Peeling garlic is no easy feat. The skin always seems to cling in the wrong places and can be difficult to peel off the clove. But in order to make Oliver’s favorite snack, guacamole, he must learn to do this. Last weekend, I showed him how, and he spent the better part of half an hour preparing enough garlic for a big batch of guacamole and the black beans and rice we made to go along with it. Such a determined guy!
He needed a bit of help getting the garlic press started, but once it was warmed up, he could press it himself. 
And the scooping? No problem. He enjoyed scooping out every bit of the green flesh and adding it to the lime juice, red onion, and garlic before mashing it and adding a bit of sea salt. And voila! Guacamole. 
And just as important, cleaning up.
Oliver’s Favorite Guacamole
- 3 ripe avocados, halved
- juice of one lime
- 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
- a bit of red onion, minced (about 3 Tbsp)
- 1/2 tsp sea salt
Add lime juice to a small mixing bowl. Add minced onion and garlic and allow to marinate a few minutes while you prepare the avocado. Scoop avocado flesh out and add to onion/garlic. Mash with a spoon or fork until smooth. Add sea salt and stir. Serve with tortilla chips or on top of your favorite tacos or beans & rice. Enjoy!
Brilliant– I HATE peeling garlic. Why haven’t I been putting those little fingers to work sooner?
I second Rachel, peeling garlic is one of those dreaded chores… I would love to pass it off, we’ll see if W is up for this one (I can almost hear him whining ‘I can’t do it’ already 😉 )
I, too, suffer from the “I can’t do it”s. That can make forcing new things and independence more challenging but these posts have inspired me to do less for my boys and involve them more.
My little guys love guac, too! And they love helping in the kitchen, but I’ve never set them to the task of peeling garlic… might have to do that… side note… I usually smash the garlic with the side of a knife and the peel practically falls off (i.e. http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-peel-garlic-quickly-and-44659) . (I don’t think I’m going to give the boys a knife, though…)
Also – hello from STL… I found your blog though another blog through another blog… so – hi!
I have found that if you cut off the little end and press the clove gently, the skin usually is released from the clove. (Just a little trick!)
Now there is a lesson in patience AND how hard work really does pay off. I absolutely hate peeling garlic. BUT guacamole definitely makes the dreaded task worth it 🙂 This is such a great simple recipe! We make it similarly plus fresh tomato and cilantro.
Yes! I’ve got a girlie who has begged me to garlic since she was one . . . (um, sure; go for it!)
Here in Mexico, everywhere I go the guacamole has fresh spicy peppers (serrano or jalepeño or chile de arbol) cut up into it; Maybe it’s not the right touch for Oliver . . . but YOU should try it – it’s lovely; I’ll never go back to chile-less guacamole again!
Oh, Naomi, that sounds perfect! Oliver likes his bland- no tomatoes, no peppers, not even cilantro, but you’d better believe Andrew and I like all of the above! I will be adding jalapeños to ours next time!
Yum, I’m with you, Oliver! Guacamole is worth the effort! You really inspire me to let my kids take the lead more around here.