Cowboy Caviar

2 cans black beans, rinsed
1 can whole kernel corn, drained
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 large avocado, diced
1/2 red onion, chopped
1/2 green pepper, chopped
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped

Dressing:
1 T. red wine vinegar
3 T. lime juice
2 T. olive oil
1 t. salt
1/2 t. pepper, optional

Combine all ingredients except avocado in a bowl. Refrigerate overnight or for several hours prior to serving. Add avocado before serving. Serve with tortillas or corn chips.

Grandmother's Healthy Caramel Corn

Grandmother's Healthy Caramel Corn

5 quarts popped corn (or more, up to 7 - 8 quarts)

1/2 cup peanut butter
1/2 tsp. salt
1 1/4 cups pure maple syrup

Bring the peanut butter, salt, and maple syrup to a boil. Boil for five minutes, stirring constantly.

Add:

1/2 tsp. vanilla
1/4 tsp. baking soda (optional)

Place the popped corn in a large container. Prepare the additional
ingredients. Stir liquid ingredients slowly into the popped corn,
stirring constantly. When well coated, place in baking pans (glass or
stoneware work best) that have been prepared with non-stick spray.
Bake for 3/4 of an hour at 250 degrees F. Stir every 15 minutes.

Remove from oven and serve. Delicious!!!!!

***Note: If the popcorn gets too "wet" it will shrink and become tough
during the baking process. Stir carefully and add liquid ingredients
to popped corn slowly.

Gingered Honey

 

Home baked bread tastes SO good with a sweet topping like jam or honey. Adding a warming spice to jam or honey is welcome during the cold winter months. While summer's speak to cooling minty flavors, warming spices like ginger and cinnamon warm you from the inside out during the winter months. Here's a recipe for a warming winter honey that you might enjoy with toast and tea.

Ginger Honey

2 cups local honey

1/4 cup candied ginger, chopped

Place the honey in a small saucepan and warm over medium heat, stirring constantly. When it has warmed through, stir in the ginger chunks. Then pour into a pint jar. Cover and let mixture cool to room temperature. Serve and enjoy!

*Candied ginger can also be added to a cup of hot tea to spice it up as well!