Pepper Jelly

This is my moms recipe and it is DELICIOUS!! Sounds weird, but try it, I promise you will love it. It is a great appetizer or snack.

4 large red bell peppers, seeded and chopped in blender
1 cup white sugar
2/3 cup white vinegar
1 tsp. salt

Simmer one hour or until sauce is thick. Put into 1 oz bottles and seal. Pour over a block of cream cheese and serve with crackers.

I didn't seal mine because I was using it soon. You really only have to seal it if you will be storing it. It keeps in the fridge for a few days. I used wheat thins as my crackers, they go best. Enjoy!

Black Bean Salsa

- submitted by Nell -

1 can black beans, rinsed & drained
1 cup frozen corn, thawed (can use drained, canned corn)
1 large tomato, chopped
1/4 cup green onions, chopped (can use yellow onion, chopped)
2 Tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
2 Tablespoon lemon juice
1 Tablespoon vegetable oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix together. Garnish with lemon wedge or cilantro.

As a side note to this recipe, I am not a cilantro fan so never put it in. I also use lime juice for all or a portion of the lemon juice whatever you have on hand works well and whatever taste is your preference. I also add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of cumin when I make this.

Chocolate Chip Cheese Ball

I was browsing some recipe blogs last week when I needed to make an appetizer for a party. I found this one and thought I'd give it a try. It was a fun variation of the traditional cheese ball. Someone at the party thought it tasted like a cannoli and was sure it was made with ricotta cheese. Bonus points for me. :) This was really good with some beautiful fresh strawberries somebody else brought. Fun to share for a party; too dangerous (read: fattening) to make for yourself. :)

Thanks Frosted Cupcake for the recipe. Check it out here.

Seven Layer Dip

***This dip is becoming a Super Bowl tradition. (I'm just a little behind in posting it...) I found this recipe at allrecipes.com, but made a few changes. I think the thing I like the most about this particular seven layer dip, is the seasoned sour cream.***

INGREDIENTS:

2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and diced

1 1/2 TBSP fresh lime juice

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup salsa

garlic salt to taste

ground black pepper to taste

1 (8 oz) container sour cream

1 (1 oz) package taco seasoning mix (I like the Taco Bell brand)

4 roma tomatoes, diced

1 bunch green onions, finely chopped

1 (16 oz) can refried beans

2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese (I use whatever kind I have)

abt 1 lb cooked ground beef (with onions and green peppers added)

can green chiles

1 (2.25 oz) can black olives, drained and finely chopped

DIRECTIONS:

1. Heat up refried beans in a skillet. Add cooked ground beef (w/ onions and green peppers). Add can of green chiles.

2. Spread refried bean mixture in a 9x13 pan or on a large serving platter. Let stand in pan for 30 minutes to cool before adding other layers.

3. In a medium bowl, mash the avocados. Mix in lime juice, cilantro, salsa, garlic salt, and pepper.

4. In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and taco seasoning.

5. Top refried bean mixture with sour cream mixture. Spread on guacamole. Top with tomatoes, green onions, cheese, and black olives.