Won Ton Taco Bites

Won Tons seem to be the new rage in appetizer creations. The options are endless for what they can be filled with. I had small amounts of stuff left over from a taco night and made these to serve as a side to a southwest chowder. I really don't think these even warrant a firm recipe. Use this recipe as a guide to make your own version.

Ingredients
12 servings

12 won ton wrappers
taco meat
green onions, chopped
cooked black beans
frozen corn
green pepper, diced
salsa of your choosing
shredded cheese. I used monterray jack for this version
roma tomatoes, sliced
black pepper
non stick spray

Preheat your oven to 375 degrees. While the oven is heating up you can spray your muffin tin and press one won ton wrapper into each cup.

Now you can layer your ingredients into the cups. I started with a layer of cheese, then added the meat, beans, and corn. I added a spoonful of salsa over each one and packed the ingredients down with the a spoon. Then I sprinkled each cup with the chopped green onions and green pepper. I added another layer of cheese and then topped each one with a slice of tomato and a sprinkle of fresh ground pepper.

Bake for 12 minutes or until the edges of the won tons are golden. Remove from oven and let sit about 10 minutes, serve warm.

Gandules Salad

This recipe is based on my favorite appetizer from La Isla,, a Puerto Rican  restaurant in Ballard. This simple yet robust salad can be used as a side dish or a garnish. La Isla serves it as a garnish to plantain cups. I recently took it to a party and served it with tortilla chips as you would a salsa. I think it would be great as a side dish for pork or as a chilled summer salad.

The base of this is Gandules also known as Pigeon Peas. Gandules are a high protein legume and also contain many amino acids. You can usually find them in the Latin Foods section of your grocery store.

Ingredients

1 15oz can gandules, drained and rinsed
1 red bell pepper, diced
1 yellow bell pepper, diced
1 green bell pepper, diced
1/2 white onion, diced
juice from one lime
sea salt, chopped garlic, and fresh black pepper, to taste
white vinegar
olive oil

Combine all of the vegetables and lime juice into a bowl. Add about 1/4 cup olive oil and 1/4 cup white vinegar, mix well. Once well combined add your spices. You may want to play around with the vinegar and olive oil ratio to get it to a point that you like. I prefer a little more vinegar for a more tart taste. Starting with 1/4 cup of each though is a great start.

Chill until ready to serve

http://www.laislaseattle.com/menu.aspx

Bean Dip

Using chili beans that you can only buy in the Midwest ( My mom mailed me an entire box of Brooks Hot Chili Bans) I resurrected this party time favorite for my Seattle friends...It is always a hit, and so simple to prepare.

Ingredients
Servings 8-20

1 16oz can hot chili beans
1 32oz can re-fried beans
1 16oz jar Pace Picante Salsa, or your favorite salsa
1 bunch green onion
1bag shredded cheese. I prefer cheddar

Spread re-fried beans into the bottom of rectangular baking pan. Top re-fried beans with chili beans and salsa, evenly spreading the two. Finish off with shredded cheddar (or your favorite cheese) and diced green onions to taste. Personally I think the more the better when it comes to green onions.

Bake on 400 for approx 15-25 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Serve warm with tortilla chips...And hopefully a Margarita!