Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Party Time at the Ranch!

Tex here, fresh off of a great visit to the ranch where we celebrated my sister-in-law's 60th birthday. We had enough food to feed an army. And even though we didn't have an army in attendance, there were very few left overs. Hmmm.

I'll be sharing recipes from that event over the next couple of weeks, but at the top of my must-have list was one of my husband's all-time favorite recipes. It's so easy and so yummy that I never get by without having to give out the recipe at least once.

Now you may wrinkle your nose when you hear the name of this, but trust me (and all those folks who've demanded this recipe), you're gonna love it.

Mindy's Grape Salsa

Here's what you'll need:


  • 2 cups roughly chopped grapes, I like red, but you can use green
  • 1/2 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/2 cup (one small can) chopped green chilies
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar (if you don't have red wine, just use whatever vinegar you have on hand)
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco sauce
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least one hour. Drain and serve with tortilla chips.


Doesn't that look purty. I think part of what makes it so good is that blend of sweet and salty. And no, it's not hot. Just the right amount of spice.


Here's the birthday girl enjoying herself, despite the fact that she doesn't like to be fussed over. She's real good about fussing over others, but when she's the fussy instead of the fusser, well, that's a different story. I told her to get over it and just enjoy. After all, with a hat like that....

What's your sure-to-please recipe that you break out at every party?

26 comments:

  1. What? What?? Grape salsa? I'm so confused!

    Okay, I may just have to make this. It sounds so crazy it has to be good!

    And love her hat. Happy birthday!

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    Replies
    1. It is good, Virginia. I can't wait to hear what you think.

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  2. hmm well I've had pineapple salsa but bought it at grocery store(Kroger) - they called it pineapple pico but to me it's interchangeable! it had tomatoes, onion, cilantro, jalapeno and pineapple - was good on chicken but just couldnt' bring myself to put it on my breakfast tacos!

    hmm I never get invited to any parties so I dont have a go-to dish but within the family that easy dip with the velveeta and rotel tomatoes seems to go over well - esp with some breakfast sausage cooked and added!

    Susanna

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    Replies
    1. Susanna, one can never go wrong with Velveeta and Rotel. Haven't made it with the breakfast sausage, but I usually add a can of turkey chili with no beans. My guys gobble that stuff up.

      No, I don't think I'd want grape salsa on my breakfast tacos either. That just doesn't sound appealing.

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  3. going to google cilantro now. I keep learning new things.

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    1. LOL! Cilantro kind of looks like parsley, but has a distinct aroma and flavor. It's used in Thai cooking as well as a lot of Mexican dishes.

      Stick with us, Jenny, and there's no telling what you might learn :-)

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  4. Mindy, I've never heard of this. It looks like something I'll love!!!

    You know, one thing I had at a party one time that I fell in love with was watermelon salsa. It was amazing. I bet this will be similar.

    Thanks for sharing! Tell your SIL belated happy birthday from us!

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    Replies
    1. Missy, I've had peach salsa, but not watermelon. Interesting.

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  5. Wait...define 'not hot'. That seems like an awful lot of green chilies for it not to be hot! Think of my poor underdeveloped Irish palate!!!

    My never fail recipe that's become a top request is Ruthy's Apple Berry Cherry Cobblec Crisp! I was making it weekly for awhile between birthday dos, pot lucks and contributing to church home meals.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Kav, green chilies are not hot. Warm, maybe, but not hot. They're much milder than jalapenos.

      Um, I think Ruthy's Apple Berry Chery Cobbler Crisp would be my request too. Yum!

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    2. LOL, Kav. I thought the same thing about it being too hot. Mindy, I'm glad to hear they're not so hot.

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  6. LOL Kav. I had the exact same reaction.

    I blogged today at Healthy Writers ( http://www.healthywriter.com/index.php/healthy-birthday-alternatives/) about some of the healthy treats I got for birthday presents. How about some chocolate-dipped pineapple. Sounds almost as odd as Mindy's grape salsa but it's so delicious that it makes me think the salsa is too!

    Thanks for sharing, Mindy.

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    Replies
    1. Mary, anything with chocolate is good. Well, I take that back. I won't touch a chocolate cover coffee/espresso bean. Bleck!

      And like I told Kav, the chilies are not hot. Come on, ladies, where's your backbone?

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    2. Mindy, I loved chocolate covered espresso beans!!

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  7. My first reaction to the name of this recipe is that if it's as good as Jalapeno Jelly, I'm making it...

    When my boys were in Scouts, I had a standing order to bring pumpkin pie to every covered dish dinner we had (about three a year). None of the other moms made pies (although there were some great cooks in the group!).

    Another requested recipe is one I got from my sister-in-law years ago - it's a quick, easy chocolate eclair-type. I'll have to share that recipe some time.

    Happy birthday to your sister-in-law!

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    Replies
    1. Jan, jalapeno jelly over cream cheese. Yum, yum!

      And you know, I bet I have that same chocolate eclair recipe. Graham crackers? Vanilla pudding? Chocolate frosting? Man, I haven't made that in forever. Hmm...probably because I'd eat the entire pan by myself.

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    2. Yes, Mindy! That's the one. Mine uses a kind of a chocolate glaze - almost a fudge - that goes over the top.

      And yes, I think I can eat the entire thing myself, too. That's why I NEVER make it for just us...only to take somewhere.

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    3. Seriously -- someone post that recipe!!!!!!

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    4. Sigh...I supposed I can wait until next week since I have Ruthy's lemon cake in the freezer along with pumpkin cookies and some cobbler crisp. :-)

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    5. I'm on my way over to Kav's. Anyone else want to join me?

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    6. just the words "chocolate" and "eclair" make my mouth water!

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    7. I keep scrolling down for Kav's address but I guess this is a closed invitation! :D

      My sister makes real eclairs. but she has to use your kitchen (or you have to come to her) because they don't travel well. And I'm cool with both of those options.

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