This Secret Ingredient Will Take Your Guacamole to the Next Level

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking. Guacamole for summer? Revolutionary. But, wait! Hear us out for a second, because this particular recipe’s secret ingredient takes the tried-and-true staple to a whole ‘nother level.

Since we take our Mexican food seriously here in L.A., we tapped local food blogger — and “self-proclaimed Queen of Guacamole” — Gaby Dalkin of What’s Gaby Cooking to spill her yummiest guac recipe. Her twist: Goat cheese. That’s right, the ingredient you’ve normally reserved for pizzas and salads is just the thing your dip is missing. “It has the citrus taste that you love from any guacamole recipe,” she says. “But, the tangy flavor from the goat cheese is everything. It’s the perfect complement to the creamy avocado.”

And, kitchen newbies need not worry, because the recipe is easy-as-pie and only takes five to ten minutes to whip up. You should keep one thing in mind at the grocery store, however: “The key to making the best guacamole is picking perfect avocados,” she says. “You need avocados that are just perfectly ripe. Not too firm, and not too squishy.”

Click through for Gaby’s directions — you’re just five simple steps away from your new signature appetizer.

Goat Cheese Guacamole

Serves: 4

Ingredients
3 Hass avocados
1/3 cup crumbled goat cheese
1/4 cup chopped chives
1/4 cup chopped sun dried tomatoes
1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Step One

Cut the avocados in half lengthwise. Remove the pit from the avocado and discard.

Step Two

Use a spoon to remove the avocado from the skin, slice it into large cubes, and place the avocado flesh into a medium-size bowl.

Step Three

Add the goat cheese, chives, sun dried tomatoes, lemon, salt, and pepper.

Step Four

Mash with a fork until half smooth and creamy, and half chunky. Add more salt and pepper to taste.

Step Five

Serve immediately with tortilla or pita chips, and you’ve got yourself an easy-peasy appetizer — with a creative twist — that your friends will love. ¡Olé!

This article originally appeared on Refinery29.com.

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