Kielbasa Salad

Ingredients:

• 1 pound kielbasa, cut into bite-size pieces
• 2 cans (15.5 oz) black-eyed peas, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium tart apple, cored and diced
• 1 medium green pepper, diced
• 4 large green onions, chopped
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 3 TBS cider vinegar
• 1 TBS spicy mustard
• 2 tsp sugar
• 1 tsp pepper

Directions:

1. Brown kielbasa in a large skillet over medium heat. Drain on a paper towel, and set aside.
2. Combine in a mixing bowl: black-eyed peas, diced apple, green pepper, green onions, and kielbasa.
3. Mix the dressing ingredients in a cup or small bowl: Whisk together vegetable oil, cider vinegar, spicy mustard, sugar, and black pepper.
4. Pour dressing over salad ingredients, stir lightly.
5. Cover and refrigerate for 4 hours, or overnight - prior to serving.

Hint: Next time you shop for groceries, grab a bag of frozen diced green peppers to have on hand *just in case*. Even better, if you find a good sale on fresh green peppers - buy several to prep and freeze when you get them home. This salad is a great meal for hot nights when no one wants to heat up the kitchen. Enjoy!!

I shared this recipe over at Whimsy Wednesday on The NY Melrose Family blog - go check it out!

Southwestern Burgers

Ingredients:

• 1 (4 oz) can green chilies
• 4 tsp ground cumin
• 1 tsp chili powder
• 3/4 tsp garlic powder
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp pepper
• 2 lbs ground beef
• 3/4 lb pork sausage
• 8 slices Pepper Jack cheese
• 8 hamburger buns, split & toasted
• 8 lettuce leaves
• 1 large tomato, sliced
• 1-2 ripe avocados, peeled & sliced
• optional mayo or mustard

Directions:

1. Combine in a large mixing bowl: green chilies, ground cumin, chili powder, garlic powder, salt, pepper, ground beef, and pork sausage. Mix well.
2. Shape into hamburger patties.
3. Grill on a preheated grill, covered - over medium heat for 5 minutes on each side. Internal meat temperature should reach 160 degrees F.
4. After cooking both sides of each hamburger, top burgers with 1 slice of Pepper Jack cheese. Cook uncovered for an additional 2 minutes so cheese can melt.
5. Serve on toasted buns with lettuce, tomato, avocado, and your choice of mayo or mustard.

This recipe is being shared on What's New Wednesday (5) over at Grateful Belly - AND - Whimsy Wednesdays over at The NY Melrose Family, go see what everyone else is sharing!!