Black Bean and Corn Salsa

I know that there are about a million different recipes out there for this, but this is my go-to. It is great for parties and potlucks or just to have on hand. I can throw this together in about 5 minutes, but give it a couple hours in the refrigerator for the flavors to combine. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

Black Bean and Corn Salsa
Makes about 8 cups of salsa

2 Cans Black Beans (drained and rinsed)
1 Can of Corn OR 2 Cups Fresh or Frozen (I use frozen)
1 Can of Rotel (Diced tomatoes with green chilies)
1/2 of a White or Red Onion chopped
1/2 bunch or so of chopped cilantro (I actually have used a few tablespoons of dried cilantro)
Diced Avocado (I omit this because I am mildly allergic to avocado, that is why it's not pictured)

Combine all above ingredients in a bowl.
Make vinaigrette and pour over salsa. Serve with Tortilla Chips.
Tastes best when refrigerated for a few hours or overnight.

Vinaigrette
1/4 c olive Oil
4 Tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lime or about 1 Tbsp.

Whisk together.

Garlic Bread Pizza (Copy Cat Pizza Hut)

Ummmmm, can I just say, where did summer go? I can't believe it is already August. I am ready for our lives to slow back down, but does that ever happen? Anyway......

I am sure you have probably all seen Pizza Hut's new Garlic Bread Pizza. When I first saw it I though, "Yum.........why haven't I thought of that.......what? $8.99 for 9 pieces?........I can make that myself!"

So, maybe you thought the same thing. And maybe you have already made your own. But if not, add it to your dinner menu, and you won't be disappointed. We have definitely had the classic french bread pizza before where you slice the loaf lengthwise and spread the sauce on each side and then add toppings. It's a basic. But can I tell you, I think this is SO much better! Garlic Bread Pizza is so easy to make and even better it's pretty cheap. You are looking at about $3-4 for one loaf! That's is about 1/3 of the price if you bought it from Pizza Hut. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE Pizza Hut, it's the pizza I grew up eating, and I understand the want to eat out. But, it isn't always an option, so why not get a great meal in only 15 minutes of time?

All you need....... loaf of french bread, butter, garlic bread seasoning, shredded mozzarella, and toppings.
Think how cheaply you could make this, especially if you pick up a clearanced loaf of french bread for under $1!

Garlic Bread Pizza (Copy Cat Pizza Hut)
Servings: 9-12 slices
Time: Under 15 minutes

1 loaf of French Bread
1 cube melted butter
Garlic Bread Seasoning (I used OOB recipe found here)
Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
Pepperoni (or whatever toppings you choose)

Start by lining your baking sheet with tin foil for easy clean up. Then start slicing your french bread into medallions (do not slice lengthwise). Get as many slices as you want by adjusting how thick your slices are. Arrange your pieces on your baking sheet by laying them flat so they are open face up. Add some garlic bread seasoning into your cube of melted butter (about a tablespoon or so). Then brush the garlic butter onto the tops of your bread slices. Then sprinkle with some mozzarella cheese and lastly add your toppings. Then stick it under your broiler in the oven for a few minutes. Just watch for the cheese to melt and get a little bubbly and golden and that's it! Pull it out of the oven, and enjoy! For a well rounded meal you could serve it alongside a green salad.

Your husbands will love it, your kids will love it, you will love it! You will love the price, the time and the taste!

Peasant Pasta

As my Mom said, life has been a little busy. After baby #2 made his debut on April 9th life has been a little crazy. Between family coming to visit, and then traveling to see our brothers graduate High School, I have had no free time. And now summer is in full swing, and I am busy with other things. But life as a family of four has been a new adventure.

Which leads me into this next recipe. Peasant Pasta. A good friend of mine brought over this dish for our family just after I had the baby. And let me tell you, it is GOOD. And not to mention a fairly easy recipe. It comes from Rachael Ray's 30 Minute Meals and it feeds A LOT. I would say 6-8, maybe more if you combine it with a salad and french bread on the side. My husband and I were eating it for like 3 days as leftovers. And even the leftovers are good, which is saying something for me. (I am a very picky leftover eater).

So, go ahead. Give this recipe a try. You will not regret it!

Peasant Pasta
Servings: 6-8
Time: 20 minutes

1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan

1/2 pound hot Italian sausage, available in bulk at butcher counter or, 2 links, casings removed

1 pound sweet Italian sausage, available in bulk at butcher counter or, 4 links, casings removed

3 to 4 cloves garlic, chopped, optional

1/2 cup chicken or vegetable broth

1 (28-ounce) can crushed tomatoes

1/2 cup heavy cream

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

1 cup frozen green peas

24 leaves fresh basil, torn or thinly sliced

1 pound penne rigate pasta, cooked to al dente

Grated Italian cheese, for passing

Heat a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Add extra-virgin olive oil, 1 turn of the pan. Add sausage meat. Crumble sausage meat as it browns. Add chopped garlic to the pan. When all of the crumbles have browned evenly, deglaze the pan drippings using chicken or vegetable broth. Stir in crushed tomatoes and bring the sauce up to a bubble, then reduce the heat to a simmer. Stir cream into your sauce, this will blush the color and cut the acidity of the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper. Stir peas and basil into your sauce to combine. Toss hot drained penne rigate in pan with the sauce, then transfer pasta to serving bowl.

This was the dish I made for Mother's Day, so satisfying.

And for dessert we had this........

Raspberry Cream Pie

recipe coming soon

Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie

This pie can be described in two words. Simple and Delicious. Pretty good words right? I don't know about you, but it has mostly been in the 70's here for the last 3 weeks, and at 38 weeks pregnant I have had no desire to turn on the oven and cook. Which has left things very interesting come dinner time. Anyway, when I found out about our friends annual Pi Party (you know 3.14), I knew I wanted to make something refreshing.
And then I remembered this pie:

So perfect, just 3 ingredients and put it in the freezer. And I don't think there was anyone who didn't enjoy it.

Pink Lemonade Ice Cream Pie
Servings: 16 or 2 (9-inch) pies

1 can frozen pink lemonade concentrate
1 tub of vanilla ice cream (just a cheap, no-name brand one)
2 graham cracker pie crusts

Set your ice cream and pink lemonade out on the counter to soften. Don't let your ice cream melt completely. Once they have softened, pour the ice cream and pink lemonade into a large bowl and stir until well combined. You don't want any big chunks so just work with it for a few minutes. Then divide your pink lemonade ice cream mixture evenly between the 2 pie crusts and place in the freezer to set up until ready to serve. Once the ice cream has set just slice, serve and enjoy!

Variations: Because you are using vanilla ice cream, this recipe leaves a lot of room for variation. Try out some different juice flavors: like raspberry lemonade, regular lemonade, limeade, you could probably even try orange juice for a take on an Orange Dreamsicle Pie. (I have never tried it, but I bet it would work!) Also feel free to add some mix-ins like marshmallows or even fruit. You could add some frozen raspberries with raspberry lemonade concentrate and I am sure it would be great! You can also use a regular pie crust instead of graham cracker if you prefer. Get creative and have fun with it!

This is a great summer recipe so hopefully you can get some use out of it over the next few months to come. Make it for a party and share with friends and family, or just eat two pies yourself, I won't judge.

Let me know if you try it, or if there are other variations you have tried!

Old Fashioned Mac N Cheese

This is comfort food at our house.  It is adapted from an old Betty Crocker cookbook and has become a family favorite.  It is best with freshly grated cheeese, but I often use the preshredded.  The original recipe calls for a 9x13 pan, but we like it better thicker in a 9x9 or 7x11 dish.

Old Fashioned Mac N Cheese

7 ounces elbow macaroni (about 2 cups)

1 tsp salt
¼ tsp pepper
3 cups shredded cheese
2 cups white sauce


Heat oven to 375.  Cook macaroni as directed on package.  Place half the macaroni in ungreased 2 –quart casserole.  Sprinkle with half the salt, pepper and cheese; repeat.  Pour white sauce over casserole.  Bake about 30 minutes till hot and bubbly. 

Thin White Sauce:
2 Tbl butter
2 Tbl flour
½ tsp. salt
¼ tsp. pepper
2 cup milk

Melt butter in saucepan over low heat.  Blend in flour salt and pepper.   Cook over low heat, stirring until mixture is smooth and bubbly.   Stir in milk.  Heat to boiling, stirring constantly.  Boil and stir 1 minute.

Easy Tortellini Dinner

I searched for some different ways to make Tortellini, I looked all through pinterest but I wasn't really finding just what I wanted. I also wanted a meal that could go together fairly quickly, because some nights you just don't have time in the kitchen. So I took inspiration from a few different recipes to create my own. The hubby really seemed to enjoy it and I was happy with the end result. The great thing is, you can change this recipe depending on what you have on hand with veggies and cheeses. Mine was pretty basic, but it tasted great and the leftovers were just as good.

First fry up some bacon......

Or pop it in the microwave, whichever is easier. I like to cut the bacon into chunks first and then fry it in the skillet, you definitely want it crispy to add some crunch to your pasta. Place the cooked bacon on a plate with a paper towel to soak up the rest of the grease and set aside.

While your bacon is frying, boil your water and get your tortellini cooking. Just follow packaged directions. I bought this family sized packaged of refrigerated Cheese-filled Tortellini. I used half the package and froze the other half to use for later. This way you can buy the tortellini a little cheaper and use it for two meals, or one depending on how many you need to feed.

Drain your pasta once it is cooked completely and return to your pot. Now add some Alfredo sauce. To make it easy I used half a jar of store bought Alfredo, but if you have more time make your own and it will add more flavor to your pasta. Then add in some cheese, I used mozzarella, like 1 or 2 handfuls. Then add in your bacon and some frozen peas (just eye-ball it) and lastly, salt and pepper to taste. Tortellini is such a hearty and filling meal you won't be able to eat too much.


Easy Tortellini Dinner
Servings: 4

4 slices of Bacon
1 pkg. Refrigerated Tortellini
1 jar of Alfredo Sauce
Mozzarella Cheese
Frozen Peas
Salt and Pepper

Cook bacon and crumble. Set aside. Prepare pasta according to package directions. Drain pasta and return to pot. Add Alfredo sauce, cheese, cooked bacon, frozen peas and salt and pepper. Cook until heated through. Serve with a salad and garlic bread. Enjoy!