When you’re developing a recipe for guacamole, as I did in 2017, you learn a thing or two about avocados. Whether or not you can freeze them, how to prevent a half from browning—and the most efficient way to dice and mash the fruit. Intrigued? Read on to learn my techniques.
For the Best Guacamole, Grab a Wire Rack and a Whisk
These two tools will level up your avocado mashing.
By Published June 6, 2022
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The Best Way to Dice Avocados
My guacamole recipe calls for three ripe avocados, diced into ½ inch pieces. While I started off dicing my avocados by hand, I needed to make quite a few batches of guacamole during my testing process, and this prep step quickly became tedious. In search of a faster way to dice or partially mash the fruit, I combed through the test kitchen utensil drawers, attacking my avocados with a potato masher, a large spoon, and a pastry cutter, but none produced satisfactory results. Finally, I came across a tool that did the trick: A wire rack. Here’s how the method works.
1. Place a wire rack (the kind that has the wires running perpendicular to each other, forming a grid) over a large bowl.
2. Cut your avocados in half and remove the pit. Leave the skin on.
3. Place the avocado, flesh side down, atop the wire rack. Place a flat hand atop the avocado’s skin and gently but firmly press the avocado through the rack to dice.
The Best Way to Mash Avocados
Now that you’ve got a bowl full of perfectly-diced avocado, it’s time to mash. In the test kitchen, there was no consensus on what makes for the perfect guacamole texture: When I set out different versions of the dip, some of my colleagues pounced on a thick and chunky mash, while others argued passionately for the merits of a creamy, smooth consistency.
My solution? A peaceful compromise: A creamy base with chunks scattered throughout. To achieve this texture, I needed a specific tool that would cut through the avocado but not break it down too much. Enter: a whisk.
What makes a whisk an ideal guacamole implement? Unlike rubber spatulas, wooden spoons, and potato mashers, which are all too flat, a whisk has a rounded top where the wires meet, which mashes the avocado efficiently. Moreover, the gaps between the wires along the body allow most of the avocado chunks to remain whole during mixing, and the rounded shape conforms to the bowl.
With just a couple of quick turns of the whisk, I had it: A guacamole with the perfect ratio of chunks to mash, in record time.
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Start Free TrialAbsolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too. I've done this using a rimmed sheet pan instead of a skillet and put veggies and potatoes around the chicken for a one-pan meal. Broccoli gets nicely browned and yummy!
Absolutely the best chicken ever, even the breast meat was moist! It's the only way I'll cook a whole chicken again. Simple, easy, quick, no mess - perfect every time. I've used both stainless steel and cast iron pans. great and easy technique for “roasted” chicken. I will say there were no pan juices, just fat in the skillet. Will add to the recipe rotation. Good for family and company dinners too.
Amazed this recipe works out as well as it does. Would not have thought that the amount of time under the broiler would have produced a very juicy and favorable chicken with a very crispy crust. Used my 12" Lodge Cast Iron skillet (which can withstand 1000 degree temps to respond to those who wondered if it would work) and it turned out great. A "make again" as my family rates things. This is a great recipe, and I will definitely make it again. My butcher gladly butterflied the chicken for me, therefore I found it to be a fast and easy prep. I used my cast iron skillet- marvellous!
John, wasn't it just amazing chicken? So much better than your typical oven baked chicken and on par if not better than gas or even charcoal grilled. It gets that smokey charcoal tasted and overnight koshering definitely helps, something I do when time permits. First-time I've pierced a whole chicken minus the times I make jerk chicken on the grill. Yup, the cast iron was not an issue.