Chunky Guacamole

Ingredients:

• 1 medium-sized ripe avocado
• 2 teaspoons lime juice
• 1/2 cup ricotta cheese
• 3 tablespoons reduced-fat Ranch salad dressing
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 cup, seeded finely diced plum tomato
• 1/2 cup finely diced red pepper
• 1/2 cup minced green onion
• 1/4 cup minced fresh cilantro
• 2 tablespoons minced and seeded jalapeno pepper (optional)
• Crudites such as sliced cucumber, yellow squash, hollowed cherry tomatoes, carrot slices, radicchio, Belgian endive leaves, salt (optional)
• Time: 20 minutes prep
• Yields: 2 1/4 cups

Directions:

1. Peel, seed, and mash avocado with lemon juice in a medium bowl.
2. Place ricotta cheese in a fine wire-mesh sieve; press through sieve into bowl.
3. Add dressing, cumin, garlic powder, mixing well; stir in tomato, green pepper,green onion, cilantro, and jalapeno, if desired.
4. Salt to taste, if desired.
5. Serve with cucumber and squash rounds, or spoon into tomatoes or lettuce leaves.

Nutrients:
Per Serving (two tablespoons)

• 36 calories
• 3 g fat ( 1 g saturated)
• 3 mg cholesterol
• 50 mg sodium
• 1 g protein
• 2 g carbohydrates

The Guilt-Free Comfort Food Cookbook
by Georgia Kostas, R.D., M.P.H.
page: 46