Guacamole (Guasacaca - Venezuela)

This is used as a marinade, spread and relish. As a marinade, it is slathered on beef, chicken, fish and shellfish before grilling. As a spread, it is generally put on crusty corn cakes (arepas de choclo).

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or freshly squeezed lime juice
2 medium ripe Haas avocados
1 medium ripe tomato, finely minced
1/4 cup finely minced red or yellow bell pepper
2 tablespoons finely minced red onion
1 serrano or jalape?o chile, seeded and finely minced
Salt, to taste

Mix olive oil and vinegar thoroughly in a bowl to make a dressing.

Cut avocados in half lengthwise, peel off the skin, then remove pits. Cut the avocado flesh into chunks and fold into the dressing. Mash the avocados with a fork until smooth. Stir in tomato, bell pepper, onion and chile. Taste and add salt, if needed.

Serve at once.