Sweet Red Pepper Jelly

3/4 cup water
1/3 cup sugar
1/4 cup corn syrup
3 tablespoons pectin
2 teaspoons cornstarch
1 teaspoon vinegar
50 drops or 1/4 teaspoon red food coloring
1/8 teaspoon onion powder
dash cayenne pepper
dash garlic powder
dash paprika
1/4 cup minced red bell pepper
1/2 teaspoon minced canned jalapeno peppers

Combine all the ingredients except the bell and minced jalapeno peppers in a small saucepan. Whisk well.

Set saucepan over medium/high heat, uncovered. Add peppers and bring mixture to a full boil, stirring often.

Reduce heat and simmer sauce for 5 to 7 minutes, or until thick. Remove from heat and let sauce sit for about 10 minutes. Stir and cover.

Use sauce when it reaches room temperature or cover and chill until needed.

Makes 1 cup.

Audrey's little note: Serve this sauce with bacon-wrapped jalapenos. Yum.

from: Famous Tasty Recipes site

Aunt Lynette's Frito Bean Salad

1 can black beans
1 sweet green pepper, diced
a few green onions, chopped
1 bottle Kraft Catalina salad dressing

Combine ingredients, cover with Catalina salad dressing, marinate in fridge for several hours or overnight.

When ready to serve, stir in:

1 c. cheddar cheese, shredded
1-2 fresh tomatoes, seeded & diced
fresh cilantro, chopped (as much as you want!)
Fritos chips (I like to use the jumbo dip size)

Add more salad dressing if desired, serve with the Fritos chips on the side as a chip/dip combo, or sprinkle the chips over the salad immediately before serving (you don't want them to sit long or they'll get soggy, blech!)

from: Aunt Lynette

Salsa

1 can diced tomatoes (not Italian style...I drained some of the liquid out of this)
1 can diced tomatoes with cilantro & green chilies ("Rotel" brand is the best)
1 cup cilantro, chopped
juice from 2 limes
2 garlic cloves, minced
half a white onion, chopped
1/2 C green onions, sliced
half green bell pepper (can add a red too if you like), chopped
salt and pepper to taste

Add all the ingredients to a blender or food processor and blend to desired consistency.

adapted from: Dinner's Ready blog

Guacamole

2 T. sour cream
2 T. mayo
1-2 avocados
1/8 tsp. ground pepper
1-2 t. taco seasoning (to taste)
1/2 T. lime juice

Mash avocados with sour cream & mayo, then add the remaining ingredients, serve with tortilla chips.

adapted from: Dinner's Ready blog