by Jane Rodmell for All The Best Fine Foods, a Certified Good Food Fighter

Getting together with friends to watch the big game this weekend or heading back to the fire after a day on the slopes? Wintery days and rigourous sporting activity (even if just on the couch) require lots of hearty snacks and comforting easy-eating suppers that are ready to go in just a few minutes. In All The Best‘s kitchens our chefs are busy preparing all the favourites: Buffalo wings, quesadillas, pizzas, chillies, lasagnas, pot pies and of course lots of crab cakes, crackerbreads and dips.

All the Best Seven Layer Dip has become part of our Super bowl tradition. It’s a zippy layered combo of Tex Mex flavours – a layer of spicy refried black beans, topped with layers of salsa or pico de gallo, guacamole, chopped black olives, grated cheddar cheese, sour cream and chopped green onions.  Serve with baskets of crisp tortilla chips…and let everyone just dig in.

Guacamole
This fresh-tasting avocado mix is an essential element of a seven layer dip and makes a delicious snack all by itself.  It’s also a popular condiment with many south-of-the-border dishes. Best enjoyed the day it is made.

2 ripe avocados
Juice of 1-2 limes
1 tomato, seeded and finely diced
2 tbsp/30ml finely chopped red onion
1 clove garlic, minced
1 fresh jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced (opt)
1 tbsp/15 ml chopped cilantro
kosher or sea  salt

Halve avocados, remove pits and scoop flesh from the skins. In a large bowl, using a potato masher or a fork, mash avocados until almost smooth. Sprinkle with lime juice.

In a small bowl, combine tomato, onion, garlic, jalapeno (if using) and cilantro. Sprinkle with lime juice and a little salt.

Stir about two thirds of the tomato mix into the mashed avocado. Taste and adjust seasoning, adding a dash more lime juice, salt or cilantro if necessary. Spread the rest of the tomato mix on top.

Makes about 11/2 cups/375 ml

Tip:  For good flavour your avocados must be just ripe. Gently stick a toothpick in the stem end: it should slip smoothly in and out.

All the best

Jane