Border Guacamole

• 5 ripe avocados, preferably Haas    
• 1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 2 jalapeño chiles, stemmed, seeded, and finely chopped; more to taste
• 3 Tbs. freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1-1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• Shredded lettuce (optional)
• Sliced tomatoes (optional)

Cut the avocados into quarters and remove the seeds. Peel the fruits and put them in a mixing bowl. Mash them with a potato masher or fork until chunky. Add the cilantro, onion, chiles, lime juice, salt, and pepper and mix with a fork until all the ingredients are evenly dispersed. Mound the guacamole on a bed of shredded lettuce and garnish with the sliced tomatoes on the side.