Serving Up {Appetizer}: Pomegranate Salsa

Have you ever eaten anything and just been floored...like, where has this been my entire life and why have I never heard of it/seen it/eaten it?  Right?  There is just so much out there that is sheer deliciousness!  This salsa definitely falls into that category.  Between the avocado and pomegranate, I could eat this as a meal.  Oh wait, I have :)

So outside of the life changing event that this salsa will be...I need to teach you the right way to de-seed your pomegranate which could also be life changing.  There are a lot of methods out there claiming to be the "easiest" but I will tell you right now there is only one way to do it.  Leave it to good old Martha to figure it out - please click here and watch the tutorial.  Once you know the secret, you will begin buying pomegranates like bananas and enjoying them all winter long like I have started to do.  Love it!  Love pomegranates!  Love this salsa!  Love you!

One Year Ago:  Peanut Butter Fritos

POMEGRANATE SALSA     
(recipe from Georgia G.)
printable version

1 small pomegranate (if the pomegranate is bigger, double the avocado and tomato)
1 tomato, chopped
2 Tbs. onion, finely chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1/2 tsp. coriander
1/2 tsp. Accent (optional)
1/8 tsp. cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp. salt

Remove the seeds from the pomegranate and place in a medium bowl.  Add chopped tomato, chopped onion, coriander, accent, cayenne pepper and salt.  Stir gently until all are combined.  Add avocado last* and gently fold into the other ingredients.  Chill until ready to serve.  Serve with Frito Scoops.

* if you make the salsa in advance, then omit the avocado until you are ready to actually serve it so that it does not brown

Serving Up {Salad}: Green Feta Salad

I love green salad!  It seems like there are endless possibilities and combinations out there.  I hosted a dinner at our home recently and the family joining us had some specific dietary restrictions.  As such, I was searching for some recipes on the internet that met their restrictions.  I wasn't specifically looking for a salad recipe, but in my search for other recipes, I stumbled upon this recipe and thought that I would welcome a new green salad recipe.  I am so glad that I did.

This recipe is very simple.  You could add additional add in's, but we kept it simple and it was a hit.

One Year Ago: Orange Tortilla Soup
                         Chicken Tikka Masala

GREEN FETA SALAD     
(recipe from allrecipes.com)
printable version

4 Tbs. olive oil
2 Tbs. white wine vinegar
1 Tbs. dijon mustard
1/2 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 pinch sugar
1 tsp. fresh parley, chopped
1 tsp. fresh lemon juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 avocado, peeled pitted and cubed
4 cups mixed salad greens
1/2 cup sliced almonds
2 ounces feta cheese, crumbled

In a medium bowl, whisk together the olive oil, vinegar, mustard, salt, pepper, sugar, parsley, lemon juice and garlic.  Add the avocado, and stir to coat with the dressing.
Just before serving, place salad greens in a large bowl.  Add the avocado's and dressing and toss to coat.  Sprinkle with sliced almonds and feta cheese over the top.

Serving Up {Appetizer}: Creamy Avocado Dip

I think that avocado's are one of the most perfect foods out there.  So delicious and so versatile.  I love to eat them on salads, on sandwiches, in smoothies, with my eggs and even plain (well, plain with a squirt of lime and a dash of salt).  And then, of course, there is eating them with tortilla chips!  I have a hard time saying no to guacamole!

Turns out that I also can't say "no" to a creamy quacamole-esque dip either.  This recipe (guacamole meets cream cheese) is everything that you expect it to be...but mainly it is addictive!  At the store last week I did notice that Rotel is now selling a version of their diced tomatoes with lime and cilantro and I think that the next time I make this recipe I may try the new Rotel tomatoes in place of the original.   Either way, break out the chips and enjoy!

One Year Ago: Iced Sugar Cookies

CREAMY AVOCADO DIP     
printable version

8-ounce cream cheese, softened
1-2 avocado, diced
1/2 tsp. salt
10-ounce can diced tomatoes with green chilies (Rotel), drained

Place softened cream cheese and diced avocados in a medium bowl and blend until smooth.  Add salt.  Add diced tomatoes and mix by hand until well combined.
Serve with tortilla chips, pita chips or vegetables.