Santa Fe Salsa

I love this idea. I will definitely be coming here for ideas when I am looking for something tasty and new to eat.

I'll contribute one of my very favorite salsa recipes. It comes from one of my very favorite Aunts :) This is so simple to make, and it is quite healthy (we have some in our fridge right now). But, it makes a LOT! It's really the perfect salsa for a party, but you will need a big bowl for it - I'm talking really big.

Susan's Salsa

2 bunches green onions, sliced
(Optional) 2 small avocados sliced into thin pieces (I usually cut it while it is in the skin, and I cut in horizontally and then vertically with small cuts - with the vinegar and juice in this recipe, the avocados stay green for a very long time.)
1/2 red pepper
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed well
1 can black-eye peas, drained (I also usually rinse these)
1 can corn
2 cans Ro-Tel (chopped tomatoes & chilies - I use one original and one hot, but do whatever mix you'd like)
1/4 cup vegetable oil
1/8 cup vinegar
chopped cilantro (a handful)
juice of one lime

Mix well and refrigerate. YUM!

So, I hope you enjoy it. There isn't any salt in it, but I've found that the salt from whatever chips you serve it with is enough.

We are doing well here in Virginia. This winter has been great! We've gotten 26 inches of snow so far (20 of that was in one day...) We're also expecting our first baby in September. We're super excited. Seriously loving this idea! I'm so excited to be a part of this!

:) Amelia Poll

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Beef and Quinoa Meatballs - SOOO Good!! (And good for you too!)

I got this from Whole Foods Recipes and it is awesome. I don't know if many people know the health benefits that Quinoa (pronounced kwi-noa) offers, so let me share that really quick and then on to the recipe!

In contemporary times, this crop has become highly appreciated for its nutritional value, as its protein content is very high (12%–18%), making it a healthy choice for vegetarians and vegans. Unlike wheat or rice (which are low in lysine), quinoa contains a balanced set of essential amino acids for humans, making it an unusually complete protein source. It is a good source of dietary fiber and phosphorus and is high in magnesium and iron. Quinoa is gluten-free and considered easy to digest. Because of all these characteristics, quinoa is being considered a possible crop in NASA's Controlled Ecological Life Support System for long-duration manned spaceflights. (wikipedia) Great for food storage!

So simply put, it's healthy! :) (and if you've ever had quinoa before as a breakfast cereal -similar to couscous or cream of wheat - and don't like the flavor of it by itself, you can't taste it in the meatballs at all...just an FYI).

You will Need:

Nonstick cooking spray

1 pound (95-percent) lean ground beef

3/4 cup cooked quinoa (*see below)

1/4 cup finely chopped onions (I used dry onions from food storage and those worked very well)

1/4 cup grated carrots

1/4 cup grated zucchini

2 tablespoons ketchup

1 tablespoon garlic

1 tablespoon soy sauce

1/2 teaspoon pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon dried oregano

1/4 teaspoon dried thyme

1 egg

1. Preheat oven to 500*F. Line a large baking sheet with foil then grease with cooking spray; set aside.

2. In a large bowl, mix together beef, quinoa, onions, carrots, zucchini, ketchup, garlic, soy sauce, pepper, salt, oregano, thyme and egg until well combined. Shape beef mixture into 16 balls and transfer to prepared baking sheet. Roast until cooked through and golden brown, 12 to 15 minutes. Serve hot.

(*Note: To cook quinoa, bring 1 cup water to a boil in a small pot. Pour in 1/2 cup quinoa, cover and simmer until water is absorbed, 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside off of the heat for 10 minutes then fluff with a fork. Makes about 1 1/2 cups.)

Serve with your favorite pasta and marinara sauce or on a hoagie with cheese for a dynamite meatball sub sandwich.

Enjoy! :)

~Nikki Saline

(oh and here's my family update. Collin (our 6 month old son for those of you who don't know) woke up every hour last night starting from 12am-3am. Then he screamed his head off from 3-5am. Teething? Gas? I don't know. But after I finally got him to sleep around 5:30 this morning, he slept until almost 10! I think he was pretty exhausted. I felt bad for him but he's all smiles today thank goodness!)

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Championship Bean Dip

Hey Everyone! This is a family fav of mine, but we use it for just about every family gathering, and its always a hit. We originally found it in the Taste of Home Magazine. Hope you like it :)

1 can Refried Beans
3 oz Cream Cheese softened
1 jar of Picante Sauce
1 cup Monterey Jack Cheese
1 cup Cheddar Cheese
3/4 cup Sour Cream
1 Tbsp Chilli Powder
1/4 tsp Cumin

Tortilla Chips

Mix together and cook for 1-2 hrs in a crock pot and ready to serve.

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Great Idea Steph!

Steph you are full of great ideas that will keep us connected and laughing for years to come! Please keep Tweeting too, 'cause I get more than my "Daily Dose" of laughter from your hilarious children.

Now for my first addition to The Lunch Lady Lounge... A SuperBowl Yummy

In honor of the New Orleans Saints (or Webelos, as the Thompson's boys renamed them) going to the SuperBowl for the very first time here is #35's favorite SuperBowl Treat.

~Piggies in Bacon & Brown Sugar

1 package Li'l Smokies
1 Package Bacon
Brown Sugar

Cut uncooked Bacon strips in half and wrap each Li'l Smokie.  Lay in rows in a 9x13 glass pan & cover with brown sugar. Bake at 350 degrees until bacon is crisp and brown sugar begins to melt... about 20 minutes.

~Alicia

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Welcome Ladies!! Chocky Chip Cookies, Anyone?

Hey crazies- here is the first post EVAH!  I am so sad (but not)that we are moving so don't let me down by not posting on this here blahhg.  When you write a recipe make sure to add a personal note about what's up.  Thought I'd post a Chocolate Chip recipe that is SOOOOO good. Elise knows- she was at choir on Sunday :o)
Here you go!


Kim's Chocky Chip Cookies
Mix the Following:
2 eggs
1/3 c butter
2/3 c crisco
1 c brown sugar
1 c white sugar
1 c sweetened coconut flakes


Mix seperately the following ingredients:
2 c flour
2 c oatmeal (quick oats ok)
1 package (~3oz) instant vanilla pudding
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt


Combine the wet and dry mixtures then add:
1 c chocolate chips
1 c nuts (walnuts are preferred)
Form into heaping 1 Tbs cookies (will be crumbly, so mush into form). Bake 350 degrees for 10-12 minutes (test the time in your own oven and take note).  Cookies should be very slightly browned and still jiggly soft.  They will set up as you cool on the pan. Eat immediately with milk.
Enjoy!


BTW- you don't have to use butter and crisco- it really just calls for 1 c margarine- use your discretion


BTW#2 I just got a ton of boxes from a friend yesterday- i can't believe we're moving!


-Steph


ok, wait....BTW#3 When you post a recipe, please add a label which will be in the bottom right corner of the posting window.  ie: Appetizer, Soup/Salad, Beverage, Side, Main, Dessert, Other
Awesome... that's it.... I think.

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