.

Basil: A versatile herb that can be used in soups, pasta sauces, and vegetables like peas and zucchini. Basil goes especially well in fresh pesto. Take note that basil is delicate. Be sure to use a sharp knife for chopping to prevent bruising.

Rosemary: This herb complements the flavors of chicken, lamb, pork, fish, tomatoes, and roasted potatoes. Stir rosemary leaves into soups and stews but don’t throw out the branches! Strong rosemary branches can be used as skewers. Simply remove the leaves from the bottom, cut the tip at an angle, and start piercing some food.

Cilantro: Often used in Mexican, Caribbean, and Asian cuisine. It boosts the taste of tomatoes, giving even more reason to make some salsa.

Thyme: Common thyme and lemon thyme both have strong aromas and a sweet taste. Use thyme anytime you cook with eggs, tomatoes, summer squash, potatoes, lima beans, and poultry. The slight citrusy flavor of lemon thyme blends nicely with spring vegetables and seafood.

Parsley: Another versatile herb. Add it to your omelets, soups, salads, homemade sauces, and more. Flat-leaf parsley, aka Italian parsley, has a stronger taste than curly-leaf parsley. Though both can be used for cooking, flat-leaf parsley is often preferred.

Dill: Try dill in foods other than with pickles. Chopped dill and roasted cauliflower make a tasty combination. Dill also makes a delicious combination with fish, potatoes, cottage cheese, carrots, green beans, and tomatoes.

Oregano: Add flavor to your tomatoes, peppers, sautéed zucchini, and onions with fresh oregano. Sprinkle oregano onto homemade pizza and add it to your tomato sauce.

Homemade Guacamole

Now that you have fresh cilantro, it’s time to make guacamole. Guacamole is easy to make and each of its ingredients has nutritional benefits. Check out the basic ingredients to a guacamole dip below and see for yourself!

Avocado: The main ingredient in guacamole can sometimes get a bad rap as having too much fat. It is true that avocados are high in fat however the oil avocados contain are “good” fats. The monounsaturated fats in avocados are heart-healthy.  Avocados also contain the phytochemical lutein, potassium, fiber, and vitamins C and E!  These nutrients can improve skin quality and clarity!

Tomatoes: Tomatoes are packed with antioxidants and phytonutrients including lycopene, vitamins A, C, and K, niacin, and calcium. These nutrients provide tomatoes with powerful benefits such as filtering the blood, improving skin quality, and reducing cholesterol and the risk of gallstones.

Onions: Onions have an abundant source of health benefits they can bring you to tears! They are a source of the antioxidant Quercetin as well as vitamins C, E, potassium, and folic acid. Among the health benefits of onions are the prevention of cataracts, and atherosclerosis and they are good for the heart.

Garlic: Garlic contains Allicin, a powerful antioxidant that is formed from crushed garlic.  Garlic can help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol. Enjoy garlic raw to gain the most health benefits. Raw garlic can also work as an antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antifungal agent.

Lemon/Lime Juice: When making your guacamole, be sure to include fresh lemon or lime juice for the best benefits. These fresh juices are an excellent source of the powerful antioxidant vitamin C. Vitamin C neutralizes free radicals thereby reducing inflammation and swelling and decreases symptoms of osteoarthritis, reduces cholesterol, and the risk of diabetes and kidney stones. The benefits of vitamin C are also associated with reduced risk of life-threatening diseases such as heart disease, stroke, and cancer.

Cilantro: Don’t sell this seasoning short, cilantro contains quite a few nutritional benefits! It is full of antioxidants. Cilantro can also relieve feelings of nausea, indigestion, bloating, and symptoms of urinary tract infections. The seeds of cilantro reduce cholesterol and blood sugar.

There are many variations of guacamole, sometimes including chilies, spices like cumin, or additions like corn, cheese, or chicken. It is important to enjoy guacamole fresh as the avocados start to brown if out too long.

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