Guaco-Tacos

Prep Time: 15 Min

Cook Time: 5 Min

Ready In: 20 Min

Servings 6

Ingredients

1 (14.5 ounce) can whole tomatoes, drained, rinsed, patted dry

2 roma tomatoes, quartered

1 onion, chopped, divided

1 clove garlic, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup fresh cilantro

1/2 jalapeno pepper

salt and pepper to taste

4 avocados, halved with pits removed

12 (6 inch) whole wheat tortillas

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, rinsed and drained

2 cups torn romaine lettuce

Directions

1. Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. Combine the canned tomatoes, fresh tomatoes, 1/2 of the onion, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno in a food processor. Chop roughly; do not puree.
3. Combine the pulp of the avocados and the remaining onion in a large bowl. Mash until almost smooth. Season with salt and pepper.
4. Spread tortillas in a single layer on baking sheet. Place in oven until warm, about 5 minutes. Spread tortillas with guacamole. Top with beans, salsa, and lettuce.

Spicy Cilantro Sauce

yield: Makes about 3/4 cup

This recipe can be prepared in 45 minutes or less.

This recipe originally accompanied Halibut with Roasted Vegetables and Spicy Cilantro Sauce .

ingredients

1/2 cup packed fresh cilantro leaves

1/2 cup packed fresh flat-leafed parsley leaves

2 shallots

1 large garlic clove

2 teaspoons grated peeled fresh gingerroot

1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds

1/4 teaspoon dried hot red pepper flakes

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon water

1 teaspoon vegetable oil

2 tablespoons soy sauce

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

preparation

Have ready a bowl of ice water. In a small saucepan of boiling water blanch cilantro and parsley 10 seconds and drain in a sieve. Refresh herbs in ice water and drain in sieve. Chop shallots and garlic.

In a small nonstick skillet cook shallots, garlic, gingerroot, cumin, and red pepper flakes in 1 tablespoon water and oil over moderately low heat, stirring, until shallots are softened. In a blender purée shallot mixture, herbs, remaining 1/4 cup water, and soy sauce until smooth, about 1 minute, and season with salt and pepper. Sauce may be made 1 day ahead and chilled, covered. Bring sauce to room temperature before serving.

Just before serving, stir in lemon juice.

Halibut with Roasted Vegetables and Spicy Cilantro Sauce

yield: Serves 4

4 pounds butternut squash (about 2 medium)

1 pound beets (about 2 large)

1 medium onion

2 teaspoons vegetable oil

4 large garlic cloves

four 5-ounce skinless halibut fillets

Accompaniment: 

spicy cilantro sauce

Preheat oven to 450°F. Halve squash lengthwise and discard seeds. Peel squash and cut enough 3/4-inch cubes to measure 6 cups. Trim and peel beets. Cut beets and onion into 3/4-inch cubes. In a 17- by 11-inch roasting pan toss squash, beets, and onion with oil until coated and season with salt and pepper.

Roast vegetables in middle of oven 25 minutes. Thinly slice garlic and scatter over vegetables. Roast vegetables 8 minutes more, or until barely tender. Season halibut with salt and pepper and arrange on top of vegetables. Roast halibut in middle of oven until just cooked through, about 8 minutes.

Serve halibut over vegetables with sauce.

Red Pepper-Salmon Pasta

Amy's Barbecue Chicken Salad

Takes: 35 Min

Ingredients

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

1 head red leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn

1 head green leaf lettuce, rinsed and torn

1 fresh tomato, chopped

1 bunch cilantro, chopped

1 (15.25 ounce) can whole kernel corn, (or fresh) drained

1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained

1 (2.8 ounce) can French fried onions

1/2 cup Ranch dressing

1/2 cup barbecue sauce

Directions

1. Preheat the grill for high heat.
2. Lightly oil the grill grate. Place chicken on the grill, and cook 6 minutes per side, or until juices run clear. Remove from heat, cool, and slice.
3. In a large bowl, mix the red leaf lettuce, green leaf lettuce, tomato, cilantro, corn, and black beans. Top with the grilled chicken slices and French fried onions.
4. In a small bowl, mix the Ranch dressing and barbeque sauce. Serve on the side as a dipping sauce, or toss with the salad to coat.

Asian Salmon Salad

Makes: 4 servings

Takes: 30 minutes

Ingredients

1/4 cup Ketchup (try to use brands with no high fructose corn syrup)

3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

2 tablespoons lime juice

2 tablespoons sesame oil

2 tablespoons brown sugar

8 cups romaine lettuce, torn

1-2 pounds salmon, cooked and chopped

1 cup thinly sliced carrot

1 cup thinly sliced cucumber

1/4 cup sliced radish

1/4 cup lightly packed cilantro leaves

1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

Directions

1. Stir the ketchup with teriyaki sauce, lime juice, sesame oil and brown sugar until well blended. Reserve.
2. Place the salad greens in a large bowl. Add salmon to the bowl along with the carrot, cucumber, coriander leaves and radish. Toss gently with enough dressing to coat the ingredients. Add more dressing to taste. Sprinkle with sesame seeds just before serving.

Footnotes

Twist 1: For a leftover solution, use any extra dressing for another salad or as a glaze for grilled or baked chicken, pork or fish. 

Twist 2: For a chicken variation, substitute 2 cups sliced grilled chicken for the salmon. 

Grilled Chicken Breasts with Plum Salsa

Makes: 4 servings

Ingredients for chicken:

2 teaspoons brown sugar

1/2 teaspoon sea salt1/2 teaspoon ground cumin

1/4 teaspoon garlic powder

4 (4-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

2 teaspoons olive or coconut oil

Plum Salsa:

1 cup chopped ripe plum (about 2 plums)

2 tablespoons chopped fresh or 1 teaspoon dried cilantro

2 tablespoons chopped red onion

2 teaspoons cider vinegar

1/4 teaspoon hot sauce

1/8 teaspoon sea salt

Preparation

• To prepare chicken, combine the first 4 ingredients. Rub chicken with brown sugar mixture.
• Heat the oil in a grill pan or nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add chicken; cook 6 minutes on each side or until done.
• While the chicken is cooking, combine remaining ingredients in a bowl. Serve with chicken.

Mango Avocado Salad

Grilled Halibut and Fresh Mango Salsa

• 
  

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork Salad

Black Beans with Fresh Plums and Bell Peppers

Peach & Apple Salsa

*Optional serve on top of chicken, or your choice of meat.