MY DAUGHTER'S FAVORITE SNACK -- Guacamole

     My daughter asks for this frequently.  Even though our cupboards are full (it seems that way to me anyway), there isn't anything in the house to eat unless it's exactly what she is hungry for at that moment.  Yesterday it was guacamole that she was hoping to find when she opened the refrigerator door.  Sorry... not a single avocado in the house.  This morning I ran out first thing to the grocery to stock up. 
   This guacamole is adapted from Ina Garten's (a.k.a. Barefoot Contessa) recipe.  I'm a big believer in adding as much of your favorite ingredients as you want in this recipe.  I go heavy on the chopped tomatoes when I have them available to me in my garden. 

                                             GUACAMOLE
                           very loosely adapted from a recipe by Ina Garten

•  4 ripe avocados
•  a good squeeze of fresh lemon juice
•  1 large clove of garlic, minced
•  8 drops of Tabasco sauce
•  half of a red onion, chopped
•  one fresh tomato or several cherry tomatoes, chopped
•  salt, to taste
• a handful of cilantro, chopped

   Pit the avocados and scoop out the flesh into a bowl.  Squeeze lemon juice over the avocados.  Add garlic and Tabasco.  Mash all together with a whisk.  Gently stir in the remaining ingredients.  Eat immediately or chill, covered, in refrigerator.