Party Time

O.k., I don't know about you, but this winter is lasting wayyyyy too long and I'm ready for a change of the jukebox. Lately, when i look outside at 4 pm and it's pitch black, it's as though the theme song from those "Hinterland Who's Who" starts up and strips my soul of all gladness. Whoever wrote that theme must have been the most depressing person that ever lived. Here is a link to a YouTube clip of one of these depressingly Canadian nature films we all grew up with (as if any of us will ever forget the torture!) The first note makes my skin crawl.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LwWHk8azaAc

I'm ready for some Beach Boys...Well, something cooler than Beach Boys but with just as much "Summer-Thought-inducing power". As always, when I get discouraged, or happy, angry, thoughtful, or confused, or filled with epiphanies...well as always...I've been thinking about food. I'm going Mexican this week in the form of Nachos I've decided. I may branch out as the week progresses but I'm starting with my favourite... If you'd like to come with me, then here are two of my favourite Nacho dips. Grab your sombreros, ponchos, pinatas and mariachi bands, chihuahuas, Mexican jumping beans, siestas and most of all visions of burning hot sunshine and get crackin' Ole!

Step 1: Go shopping for various kinds of nachos.
Step 2: Let the party begin
....oh yeah!
step 3: Forgive Jessica for including a depressing clip of loons in the beginning of this entry

Crab Artichoke Dip

8oz cream cheese
1/2 cup mayo
salt and pepper to taste
7 oz can crab meat well drained
6 oz jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained and chopped
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/2 cup diced red pepper
1/2 cup diced celery
1/4 cup finely chopped parsley
1 tsp lemon juice
1 tsp Tabasco

Beat first two ingredients. Mix the rest in. You can eat it fresh, but I bake this in a glass baking dish at 350 for 20 mins or till it's bubbly and tanned all over and it's killer with nachos.

Fresh Guacamole

Mash- 2 Tablespoons lemon juice with 2 ripe avocados
Mix in:
1-2 cloves of pressed garlic
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
dash black pepper
bit of green or red pepper minced
bit of cucumber minced
bit of tomato minced

cover to chill, (leave avocado pits in)...also killer with nachos.