Layered Mexican Dip

Layered Mexican Dip

Ingredients:

2 cans refried beans
450g cream cheese
1/4 cup salsa
Shredded cheddar cheese (mild or sharp)
Optional - sour cream, olives, hot peppers, guacamole, onion

Method:

1. Mix the refried beans and salsa together. Spread out half of the mixture in the bottom of a small, oven proof casserole.

2. Put a layer of cream cheese on top of the first layer of refried bean mixture.

3. Top this layer of cream cheese with the remaining refried bean mixture.

4. Sprinkle cheeses on top, cover, and put in a 350F oven for about 20 minutes, or until it is thoroughly heated.

Serves: as many as you want

Rating: 4

Corn and Zucchini Fritters with Salsa

This dish is fun and reheats will the next day. The fritters are like pikelets, so are also great for the kids. It's a really delicious, and yet simple, meal.

Corn and Zucchini Fritters with Salsa:

Ingredients:

Fritters:

50g butter, melted
1/2 cup milk
3/4 cup plain flour
2 eggs, lightly beaten
210g can creamed corn
240g zucchini, grated coarsely
vegetable oil, for shallow frying

Salsa:

3 medium egg tomatoes, chopped coarsely
2 medium avocados, chopped coarsely
1 small red onion, chopped coarsely
2 Tbsp lime juice (fresh is always best)
2 Tbsp finely chopped fresh coriander

Method:

1. Combine butter, milk, flour and egg in a medium bowl and whisk until smooth. Add corn and zucchini; mix well.

2. Make salsa by combining all ingredients in a small bowl.

3. Heat oil in medium frying pan. Cooked heaped tablespoons of batter about 2 mins each side or until broned both sides and cooked through. Drain on absorbant paper. Serve with salsa.

NOTE: Keep the cooked fritters warm in the oven until serving time. You might also like to try adding a little grated cheddar cheese to the batter.

Serves: 4

Rating: 5

Corn and Polenta Pancakes with Tomato Salsa

This recipe is so easy and it tastes great. People with arthritis should be careful eating the Salsa as the balsamic vinegar and tomatoes may be a problem if experiencing a flare-up.

Corn and Polenta Pancakes with Tomato Salsa:

Ingredients:

Tomato Salsa:

2 ripe tomatoes
1 cup frozen broad beans (if you've never tried these, you should!)
2 Tbsp chopped fresh basil
1 small Lebanese cucumber, diced
2 cloves garlic, crused
1.5 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

Corn and Polenta Pancakes:

3/4 cup self-raising flour
3/4 cup fine polenta
1 cup milk
310g can corn kernels
Salt and pepper, to taste
olive oil, for frying

Method:

1. To make the salsa, score a cross in the base of each tomato, then place in a bowl of boiling water for 30 seconds. Plunge into cold water and peel away the skin from the cross. Dice. Pour boiling water over the broad beans and leave for 2-3 mins. Drain and rince under cold water. Remove the skins. Put the beans into a bowl and stir in the tomato, basil, cucumber, garlic, vinegar and extra virgin olive oil.

2. To make the pancakes, sift the flour into a bowl and stir in the polenta. Add the milk and corn and stir until just combined, adding more milk if the batter is too dry. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Heat the oil in a large frying pan and spoon half the batter into the pan, making four 9cm pancakes. Cook for 2 mins each side, or until golden and cooked through. Repeat with the remaining batter, adding more oil if necessary. Drain well and serve with the salsa.

NOTE: you can just dice the tomato as it is, rather than blanching and peeling it, if you prefer.

Serves: 2-3

Rating: 4