Common Cuisine |

Of course the easiest way to make guacamole is to buy two avocados and a packet of mix and just stir them all together. My two objections to this are that first, I usually am lucky to make it home with avocados, let alone remember to also purchase the spice packet; and second it is so expensive just to get the avocados that I hate to spend another dollar on spices. So here is my completely non-scientific approach to making guacamole less expensive and fresher tasting at the same time. Don’t worry about the proportions, just put in a little of each and it will be great, I promise!

• 2-3 avocados
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 2 Tbsp salsa
• a sliver of fresh chopped red onion
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro leaves
• 1 whole jarred jalapeno, seeds removed and finely chopped
• 1/4 tsp salt, to taste
• a couple shakes each garlic powder, cumin, and chili powder (if desired), to taste
• Bag of tortilla chips and baby carrots

Cut the avocados in half. Use a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Use a fork to gently mash the flesh. Now don’t stir it again until everything else is added! Add remaining ingredients, except tortilla chips and carrots. Stir everything together, purposely leaving some chunks for texture. Chill for an hour if desired, then serve with chips and veggies, and you are a genius!

Man this is good stuff. Every crumb of it always gets eaten. In the interest of making it a little less decadent for everyday, I use reduced fat sour cream and only 1/4 cup butter. But for fiesta time, it’s the real deal all the way, and nobody can resist!

• 1 pkg Jiffy cornbread mix
• 1 can sweet corn, drained
• 1 can cream corn
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 stick (½ cup) butter, melted
• 1/3 -1/2 cup sugar, according to preference

Preheat oven to 350. Combine all ingredients in a large bowl and stir until just mixed. Pour mixture into a 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish. Bake for 45 to 60 minutes, or until beginning to brown on top. Let stand five minutes before serving.

Thanks to Mary Lee Hackman for this fabulous recipe.

• 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 can condensed cheese soup (cheddar, fiesta nacho, southwestern jack, etc)
• ½ cup milk
• 2 cups shredded cheddar or jack cheese
• 1 (14 oz) can cut-up tomatoes, or 1 cup salsa

Preheat oven to 350°. Cook macaroni according to package directions; drain. Mix together soup and milk, then stir in cheese and tomatoes.

Stir macaroni into cheese mixture and pour into greased 9″ x 13″ glass baking dish. Bake for 40 minutes until lightly browned.

Serves 4 to 6.

Do you ever wonder what makes a dish Chinese, or French, or Italian? These are some spice and herb combinations that distinguish certain national cuisines.

By using these combinations you can stick with a family of flavors and turn your otherwise ordinary meat and potatoes dinner into something with ethnic flair. All of the following spice combinations include onion and black pepper. Take a look at some of their distinctive flavorings.

Note that I have listed cuisines with which I have more experience. If you have knowledge of a national cuisine I have not listed, please feel free to submit a list of distinctives for that cuisine to be included here.

• 1 lb ground beef
• 1 can condensed tomato soup
• 1 cup salsa
• ½ C milk
• 6-8 fresh tortillas, cut into 1″ pieces, or ½ pkg tortilla chips
• 1 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

Preheat oven to 400. In skillet over medium-high heat, cook beef until browned, stirring to crumble meat. Pour off fat.

Add soup, salsa, milk, tortillas and half the cheese. Spoon into 2 qt shallow baking dish. Cover.

Bake for 30 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining cheese.

Serves 4.

This is one of my all-time favorite party foods. For some reason, though, I always forget to buy the chips. Make sure you don’t do the same!

• 1 can bean dip, refried beans, or pureed black beans
• 1 avocado, diced* (or mashed in a bowl with a fork)
• 1 cup sour cream, with 2 tsp taco seasoning mix (1/2 packet) stirred in
• 1 1/2 cups shredded Cheddar and/or Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 med chopped tomatoes
• 2 green onions, chopped
• 1 4 oz can sliced black olives
• 1 bag corn chips

In a shallow dish (a pie plate will work well), layer above ingredients (except chips) in the order given. For best effect use a clear glass dish. Serve with chips.

*To dice an avocado, cut it in half and remove the pit. Slice into the flesh, not through the skin, making a grid pattern. Scoop out the flesh with a spoon.

Here I have turned classic enchiladas into a layered dish, thereby relaxing the need for an exact count of how many enchiladas each person might want. This is one of those dishes I never make just a single recipe of. Either I make two and freeze one, or I double or triple the recipe for a crowd.

• ½ cup sour cream
• 2 cups shredded cheese
• 5 green onions, chopped
• 1 (10 oz) can enchilada sauce
• 8 tortillas
• 2 cups chopped, cooked chicken
• ½ tomato, chopped
• 8 black olives, sliced (optional)

Preheat oven to 350°.

In medium bowl, combine sour cream, cheese, and green onions. Pour enchilada sauce into a shallow dish. Cut tortillas into quarters.

Dip one-third of wedges into enchilada sauce, and layer in bottom of 2 qt casserole dish. Layer one-third of chicken on top of tortillas. Layer one-third of sour cream-cheese mixture on top of chicken.

Repeat layers two more times. Pour remainder of enchilada sauce on top. Top with chopped tomatoes and olives. Bake for 20-30 minutes, until bubbly in middle.

Serves 4-6.