Spices/Sauces/Condiments

Roasted Tomato and Green Chile Salsa

6 plum tomatoes (about 1 pound)
3 garlic cloves, unpeeled
2 jalapeño peppers
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon fresh lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt

Preheat broiler. Place the tomatoes, garlic, and jalapeños on a foil-lined baking sheet. Broil for 16 minutes, turning after 8 minutes. Cool and peel tomatoes and garlic.

Combine the garlic and peppers in a molcajete, mortar, or bowl; pound with a pestle or the back of a spoon to form a paste. Add tomatoes, and coarsely crush using the pestle or spoon. Combine the tomato mixture, cilantro, and remaining ingredients in a small bowl. Makes 6 servings

Chunky Blue Cheese Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
1/2 cup sour cream
1-1/2 teaspoons minced chives
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 teaspoon pepper
1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
1/4 to 1/2 cup buttermilk
1/2 cup crumbled blue cheese
Torn mixed salad greens

In a small bowl, combine the first six ingredients. Stir in enough buttermilk to achieve desired consistency. Stir in blue cheese. Cover and store in the refrigerator. Serve with salad greens. Makes 2 cups.

Ranch Dressing

1 cup mayonnaise
3/4 cup sour cream
1/2 tsp. dried chives
1/2 tsp. dried parsley
1/2 tsp. dried dill weed
1/4 tsp. garlic powder
1/4 tsp. onion powder
1/8 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. ground black pepper

In a large bowl, whisk together everything. Cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes before serving.

Make this black bean soup as fiery hot as you like. It is very easy to adjust the heat by varying the amount ant types of chiles. Topping the soup with cheese and sour cream will help temper the fire. And the dark rum adds a wonderful twist of the Caribbean to this hearty bowl of bean soup.

2 cups dried black beans
8 cups cold water
3/4 pounds cooked ham, diced
4 cloves garlic, crushed
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 cup diced onion
2 whole cloves
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1 tablespoon ground hot red New Mexico chile
Juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup dark rum
4 green onions (with some green tops), finely chopped
1/2 cup grated Monterrey Jack cheese
Sour cream
Lime wedges

Sort the black beans and place in a large saucepan. Cover with water and let stand 1 hour, then simmer for 1 1/2 hours. Drain the beans and continue with the recipe in the same saucepan. Add the 8 cups of cold water, ham, garlic, salt, diced onion, whole cloves, cumin, ground New Mexico chile, and the lime juice. Bring to a boil, then reduced heat, cover and simmer for 2 hours, or until the beans are tender and the black bean soup is thick. Taste the soup, and adjust the seasonings accordingly.

To serve, add the dark rum to the saucepan, then ladle into large soup bowls. Top with the chopped green onions, cheese, a dollop of sour cream, and lime wedges for squeezing. This makes 4 to 6 servings.

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