Greg's Guacamole

Everyone has their own method of making guacamole.  Certain things they like to add or leave out.  I've seen all kinds of guacamoles, even crazy ones containing smoked fish or blue cheese.  Count me out.  I don't want anything that masks the rich, buttery flavor of a ripe avocado.  Lime, tomato, onion, jalapeno and a little salt are all you need to bring out the best flavor.  No spices, no powdery tastes.  Just fresh, ripe goodness.  Try this version, even if you don't love guacamole like I do.

Can't be beat on a burger,
fabulous on fajitas,
but tastiest on a tortilla chip!

The simple, fresh line-up.

Slice avocado in half vertically and twist
halves apart. Using knife blade to
remove pit.

There's a lot of debate about
discarding the pit or keeping it
in the guacamole to prevent browning. 
We usually eat our guacamole RIGHT AWAY,
but if you're making it slightly ahead,
save the pit if you want!

Score avocado flesh vertically
and horizontally with your knife tip.

Now scoop it out with a spoon.
Your avocado is already cubed,
and ready for mashing.

Mash with a potato masher.
(Take picture in dark?)
I have a cute little "avocado masher" that
I got in Santa Fe.
Which is actually a mini potato masher.
But it makes me sound like a
guacamole professional.  Which I am.



Add chopped veggies.
Season with lime juice and salt.



Eat with the most convenient way you can
find to get this goodness in your mouth1

Murri's Blue Ribbon Kicked Up Cowgirl Fudge

I know I know.  That title is a mouthful.  As complicated as it sounds, it's a very simple recipe.  My Little Devil, entered this fudge in a contest at a chocolate festival several years ago and won a blue ribbon!  Sure fudge can be fudge, but when you coat it in a spicy mixture of cinnamon, sugar, coffee, chile powder and cayenne you get KICKED UP fudge.

Kicked Up Cowgirl Fudge. 
It's a winner! 
A genuine blue ribbon winner!

The Kicked Up Cowgirl Fudge Party

In a saucepan combine milk and sugar...

Add salt.  Bring mixture to a
low boil for 5 minutes.

Meanwhile combine brown sugar
and cinnamon.

Add instant coffee granules.

Add dried chile powder.

Kick it up with some cayenne pepper.

Blend together and set aside.

When the milk mixture has boiled
for 5 minutes, remove from heat.

Stir in marshmallows.

And chocolate chips.

Don't forget the vanilla.

Spread into greased dish and
refrigerate until firm.
Cut into very small squares, it's rich!

Roll fudge squares in Cowgirl Spice Blend.

Homemade Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies

There are so many great sweet treats out there that remind me of my childhood.  Cookies and brownies made with our favorite candies like Junior Mints or Rolos.  It's easy enough to go buy those candies, but even better is making them into something yourself.  I love to bake and nothing gives me more satisfaction than coming up with a delicious HOMEMADE version of a favorite childhood snack.  These oatmeal sandwich cookies might possibly be the best thing you will ever put in your mouth.  The cookies alone are rich and chewy.  But try putting the creamy frosting between two of them.  You are in for such a treat.  They make a large batch too.  Perfect for bake sales, birthday parties and sharing.  OR just really enjoying them yourself.

Imagine one of these in your lunchbox???

The Homemade Oatmeal Sandwich Cookie Line-up

Cream together brown sugar and butter.

Combine the dry ingredients and set aside.

To the creamed mixture, add eggs and vanilla.

Add flour mixture a little at a time.

Stir in oats.

Bake approximately 8-11 minutes.

Let cool completely before filling.

Combine powdered sugar, vanilla and shortening.
Fold in beaten eggs whites to creamed mixture.

Spread one cookie generously with frosting.
Top with another cookie.

Enjoy the greatest snack you've had
since you were a kid!

Bloody Mary Lasagna

I like lasagna.  And I love Bloody Marys.  Well I don't love them, I love Mimosas.  But Mr. Devil and my Big Devil really like Bloody Marys.  They are crazy about this one particular brand of Made in Oklahoma Bloody Mary Mix.  On holidays, I always make sure to have a bottle around so they can have a Bloody Mary with breakfast. They each have one, and then that huge bottle of delicious tomato-ness sits in my fridge.  (We don't seem to have the same problem with champagne and orange juice.)  A champagne and oj lasagna probably wouldn't be very good.  So I came up with a recipe that ensures that bottle of Bloody Mary mix doesn't go to waste.  This is so good, you'll probably go out and buy a bottle, just to make this recipe.

The Line-Up

Brown ground beef and onion

Combine cottage cheese and eggs.

Add a splash of bloody mary mix
to cheese mixture.

Add spaghetti sauce mixes to
ground beef mixture.

Add bloody mary mix.

Add tomato sauce.  Simmer
for 10 minutes.

Place part of beef mixture in casserole.

Top with noodles, then
cottage cheese mixture.
Repeat layers, ending with meat. 
Top with sauce mixture and bake.
(One would think I had been drinking
bloody marys all day when I made
this, as obviously I forgot to photograph
the remaining steps.  Sorry.  It's good
though, trust me!)

Baked Potato Dip

You know my life revolves around sports right?  Baseball, golf, and most importantly football.  That means we do lots of entertaining and lots of tailgating.  Our meals are usually eaten on a paper plate in a parking lot, or gathered around a tv screen with lots of hollering friends and fans.  Though I have my tried and true tailgating repertoire, I add new material all of the time.  I would hate for anyone to think I'm a one-trick pony.  I'm excited to say I have a new dip recipe to spring on my buddies this football season.  Thick, rich and perfect on a potato chip!

Yummy yummy tailgate food!

The Baked Potato Dip Team

Combine cream cheese, sour cream and
Ranch dressing mix until smooth.

Stir in cheese.

Add bacon.

Add green onions.

Cover and refrigerate overnight
before serving.

I garnished it with cute little
fresh chives from my garden.
Because I'm cool like that.