Strawberry Salsa

This recipe was a perfect way to use some Serrano peppers in my garden. As of July 19th, I have had over 65 Serranos from 2 plants! I also used herbs from my garden and freshly picked strawberries!

Strawberry & Serrano Pepper Salsa 

Ingredients

1 large carton of organic strawberries

2 large organic tomatoes

1 Serrano pepper (more if you like it hot)

1/8 cup cilantro, chopped

1/8 cup basil, chopped

5 mint leaves, finely chopped

1 tablespoon of honey 

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 tablespoon of limejuice

Splash of balsamic vinegar

Directions

1. Remove the stems from the strawberries and dice them.

2. Dice the pepper.

3. Cut the tomato in half and squeeze out the seeds. 

4. Dice the tomato slices. 

5. In a large bowl, add the diced strawberries, diced tomatoes, cilantro, basil, Serrano pepper, honey, sugar. Stir just enough to mix.

Serve with tortilla chips or as a bruschetta! 

Corn, Black Bean, & Avocado Salsa

I initially made this for a salad, but made it separate so I could put it on tacos later on. It is also great as just a dip! 

Ingredients:
1 cup corn, roasted
1 15-ounce canned beans, rinsed and drained well
1 avocado, diced
1 scallion, minced
1 tomato, diced

1/2 cup red bell pepper, diced

2 teaspoons chopped cilantro

1 teaspoon ground cumin

juice of one lime

1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper, to taste

Directions:

To roast corn kernels, place corn kernels and 2 teaspoons olive oil in a cast iron pan. Cook on medium heat until corn turns light brown and caramelizes. Let corn cool.

Mix all ingredients together.

Chill before serving.

To easily dice avocados slice them and then scoop them out.

Let the corn chill, before adding to the mixture.

Hot Sweet Onion Dip

I hosted our staff holiday party. It was an easy party to throw together, because everyone brought an appetizer and their own drinks! This dip was the favorite of the night! Drue brought it, and said it was easy. I made it to take to a friends house, I agree it's EASY!

Ingredients: 
1 sweet onion, chopped
8 oz. Hellmann's Mayo (it has to be Hellmann's because the other stuff separates)
8oz shredded cheddar cheese

Directions: 
Mix together, and bake for 20 minutes at 350*. Serve with Fritos Scoops.

Just for fun a few pics of my house set up for the party and the invitation!

I used wrapping paper as the table runner! Thanks Erica for the idea!!

Mango Guac

My friend Ashley made a version of this for a shower this past weekend. We pretty much devoured it! As I was at the grocery store today, I decided I needed guac to go with my tacos (which she sent home with me!)

Ingredients:

• 4 ripe avocados 
• 1 cup chopped white onion
• 2 fresh Serrano chilies, finely chopped, including seeds
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3/4 cup diced peeled mango
• 1/2 cup chopped cilantro
• sprinkle of sea salt

Directions: 

1. Halve, pit, and peel avocados- Mash into a bowl. 
2. Add onion, Serrano chilies, lime juice, and salt. Stir. 
3. Fold in mango and cilantro. 
4. Season with additional lime or salt if needed. 

Serve with hint of lime chips!

I made mine without Pomegranate seeds, because I was being lazy! It was still delicious!

Adapted from: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/Mango-Pomegranate-Guacamole-350568#ixzz2SYLhNzH1

Baked Potato Dip

Everyone loves a new dip? I tried this one for a March Madness Watch Party. It was quick and easy! I have made a hot version of this dip with cream cheese, but this cold one is perfect to take to parties.


Ingredients
1 16 oz. container light sour cream
2 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
8 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
6 green onions, sliced
salt, pepper and cayenne to taste

Directions
Mix everything and enjoy scooping with potato chips.

Best Salsa EVAH!

This is P-Dub's salsa. For those of you who don't know who P-Dub is, she is an awesome food blogger and photographer, also known as The Pioneer Woman.  This salsa is so easy and you can mix it up to make it fit your ingredients and style.  I love cilantro, so I put LOTS.  My mom doesn't like it spicy, so I limit the jalapenos when I make it for her.  If I have fresh tomatoes, I will use them. 

Ingredients

• 1 can (28 Ounce) Whole Tomatoes With Juice
• 2 cans Rotel (diced Tomatoes And Green Chilies)
• 1/4 cup Chopped Onion
• 1 t Minced Garlic
• 1 whole Jalapeno, diced
• 1/4 teaspoon Sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon Salt
• 1/4 teaspoon Ground Cumin
• 1/2 cup Cilantro (I use more!)
• Juice from 1/2 a Lime

I throw everything into a bowl and use my awesome immersion blender to mix it all up. I love this because you don't have to dirty the blender, and it fits in a bowl.  This recipe makes about 12 cups of salsa, but don't worry, it will be gobbled up! 

P-Dub does a much better job of photographing this amazing salsa. Go check it out here!

Dip, Baby Dip!

Fall means football and tailgating. This dip is great for a tailgate. It is so easy and is pretty much a "dump" dip. 

Corn Dip

Ingredients: 

• 2 cans of corn drained
• 1 red onion - finely chopped
• 1 16oz container of sour cream

• 1 cup mayo
• 1 package of dry ranch dip
 (I buy this in bulk, 3T = one packet)
• 1/2 bag of shredded cheese mexi-blend
• Fritos

 Mix it all up and put it in the fridge. (Don't let people know how easy it is.) 

Serve with Fritos scoops

Raspberry Chipotle Bean Dip

This dip originated in a little town called Manhappin' Kansas, also known as the home to K-State. There is a place called So Long Saloon that has this dip, and my friend Lindsey Erin got her hands on it and shared it with us! This is one thing that is good that has come out of that place. :)

Ingredients: 

1/2 jar of Raspberry Chipotle Sauce *
1 can of black beans, rinsed & drained
8 oz. of cream cheese, softened
1 cup pepper jack cheese, shredded
1/2 cup onion, diced (optional)

*The sauce can be found in the jam or marinade section of the grocery store, or at stores such as Dean & Deluca. I have also used the jalapeno & raspberry and the very berry









Directions:

Combine onion and cream cheese and spread at the bottom of an oven proof bowl. Dump the black beans over the cream cheese. Pour sauce over beans and cream cheese. Top with sprinkled pepper jack cheese.














Bake at 350* until dip is warm through out and cheese is melted. If you are hungry and want it fast, you can microwave it for 2-3 minutes, but it just isn't the same!

This is a staple at our get togethers and we devour it every time!