Chili's Copycat Salsa

This is a family favorite at our house. I love this recipe because you can make it anytime of the year and just not during tomato season.

2 (14.5 oz) Cans Whole Tomatoes, Drained
1/4 Cup Onion, Chopped
1 Teaspoon Garlic Salt
1 Teaspoon Salt
1 Teaspoon Cumin
1 Teaspoon Sugar
1 Teaspoon Lime Juice
1 (4 oz)Can Diced Jalapenos (I only use about half a can. You can decide on how much heat you like.)
2 Roma Tomatoes, Diced

Place all ingredients together in a blender and blend until smooth.

Mango Pico De Gallo

This recipe is to be served with the Lime-Chili Steaks that recipe is posted on this blog. However, this is a fabulous recipe and would make a great mango salsa to be served with chips.

1 Cup Small Cubes Mango (About 1 Medium to Large Mango)
1/2-1 Large Jalapeno Pepper (1/2 without seeds is nice, mild-medium heat; go from there)(If you are making this to go with the Lime-Chili Steaks, I would not add any seeds. The steaks already have a kick to them and so adding seeds I think would make it too hot. Only do that if you like intense heat.)
1/4 Cup Cilantro, Chopped
1/4 of a Medium Red Onion, Finely Chopped
Juice of 1 Lime
2 Cloves of Garlic, Minced
Kosher or Sea Salt To Taste

Combine ingredients. Serve. I try to prepare it a couple hours ahead of serving so that the flavors can blend together. This will keep for a day or so, but after that, the mangoes will go mushy.

Hot Sausage Dip

1 Pound Sausage
2 Small Onions, Chopped
2 Green Peppers, Chopped (I never add this. Yuck!)
3 Tomatoes, Chopped
8 Ounce Can Diced Green Chilies
1 Pint Sour Cream
8 Ounces Cream Cheese
Tortilla Chips

Brown sausage,onions and green peppers. Drain off excess grease. Right before serving, add the tomatoes to the mixture. Don't cook too long. You want the tomatoes to be a little firm. Add green chilies. Stir in sour cream and cream cheese. Keep warm in a crock pot. Serve with tortilla chips.

Hot Caramel Apple Cider

One of my favorite blogs to follow is: www.realmomkitchen.com. I look at her blog at least weekly. She had this posted and I couldn't wait to try it out. It was delicious. It was like a caramel apple in a cup!

8 Cups Apple Cider (not the kind on the juice isle but the kind in the refrigerated section)
1/4 Cup Brown Sugar
1/4 Cup Caramel Ice Creaming Topping
Whipped Cream, Optional
Extra Caramel Ice Cream Topping, Optional

In a saucepan, combine apple cider, brown sugar, and caramel topping. Cook over medium low heat until simmering. Stir frequently. Simmer until heated and well blended. It will look a little separated. Serve in a mug. Put whipping cream on the top. Drizzle with additional caramel ice cream topping. Serve. YUM!

Hot Sausage Dip

1 Pound Sausage
2 Small Onions, Chopped
2 Green Peppers, Chopped
3 Tomatoes, Chopped
1 8 Oz. Can Diced Green Chilies
1 Pint Sour Cream
1 8 Oz. Package Cream Cheese
Tortilla Chips

Brown sausage and drain off excess grease. Add chopped onions and green peppers. Cook until onions and peppers are tender. Add the tomatoes to the mixture. Don't cook too long. You want the tomatoes to be a little firm. Add green chilies. Stir in sour cream and cream cheese. Keep warm in a crockpot. Serve with tortilla chips

Cheese Ball

2 8 Oz. Packages Cream Cheese
2/3 Cup Mayonnaise
6 Strips of Bacon, Cooked and Crumbled
3 Green Onions, Chopped
1 Tablespoon Dill Weed

Mix together and sprinkle with slivered almonds. Serve with crackers