Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing -- The Table That Holds Everything Together

Fall. Week 4, Diego catches a TD.

I made green chile mac for the family this week. The kitchen filled with the smell that green chile mac makes. Lisa and the kids ate around the table. The conversation was about the week, the kids' activities, the small ordinary news of a household in motion. Diego called from CSU and said hello. The twins ate too much. Sofia ate the right amount. Lisa ate slowly. I ate the rest.

The dog tags were under the polo. The chain was around my neck. Hector's ring is not on a chain yet. Papá is still alive. Mamá is still in Las Cruces. The road keeps bending. The road bends. Feed your people. The game is won at the table.

Green chile mac is the main event, but it’s never the whole table — and around here, the table is everything. This avocado lime ranch has become the thing I reach for when I want something bright and Southwestern to sit alongside whatever’s coming out of that pot: a green salad, some roasted corn, whatever the kids will actually eat without negotiating. It takes ten minutes and it tastes like you were paying attention.

Avocado Lime Ranch Dressing

Prep Time: 10 min | Cook Time: 0 min | Total Time: 10 min | Servings: 10 (about 2 tablespoons each)

Ingredients

• 1 large ripe avocado, pitted and peeled
• 1/2 cup buttermilk
• 1/4 cup sour cream
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (about 2 limes)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon onion powder
• 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

Instructions

1. Blend the base. Add the avocado, buttermilk, sour cream, and mayonnaise to a blender or food processor. Blend until completely smooth, scraping down the sides as needed.
2. Add the flavor. Add the lime juice, garlic, cilantro, onion powder, dried dill, garlic powder, salt, and pepper. Blend again until fully combined and creamy.
3. Taste and adjust. Taste for seasoning. Add more lime juice for brightness, more salt if it needs it, or a splash more buttermilk to thin it to your preferred consistency.
4. Chill before serving. Transfer to a jar or airtight container and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes before serving to let the flavors come together. Keeps in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories: 85 | Protein: 1g | Fat: 8g | Carbs: 4g | Fiber: 1g | Sodium: 145mg