Published On: July 10, 2013 - By - 0 Comments on Fiesta! Guac Bar for a Crowd -

You say, “Guacamole.” I say, “I’ll bring the margaritas!” Appetizer, side dish, garnish or dip, guacamole means one thing: party.

The perfect guacamole starts with three basic ingredients; ripe avocados, acid (lime or lemon), and salt. But instead of creating the old standby (which, by the way, we love!), dressing up your dip can add spice, flavor or theme to any summer party.

Introduce the Guac Bar, a DIY spot where each guest can create his or her own perfect guacamole. Spicier, sweeter, chunky, smooth — the preference is yours. Toppings can range from classics like onion and cilantro to far out additions like strawberries or cocoa powder. Here’s how you do it:
 

Set Up the Guac Bar

To create your Guac Bar, clear a large table for your ingredients. Include guacamole staples: mashed avocados, acids, and salt. Then place each specialty ingredient in individual bowls, cutting the ingredient into bite size pieces so guests can easily add to mashed avocados.

When guests arrive, give each a bowl and a fork, allowing them to mix at their leisure. By sticking with plastic forks, bowls, and utensils, not only is it more economical, but it also allows each guest the opportunity to make multiple guacamole blends.

Possible add-ins: cilantro, parsley, mint, chives, scallions, strawberries, mango, apple, pineapple, hot peppers, zucchini, cucumber, onion, pine nuts, almonds, cashews, shrimp, chicken, fish, hot sauce(s), salsa(s), feta, cheddar cheese, bacon, sushi-grade tuna, blue cheese, tequila, orange juice, seltzer, cocoa powder, and even chocolate chips!

Don’t forget the chips and salsa. Creating a Guac Bar is more than just the guacamole itself. After all, it’s a party! Add other Mexican staples such as chips, salsa, tortillas (hard and soft), beans, rice, and chili con queso to your table so that guests feel welcome to eat and mingle without the pressure to create a guacamole.

Need help getting started? Here are some classic and far-out versions to get the juices flowing.

Hand Mashed Guacamole: The perfect classic guacamole, for those who prefer a little chunk in their dip.

Blue Cheese Guacamole: For the blue cheese lover; beautiful colors and crunch.

White Fish Guacamole: Latin and Jewish, this guac makes a beautiful combo. Instead of adding guacamole to your fish (tacos), add fish to your guacamole.

Next, how to set up the bar and a playlist to get your party started…

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Set Up the Bar

Mexican beers pair nicely with guacamole, as well as with salty and spicy food. Grab a selection of favorites such as Tecate, Sol, Carta Blanca, Dos Equis, Modelo or Corona.

Make a batch of margaritas before guests arrive and allow them to each add their own amount of tequila. Provide two to three different types of agave mixers such as blanco, reposado, or even mezcal. By keeping the alcohol separate, guests who prefer mocktails, or virgin drinks, will feel right at home. Below are some TLK  favorites.

The Classic Margarita: The title says it all.

“La Batall” Rhubarb Margarita: While rhubarb is in season, take advantage.

Prickly Pear Margarita: For those that like a little adventure.

 

 

 

Turn on the Music

Celebrating a fiesta is more than just food, it’s about ambience, and music is numero uno. Below is a list of ten fiesta inspired jams to turn your part from restaurant guacamole to Guac Bar guacamole.

1.     Hot Hot Hot, Alphonsus Cassell 

2.     Bamboleo, Nicholas Reyes

3.     La Bamba, Ritchie Valens

4.     Rompe (En Directo), Daddy Yankee

5.     Danza Kuduro, Don Omar

6.     Gongo, Gloria Estefan

7.     Suavemente, Elvis Crespo

8.     I Like it Like That, Ray Barretto

9.    Techno Cumbia, Selena

10. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet

In the end, setting up a Guac Bar and pairing it with your favorite music, drinks and friends is what summer and celebrating is about. Don’t be afraid to color outside the lines and create your own mixture of guacamole, cheers!

 

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