One thing that makes this time of year extra yummy is harvest — there are still lots of yummy fruits and veggies to be had from gardens and farmers’ markets. I’ve been seeing a lot of farmers’-market specials, many adding bulk discounts as they have lots of ripe produce and want to move it while it’s still sooo good. It’s great to stock up if you have room in your freezer or for canning. Or just make lots of yummy stuff to eat soon!
One recipe that can help:
Cowboy Caviar
Contrary to the name it doesn’t require cows, boys, fish eggs or eggs of any kind. This is basically a bean salad with corn, tomatoes, peppers, and herbs. It can be eaten like a salsa with corn chips. It can be a topping on a salad. It can be heated and spooned over rice, added raw or heated to burritos, tacos, or nachos.
It’s fairly healthy with protein, fiber, and fresh veg. It goes quickly around here so I usually double the recipe.
Cowboy Caviar ingredients:
1 can (15 ounce) black beans, drained (or equivalent)
1 can (15 ounce) black-eyed peas, drained (or equivalent) I like the seasoned kind.
1 can (14.5 ounce) diced tomatoes, lightly drained (good using diced tomatoes with chilies) or about 1-1/2 cups of fresh, diced tomatoes. That’s what I’m talking about.
1 can (15 ounces) corn, drained or 2 cups fresh-cut or frozen corn
1/2 red (or green) bell pepper diced (or similar amount of other sweet peppers)
1/2 small onion, diced
2 or 3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped (or 2 teaspoons garlic powder)
About a cup or half a bunch of chopped cilantro (leave out if you don’t like cilantro)
About a 1/2 cup or 1/4 of a bunch of fresh chopped parsley
1 or 2 fresh chopped jalapeño peppers (to taste)
Salt and pepper (to taste, it doesn’t need much salt, just a couple of pinches)
2 tablespoons raw apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 cup Italian salad dressing (Paul Newman’s Lite Italian works nicely)
Mix it all in a large bowl adding the vinegar, olive oil, and Italian dressing last. We like to let it sit out of the fridge for an hour to let the flavors mix. Enjoy!
Store covered in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. The vinegar in the apple cider vinegar and salad dressing helps to preserve it longer than if it were just fresh-diced ingredients.
aLightningbug 