Carrot and Celery Sticks with Guacamole

Ingredients

• carrot 1 medium
• celery stalks 2 stalks
• guacamole 1/3 cup

Method

1. Wash the vegetables. Rinse the carrot and celery stalks thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or residue.
   Tip: Use a vegetable brush to gently scrub the carrot for extra cleanliness.
2. Peel the carrot. Use a vegetable peeler to remove the outer skin of the carrot. This step is optional but helps improve texture and appearance.
   Tip: Peel in downward strokes away from your body for safety.
3. Cut carrot into sticks. Cut off both ends of the carrot, then slice it lengthwise into sticks about 3-4 inches long and 1/4 inch thick.
   Tip: Try to keep the sticks uniform in size for even dipping and presentation.
4. Cut celery into sticks. Trim the ends of the celery stalks and cut them into sticks similar in length and thickness to the carrot sticks.
   Tip: Remove any tough strings by pulling them away from the stalk if desired.
5. Serve with guacamole. Place the carrot and celery sticks on a plate alongside 1/3 cup of guacamole for dipping.
   Tip: Chill the guacamole beforehand for a refreshing contrast to the crunchy vegetables.

Pro tips

• To keep celery sticks crisp, store them in water in the refrigerator until ready to serve.
• If making homemade guacamole, add lime juice to prevent browning and enhance flavor.