Not so spicy

My own rendition of homemade salsa. I don't actually measure anything, but it's always turned out well for me.

8-10 ripe tomatoes
1 medium onion (yellow or white, whatever you prefer. I want to try sweet onion in this sometime)
1 can white corn (drained and rinsed very well)
1 can black beans (drained and rinsed very well)
lime juice
salt & pepper


Chop or dice tomatoes and onions. Drain and rinse canned corn and beans and add to tomato mixture. Mix in approx 1T lime juice, and salt and pepper to taste (I usually do "once around the bowl" with both of them, a la Rachael Ray).

My sister told me the other day that she adds garlic as well, which I've never tried in my homemade salsa, but enjoy in storebought salsa, so I may have to give that a try sometime.

I like to keep it in Mason jars, I use the wide-mouth quarts, which work well. This recipe fills 3-4 of them. Store in fridge for a few hours to let the flavors mix, and then enjoy. :)

You can also add cilantro and any kind of peppers you like, but I don't care for those things, so I leave them out.

Fish cakes

These are actually very good. Carlos loves them. I got the recipe from some Kraft magazine thingamabob and tweaked it a bit.\

2 cans (6 oz each) tuna, drained and flaked
1 tbsp lemon or lime juice (real juice works best but you can use the stuff in a jar)
1 C shredded cheese, flavor of your choice
1/2 C chopped green onions or chives (if you don't have these you can use 1/2 C diced regular onion)
1 package of instant stuffing mix...you can use turkey or chicken flavor, I like to use the whole wheat kind.
3/4 C water
1/3 C mayo (I use the light kind)

Mix all ingredients in a large-ish bowl, refrigerate for 10 mins. Spray a nonstick skillet with our friend Pam, heat over medium. Scoop 1/3 cupfuls of the mixture up, shape into patties, and add to skillet in batches. Cook about 3 mins on each side, or until golden brown.

Good served over greens, or with a lemon wedge, with some rice maybe, or whatever floats your boat.

Gnocchi n' cheese

I kind of just invented this recipe so there are no amounts of anything. I am not a big measurer either...I just do everything to taste

1 package of gnocchi, cooked to directions*
grape tomatoes, sliced in half
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Crumbled cheese of your choice i.e. feta, goat cheese, blue cheese, etc.
A touch of shredded cheese, if desired
Milk and butter/margarine if necessary
Basil, oregano, salt, and pepper to taste. Fresh herbs are the best but dried is fine too!

*Or you could make them yourself! I've found several gnocchi recipes online. They seem to be quite easy to make, easier even than the other pastas I've done.

Cook gnocchi to package directions (basically, when they float, they're done!) Drain gnocchi and return to pan. Immediately mix in desired amount of crumbled cheese; the heat will cause the cheese to melt. If you desire a creamier consistency to your gnocchi n' cheese you may add some shredded cheese i.e. mozzarella, or put in a bit of butter/margarine or milk. Just keep going until it is the consistency you like. Then stir in garlic, tomato, and spices. This is SO good when it is all warm and gooey.

I will also sometimes add chicken to this dish, it's a good use for a leftover whole chicken.

Wicked easy Mexican dinner

Brown rice, prepared to package directions*
1 package ground turkey (approx. 1-1 1/4 lbs)**
1 can black or red beans
1 can of diced tomatoes w/chiles (I believe this is called Rotel in some places)
olive oil

*I generally buy brown rice in a 1.5 lb bag. For each meal put 1 C of brown rice in casserole dish, add 2 1/4 C water, 1 t of olive oil, and for this recipe season rice to taste with dash of cumin and/or coriander if you wish. Micro the rice on full power 5 mins then 27-32 mins on 50% power depending on your microwave, or prepare on stovetop.

**You can substitute ground beef for this if you like, or ground pork. If you wish to have veggie-only meal throw in another can of beans.

Start the rice in the micro. Swirl olive oil 2x around large saute pan on medium. Drain can of bean(s). When pan is warmed throw in bean(s). After 5-ish mins you can add turkey. Season if you wish with whichever spices you like (cumin, cilantro, curry, chili powder, basil, oregano...use your imagination!) Cook until turkey has browned. At that point add tomatoes/Rotel. Simmer on low heat until rice is done, stirring occasionally. Serve mixture over rice.

This is also wicked good if you put it in tortillas with toppings.