Pad Thai Sauce

(Yields 4 servings)

Ingredients:
1/4 c palm sugar
1/4 c fish sauce
1 TBS tamarind concentrate
1/4 c Sriracha sauce (Shark brand)

Directions:
1. Put tamarind concentrate into a measuring cup and add enough water to make 1/4 cup.
2. Stir.

Watermelon Salsa

Ingredients:
1 c diced seedless watermelon
1 c cored and diced heirloom tomatoes
2 TBS thinly diced shallots
1 TBS hot sauce
1/2 lemon, juiced
1 TBS honey
salt
2 TBS chopped basil leaves
1/2 c crumbled goat-milk feta cheese

Directions:
1. Combine watermelon, tomatoes and shallots in a bowl. Crush the tomatoes a but with your hands to provide a little extra juice.
2. Add hot sauce, lemon juice, and honey. Season with salt, and garnish with basil and feta. Then serve with tortilla chips and pretzels.

Hint: If you have any left over, serve it over grilled chicken for dinner.

Spinach and Artichoke Dip

Ingredients:
2 c shredded mozzarella
1/2 c sour cream
1/4 c grated parmesan cheese
1/4 tsp pepper
3 garlic cloves, crushed
1 (14 oz.) can artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
2 (8 oz.) packages of cream cheese
1/2 of 10 oz. package of frozen chopped spinach, thawed, drained, and squeezed dry
tortilla chips

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
2. In a bowl, combine everything EXCEPT 1/2 c of the mozzarella, 2 TBS of parmesan cheese, and chips.
3. Spoon mixture into baking dish, sprinkle with remaining mozzarella and parmesan cheese.
4. Bake mixture at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until warm and bubbly.
5. Serve warm with chips.

Molten Chocolate Lava Cake

Ingredients:
1 stick (4 oz.) unsalted butter
6 oz. bittersweet chocolate, preferably Valrhona
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1/4 c sugar
pinch of salt
2 TBS all-purpose flour

Directions:
1. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Butter and slightly flour four 6 oz. ramekins. Tap out the excess flour. Set the ramekins on a baking sheet.
2. In a double boiler, over simmering water, melt the butter with the chocolate. In a medium bowl, beat the eggs, with the egg yolks, sugar, and salt at a high speed until thickened and pale.
3. Whisk the chocolate until smooth. Quickly fold it into the egg mixture along with the flour. Spoon the batter into the prepared ramekins and bake for 12 minutes, or until the sides of the cakes are firm but the centers are soft. Let the cakes cool in the ramekins for 1 minute, then cover each with an inverted dessert plate. Carefully turn each one over, let stand for 10 seconds and then unmold. Serve immediately.

Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette

ingredients:
1/3 cup seasoned rice vinegar
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
2 tablespoons honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons minced canned chipotle in adobo sauce
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
3/4 cup olive oil
1 cup tightly packed fresh cilantro leaves and stems

directions:
1. Combine the rice vinegar, lime juice, honey, garlic, chipotle and salt in a blender or food processor fitted with the metal blade. With the machine running, gradually add the canola oil. Add the cilantro and process until the vinaigrette is smooth.

The recipe for Cilantro Lime Vinaigrette makes about 1 1/2 cups. Place extra dressing in an airtight jar and refrigerate for up to three days to use on other salads. Shake well before using.

Grandma’s Mexican Salsa

Serving Size: 2 cups

Ingredients:
1/2 large white onion, finely diced
1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
3/4 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
6 roma tomatoes
1 to 2 jalapeños
2 to 3 cloves garlic, unpeeled
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste
1 handful cilantro
Squeeze of lime juice

Directions:
Combine the vinegar, sugar, salt, and 1/2 cup hot tap water in a container. Add the onion, cover, and let sit for at least an hour at room temperature. Grill the tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic until blackened on all sides. The jalapeños and garlic will blacken faster than the tomatoes, so keep an eye on them and take them off when they’re done. Set aside to cool. When cool enough to handle, peel the blackened skin off the garlic and discard. If you want a less spicy salsa, de-seed the jalapeños. Blend the tomatoes, jalapeños, and garlic in a blender with salt and cilantro. Drain the onion and stir your desired amount into the blended tomato mixture. Finish with a squeeze of lime and salt to taste, if needed.

Chimcurri Sauce

INGREDIENTS:
1 bunch flat-left parsley
8 cloves garlic, minced
3/4 c extra virgin olive oil
1/4 c red wine vinegar
juice of 1 lemon wedge
1 Tbs diced red onion
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp black pepper
1/2 tsp salt

DIRECTIONS:
pulse

Balsamic Glaze

INGREDIENTS:
2 c balsamic vinegar
1/2 c brown sugar

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix balsamic vinegar with brown sugar in a saucepan over medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer until glaze is reduced by half, about 20 minutes. Glaze should coat the back of a spoon. Let cool and pour into a jar with a lid; store in refrigerator.

Green Chutney

Ingredients:

2 cups chopped cilantro, use the stalk as well
1/2 cup chopped mint leaves
1/2 jalapeno
2 Tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp sugar
salt

DIRECTIONS:
Blend all the ingredients in a blender.
Stir the mixture 3-4 times until completely blended.

Corn and Avocado Salsa

Ingredients:
canned corn
1 avocado
half onion, finely sliced
1 red bell pepper, finely sliced
1 clove garlic, minced
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1/4 cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
2 Tbsp olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lime juice
salt and black pepper to taste