GTB RECIPES

A DIP BY ANY OTHER NAME

By Ellen "EJ" Sackett

Call it Fiesta Dip, Italian Salsa or Texas Caviar—my latest, greatest recipe goes by several names. You can always have the basic ingredients stowed in your pantry, then add fresh ingredients in addition to the basic recipe to your liking. You can dish it up several ways too. Serve it with yellow, red and blue corn chips as a colorful dip. Toss it into pre-packaged lettuce with some roasted chicken from the supermarket or add it on top of a baked potato for a quick, healthy dinner. Double the recipe for a batch that will feed a crowd or to have nibble food to have on hand, as it keeps well in the fridge for up to a week in an airtight container. It's often the hit of the party, so be prepared to share the recipe—in fact, feel free to send your friends to this link. Thank you, Carol, for giving this recipe to me.

Here's my version of Fiesta Dip:

Basic Recipe

Combine in a large bowl:

1 28 oz. can Ro-Tel Tomatoes (Original ~ Diced Tomatoes & Green Chilis), drained
1 15 oz. can black-eyed peas, drained
1 15 oz. can black beans, drained
1 11 oz. can shoe peg corn, drained

¼ to ½ bottle of an oil-based (not creamy) Zesty Italian dressing ~ just enough to coat the ingredients ~ NOTE: Do NOT add the dressing until after all ingredients, including any additional ingredients, have been added. It should be your last step.

Suggestion: Keep the liquids to a minimum. Spoon out any extra that seeps through to the bottom of the bowl. You can even rinse the beans, black-eyed peas and corn, then dry them with paper towels.

Additional Ingredients (The more you add, the better)
½ c. onion (any variety)
½ to 1 cup fresh cilantro
(or more, if you're like me and really love the flavor of cilantro!)
2 medium hot-house tomatoes, cut into small chunks
1 small to medium green pepper and/or red pepper
2 stalks celery
(If you'd like it hotter, you can add jalapeños, crushed red pepper or sprinkle on Tony Sachere's Cajun seasoning)

What's your version? Feel free to contribute your variations on this theme. I'd love to try your ideas in my next batch. Even if you don't have a gmail account, no worries. Just sign on as "Anonymous". You can add your name at the end of your comment.