Mango Cucumber Avocado Salsa

This is a yummy, spicy salsa!


1 large cucumber peeled, seeded and cut into chunks (about 2 cups)
2 avocados, cut into chunks
1 ripe mango, diced
1/2 red onion, diced
2 limes, juiced (about 1/4 cup)
Salt
1/4 cup chopped cilantro leaves
1 jalapeno chili, chopped (without the seeds and pith)

Place cucumber, avocado, mango, and onion in a large bowl and add lime juice and salt. Add cilantro and chilies and toss gently. Omit the chilies if you don't like the spiciness.

Side note: the above picture is of a mango salsa, this recipe will look more green and less orange.

Brie Round

This recipe is a tradition for my husbands family, and it is one that I will happily continue.


1 large sourdough bread round (1 lb loaf)
1 large brie round (about 1 1/2 lbs)

Hollow out the center of the bread round and cut bread into large chunks. Remove rind from cheese and cut into large chunks. Place cheese inside bread round.

Place filled bread round on a large cookie sheet. Bake in a 350F oven for 10 minutes. Add bread chunks to the cookie sheet in a single layer and continue baking until bread is toasted and cheese is melted, about 10 minutes.

Dip bread chunks into melted cheese. When the cheese is mostly gone you can cut up the bread round and eat that too!

Cowboy Caviar

I got this recipe from a women I work with. She had brought this tasty, chunky dip/salsa to a potluck we had. It is tangy and full of great ingredients.

It is great to bring to any get together.



2 tblspn red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp hot sauce
1 clove garlic, minced or pressed
1/8 tsp black pepper
1 ripe Haas avocado
1 can black eyed peas, drained and rinsed (black beans work too)
1 can whole kernel corn, drained and rinsed
2/3 cup cilantro, chopped
2/3 cup green onions, diced
1/2 lb roma tomatoes, coarsely chopped, seeded
salt to taste
Tortilla chips for dipping

In a medium sized bowl, mix together the vinegar, oil, garlic, and pepper. Cut the avocado into 1/2 inch cubes and add to the mixture, mixing gently. Add remaining ingredients and season with salt to taste. Serve with tortilla chips or corn chips.

Spinach Dip

I love this dip so much! It is creamy and yummy. You are welcome to substitute lower fat sour cream and mayo to lessen the fat, but it does alter the flavor.

On a positive note this dip does have A LOT of spinach, and spinach is really good for you. (As you can see I can justify a lot of things when I am desperate for spinach dip).



1 cup Sour Cream
1 cup Mayonnaise
4-5 diced Green Onions
1 box “Knorr’s” Leek Soup Mix
1 box Frozen Chopped Spinach (defrost and squeeze out the water)
½ can Water Chestnuts (diced)

Combine all ingredients together. Mix the night before. Eat with cut up French bread (or serve it in a bread bowl and use the interior bread for the dipping).

Guacamole

I got this recipe from watching a friend make it. This recipe is not exact. I generally just add stuff until it tastes the way I want it to.


2 ripe Haas avocados, peeled, pitted, and mashed
1 small tomato, diced
1/2 sweet onion, diced (red or yellow)
1 tablespoon chopped cilantro
1 lime (you just need the juice)
1/4 tsp garlic salt (add more or less depending on your preference)
2 dashes cayenne pepper

Combine all ingredients. Adjust amounts to your palate. You can substitute 1 small jalapeno pepper in place of the cayenne pepper if you want more spice or omit it all together if you don't want any spice at all.

Unfortunately I don't think it saves well, but it's so good it normally gets eaten up. Serve with tortilla chips or on food.