Cowboy Caviar

I love finding and trying out new recipes. The 'trying out' part is where I sometimes lack followthrough and it is of course the most important. Well, I wanted to share this healthy, easy and most importantly delicious dish with you, my dear readers. My sister Ryan and I were first introduced to it this summer while we were vacationing in our favorite spot, Perdido Key, Florida. To make a long story short, on a whim one evening we went to an art class where we met a bunch of darling, old southern women who sipped wine and ate hors d'oeurves while expressing themselves with watercolor paints. It is SO enjoyable! Needless to say we secretly finished off the cowboy caviar in the back corner while we listened to our new friends talk about their 'motha' (that is mother for any of you who are not familiar with the words of the south) and say 'I declare!' (the perfect "declaration") to any and every topic that came up. ha! I have searched and searched and thus modified this recipe... so straight from the Owen Range to your kitchen:

~~~~ COWBOY CAVIAR ~~~~

1 can black beans, drained

1 can black eyed peas, drained (withOUT pork)

1 can pinto beans, drained

1 can sweet kernel corn, drained

1 red onion, chopped fine

1 green bell pepper, chopped fine

1/2 cup chopped pickled jalapeno peppers

-- Combine all the ingredients above into medium sized mixing bowl (preferably one with a lid). Mix and set aside. --

3/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped fine

1/2 tsp. garlic salt

-- set aside to add later --

In a small sauce pan, bring to boil:

1/2 cup rice wine vinegar

1/2 cup extra virgin oliva oil

1/3 cup white sugar

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. black pepper

-- Very important... let this cool to room temperature before adding to your bean/corn mixture --

After cooled, pour rice vinegar mixture into your mixing bowl with beans/corn and mix. Then add cilantro and garlic salt. Let "marinate" for a few hours in the fridge or over night. Serve with Tostitos SCOOPS or your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!!!

My lovely assistant and our finished product...

For a little translation on what my sweet Scarlett is saying here, "VOILA!"

We had this for dinner the other night over oven baked quesadillas (one of our favorites) and it was the perfect touch. I am telling y'all, this stuff is yummo whether you are a city slicker or a true cowpoke! And, I am not into all the blood and guts stuff, but this "caviar" it is perfect for a Halloween get together because you could say it is eyeballs and mashed up brain and goo or whatever.... ha! Happy cooking!