TOMATILLO DRESSING

3 tomatillos
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup buttermilk - can make by adding 1/2-1 tsp. vinegar to 1 cup milk - let sit for a few minutes.
1 cup cilantro
3 cloves garlic
Lime juice

Place all ingredients in a blender and blend until smooth.

TORTILLA STRIPS - CRISPY

Slice corn tortillas and place on a tin-foil covered baking sheet. Brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes.

Good with Pork/Chicken Barbecoa or Tortilla soup.

PORK BARBACOA

5-6 lb. pork loin
21 oz. Dr. Pepper
1 cup brown sugar
3/4 cup white sugar
1 clove garlic, minced
7 oz. can chilis in Adobo
6 oz. red taco sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
1 tsp. cumin
1/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

Put pork roast in a crock pot. Cover 1/2 way with water and cook on low for 10-12 hours. Drain liquid.

Using a glass or metal bowl, rinse chilis with a small amount of Dr. Pepper. Toss out the chili's unless you like it really spicy.

Mix remaining ingredients, including chilis chopped fine (if you like it spicy), until sugar dissolves. Add to roast and cook on low 4 more hours. Take out roast and shred. Add back to sauce and cook 2 more hours.

Serve with tortillas, cheese, black beans, rice, lettuce, pico de gallo, lime and tomatillo dressing.

CLEAN/REFRESH DISPOSAL & DRAINS

Pour 1 cup baking soda down drain. Add 1/2 cup white vinegar. Cover drain. Let sit a few minutes. Pour boiling water down to flush.

OR

1/2 cup salt and 1/2 cup baking soda. Follow with 6 cups boiling water and let sit overnight.

TEXAS CAVIAR

2 cans black beans, drained
1 package frozen corn - Trader Joe's grilled corn is great
2-3 avocados, chopped
4-6 tomatoes, chopped
1 large red onion, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
3-4 colored peppers, chopped
Juice of 3 limes
1 Tbsp. cumin

Cover with Wishbone Italian dressing - about 1/2 of a large bottle

Serve with tortilla chips.

CHILI

1 lb. ground beef
1/2 onion, diced
16 oz. tomato sauce
15 oz. kidney beans with liquid
15 oz. can mexican chili beans OR 15 oz. can pinto beans, with liquid
10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chilies - makes it a little spicy so choose a different variety if you don't like spicy
2 small tomatoes
2 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. pepper
1 tsp. salt
1/2 cup water

Cook ground beef with onions until done. Drain. Return to pot and add the rest of the ingredients. Bring to a low boil, reduce heat and let simmer for 1-2 hours with lid off to reduce liquid and thicken. Add more water if it becomes too thick.

NECIA'S MACARONI AND CHEESE

1 box mac noodles (cooked and drained). Necia uses 16 oz., but you can use less if you like it 'saucier'
4 tbsp butter
4 tbsp flour
2 tsp salt
1 tsp dry mustard (not a necessary ingredient, but it helps bring out the cheese flavor)
1/2 tsp pepper
3 cups milk
3 cups cheese

Melt butter over medium heat, then add the flour and stir together to make a rue. Cook until it's a nice brown color but don't let it burn. Add milk, salt, mustard and pepper. Cook over medium-high heat, stirring constantly until thickened. Let mixture boil for about one minute. Turn off heat, add cheese and mix until melty and delicious. Put noodles in a 9X13 pan (careful, it will be very full!) Pour cheese mixture over the top and mix together. You can add more cheese to the top if you want crunchyness. Put in a 350 degree oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until it's warm. Serve and enjoy!