Freeze Leftover Wine

I'm not sure where I learned this little tidbit for saving leftover wine – truth be told I think it was Martha Stewart via a Maxine cartoon – but it comes in really handy for cooking.

I know, I know: who has leftover wine??? (that was Maxine's contribution)

Well, sometimes I do and it goes right into the ice cube tray for future use. I believe all recipes taste better with wine – some of it even makes it into the food – so when I make spaghetti sauce, chili, or whatever else I think a splash of wine might augment, I just have to open up my freezer and pop a couple "wine cubes" into the recipe and off we go.





*Photo by Sarah B. Danks*

Easy Cowboy Caviar Recipe

For every recipe that requires time, effort and a bunch of cooking paraphernalia you might not own, there's the "do-it-yourself" easy version that tastes great and makes it seem as if you spent hours slaving away in the kitchen.

While I've tried many different cowboy caviar recipes, this is my all-time favorite, and very simple to make.

Cowboy Caviar Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 can (15 oz) black beans
• I can (15 oz) black-eyed peas
• 1 can (15 oz) diced tomatoes
• 1 can of corn (can also use frozen)
• 1 small onion (can substitute green onions)
• ½ green pepper
• ½ cup chopped jalapenos (I use the pickled kind)
• ¾ cup chopped cilantro
• garlic salt
• Zesty Italian dressing
• 1 lime

To Make:

• Drain beans, peas & tomatoes
• Chop onion, green pepper, jalapenos & cilantro
• Add to bowl, toss
• Use garlic salt to taste
• Add ¼ to ½ cup of Italian dressing & fresh-squeezed lime juice
• Toss to coat and let it marinate in the fridge for ~1 hour before serving.

Voilà! Delicious cowboy caviar that'll have your guests asking for the recipe :)




*Photo by Sarah B. Danks*