Quick & Easy Salsa

If you're like me, you've been saying for ages that you are going to make your own salsa one of these days. I said this at the beginning of the summer, hoping to go to the farmer's market up the road and make mine from all fresh local produce. But now it's the dead of winter and I still haven't made any salsa (an definitely cannot buy the fresh produce from my farmer's market now), so instead, why not try out a quick and easy salsa with all ingredients that you can find at your local grocery store.

The following recipe is for salsa made in the blender, and it only takes 15 minutes to make!

http://www.mountainmamacooks.com/2012/01/quick-and-easy-blender-salsa/

Ingredients:

1- 14 oz can diced tomatoes

1- 10 oz can orginal Rotel (or equivalent)

1/2 small onion, roughly chopped

1 clove garlic, peeled and smashed

1/2-1 jalapeno, seeded or not (depends on how spicy you like it - seeds make it spicier)

1 teaspoon honey

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

small to medium size handful of cilantro, washed

juice of 1 lime

Directions:

Put all the ingredients in the base of a food processor or good blender and pulse to combine for 30 seconds or so until all the ingredients are finely chopped and salsa is desired consistency. 

Taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Serve & enjoy!

Take Care,

Leanne.

Jalapeno Popper Dip

I don't know about you, but I am a huge fan of jalapeno poppers (or most things involving jalapenos).

So whenever I am in charge of appetizers, jalapeno poppers are a must have item, but dips are also very popular with guests (especially hot dips). So wouldn't it be great to combine these two things?

If you are with me on that, then here is a great dip recipe; Jalapeno Popper Dip.

http://zrecipee.blogspot.ca/2013/12/adsbygoogle-window_25.html

Recipe:

Ingredients:

6-8 slices of bacon, diced and cooked crispy

2 8-oz packages of cream cheese, softened

1 cup of mayonnaise

4-6 jalapeno's, chopped and deseeded. The seeds will make it fiery hot (I like to leave some seeds in)

1 cup of cheddar cheese, shredded

1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, shredded

1/4 cup diced green onion

Topping:

1 cup of crushed crackers (Ritz works great, or for a healthier cracker I use Breton)

1/2 cup parmesan cheese

1/2 stick of butter, melted

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350.

Combine all of the ingredients into a medium bowl. Stir well.

Transfer to an oven proof dish. Combine the topping ingredients and sprinkle all over the top of the dip.

Bake the dip for 20-30 minutes or until bubbly. 

Remove from oven. Serve & Enjoy!

Take Care,

Leanne.

Famous Neiman Marcus Dip

I have to admit, I have never been to Neiman Marcus, given I am Canadian so I feel that gives me a fair excuse, but it is on my to-do list for shopping.

However, I have been seeing this recipe so much over the last few months that I just had to post it: Neiman Marcus' famous dip (this looks and sounds delicious).

http://inspiredreamer.com/neiman-marcus-dip/

Ingredients:

5-6 Green onions, chopped

8 oz. shredded cheddar cheese

1 1/2 cups of mayo

1 jar of "Hormel Real Bacon Bits" (or your grocery store equivalent)

1 pkg slivered almonds

Directions:

Mix all ingredients together in a medium sized mixing bowl.

Chill for 1-2 hours.

Serve & enjoy with your favourite cracker.

Take Care,

Leanne.