GUACAMOLE PASTA

By BobD

Ingredients

• 8 SERVINGS
• Agar flakes, available at most natural foods stores, are the secret ingredient used to craft the noodles is straight out of MacGyver, utilizing ordinary drinking straws.
• FOR AVOCADO NOODLES
• 3/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp reduced-sodium chicken broth
• 2 tablespoons agar flakes (preferably Eden brand)
• 1/2 ripe 6- to 8-oz avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/4 teaspoon grated lime zest
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• FOR SALSA
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped white onion
• 1 teaspoon minced fresh jalapeno including seeds)
• 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice
• 1 teaspoon tequila
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• GARNISH: 8 cilantro leaves
• EQUIPMENT: a squeeze bottle; 32 non-bendable drinking straws

Details

Servings 8
Adapted from gourmet.com

Preparation

Step 1

MAKE NOODLES:

Bring broth and agar flakes to a boil in a small heavy saucepan, whisking, then boil until most of agar is dissolved, about 3 minutes.

Strain though a fine-mesh sieve into a food processor.

Add avocado half, zest, lime juice, and 1/4 tsp salt and puree until smooth.

Transfer puree while still warm to squeeze bottle and squeeze into straws.

Chill until cold, about 10 minutes.

MAKE SALSA WHILE NOODLES CHILL:

Cut tomatoes into 1/8-inch-thick slices and toss with onion, jalapeno, lime juice, tequila, oil, and salt and pepper to taste.

TO SERVE:

Wash and dry squeeze bottle.

Force each avocado noodle out of straw by squeezing air from bottle into straw.

Arrange 3 or 4 noodles on each of 8 hors d'oeuvre plates or in serving spoons, then top with some of salsa.