Fresh Cilantro Lime Salsa

Lindsey Scarber

Makes 3-4 quarts

12 med   tomatoes, finely diced (or use food processor)

2 cups   cold water

2 bunches   cilantro, de-stemmed and finely chopped (or use food processor w/ the cold water)   

16-20 cloves   garlic, minced (or use food processor w/ the cold water)   

4 cans   tomato sauce (8oz ea can)

1/4  - 1/2 cup  fresh lime juice or lemon juice (or ¼ cup white vinegar)

2 Tbsp   sugar

1 Tbsp   salt, add more to taste

1 Tbsp   crushed red pepper, add more to taste

4 cans   mild diced green chilies (7oz each can)

1-2 med   onions, finely diced (I start with 1 onion, if it's really strong, it might be all I need)

Combine all ingredients in a large mixing bowl.

Taste test with corn chips. When the salsa tastes good, transfer it to glass jars. You can use plastic containers if you don't mind your plastic container smelling like salsa for months after.

Let salsa sit in the fridge to allow the flavors to blend.  Sometimes is tastes even better the next day. Lasts 2-3 weeks refrigerated.

Make ahead directions:

Follow instructions above, except omit cilantro. 

Store in glass containers in fridge.  Add cilantro just before serving.

Old-Time Tuna Noodle Casserole

Prep time: 30 min.     

Cook time: 20 min.

Yeild: 6 servings  (1-1/3 cup each) 

All pantry ingredients, except for frozen peas

 1    cup dried macaroni noodles or egg noodles

 1 ½  cup frozen peas, or a 15 oz can peas

1    (10 3/4 oz) can cream of mushroom soup

 1     (12 oz) can evaporated milk , or 1 ½ cup prepared dry milk

 1     tablespoon dehydrated onion

½    teaspoon salt, add more to taste

 2     (6 oz) cans tuna drained, flaked

1 ½  cup corn flakes, crushed

Step 1:  Place noodles and frozen peas in a pot of boiling water.  Cook noodles and peas to desired doneness as directed on package. Drain; rinse in hot water.  Set aside.

Step 2:  Meanwhile, heat oven to 350˚F.  In ungreased 9x9 casserole dish, combine soup, milk, onion, tuna and salt.  Add cooked noodles and peas. Mix well, then taste test!

Step 3:  Top casserole with crushed corn flakes.  Bake uncovered for 25-30 min. Remove when bubbly.

Double the recipe for a 9x13 pan.

Kid-Friendly Red Enchiladas

                All pantry ingredients!

1 can 8 oz. tomato sauce

2 cups water

2 t. chicken bouillon

1 T.  chili powder, if you want spicy add an extra 1 Tbsp

1 t. cumin

½ t. onion powder

¼ t. garlic powder

 12 corn tortillas, half fried in oven

Shredded cheese for topping

Options for filling, some vegetarian:

3/4 lb shredded cheese - cheddar or monterey jack

½ lb shredded cheese and re-fried beans

½ lb shredded Cheese and Fried eggs (broken yolk, salt, pepper, 1 or 2 layers)

½ lb shredded cheese and ½ lb ground beef

½ lb shredded cheese and ½ lb shredded beef, chicken, or pork

COMBINE: In med sauce pan, combine tomato sauce, water, bouillon, chili powder, cumin, onion powder, garlic powder

SIMMER the sauce for about 10 min.

HALF-FRY tortillas: Brush one side of each corn tortilla lightly with oil. Place 12 tortillas flat in 350° oven, oil side up, for 2 min.  Remove from oven to a plate. Let cool.

ASSEMBLE enchiladas: Place a little sauce in the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Then place 3 half-fried tortillas flat.  Cover tortillas with spoonfuls sauce. Sprinkle cheese and other filling,  a little spoonful of sauce on top.  Place 3 more tortillas. Sauce. Cheese and filling. Sauce. Continue pattern.  Top with all leftover sauce then cheese. Bake 350° oven until cheese is melted, 15-20 min. 

SERVE: Top with shredded lettuce, diced tomato, and sour cream. Consider possible side dishes of Spanish rice, re-fried beans, or a 15 oz can black beans reheated

Lazy man enchiladas - Make individual servings in the microwave. Use a glass plate or glass pie pan.  Cover enchiladas while in microwave. Cook 2 min or until cheese is melted.   

Savory Butternut, Black Bean, & Wheat Berry Burritos

      By Rebecca Heale

 1 Tbsp  oil

½ medium onion, chopped

3 c peeled butternut squash or sweet potatoes cut into ½ inch cubes

1 tsp cumin

½ tsp cinnamon

Salt and Pepper to taste

2 cups black beans

1 cup wheat berries

Tortillas (I like corn, but wheat requires less prep)

A bit more oil

Toppings as desired: grated cheese, salsa, sour cream, fresh cilantro or parsley

 Preheat oven to 350 F.  Heat oil in skillet over medium heat.  Add onions and sauté for 5 minutes.  Add squash cubes and cook (still on medium) until squash is just tender.  Add spices, beans, and wheat berries.  Stir carefully to distribute the spices.  Heat through. 

 You are now ready to assemble the burritos.   If using corn tortillas, brush tortilla with oil (I put a Tbs oil in a cup and just dab it on the tortilla with a basting brush)  and heat in a pan until it is flexible. If using wheat, you can skip that step. Fill with some of the bean mixture and roll up.  Place in the pan. Continue to do this with the remaining ingredients, lining up the burritos in the pan as you go.  Bake uncovered for approx. 15-20 minutes, until heated through.

 Makes about 20 little burritos with corn tortillas, about 10 burritos with wheat tortillas. Enough for 8 polite adults, 6 hungry adults, or four teenage boys. 

 Adapted from a recipe my sister learned from a friend, Bethany Spicher, who learned it from farmers in Kansas.  
~Rebecca Heale, served at the Douglas Nighborhood Iron Chef Cook-off Mar 1

Black Bean and Corn Salsa

by Lindsey Scarber

Makes 1 gallon.  

8 med   tomatoes, finely diced

4 cans   tomato sauce 8 oz, OR 1 quart jar

1 bunch   cilantro, finely chopped

2 cups   cold water

3-4 cans   mild diced green chilies 7 oz, OR 3 cups

1-3 med   onions, finely diced (I start with 1 onion, if it's really strong, it might be all I need)

1/4  - 1/2 cup   lime juice, lemon juice, or white vinegar (I like fresh lime juice)

2 Tbsp   garlic powder

2 Tbsp   salt

2 Tbsp   sugar

1-2 Tbsp   crushed red pepper, OR 1-2 tsp cayenne pepper (a little spice to keep the kids out)

1 can black beans 14.5 oz, drained and rinsed

1 can corn 14.5 oz, drained

Combine all ingredients in a large plastic or glass mixing bowl, not metal. Using a metal mixing bowl starts a chemical reaction with the acids, the citrus juices/vinegar.

When the salsa tastes good, transfer it to glass quart jars. You can use plastic containers if you don't mind your container smelling like salsa for months after.

Let it sit in the fridge to allow the flavors to blend.  Sometimes is tastes better the day after. Serve with corn chips.  Lasts 2-3 weeks refrigerated.

This recipe is yummy with or without the black beans and corn.  However, they do add healthy protein and make it last a longer in a happy tummy.