Use the stem-flick test before cutting: flick off the small nub at the top. Green underneath means it's ready. Won't budge means it needs more time at room temperature. Missing nub or brown underneath means it may be overripe or bruised inside. Don't squeeze repeatedly — it causes bruising. If still firm, leave it on the counter away from direct sunlight until it yields gently to light pressure, which can take one to several days. Once ripe, rinse under cool water and place on a stable Cutting Board with a sharp Knife.

1. HALVE: Hold the avocado steady on a Cutting Board. Cut lengthwise around the pit along the natural seam with a sharp Chef's Knife. Twist the two halves apart. One half will hold the pit. 2. REMOVE PIT: Use a large spoon to scoop the pit out. Do not strike it with a knife blade — this risks injury. A folded kitchen towel to grip and twist the pit free also works. 3. PEEL OR SCOOP: Peel the skin away with your fingers or a spoon, or scoop the flesh out whole with a large spoon to keep it intact for slicing. 4. SLICE: Place the flesh flat-side down and cut into even slices about a quarter inch thick. For a fan, keep slices together and press gently to spread. For diced, score in a crosshatch while still in the skin and scoop out the cubes. 5. TIMING: Takes 2 to 5 minutes total. No heat required. Work quickly once cut — avocado flesh oxidizes and browns on exposure to air.

Use the stem-flick test before cutting: flick off the small nub at the top. Green underneath means it's ready. Won't budge means it needs more time at room temperature. Missing nub or brown underneath means it may be overripe or bruised inside. Don't squeeze repeatedly — it causes bruising. If still firm, leave it on the counter away from direct sunlight until it yields gently to light pressure, which can take one to several days. Once ripe, rinse under cool water and place on a stable Cutting Board with a sharp Knife.

1. HALVE: Hold the avocado steady on a Cutting Board. Cut lengthwise around the pit along the natural seam with a sharp Chef's Knife. Twist the two halves apart. One half will hold the pit. 2. REMOVE PIT: Use a large spoon to scoop the pit out. Do not strike it with a knife blade — this risks injury. A folded kitchen towel to grip and twist the pit free also works. 3. PEEL OR SCOOP: Peel the skin away with your fingers or a spoon, or scoop the flesh out whole with a large spoon to keep it intact for slicing. 4. SLICE: Place the flesh flat-side down and cut into even slices about a quarter inch thick. For a fan, keep slices together and press gently to spread. For diced, score in a crosshatch while still in the skin and scoop out the cubes. 5. TIMING: Takes 2 to 5 minutes total. No heat required. Work quickly once cut — avocado flesh oxidizes and browns on exposure to air.

Finely dice the 1 red bell pepper finely diced and 1 green bell pepper finely diced, 0.5 red onion finely diced, and Jalapeno. For a milder dip, remove all seeds and ribs from the Jalapeno. For more heat, leave some seeds in. Roughly chop the ½ cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped.

Add the drained 1 can black beans rinsed and drained, 1 can black-eyed peas rinsed and drained, 1 can whole kernel corn drained, and 1 can diced tomatoes with green chiles drained well to a large Mixing Bowl. Add the diced 1 red bell pepper finely diced, 1 green bell pepper finely diced, 0.5 red onion finely diced, Jalapeno, and ½ cup fresh cilantro roughly chopped.

Use the stem-flick test before cutting: flick off the small nub at the top. Green underneath means it's ready. Won't budge means it needs more time at room temperature. Missing nub or brown underneath means it may be overripe or bruised inside. Don't squeeze repeatedly — it causes bruising. If still firm, leave it on the counter away from direct sunlight until it yields gently to light pressure, which can take one to several days. Once ripe, rinse under cool water and place on a stable Cutting Board with a sharp Knife.