Q1: What is the absolute, number one secret to keeping my guacamole from turning brown?

The secret is a combination of acid and oxidation prevention . A generous amount of fresh lime juice is a natural antioxidant that will significantly slow down the browning process. The second, and most important, trick is to press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the entire surface of the guacamole before you put the lid on your container. This prevents any air from touching the surface, which is the key to keeping it perfectly green.

Q2: What is the best and easiest way to make a perfect spiderweb on a dip?

The secret is to use a contrasting color and a toothpick or a skewer . By piping a spiral of a white sour cream over your green guacamole base, and then dragging a skewer through it from the center to the edge, you are creating the classic, beautiful web effect that you see in professional bakeries and cafes.

Q3: Can I make my guacamole ahead of time for a party?

Yes! Guacamole is a fantastic make-ahead dip. Simply prepare it completely, transfer it to an airtight container, and press a piece of plastic wrap directly onto the surface before you seal the container. It will keep beautifully in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours.

Q4: What are the best kind of avocados to use for guacamole?

The number one choice for a rich, creamy, and flavorful guacamole is the Hass avocado . To check for ripeness, you should look for an avocado that has a dark, bumpy skin and yields to gentle pressure in the palm of your hand, but is not overly soft or mushy.

Q5: Can I make this recipe vegan?

Yes! To make this recipe completely vegan, simply be sure to substitute the sour cream with your favorite brand of plain, unsweetened, dairy-free sour cream or a cashew cream .

Spiderweb Guacamole (The Perfect Halloween Dip!)

A creative and festive recipe for ‘Spider Web Guacamole,’ a perfect no-cook appetizer for a Halloween party. This dish takes a classic guacamole and transforms it with a spooky presentation. A bowl of smooth guacamole is decorated with a ‘spiderweb’ design, which is created by piping concentric circles of sour cream or Mexican crema and then dragging a skewer from the center to the edge. The web is then adorned with a ‘spider’ made from a black olive. The recipe also includes instructions for carving an avocado into a ‘skull’ for an extra ghoulish touch.

Author: Grace

Ingredients

4 cups guacamole (store-bought or homemade)
1/4 cup Mexican crema or sour cream
Lime juice (if needed)
2 pitted black olives
Blue corn tortilla chips, for serving
1 firm avocado, skin-on (for optional skull garnish)

Instructions

Create the Web: Spread the guacamole in a large, round, shallow bowl and smooth the top.
Place the Mexican crema or sour cream in a squeeze bottle or a small plastic bag with the corner snipped off. If it is too thick to pipe, thin it with a little lime juice.
Pipe four concentric circles of the crema onto the guacamole, starting with a small circle in the center.
Using the tip of a knife or a skewer, gently pull lines from the center circle out to the edge of the bowl, creating a spider web pattern.
Make the Spider and Skull: Slice one black olive in half lengthwise; use one half for the spider’s body. Thinly slice the remaining 1 1/2 olives to create 8 long ‘legs.’ Arrange the spider on the web.
For the optional skull garnish, use a paring knife to carve two eye sockets and an upside-down heart-shaped nose into the skin of the whole avocado. Cut a long rectangle for the mouth and use the tip of a knife to draw lines for teeth.
Surround the bowl of guacamole with blue corn tortilla chips and place the avocado skull alongside it.

Notes

Special Equipment: A squeeze bottle or pastry bag and a skewer are recommended for creating the web design.
Using store-bought guacamole is a great time-saving shortcut for this impressive-looking party dip.
The key to the spiderweb design is dragging the skewer through the piped circles in one continuous motion from the center outwards.

Find it online: https://www.eatswithsoul.com/spiderweb-guacamole/