Guacamole

I am back from my trip to Ixtapa-Zihuatanejo in Mexico....and did I eat!! The resort was all inclusive so I had a chance to sample lots of food! However, I did eat the best guacamole ever so I asked the chef for his recipe. It was so simple! I wasn't given the exact proportions but here is what I was told. Ah yes, I agreed to post the chef's picture too!!

Guacamole
4 avocados, get the best quality you can find.
Mash with a spoon.
add:
1/2 a small red onion finely chopped
2 firm yet ripe tomatoes, peeled, de-seeded and chopped finely
1tsp fresh lime juice
1 tsp fresh cilantro very finely chopped
salt and pepper to taste.
Add to the mashed avocado and mix well

Serve with nachos.

Here are a few pictures of Club Med Ixtapa. You really should try out Club med! E mail me if you want details and a great bargain!

The sailing shack - I sailed (no wind though!) and went for a kayak ride.

Another view of the beach.

View of the beach from the reception

My room, and this is the most basic...you should see the suites!

I am off to Seattle now so I hope I will get some good recipes from there! Keep reading!

Tuscan Potato Soup

This is a great soup just in time for the beginning of spring. There are variations in the ingredients used so i have added them in brackets.

Zuppa Toscana 
Ingredients:

2 Italian sausages (remove from casing and crumble. Zalzett malti would also do!)
A few slices of pancetta
2 potatoes, cut in half lengthwise, and then cut into 1/4" slices
3/4 cup diced onions
1/4 cup finely chopped carrots
1/4 cup finely chopped celery
1 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic
2 cups kale leaves, cut in half, then sliced
chicken broth, one carton or about 1 ltr
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream (or you can also use about 4 tbs of Philadelphia cream cheese)
salt and pepper to taste

Method.
Put onions, carrots and celery in a large saucepan and cook over medium heat until onions are almost clear. Add garlic and potatoes  to the onions and cook an additional 1minute. Add chicken broth,and bring to a boil. .Add the sausage and bring to a simmer.Let simmer for about 5 mins or until sausage is cooked. Add kale and cream. Season.Simmer for about 5-10 minutes and serve.