mise en place

Fresh Guacamole Recipe This is my sister's recipe. She has worked in the food industry for years. Enjoy! INGREDIENTS 3 Avocados, seeded, peeled and mashed 1/4 cup White onion, finely diced 1/4 cup Cilantro, finely diced 1/4 Jalapeno, seeded and diced 2 T.  fresh squeezed lime juice 1 t. sea salt 1/4 t. Garlic powder DIRECTIONS Mash avocados with a fork (leave some chunks). Add remaining ingredients and stir. Taste and adjust salt, if needed. Easy! Enjoy!!!

Mexican Chicken Soup INGREDIENTS 5 cups chicken broth                                 1 T. Avocado Oil 1 medium red onion, diced 1 red pepper, diced 2 garlic cloves, minced 1/4 c. fresh chopped cilantro 1/4 t. black pepper 1/4 t. salt 1 t. cumin 1 bay leaf 1/2 c. frozen sweet corn 2 cups cooked chicken 1/2 c. short grained brown rice 1 serrano pepper, minced Juice from 2 limes Zest from 1 lime DIRECTIONS Combine onion, red pepper, and garlic and seasonings (except cilantro) with avocado oil in a pot over the stove. Cook for about 6-8 minutes. Add broth, chicken, rice, sweet corn, serrano pepper and bring to a boil. Simmer about 30 minutes, stirring regularly. Reduce heat and add cilantro, lime zest, and lime juice. Discard bay leaf before serving. Garnish with additional cilantro and serve with tortilla strips. 

SLOW COOKER REFRIED BEANS Ingredients: 2 cups dry pinto beans, rinsed and sorted for stones and sad-looking beans 1 medium white or yellow onions, diced 4 cloves garlic 1 jalapeno, seeded 4-5 tablespoons bacon drippings (or lard or vegetable oil, but really, the bacon drippings) salt, pepper, and cumin, to taste Instructions: Place the beans the pot of a slow cooker and fill the pot with 6 cups of water. Add remaining ingredients. Cover and cook on high for 4 hours. Turn heat down to low and cook for another 2 hours. When the beans are tender, drain the liquid. Use a hand mixer and blend until the desired consistency is reached (I like mine pretty smooth). Add 1 cup cooked rice, shredded cheese, sour cream, salsa and other seasonings to taste, if desired.  Makes 8 1/2-cup servings.

Last night I made Guacamole and it was to die for!!! It tasted so fresh and yummy. Joe loved it too! It took less than 2 minutes to make. Fresh Guacamole 3 Avocados Pico de gallo Lime juice Salt Directions: Cut open avocados and take out pit. Scoop out avocados from peel with a spoon. Mash with a fork (leave it somewhat chunky). Mix the remaining ingredients to taste.  bon appétit

Seven Layer Dip Recipe 1 can refried beans Fresh guacamole Sour cream 2 green onions, chopped 1 can black olives, sliced 2 tomatoes, chopped shredded colby jack cheese Picante sauce Use casserole dish. Layer beans, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, cheese, olives, tomatoes, and green onions. Chill in refrigerator until ready to serve. VARIATION: For individual servings, layer ingredients on tostada shells. bon appétit

This has been a family favorite since I was a kid. It is quick, easy, and tasty for a casual family meal. Taco Pie INGREDIENTS 1 (8 ounce) package refrigerated crescent rolls 1 pound ground beef 2 T. cumin 1/2 t. cayenne pepper 1/2 onion, chopped 1 can sliced black olives 1 c. sour cream 2 cups shredded Mexican-style cheese blend Tortilla chips, crushed DIRECTIONS Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Lay crescent dough flat on the bottom of a clear glass pie pan. Crush tortilla chips and sprinkle evenly over crescent dough. Meanwhile, brown the ground beef in a large skillet over medium high heat. Add onions, cumin, and cayenne pepper and stir together well. Place meat mixture on top, then layer with sour cream...