Texas Caviar with Avocado

2 (15.5 ounce) cans black-eyed peas, drained and rinsed
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 medium sweet onion, chopped
1/2 cup chopped jalapeno peppers
8 fluid ounces Italian dressing
cayenne pepper to taste
2 avocados - peeled, pitted, and chopped

Directions:
In a large bowl, mix black-eyed peas, tomatoes, sweet onion, jalapeno peppers, Italian dressing, and cayenne pepper. Stir in the avocados just before serving.

Guacamole

6 ripe California avocados
1 cup canned tomatoes, drained and coarsely chopped, about 6 ounces
2 tablespoons bottled hot sauce like Pace Picante
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 tablespoon finely chopped onion
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic

Remove avocados from peels and dice into large 1/2 inch chunks, and place avocado pieces into a medium sized bowl. Add tomatoes, hot sauce, lemon juice, salt, onion, and minced garlic, and stir well. Gently mash the guacamole until about half of the avocodo pieces are smooth, and the other half are still chunky. Stir mixture together well, so that all of the ingredients are incorporated into the guacamole. Serve immediately.

Nine Layer Dip

2 strips lean bacon
1 16 0z Can Refried Beans Plain
1/2 C. Sour Cream
1/2 tsp. Taco Seasoning
3/4 C. Shredded Cheddar Cheese
3/4 C. Guacamole (Frozen or Prepared is Fine)
1/3 C. Diced Tomatoes (about 1 Romano Tomato)
1 Tbsp. Fresh Cilantro Chopped Finely
2 Tbsp. Sliced Black Olives
2 Tbsp. Finely Sliced Green Onions

Fry diced bacon until done, add refried beans and cook slowly and stirrer frequently until the bacon and bacon drippings are mixed through about 15 minutes, remove from heat. Mix taco seasoning with sour cream and set aside.

To build 9 layer dip place ingredients in this order.
Place refried beans on serving platter spread out to 1 – 1 1/2 inches thick.
1/2 C. shredded cheese
1/2 C. prepared sour cream
3/4 C. guacamole
diced tomatoes
diced cilantro
black olives
sliced green onion
1/4 C. cheese for garnish

Serve with crisp corn chips

Serves 12

Artichoke Spinach Dip

1 (6.25 oz) Jar Marinated Artichokes (drained)
1 (10 oz.) Package Frozen Chopped Spinach (thawed and drained very well)
1/2 tsp. Minced Garlic
1/3 C. Freshly Grated Romano Cheese
1/4 C. Freshly Grated Parmesan Cheese
1 C. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese
1/3 C. Cream or Half and Half
1/2 C. Sour Cream

In food processor blend artichokes, Romano cheese, garlic and parmesan cheese for about 1 – 1 1/2 minutes. Artichokes and cheeses should be minced, but should not be pasty.

In a mixing bowl add drained spinach, cream, sour cream, mozzarella, stir well. Spoon into mixing bowl mixture from food processor. Blend all ingredients. Mixture should have a medium thick consistency. Spray an oven proof shallow serving dish. Pour artichoke mixture into baking dish and bake for 20 – 25 minutes at 350 degrees.
Artichoke dip should be a little bubbly and cheese melted through. Remove from oven and serve with your favorite heated tortilla chips, sour cream and salsa and enjoy.