Not Guacamole

on August 20, 2009

On the way to Boston last weekend, I watched some Food Network on the airplane.

I hardly ever watch the Food Network (although I like it), mostly because the recipes strike me as too complicated to remember off-hand. However, Giada (Everyday Italian) had one quick and easy recipe that sounded interesting.

Introducing… Not Guac.

Fun fact about me: I’m seriously allergic to avocado. Like, I will break into hives, my lungs will collapse, and I could die if I eat an avocado. As a result, I’ve never gotten to try real guacamole. I was hoping this recipe would come close!

In a food processor, blend:

1/2 bag frozen peas, thawed out
5 sun-dried tomatoes
Splash olive oil
Spoonful of hummus
Pepper to taste

This is a spin on Giada’s recipe (she didn’t have hummus in her dip).

The No Guac was alright. I have no basis to judge it on, since I’ve never had real guacamole, but this was tastey. It was a little sweet. Not sure if I would make it again because I’m not CRAZY about peas. Maybe it would be better with lima beans? I had about half:

And earlier I snacked on one of my homemade blueberry yogurt muffins.

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{ 45 comments }

Jolene - EverydayFoodie August 20, 2009, 10:51 am
Everyday Italian is my favorite cooking show! I love the way Giada cooks, and I always like the dishes she puts her food into LOL 🙂
Bec August 20, 2009, 10:53 am
I love everyday Italian. Based on that recipe and usual guacamole recipes I would say that you need to add garlic, the garlic in 1 tbs of hummus wouldnt be enough to flavour the guacamole.
brandi August 20, 2009, 10:59 am
what a great idea!

I would definitely try using something not so sweet like lima beans or great northern beans.

in my guac, I always use:
garlic
red onion
cumin
salt
fresh lime juice
hot sauce or cayenne
sometimes tomato
FRESH cilantro

if you used some normal guac ingredients and just a different base, I think it would come out great!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 20, 2009, 11:00 am
I TOTALLY FORGOT THE GARLIC. that explains everything.
Melissanibbles August 20, 2009, 11:02 am
The peas may have been too sweet for guac. Try it with lima beans and add more garlic.
I love Giada. She's an actual chef and really knows her stuff unlike Sandra Lee and others on the Food Network.
Lizzy August 20, 2009, 11:03 am
I am a food network junkie, i watch every show under the sun. Giada has some pretty good recipes and i'm sure you could take your own spin according to your own tastes with alot of her recipes. For what its worth your no gauc looked really delish! I'm anxious to know if u make it with lima beans. could be good!
Lindsay August 20, 2009, 11:04 am
Okay, this may be a really stupid question but how did you find out you were allergic if you'd never eaten an avocado?

🙂
Meghann August 20, 2009, 11:06 am
ha I remember you drooling over the show on the plane as we were delayed and starving!

I don't like peas either, I bet lima beans would be good. I think the spices are what make guac pop though
Amanda (modernation) August 20, 2009, 11:08 am
Interesting recipe. Edamame might be good to try, also. And lots of protein!
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 20, 2009, 11:08 am
lindsay – good question.

clue #1 i was allergic to avocado: i sat underneath an avocado tree and broke out inot full body hives (i was 9)

clue #2: i put on an avocado face mask and my face exploded into hives (i was 11)

clue #3: i ate sushi that was prepared on a table with avocado, broke into hives, couldn't breathe, and had to be rushed to student health! it was scary.
Sarah (Running To Slow Things Down) August 20, 2009, 11:09 am
Oh, definitely try it with lima beans!! I made a guac using baby limas, and it came out with a smooth consistency, resemblant of the real thing.

I used a cooks illustrated recipe, available on line if you look up "cooks illustrated light guacamole." You could omit the avocado (obviously!) and use extra lima beans or white beans.

Love it!
Life's Too Short to Eat Fat Free Cheese August 20, 2009, 11:09 am
You could try edamame for the dip, possibly? I've seen edamame used to make hummus.. so maybe it would work in the guac recipe as well.
Tay August 20, 2009, 11:16 am
I've seen an edamame recipe for "guac" around too. You can search and try that out!
K8 August 20, 2009, 11:19 am
I totally recomend the edamae "guac", it is fantastic.

http://ofmonkeysandcupcakes.blogspot.com/2009/07/edamame-dip-aka-holy-shit-there-is.html
Lauren August 20, 2009, 11:20 am
As some other readers have written, you could sub edamame (or even asparagus) for the avocado in guacamole. Ellie Krieger has an edamame hummus recipe that I've been meaning to make for a while now.

In terms of Food Network recipes, most of them are on the website. I frequent the site for meal ideas, and am usually pretty satisfied with the outcome!
Sheri August 20, 2009, 11:27 am
I was going to suggest what some people already did…edamame. I have not tried it yet and need to. I love edamame!
K from ksgoodeats August 20, 2009, 11:30 am
I was going to comment to let you know that edamame or asparagus works but I'm late to the game 😉
Kate August 20, 2009, 11:40 am
You could try edamame too? Soybeans have a nice flavor and would mush like limas. Never tried peamole (or whatever it's called?) but it sounds like it might be a little bland.

Also, to make it taste more like guac (which I guess you've never tasted…) you could add a little salsa?
Angela (Run Study Eat) August 20, 2009, 12:01 pm
I;m not crazy about lima beans, but maybe give it a try. I couldn't believe when I saw that said "no guac", totally looks like guac from the pic!
Nicole (dishin') August 20, 2009, 12:01 pm
That "guac" looks good, sorry it didn't taste as good as it looks. Next time, try 1/2 white beans and 1/2 peas. I bet it would take the pea taste away a little more. I'm not really a fan of peas either!
Anna August 20, 2009, 12:09 pm
Hmmm interesting! Yes, peas are quite naturally sweet so I imagine that would definitely affect the flavor.
NY Wolve August 20, 2009, 12:11 pm
I love guac. My 9 year old won't eat it. Then she went away to camp. They sreved it and now she loves it!
I saw a recipe for a humus with one with edamame and roasted red peppers from Ellie Krieger .
chandra August 20, 2009, 12:18 pm
I'm with the others, I'd try edamame!!
Bridget August 20, 2009, 12:31 pm
I am mildly obsessed with Giada…I kind of want to be her. With that said…that recipe sounds really good to me! but I love peas. Maybe edamame? My ABSOLUTE Favorite guac recipe is barefoot contessa! I believe it has red onion, leamon juice, few dashes hot sauce, S&P, and tomato (apart from the Avocado).
Jessica August 20, 2009, 12:33 pm
Hey- I recently made lima bean dip and posted this yummy recipe! http://www.afeteforfood.com/2009/04/lima-bean-dip-delight.html
lookingforserenity August 20, 2009, 12:50 pm
hey! I hate guac! so I might just try that recipie!
Eve August 20, 2009, 12:53 pm
I love Giada!! And for that matter almost everything on the food network 🙂 I think it may have been tastier with some fresh herbs and natural flavoring: basil, lemon juice, garlic, etc
Sammie August 20, 2009, 1:16 pm
I really enjoy watching Giada. She always makes the most delicious looking dishes.
Have you ever tried to make a spread with edamame? I have a recipe for an edamame hummus. If you want it just shoot me an e-mail.
Leianna August 20, 2009, 1:33 pm
The recipe sounds good on paper, but I'm not a fan of peas either. It's always fun to try new things though!
Sarah August 20, 2009, 1:42 pm
I make edamole (essentially guac made with edamame instead of avocado)…just good it and I am sure a recipe will come up. It is addictive!
Meighan August 20, 2009, 2:05 pm
Try broccoli!!! YUMMM
Oh She Glows August 20, 2009, 2:10 pm
oh my gosh frozen peas?? Who knew! That is just brilliant. I love this idea. Good for you for trying new recipes!
Pam (Highway to Health) August 20, 2009, 2:40 pm
That's a great idea! I would try it with another vegetable or a bean and it would probably be great.
Mara @ What's For Dinner? August 20, 2009, 3:13 pm
I have a very similar recipe on my site called "guisantamole" if you want to search for it… just as simple, and super yummy!
emily August 20, 2009, 3:40 pm
I adore watching the Food Network, but I do rarely actually make anything I've seen!
Matt (No Meat Athlete) August 20, 2009, 5:24 pm
I must admit, Giada scares me a little! But her food always looks good. I made a champagne risotto of hers, with asparagus, for New Years once. It was delicious.

I've never in my life heard of an avocado allergy. Are there related things you're allergic to?
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 20, 2009, 5:40 pm
matt – Latex… and I found that out the hard way.

And walnuts.

All related – a chitin allergy!
emilyrena August 20, 2009, 5:51 pm
Food Network on an airplane? That is heaven for me! Usually, if I`m luckly, I get an episode of a show that aired 4 years ago and was canceled the first season.
angieinatlanta August 20, 2009, 6:04 pm
Mmmm…that not guac looks awesome!

I love Giada – I feel like she has a healthy attitude towards food, even though technically she's not a health food chef.
Lauren August 20, 2009, 6:09 pm
Funny how Giada is the only one my hubby will watch on the Foodnetwork! 😉 Wonder why. Clearly it doesn't have anything to do with her stunning beauty or protruding perfect cleveage? LoL

I am so sorry that you are allergic to avacado, that's so tragic.

Hmmm, have you tried making guac with broccoli? I've heard that this is actually quite good.
Jenn Eats Nutritiously Now August 20, 2009, 6:13 pm
I LOVE food network. I wish I didn't, but I just can't help it!
MIchelle August 20, 2009, 6:32 pm
That looks really interesting.
Caroline August 20, 2009, 9:34 pm
Hmm this recipe could be the answer to my aversion to peas…anything tastes good with hummus and tomatoes!
Emily August 21, 2009, 3:46 am
Hi Caitlin,
I just wanted to add that I made this recipe: http://chocolateandzucchini.com/archives/2009/03/green_pea_cilantro_spread.php
and it came out great ~
maybe it can persuade you to give it another go 🙂
Caitlin at Healthy Tipping Point August 21, 2009, 5:37 am
alright, plan has been revised…. again. LOL.

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