No special products (or much effort whatsoever) required!

Most Southerners have a go-to pre-dinner snack.

It could be anything from deviled eggs tocheese dreamsto gold old pepper jelly and cream cheese on crackers.

No-Frills Guacamole

Credit: Caitlin Bensel

At my parents house, and at my house, its guacamole and chips.

Opening the bag of tortilla chips requires more effort, which is probably why this is our go-to appetizer.

As she efficiently packed away leftovers (arent moms the best?

Southern Living Spicy Guacamole ingredients mashed together in bowl

Credit:Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

Caitlin Bensel; Food Stylist: Torie Cox

How Long Did My Guacamole Stay Green?

So I resisted eating the leftover guac and instead looked at it as a science experiment.

It tasted fine, too.

By the third day, it was starting to turn past its prime.

Imagine the self-control you’d have to have!

Moms really are the best.