Wagon Wheel Taco Pasta Salad

I tried this new recipe for company when I hosted the 4th this year. I couldn't find wagon wheel pasta at Walmart, Kroger or Publix. I didn't think to try Whole Foods but will next time. Anyway, this was definitely a winner! Mexican makes a different, spicy flavor for a pasta salad.

Wagon Wheel Taco Pasta Salad
from Cara's Cravings
1lb wagon wheel pasta
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 10oz package frozen corn (I don't even bother thawing it, because I always make this at least a few hours before serving, so it plenty of time to defrost)
2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced
8oz shredded Mexican-blend cheese
1 1/2 cups salsa
1/2 cup olive oil
3-4 tbsp lime juice
1 tbsp cumin
1-2 tsp chili powder
2 garlic cloves, minced
freshly ground salt & pepper
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 avocado, diced

Cook the pasta al dente according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water.
In a large bowl, combine the black beans, corn, tomatoes, salsa, and cheese. Add the cooled pasta and mix well.
In another bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lime juice, garlic, cumin and chili powder. Pour over the pasta salad, add the cilantro, and mix well. Season to taste with salt & pepper.
Just before serving, stir in the diced avocado.

Guacamole with Red Pepper

This was so yummy! Seriously, most of it was gone in one sitting. It was tasty and a good flavor!
Guacamole with Red Pepper from Super Dips By Dorie Greenspan
Publication Date: 01/25/2009

Guacamole With Red Pepper
Get ready for next week's big game with this great dip—a classic guacamole with a twist.
Touchdown!
4 avocados, halved and pitted
Grated zest and juice of 1 limes (I just used lime juice)
4 slices red onion, diced (I used yellow onion)
1 jalapeno, finely diced (omitted - too spicy for me)
1/4 cup minced cilantro leaves (omitted because I didn't want to buy an entire bunch)
Salt and pepper, to taste
Tabasco (optional) (didn't add)
1/2 red bell pepper, finely diced

Scrape avocados into a bowl. Add lime zest and juice and mash with a spoon or fork until chunky or smooth—whichever you prefer. Stir in the onion, jalapeno, cilantro, and a good pinch of salt and pepper to taste. Next, add hot sauce, if desired. Fold in the red pepper. Serve with your favorite chips and wedges of bell peppers.
Serves 8. Per serving: 160 calories, 11g carbs, 2g protein, 13g fat, no cholesterol.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

This was very yummy! It reminds me of a Mexican Chili but with chicken and more flavors infused. Next time I may substitute ground turkey and see how that tastes. Friends ate almost all of it. It was a hit!

Chicken Tortilla Soup
From Good Thymes and Good Food

INGREDIENTS
1 onion, chopped
2 carrots, diced
1 stalk celery, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 tsp. cumin
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (10.5 ounce) can condensed chicken broth
1 1/4 cups water
1 cup whole corn kernels, cooked
1 cup white hominy (I don't like hominy so I used chickpeas)
1 (4 ounce) can chopped green chile peppers
1 (15 ounce) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (omitted as I did not want to purchase a huge package of it)
2 boneless chicken breast halves, cooked and cut into bite-sized pieces (I roasted them at 425 for about 22 minutes.)
crushed tortilla chips
sliced avocado
shredded Monterey Jack cheese (I had cheddar/jack and just used that.)c
hopped green onions
chopped red onion
lime juice
sour cream

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425.
Drizzle chicken with a little olive oil, salt, pepper and a little chili powder.
2. Roast chicken for 22-25 minutes. When cooked, shred with two forks.
3. In a medium stock pot, heat oil over medium heat.
4. Saute onion, carrot and celery in oil until soft.
5. Add garlic and cook until fragrant.
6. Stir in chili powder, oregano and cumin. Coat vegetables.
7. Add tomatoes, broth, and water.
8. Bring to a boil, and simmer for 5 to 10 minutes.
9. Stir in corn, hominy, chiles, beans, cilantro, and chicken.
10. Simmer for 10 minutes.
11. Ladle soup into individual serving bowls, and top/garnish with crushed tortilla chips, avocado slices, cheese, chopped green onion, red onion, lime juice and/or sour cream.