Carefully cut into the stem end of the avocado. Your knife blade will rest on the hard center pit. Turning the avocado, cut all the way around the pit to form two halves.

Place your hands, one on each half.

Gently turn one half to separate.

You will now have two halves; one will contain the center pit.

Place the half with the pit onto a towel in the palm of your hand. Using a chopping motion, lodge the center of the knife blade into the pit. The towel will protect your hand from being cut, but use caution.

Gently twist the knife to pull the pit away from the avocado half. Discard the pit.

Make diagonal cuts into the avocado, being careful not to cut through the tough skin. For an added precaution, you can employ the towel method again.

Make diagonal cuts the other direction to make a "checker board" grid.

Use a large spoon to scoop the diced avocado out of the skin.

Place the diced avocado into a bowl and repeat this process with the other half.