Laura Securro is a principal at a school in South Florida. Lucky them! She smiles wide at all times and we met when she was a first year teacher in Charleston, West Virginia. I was a volunteer with AmeriCorps Farm to School and she welcomed me into her classroom to do cooking demonstrations and tastings with her students any time, even sharing her cell number. She was new to the classroom and I was just getting started, too. Our passions for kids and food collided and we had the best time catching up recently.

Laura shared her devotion to cooking, a lifelong love her parents cultivated. Cooking is her hobby and a release when she gets home from a busy day at school. First things first, she gets into her comfy clothes, puts on some music and cooks up some fun! Tacos aren’t just for Tuesday, they are a staple for any night of the week when a quick meal is in order.

What’s your 20 minute recipe? Tacos! I use that very broadly. I can literally do anything with that theme! I usually keep everything on hand for it. While you’re browning your meat whether its beef, chicken, fish or shrimp, you get the rest going. Refried beans, slaw with crema. Taco seasoning goes a long way! If you don’t have a big thing of taco seasoning, I don't know why. Guacamole! I always have ripe avocados. My secret is a little olive oil and a LOT of lime juice! Salt and I’ll add in some chili powder, taco seasoning for a kick and chopped up red onions. I cook a batch of dried black beans for the week and use them.

What’s your favorite city? My favorite place to go is a place I’ve never been. I love new experiences. Really, I would say Grand Rapids, Michigan where I went to college. They have Art Prize every fall. The whole city gets decorated by art by all the local artists. Great food, great night life. There’s a river that runs through. It gets rated as one of the top cities for young professionals.

What’s your Favorite restaurant in your current city? Oh that’s a really loaded question. We live in Delray Beach. I’ll say Death or Glory, I have to give them a shout out! They go all out for Halloween and have some healthier spins on food. They do Cheeto dusted chickpeas. Fun drinks and good food. I love the Bear Shack, too. When you go out to a restaurant, you’re looking for good atmosphere, good food and drinks and a good time!

Treasured find in the back of your fridge? I’m the lemon queen! My father had this love of lemons. I start to get panicked if I’m down to one or two. I drink my water with lemon and I really think it enhances everything! Carrots are great with lemon.

Who taught you to cook? Both my parents. Not one more than the other. I’m 100% Lebanese. My mom made the best food, even fried chicken! My father made more of the everyday food. He could make even an average meal amazing! I watched them, loved being in the kitchen. I think when your parents enjoy it, it’s automatic for the kids.

What’s your go-to dish for company? A really good charcuterie board! There’s so many good things you can do with that for an appetizer. For the main dish I’ll do a big salad with garlic bread and chicken parmesan. I start with a good jarred sauce that I doctor up. I love mushrooms in my sauce. Lots of fresh parm on top. Makes a really good party night!

What’s on your cooking playlist? My top one is Laid Back Beach Music Radio on Pandora! I literally tell Alexa. Tied with Bob Marley. Makes you feel like you’re on vacation.

Coffee, tea, or Kombucha? That’s a hard one! I would probably pick kombucha over everything. I love kombucha! You feel healthy after you drink it.

Date night--at home? or out? Date night in for sure. If my husband takes over he will make tuna tartare and some scallops. If I’m cooking, I make his favorite meal, a turkey meatloaf with cauliflower mashed potatoes. Really the best date night in is homemade pizza! You can go any direction with this, I try to encourage my friends to do this with their kids.

Most stained cookbook? Probably my Lebanese cookbook. Or Hungry Girl. I used that all through college. Really easy recipes.

Surf? or Turf? Oh you’re killing me! I’ll say surf. I’ll always pick the scallops or crabcakes on the menu. We had a house on Cape Cod and grew up eating a ton of seafood

Indispensable kitchen tool? My lemon juicer, that old school one. Tied with a baking pan, I mean what would you do without a baking pan?!

Staple childhood comfort food? Macaroni and cheese. A good mac and cheese is...and I love making it homemade! I love a good homemade mac and cheese.

Who would you most like to share a meal with? past, present or fictional? I’m embarrassed to tell you.I watch the Housewives shows to unwind. Bethany Frankel from the Housewives, she’s the Skinny Girl. She does a lot of giving back and she is really entertaining!

Ideal grilled cheese? There would be no cheese I would leave out! I would put every cheese in the universe on it, including feta and havarti! Gouda, brie, everything. I would throw in some slices of bacon, too.

Favorite pizza topping? Mushrooms for sure.

Where would you want to take a cooking class? I know this sounds so cliche, I mean Rome, Italy! With a grandma who will show us how it’s done! We had a trip to Italy planned, we’ll have to get there one day.

What’s your Counter Intelligence cooking tip? Is this my secret power kind of thing? I can make anything out of anything! Give me something random, throw me ingredients and I’m confident I will make something awesome!

Three things next to your stove? Four things. Olive oil, balsamic vinegar, sea salt and pepper.

Favorite Sports Team? I would say anything Michigan. Detroit Redwings. I do love going to hockey games!

What do you miss most about Charleston? The seasons and the leaves changing. Wearing those fall clothes and being outside and enjoying the beautiful mountains! I miss my family and friends, the West Virginia people and PEPPERONI ROLLS!

What’s the secret to perfect guacamole? Read ahead and cook along! (PS it’s red onion, tons of fresh lime juice, good salt and a drizzle of olive oil. Ohhhhh and of course the best ripe avocados)

Laura’s Guacamole

Laura is on autopilot when it comes to taco night. She varies the fillings but one thing is a constant: homemade guacamole. Keeping avocados on hand makes it an any time staple! As I made a batch per Laura’s instruction, I was reminded of the BEST guacamole ($19! And worth every penny) I’ve ever tasted. It, too, was finished with olive oil and had the dreamy consistency of velvety with perfectly ripe melt in your mouth chunks. The homemade version matches the $19 batch!

For one and a half ripe avocados, you’ll need half of a small red onion, finely chopped, the juice of a lime, more if the lime isn’t super juicy or you like it extra lime-y, about a half teaspoon coarse sea salt and a drizzle of good olive oil. Mash the whole avocado with the remaining ingredients in a medium bowl. Add the remaining half avocado and cut it in leaving soft chunks. Scoop into a serving bowl and drizzle with another splash of olive oil. Serve with your favorite tacos or chips, or straight from a spoon.