Two recipes for Cinco de Mayo

I was looking for something that my husband and I could snack on while watching the NCAA Men's Basketball tournament this past week. I needed it to be filling enough to be counted as dinner, but also something we could enjoy in front of the TV...ah! We really don't sit in front of the TV to eat very often, so it's a treat when it happens. Both of these recipes could easily be made for Cinco de Mayo coming up and I'm sure they would be a crowd pleaser!

Creamy Black Bean Dip
2 pkgs (8 oz each) cream cheese, cubed
1 can (15 oz) black beans, rinsed and drained, divided
3/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
6 green onions, chopped
1 1/2 tsp ground cumin
Topping:
1/4 cup shredded cheddar cheese
2 Tbls diced fresh tomato
2 Tbls chopped green onion

In a food processor, cover and process cream cheese until smooth. Add half of the beans. Cover; pulse until blended. Transfer to a bowl; stir in cheese, onions, cumin and remaining beans. Cover, refrigerate 8 hours or overnight. Just before serving, garnish with the cheese, tomato and onion. Serve with tortilla chips. Yield: 3 cups.

Fresh Corn Salsa
1 1/2 lb firm ripe tomatoes, chopped
1 medium jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 cup fresh corn
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
1/4 cup cilantro or fresh parsley
1/4 cup zesty Italian dressing

Chop tomatoes and jalapeno pepper; place in large bowl. Add corn, red onion and cilantro; mix lightly. Add dressing; toss to coat. Makes 24 (2 Tbls) servings.

4th of July Cookout

My husband and I went to a cookout yesterday evening for the 4th of July. We had a lot of food and a great time visiting with friends, then watched a wonderful firework display. It was our first 4th in Cheyenne and with this being the capital of Wyoming, they put on a pretty good show. We sat in the parade field on base where we had a nice view of the fireworks and the whole place got quiet when Taps played on the base while the fireworks were displayed in the air.



I chose to take baked beans and a dessert called Angel Lush. My husband was helping me put the baked beans together when we had to rush to the emergency room. Let's just say the onion he was cutting didn't make it in to the baked beans. Six stitches later and he is on the mend, and we still made it to the cookout on time! Since I was in a rush, I didn't get a chance to take any pictures of the final product. I'm sure I'll be making the Angel Lush cake again this summer and will post a picture then!

Baked Beans
2 Tbl brown sugar
1 Tbl mustard
1 cup ketchup
1 cans (15 oz) pork and beans
onion and bacon (optional)

Combine all ingredients in an 8x8 pan. Bake for 1 hour at 350 degrees. Serves 6-8.

Angel Lush
1 pkg (4 servings) vanilla fat-free/sugar-free pudding mix
1 (20 oz) can crushed pineapple in juice, undrained
1 cup thawed lite whipped topping
1 pkg angel food cake (or make your own if you are really ambitious!)
10 fresh strawberries

Combine pudding mix, pineapple and whipped topping in medium bowl. Slice cake into three layers. Cover each layer with 1 cup pudding mixture while restacking the cake. Refrigerate for one hour; top with strawberries.