Black Bean & Avocado Salsa

1 can  or 2 c. frozen corn
1 can black beans (drained)
1 can sliced olives (drained)
1 pkg Italian Seasons dressing (make according to package directions)
3-4 Roma tomatoes
2-3 Avocados
Fresh cilantro

Mix everything together except for avocados and tomatoes and cilantro.  Chill 2-3 hours.  Add avocados and tomatoes and cilantro just before serving.

Tuscan Pasta with Tomato-Basil Cream

YIELD: Makes 4 to 6 servings
COOK TIME:5 Minutes
PREP TIME:10 Minutes
COURSE: Main Dishes
Ingredients

1 (20-oz.) package refrigerated four-cheese ravioli*
1 (16-oz.) jar sun-dried tomato Alfredo sauce
2 tablespoons white wine
2 medium-size fresh tomatoes, chopped**
1/2 cup chopped fresh basil
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Garnish: fresh basil strips
Preparation

1. Prepare pasta according to package directions.

2. Meanwhile, pour Alfredo sauce into a medium saucepan. Pour wine into sauce jar; cover tightly, and shake well. Stir wine mixture into saucepan. Stir in chopped tomatoes and 1/2 cup chopped basil, and cook over medium-low heat 5 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Toss with pasta, and top evenly with 1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese. Garnish, if desired.

*1 (13-oz.) package three-cheese tortellini may be substituted.

**1 (14.5-oz.) can petite diced tomatoes, fully drained, may be substituted.

Note: For testing purposes only, we used Buitoni Four Cheese Ravioli and Classico Sun-dried Tomato Alfredo Pasta Sauce.


* This is really yummy. Jared loves it and it is super easy!

Pizza Factory Breadsticks

1½ cups warm water
2 Tbsp. sugar
1 Tbsp. yeast

Let that sit for 5 minutes. Then add:
3½ cups flour
1 tsp Salt

Mix until smooth then let raise for 10 minutes. Roll out dough into a large square on a floured surface. Brush with melted (real) butter mixed with garlic and then sprinkle with kosher salt. Fold in half and cut into 1 inch strips. Twist and place on a cooking sheet. Let sit for 15 to 20 minutes to raise. Bake at 400 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown. Immediately after baking, brush with more garlic butter and sprinkle with kosher salt and grated parmesan cheese.
Serve with marinara, alfredo sauce, or ranch for dipping.

*Dough also makes a great pizza dough, just roll out into a large circle, add your favorite toppings, and bake at 400 degrees for 15 to 20 minutes.(In my oven it was 15 and could have been taken out a little earlier)

{ LIME SLUSH }

INGREDIENTS:

3 c. sugar
10 c. boiling water
12 oz. frozen limeaid
Green food coloring
Diet 7-Up
 
DIRECTIONS:

Mix sugar in with boiling water until it dissolves. Add frozen limeaid and green food coloring (about 4 drops). Freeze in a 9x13 pan. Thaw slightly when ready to use. Cut into squares and put in large punch bowl. Mix in ¾ liter of Diet 7 up (I use a potato masher). Super yummy!

(Mom’s recipe. I’ve used this at showers and everyone always asks for the recipe.)

{ OLIVE GARDEN ALFREDO PASTA }

INGREDIENTS:
	1/2 cup (1 stick) butter 2 cloves garlic, minced 2 cups heavy cream 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper pinch salt 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese 1 12-ounce box fettuccine pasta (or your choice of pasta)
DIRECTIONS:
	1.      Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium/low heat. 2. Add the garlic, cream, pepper and salt, and bring mixture to a simmer. Turn the heat down if the mixture reaches a rapid boil or it could boil over. You just want a simmer. Add the cheese, and continue to simmer sauce for 8 minutes or until thick. 3. While sauce cooks, bring 4 to 6 quarts of water to a boil and add the pasta. Cook pasta for about 12 minutes or until done, then drain it. 4. Spoon pasta onto serving plates with Alfredo sauce poured over the top. Makes 2 to 3 large servings. Note: Be sure not to crank the heat up too high when simmering the sauce or it could break, resulting in a not-so-creamy, curdled Alfredo. We also like to use this sauce to make Chicken Alfredo pizzas.

{ CHILI FOR "VEG-HEADS" }

(Rachel Ray)

INGREDIENTS:

2 Tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1 medium bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
4 cloves garlic minced ( I just used minced garlic in the can. It's a different amount though so look on the can).
1 cup vegetable (chicken) broth
1 can (32 oz) crushed tomatoes
1 can (14 oz) black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can (14 oz) red kidney beans, drained and rinsed
1 to 1 ½ Tbsp cumin
1 to 1 ½ Tbsp chili powder
6 dashes Tabasco sauce
Salt
1 cup spicy refried beans
Cheddar cheese
Chips

DIRECTIONS:

Heat oil over medium. Add onion and peppers, sauté 3-4 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 minute. Add broth, reduce by half (2-3 minutes). Add tomatoes, beans, cumin, chili powder, Tabasco, and salt. Thicken with refried beans. Serve with cheese and chips. YUMMY!

Heather's Note: I like to add another can of beans (pinto or whatever) and corn.

{ MONSTER COOKIES }

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 cup margarine, softened
• 2 cups white sugar
• 2 cups packed brown sugar
• 3 cups peanut butter
• 6 eggs
• 1 1/2 teaspoons corn syrup
• 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
• 4 teaspoons baking soda
• 9 cups rolled oats
• 1/2 pound candy-coated milk chocolate pieces
• 1/2 pound semisweet chocolate chips

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a large bowl, cream together the margarine, white sugar, brown sugar, and peanut butter until smooth. Beat in the eggs, two at a time, then stir in the corn syrup and vanilla. Mix in baking soda and oats until well blended. Stir in the chocolate candies and chocolate chips. Roll dough into 2 inch balls, and place 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Flatten slightly with a fork.
3. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Cool on cookie sheets for a few minutes, before transferring to wire racks to cool completely.               

Super Yummy and makes TONS!!! I usually freeze some or share. Or...I have good intentions of doing those but eat them all instead! ha ha.