Tomato Ancho Salsa

With patio season upon us here is a great little salsa to pair up with tortilla chips and your favourite beverage.  From Food and Drink Summer 2015.

1 small onion
3 large, ripe but firm tomatoes, about 750 g
2 dried ancho chilis
5 cloves garlic, chopped
1/3 cup cider vinegar
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 1/2 tsp salt
2 tsp ground cumin
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

• preheat grill to high
• Cut onion in half through the middle; peel and grim off root but leave halves intact.  Arrange, cut side up on the grill; place whole tomatoes stem side down.  Cook, turning from time to time until vegetables are well charred on all sides, about 15 minutes total for the onions and 35 to 40 minutes for the tomatoes.  Remove from grill and cool to room temperature.
• Meanwhile, toast chills in a small skillet over medium low by pressing against pan until fragrant and pliable, about 90 seconds per side.  When cool enough to handle, tear open; remove and discard the seeds and any pale coloured ribs.  Place in a small heat proof bowl and pour enough boiling water over to cover.  Soak for 30 minutes; remove chills with a slotted spoon to a blender.  Reserve soaking liquid.
• Roughly chop the onion and tomatoes; add to the blender along with the garlic, vinegar, oil, salt, and cumin.  Add 2 tbsp reserved chili water and pulse to a chunky sauce.  Turn out into a serving bowl, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.  (Salsa will keep for 5 days in refrigerator.  Warm to room temperature for an hour before serving.)  Sprinkle with cheese and serve alongside your favourite tortilla chips.

Makes about 3 cups

Roasted Chicken with Pomegranate, Mango Salsa

This is from Food and Drink Holiday 2014 but it was for Halibut.  The mango and pomegranate work really well together.

SALSA
1 mango, peeled and diced
1 cup pomegranate seeds
1/4 cup chopped shallots
2 tbsp lime juice
2 tsp grated lime zest
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
2 tbsp chopped parsley
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tsp grated ginger
1 tsp chopped jalapeno pepper
1/4 tsp chili flakes

CHICKEN
4 chicken breast, boneless, skinless
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 tbsp olive oil

1. Preheat oven to 450F.
2. Combine all Salsa ingredients, set aside.
3. Season chicken with salt and pepper.  Saute over medium height in pan with olive oil.  
4. Place chicken on serving dish with salsa

Serve over Quinoa or Couscous.

Pineapple Pepper Salsa

Fresh and wonderful against a spicy meat.  Make this within an hour of serving so the fruit is fresh and not watery.  From Food and Drink Winter 2000.

2 cups diced fresh pineapple
1/2 red pepper, diced
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
2 green onions sliced
1/3 cup coarsely chopped fresh coriander
1 1/2 tsp grated fresh ginger
2 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp honey
Salt and freshly ground pepper to taste

Combine pineapple, peppers, green onion, coriander, ginger, lime juice, honey, salt and pepper in a bowl.  Refrigerate until serving time.  Makes about 3 cups.

Apricot Salsa

I wasn't sure about apricots in my salsa, but so happy I tried it!  This went perfectly with the empanadas.

1 1/2 cups fresh apricot, pitted and chopped
2 tbsp red onion, finely diced
1/2 cup plum tomato, finely diced
1 tbsp fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp white wine vinegar
1 tbsp olive oil

In a medium bowl, stir together all the ingredients and serve alongside empanadas.

Makes 2 cups

Beef Empanadas

These take some time but are truly lovely.  The original recipe called for pine nuts but I have switched them with toasted almonds.  Don't skip the Apricot Salsa with this, it really makes the Empanadas come together.  Based on Food and Drink Summer 2011.

DOUGH
3 cups plus 2 tbsp all purpose flour
1/2 tsp table salt
1/3 cup vegetable shortening
3/4 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cut into small cubes
1/2 cup ice water, plus more as needed

STUFFING
2 tbsp olive oil
1 cup onion finely chopped
2 tbsp garlic finely chopped
1 tbsp jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped
1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground cumin
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 tsp salt
385 g lean ground beef
1/4 cup water
1/3 cup almonds toasted
1/3 cup mozzarella, grated
1 tbsp milk
1 egg

1. Place flour and salt in bowl and using a pastry cutter blend.
2. Add shortening and butter and cut in until mixture resembles a coarse meal and the butter is still in pea size pieces
3. Add the water, along with additional 1 or 2 tbsp as needed.  
4. Empty flour mixture onto floured surface and divide in half; gently roll into 2 balls.  Flatten each ball into a 5 inch disc, wrap with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour.
5. In a medium saute pan, heat oil over medium heat.  Add onion, garlic and jalapeno and saute for 4 minutes.  Add cinnamon, cumin and tomato paste and cook for another minute.  Add salt, beef and water, cover and cook until meat is cooked through, about 5 minutes.  Take lid off and continue to cook until browned, about 3 minutes.  Set mixture aside in medium bowl; when slightly cooled, stir in almonds and cheese.
6. Heat oven to 400F.
7. With a fork beat milk and egg together.  On a floured surface, roll out 1 disc of dough very thinly.  With a 4 inch cookie cutter, cut as many circles as possible from the dough.  Using a pastry brush or fingertip, brush the edges of all the circles with the egg mixture.  Place a heaping tbsp of beef mixture in the middle of each circle and fold circles in half to enclose the mixture.  Crimp edges with a fork or fingertips to seal, place on parchment lined baking sheet and brush with additional egg mixture.
8. Layer trimmings from circles on top of each other and roll out again to allow for more circles (do not work the dough too much as it will make for tough pastry).  Each disc should allow for 12 to 14 circles.
9. Repeat process with second disc and remaining beef mixture.  Once all empanadas are filled and brushed with egg mixture, place in oven and bake for 20 minutes or until golden.  Serve with Apricot Salsa.

Makes about 2 dozen

Fast Spicy Mexican Lasagna

Loved this one!  Tortillas replace the noodles and salsa is a nice change from pasta sauce!

Preparation time:  30 minutes
Cooking time:  15 minutes
Baking time:  35 minutes
Makes:  8 to 10 servings

3 onions
1 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 cups salsa
14 oz tomato sauce
2 tsp ground cumin
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 1/2 lbs (750 g) ground chicken or turkey
2 tbsp chili powder
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp ground black pepper
2 large green peppers
340 g pkg tortillas, about 6 inches wide
1 cup light or regular sour cream
2 cups grated Monterey Jack or mozzarella cheese about 250 g

1. To prepare sauce, chop 2 onions.  Heat oil in a large wide saucepan set over medium heat.  Add onions and cook, stirring often, until soft about 5 minutes.  Stir in salsa, tomato sauce and cumin. Bring to a boil, stirring occasionally, then remove from heat.
2. To prepare filling, chop remaining onion and place in a large frying pan with garlic, chicken, chili powder, salt and black pepper.  Set pan over medium heat and cook, stirring often with a fork to keep chicken crumbly, until chicken loses its pink colour, about 10 minutes.  Meanwhile, chop green peppers.  Stir into cooked chicken and remove pan from heat.
3. Preheat oven to 375 F.  Lightly oil bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish and spread with a thin layer of sauce.  Cut 5 tortillas in half and arrange so they cover bottom of dish, laying cut edges of tortillas against sides of dish.  Overlap as needed and cover centre of pan as well.  Spread with about 1 cup of sauce.  Top with half of the chicken mixture.  Spread with sour cream.  Slice remaining tortillas in half and form another layer.  Spread with remaining chicken mixture then sauce.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Bake in centre of preheated oven until cheese is golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.  Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Hot 'N' Spicy Chicken Lasagna

Preparation time 30 minutes
Cooking time:  15 minutes
Baking time:  40 minutes
makes:  10 servings

8 lasagna noodles (not oven ready noodles)
1 tbsp olive oil
2 crushed garlic cloves
1 onion, finely chopped
1 red or green sweet pepper, cored, seeded and finely chopped
1 1/2 cups spicy salsa
1 1/2 cups spaghetti sauce
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
475 g container ricotta cheese
2 eggs
1/4 cup chopped coriander or italian parsley
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and chopped
1 1/2 cups grated Monterey Jack cheese
1 1/2 cups grated mozzarella cheese
4 cups cooked cubed chicken

1. Bring a large pot of salted water to a full rolling boil.  Add lasagna noodles and boil, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until al dente.  Check recommended cooking time on package; they usually take about 12 to 14 minutes.  Drain well and rinse under cold water.  Lay drained wet pasta in a single layer on a piece of waxed paper.  Cover with another piece of waxed paper.
2. Meanwhile, to prepare sauce, heat oil in a large wide frying pan set over medium low heat.  Add garlic, onion and sweet pepper.  Saute until onion is soft, about 5 minutes.  Then, stir in salsa, spaghetti sauce and cumin.  Taste and add more cumin, if necessary.  Increase heat to medium high and bring mixture to a boil.  Then cover, reduce heat to low and simmer to allow flavours to develop, about 5 to 7 minutes.  Turn sauce into a bowl and set aside.  
3. To prepare filling, place ricotta, eggs, chopped coriander and jalapeno pepper in a food processor fitted with a metal blade.  Whirl until mixture is evenly blended.  Scrape down sides of bowls occasionally to ensure an even puree.  Turn filling into a bowl and set aside.  Or combine ingredients in a bowl and mash with a spoon until smooth.
4. Stir grated cheese together in a small bowl and set aside.
5. Preheat oven to 375F.  Lightly cover bottom of a 9 x 13 inch baking dish with about 1/2 cup of sauce.  (It will be a very thin coating of sauce.) Completely cover bottom of pan with a single layer of noodles, about 4 noodles.  Spread half of sauce evenly over noodles, then dot with half of ricotta mixture, followed by half of chicken then half of grated cheese.
6. Add another layer of noodles.  Repeat layering ending with cheese.  Then bake, uncovered, in centre of preheated oven for 35 to 40 minutes or until lasagna bubbles around sides and top is golden.  Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

Banana Pepper and Cilantro Salsa

A great summer salsa!

2 large hot banana peppers or 6 jalapenos
4 to 5 large tomatoes
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp white vinegar
1/4 tsp each of salt and freshly ground black pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh coriander

Seed and cut peppers into thin julienne strips or finely chop and place in a bowl.  Cut tomatoes in half and squeeze out all seeds and juice.  Chop and add to peppers along with oil, vinegar, salt and pepper.  Stir until evenly coated.  Stir in coriander. Serve right away or refrigerate until ready to serve.

No Fuss Mexican Layered Dip

Perfect for watching Football!

1 pkg light cream cheese

1 tbsp taco seasoning mix

1 cup salsa

1 cup drained canned black beans, rinsed

1/2 cup chopped green onions

1 cup cheddar shredded

1 cup shredded lettuce

2 tbsp sliced ripe olives

1 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro or parsley

baked tortilla chips

Beat cream cheese with electric mixer on medium speed until creamy.  Add seasoning mix; beat until well blended.  Spread on a shallow 9 inch dish.  Layer remaining ingredients over cream cheese mixture; cover

Refrigerate at least 1 hour.  For easier dipping, remove from fridge 20 min before serving.

Serve with tortilla chips.

Firecracker Chicken Salad

A great salad that kids will enjoy because of the salsa - spice it up with a hot salsa or keep it mild depending on your taste.  The avocado in this is my favourite!

1 tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chopped garlic
2 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tbsp chopped coriander
1 1/2 lbs (750g) boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 sweet onion, sliced in thick rounds
1 red pepper cut in quarters
2 zucchini cut in half
salt and freshly ground pepper

Dressing
1/2 cup mayonnaise
1/4 cup salsa
1 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp chopped coriander
salt and freshly ground pepper

Garnish
1 avocado, peeled and sliced
2 cups tortilla chips

1. Combine chili powder, cumin, garlic, lime juice, olive oil and coriander.  Brush on to chicken breasts, onion rounds, red pepper and zucchini.  Marinate for 1 hour.
2. To make dressing, combine mayonnaise, salsa, lime juice and coriander.  Season with salt and pepper.  Reserve.
3. Preheat grill to high.  Season chicken and vegetables with salt and pepper.  Place chicken breasts and vegetables on grill.  Grill chicken for about 5 minutes per side or until juices run clear.  Cool.
4. Grill vegetables about 4 minutes per side or until tender.  Cool.  Remove skin from peppers.  Slice onions, peppers and zucchini into strips.
5. When chicken has cooled, slice it and mix with dressing.  Add vegetables and toss to lightly coat with the dressing or serve dressing on the side.  Surround platter with sliced avocado and tortilla chips.

Black Bean Tacos

Another vegetarian dish that is kid friendly!  Just don't tell them they are eating beans!

2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 medium onion, diced
1 clove garlic, minced
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
2 cans (19 oz/540 ml each) black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup water
salt and pepper to taste
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
2 cups shredded fresh lettuce
2 tomatoes, diced
1 ripe avocado, peeled, pitted and sliced
1 pkg flour tortillas, 6 in size
salsa and sour cream if desired

• Heat the olive oil in a medium sized skillet over medium heat.  Add chopped onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions are translucent - 3 to 5 minutes.  Add the garlic, stir for 30 seconds, then add the cumin, chili powder and beans.  Using a fork, mash the beans in the pan, then stir in the water.  Reduce the heat to low and cook, stirring often until thickened - 12 to 15 minutes. Season to taste with salt and pepper. (You can prepare this filling well ahead of time and just reheat when you're ready).
• While the bans are cooking, prepare the remaining ingredients for the tacos; Shred the cheese and lettuce, dice the tomatoes, slice the avocado.  Arrange topping ingredients in bowls so that diners can assemble tacos to their own taste.  Just before serving, wrap the stack of tortillas in paper towelling and microwave on high for 30 seconds, or until they are warmed through.
• To serve, lay a tortilla out on a plate and spread with some of the black bean mixture.  Add cheese, lettuce, tomato and avocado (plus salsa and sour cream, if desired). Fold, eat and repeat!