... from our Melting Pot: Guacomole with a New Orleans Twist

In This Week's Appetizing News, we wish to offer our humble congratulations to the New Orleans Saints, for their Super Bowl XLIV victory last Sunday!

Now, let's consider that ...

• their prestigious championship deserves an honorary recipe,
• last Friday was - surprise! - World Nutella Day,
• Di is working on a new concept for us called "French Fridays",
• next Tuesday is Mardi Gras (New Orleans is so busy this month!) and,
• we love our French tour merchants and, our fans in France (hence the baguettes)!
  

With great pride and joy, Di offers her New Orleans-inspired guacamole recipe. It was originally developed for the Chilean Avocado Board, in 2004 for the Sugar Bowl game. Served with toasted baguette slices, admittedly it seems quite strange and unusual ... until you get a taste and, can't stop eating it! Try it for a Mardi Gras celebration or anytime you have occasion for boasting a fantastic new appetizer!

PS: Click here if you want to take the guacamole to whole other French level ...

New Orleans-style Guacamole
3 large, ripe avocados, peeled, seeded, cut in chunks
2 tsp Tabasco sauce, or to taste
1 Tbsp sugar
1 Tbsp white balsamic vinegar or, orange juice
2 tsp hot-and-sweet mustard
2 cups cooked (peeled, deveined, tails removed) shrimp, chopped coarsely
1/2 large sweet white onion, diced
Sugar-Pepper, for seasoning and garnishing dip:
2 tsp salt
2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
2 tsp red cayenne pepper, or to taste
1 tsp sugar

Toasted French baguette slices, for serving

Mash avocado chunks in large bowl. In separate bowl, whisk next four ingredients until smooth. Gently stir into mashed avocado and blend well; add shrimp and onion. Prepare Sugar-Pepper by mixing salt, black pepper, red pepper, and sugar. Add gradually to taste, to avocado mixture, adjust seasoning, reserving some sugar-pepper for topping guacamole if desired. Transfer to serving bowl, garnish as desired. Enjoy as spread for baguette slices. Yields 6-8 servings.

Or, if you just prefer someone else do the food and you practice being a guest, you might really love this weekend's LA Street Food Fest. Take your Valentine, your Mardi Gras date, your Chinese New Year of the Tiger buddy, or maybe even someone who doesn't have to work or study on President's Day Monday! Enjoy a full-on food-frenzy extravaganza offered by LA's most popular catering and gourmet trucks, all in one location. Goodwill is part of the deal, so feel good about toasting the LA Food Bank at one of the beer and wine bars!

Just enjoy! On behalf of my lovely siser Lisa, you are wished delicious hours around the table this week, especially with those you love! Happy Valentines Day, Chinese New Year, and Presidents Day!

Until next time, I remain,
Diane Scalia
Your Tour (and Blog) Maestra