* For an easy metric conversion chart, search the Internet for “metric kitchen.”

COWBOY CAVIAR

What You’ll Need:

• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/3 cup white wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 pound Roma tomatoes, seeded and diced
• 1 (15 ounce) can black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
• 1 (15 ounce) can black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 (11 ounce) can sweet corn, drained corn, drained
• 1 large ripe avocado
• 1 red onion, diced
• 1 cup red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

What You’ll Do:

1. In a large bowl, blend the olive oil, white wine vinegar, chili powder, cumin, lime juice, and salt.
2. Add the tomatoes, black-eyed peas, black beans, corn, avocado, red onion, bell pepper, and cilantro.
3. Cover and chill for an hour for flavors to blend.

POPPER DIP

What You’ll Do:

• 2 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1 cup Mexican blend cheese
• 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced jalapeño*
• 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles

TOPPING

• 4 tablespoons butter, melted
• 1 cup panko bread crumbs
• 1/4 cup of Parmesan cheese

*You may replace the jalapeños with another can of green chiles if you don’t want the dip to be too spicy.

What You’ll Do:

1. Preheat oven to 375° F.
2. Mix the first 6 ingredients together using a mixer.
3. Place in an 8” x 8” baking dish.
4. In a small bowl, stir together the topping ingredients.
5. Spread the topping evenly over the dip mixture.
6. Bake for 25 minutes until dip is bubbly and topping is lightly browned.

BEAN DIP

What You’ll Need:

• 1 can (16 ounces) refried beans
• 1 cup picante sauce
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded Monterey Jack cheese
• 1 cup (4 ounces) shredded cheddar cheese
• 3/4 cup sour cream
• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tablespoon chili powder
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin

What You’ll Do:

1. In a large bowl, combine the first 8 ingredients.
2. Transfer to a small (1 1/2 quart) slow cooker.
3. Cover and cook on high for 2 hours or until heated through, stirring intermittently.