Xenepek

This is some seriously hot stuff. Authentic xenepek is made with Habanero peppers, but if you have none, but have anything that qualifies as hot to you, use that.
Xenepek is like a salsa without the tomatoes and a lot more peppers.
Habaneros can be green, yellow, orange, or even red. The deeper the, color the hotter it will be. But, also the more complex the flavors.
You can use this as a condiment or just eat with chips.

You will need a knife and cutting board.
Gloves for chopping peppers is recommended. Or to chop, you could pulse in your food processor.

Ingredients:

2 Tablespoons lime juice(juice of 1 lime)
1/4 cup minced cilantro
3 green onions OR 3 to 4 Tablespoons onions, minced
1 minced garlic clove
6-8 Habanero chile peppers OR 8 hot peppers of your choice
salt to taste
pepper to taste

Chop and mince the garlic, peppers, onions, and cilantro.
Put into a bowl.
Add the lime juice.
Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Stir well.
Taste and add more salt and pepper if needed.

Serve.

Enjoy!

Makes a little over a cup.

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Last year's X- Xavier Dumplings

Nachos

Who doesn't love a good plate of nachos? Dress them up as much or as little as you like.

This is my version and it is super yummy!

You will need a heat proof platter about 12"-14" in diameter.
Fill that with tortilla chips.
Preheat your oven to 300 degrees Fahrenheit and put the chips in to warm while you get the toppings ready.


Topping Ingredients:

1/4 lb. ground beef
salt
pepper
cumin powder
chili powder

Cheese Sauce-
1 Tablespoon butter
1 Tablespoon flour
dash salt
dash pepper
1/2 to 3/4 cup milk
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

2 Tablespoons sliced black olives
1-2 Tablspoons sliced jalapenos or serranos
1/2 cup sour cream
1/2 cup salsa

Brown the meat and season with salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder.
Set aside but keep warm.
Make the cheese sauce. Melt the butter in a small saucepan over low heat. Add the flour, salt, and pepper and let it bubble for a minute.
Watch so it doesn't burn.
Add 1/2 cup milk and stir til it thickens.
If it thickens too much add the other 1/4 cup milk.
Once it bubbles, stir in the cheddar cheese until smooth.
Take the platter of chips put of the oven.
Pour the cheese sauce over the chips.
Sprinkle the meat over.
Follow with the olives and peppers.
With a small spoon, dollop sour cream over the nachos.
With another small spoon, drizzle the salsa  over everything.

Mexican Lasagna

Mexican lasagna is a nice change from your traditional lasagne.

It is made with flour tortillas instead of noodles.

Try it and you will not be disappointed.



Ingredients:

1 package flour torillas- you will need 8
1 lb. ground beef
1 cup salsa
15 oz. tomato sauce
1 packet taco seasoning
2 cups cottage cheese
2 eggs
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1-1/2 cups cheddar-jack cheese

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
You will need a 13"x9" baking pan.

In a skillet, brown the meat. Add the taco seasoning, salsa, and tomato sauce.
Simmer for 5 minutes.
While that simmers mix the cottage cheese, eggs, and oregano in a bowl.
Cut or tear 3 tortillas in half and line the bottom of the baking dish.
Stick another whole tortilla over the middle of the pan.
Spread half the meat sauce over the tortillas.
Spread the cottage cheese mix over the meat.
Arrange the other 4 tortillas over that mixture following the same way as the first time.
Spread the rest of the meat sauce over that.
Top with the cheese.

Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly.
Let stand 10 minutes before serving.

Can serve up to 12 people.

Chunky Salsa

This is my recipe for canned salsa. I make fresh salsa as along as I have tomatoes and peppers growing in the garden. But, when winter comes I need salsa in my pantry.
Ready 6 pint jars for canning. You can also get pint size freezer containers instead.
You will also need a water bath canner for canning.

Ingredients:
20 medium size tomatoes- or enough to get 14 cups, chopped
3-1/3 cups seeded and chopped peppers - a mix of jalapeno and bell or Anaheim
2 cups coarsely chopped onions
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley- you can also use 1/4 cup dried
1/2 cup vinegar
5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1 Tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pepper


Peel and seed the tomatoes. Chop and place in a colander to drain for 30 minutes to an hour.
Place the tomatoes in a dutch oven, probably about 5 quart size.
Bring to a boil and reduce heat.
Simmer, uncovered about an hour til thick and chunky. Stir frequently.
The juicier the tomatoes, the longer it will take to thicken up.
While, the tomatoes are cooking down, chop the onions, peppers, cilantro, and garlic.
Put that into a large bowl and add the vinegar, sugar, salt, and pepper.
When the tomatoes are ready add the pepper mixture.
Return mixture to boiling.
Remove from heat and ladle into the prepared jars.
Seal.
Process in the water bath canner for 35 minutes.
If you prefer, ladle the salsa into freezer containers and freeze for up to a year.

You will get 5 or 6 pints.

If you want mild, use 3 cups bell or Anaheim and 1/3 cup jalapeno.
If you want medium, use half one kind and half the other.
If you want hot, use 3 cups jalapeno and 1/3 cup Anaheim.
Serranos are also good in this salsa.
 

Pasta Salsa

Pasta is very big in my house. So I am always trying to come up with news ideas for meals.
And this is what I came up with.
You can use any salsa. Either make a double batch of the fresh salsa recipe or just use some from the store.

Ingredients:

1 pound ground beef or ground turkey
2-3 cups pasta of your choice
32 oz. salsa

In a large pan brown the ground meat, seasoning to taste. Drain, if desired.
To the meat in pan, add the salsa and heat to boiling. Add the pasta and cook until pasta is done. Since different shapes cook faster go by the directions for an idea of how long to cook.
Stir occasionally.
Once pasta is done, if the dish is not as thick as you'd like turn down the heat and let simmer for a few minutes longer.
Serves 4-6.
Very quick, simple, and tasty.
I hope you enjoy it.

Fresh Salsa

It is that time of year for many of us. Time to start thinking about making that first batch of fresh salsa.
There is nothing to it.

Ingredients:
2 medium size ripe tomatoes
1 small white onion- You will need about 1/4 cup.
3-5 Serrano peppers- You can substitute jalapenos to get the same heat.
1 large clove garlic
A dozen or so sprigs of fresh cilantro
1-1/2 teaspoon lime juice
3/4 teaspoon salt

To prepare the onion, chop finely and put in a strainer and rinse under cold water.
Chop all the vegetables as finely as you can get them. Scoop into a bowl and add the lime juice and salt.
Stir and let meld for a few minutes before eating.

Yummy Queso Dip

This is a simple dip. You can make it on the stove or in the crockpot. All up to you. I like to do it in the crockpot and keep it on warm once it is done.

Ingredients:

10-1/4 oz. can cream of mushroom condensed soup

16 oz. Velveeta cheese

12 oz. cooked ground sausage. Any kind is good. Italian or breakfast both work.

16 oz. jar of your favorite salsa

On top of stove, or in a crockpot, combine the soup and Velveeta. When cheese is melted add the cooked and crumbled sausage.
Stir til combined and add your salsa. Mix well and heat through.

Best served warm.Great with tortilla chips.

Enjoy!