Black Eyed Pea Salsa

Perfect for this Holiday weekend!  I serve with Blue Tortilla Chips and Carrot Chips.
Black Eyed Pea Salsa
2 cans blacked peas, drained and rinsed
1 red pepper, diced
1/2 English cucumber, peeled & diced
3 celery stalks, diced
2 Tbs minced jalapeno
4 green onions, thinly sliced, whites and greens

Dressing:
1/3 cup olive oil
1/3 cup white wine vinegar
1 Tbs red wine vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lime
1 Tbs jalapeno juice
Sprinkle of salt & pepper
2 Tbs sugar
1/2 Tsp dry mustard

Combine all vegetables in a container with an air tight lid. Whisk dressing together and pour over vegetables. Cover with lid and give the container a good shake (or you could also lightly mix & cover with Saran Wrap).  Marinate in the fridge for 2 hours before serving & Enjoy.

Sweet & Savory Pinwheels

Simple Pinwheels

These are very tasty - I think they would be perfect to take to Sunday School or even as a holiday appetizer.  You can make these as sweet, savory or simple.  Hope you enjoy!

Simple Pinwheels
8 oz cream cheese
16 oz sausage
Salt & Pepper
1 can crescent roll dough

Cook sausage on the stove top until brown, season with salt & pepper & remove from the heat.  Mix cream cheese with the sausage.  Unroll the crescent roll dough onto a foil lined cookie sheet.  Crimp together all of the preferred edges to create one large piece.  Slice the dough in half length wise and spread mixture evenly over the 2 squares.  Roll the dough up like a jelly roll.  Wrap the dough in the foil and put in the freezer for 20 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Unwrap dough and slice into 1/4 inch pieces.  Bake on cookie sheet or pizza stone for 15-20 minutes (watch closely from the 15 minute point).  Transfer to a wire rack and let them cool for 5 - 10 minutes & serve.

Savory Pinwheels
8 oz  chive and onion cream cheese
16 oz sausage
1/2 teaspoon chopped thyme
Salt & Pepper
Several dashes of hot sauce
1 can crescent rolls

Follow the same instructions as above just also add the thyme & hot sauce to the sausage in addition to the Salt & Pepper.  I also think caramelized onions would be a wonderful addition.

Sweet Pinwheels
8 oz whipped cream cheese
16 oz sausage
1/2 Tbs Maple Syrup, plus extra for drizzle
1 can of crescent rolls

Follow the same instructions for the plain above, however add 1/2 Tablespoon of maple syrup to the sausage while cooking.   While pinwheels are cooling drizzle extra syrup over the them - reminds me of pancakes and sausage - yum!

Broccoli & Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes

Broccoli & Cheddar Twice Baked Potatoes
Serves 2

2 medium sized baking potatoes
1 cup chopped broccoli
1/4 cup light sour cream
1 Tbs chives, chopped
1 Tbs butter
2 Tbs fat free 1/2 & 1/2
Salt & Pepper
1 Tbs light cream cheese
1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Cooking spray
Chopped green onions
1 lemon

Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Wash potatoes well & using a knife poke 8 holes in each.  Place them on foil lined cookie sheet & cover all sides with cooking spray. Sprinkle each with salt.  Roast for about 1 hr & 30 minutes, check on them after an hour - depending on your oven they make take the entire hour and 1/2.
In the meantime mix together the chives and sour cream and return to the fridge.  Bring a small pot of water to a boil.  When it is a roaring boil add the broccoli.  After 3-4 minutes the broccoli will turn a bright green.  Strain broccoli and add to a bowl.  Squeeze a touch of the lemon juice over the broccoli and toss well.  You may want to finely chop the broccoli at this point, I prefer the finer chop, but larger florets are fine too.

Allow potatoes rest from the oven for 10 minutes, then slice off the top third of the potato.  Chop the tops of the potatoes and add to the broccoli.  Scoop the contents and add to your bowl.  Place the potato shells in a shallow baking dish & lightly salt & pepper the inside.  To the potatoes & broccoli add the butter, cream cheese & salt & pepper, mix well and then add the 1/2 & 1/2 and chive sour cream and mix again. Fill the potato skins with the mixture topping off with the cheddar cheese.  Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes.  Top with the chopped green onions & enjoy.

Pair with a nice salad and you have a complete Meatless Monday Meal.