Easy Restaurant Salsa

Favorite Easy Restaurant Salsa

I know this recipe by heart and will never forget it, it is that easy and good!

2 cans of diced tomatoes

1 can of pickled jalapenos 

1 bunch of green onions

1 bunch of cilantro

1 lime

1 avocado

Garlic salt

Blend together tomatoes, 3-5 jalapenos ranging from Medium-Hot, mix well in blender and add garlic salt to taste.  Dice cilantro, green onions and mix in without blending.  Pour into a bowl and add diced avocado on the top.  Juice lime on top of the avocado and lightly mix with a spoon.

Variation:

I use 5 roma tomatoes from the garden and it works well both ways canned or fresh.  I also like to add the yellow or white onion finely chopped and have also added a few seeds from the habanero pepper bush in the back.  I love avocado so when I eat most of it in every bite, I'll go back and add more!

Hummus

We love this stuff!

1 (16 oz.) can garbanzo beans (saving 2 tbsp. of the liquid from can)

1 lemon, freshly squeezed or 3 tbsp. lemon juice

1-3 garlic cloves, minced

1 tbsp. extra virgin olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

Combine beans, lemon juice, garlic and olive oil in a blender or food processor and blend ingredients together.  Add salt and pepper and sprinkle with paprika and parsley.

Make a small basin in dish with spoon and garnish with a few beans, paprika, parsley and pour in a little extra olive oil.  Cayenne is also delicious sprinkled in lightly with the paprika.

Old Fashioned Chocolate Sauce

What looks better than melted chocolate?!

1 c. butter

12 oz. package of semisweet chips (2 cups)

4 c. powdered sugar

2 cans evaporated milk

2 tbsp. vanilla

Melt butter and chips in large saucepan. Add sugar and milk. Stir and bring to a boil. Boil 8 minutes stirring constantly. Remove from heat and add vanilla.

Cilantro-Lime Vinaigrette

Inspired by Cafe Rio's Dressing

6 tbsp. oil (half olive, half canola)

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

8 tbsp. lime juice or 4 fresh limes, squeezed

2 cloves garlic, minced

4 dashes of white wine vinegar (approx.)

2 tbsp. ginger, grated

1/4-1/2 c. sugar or to taste

fresh ground black pepper

salt

Combine all ingredients in food processor

Creamy Cilantro Tomatillo Dressing

Cafe Rio inspired!

1 package dry hidden valley ranch salad dressing
1 cup mayo
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 large clove garlic
3 small-medium tomatillos, husk off (like tomatoes but green and has a husk on it)
1/3 cup buttermilk (substitute 1 tbsp. white vinegar with 1 c. milk)
juice of 1 lime
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (or 1 small jalapeno) - optional
Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth. Chill in fridge at least 1 hour before serving, then it will thicken.