Literally the Easiest Guacamole Ever

TGFTJ (Thank God For Trader Joe’s). Thanks to the endless snacking options available at Trader Joe’s, “homemade” (using that term fast and loose) appetizers are never more than 5 minutes away. This recipe calls for just 5 ingredients, making it super simple and cheap! Note that you can also easily find variations of these ingredients at your local grocery store – I’m just a Trader Joe’s fanatic.

• 3 Avocados
• Jar of TJ’s Corn & Chili Salsa
• Hot Sauce (of your choosing, but I love the flavor of TJ’s habanero variety)
• Lime
• Sea Salt

Dice up the three avocados and place in mixing bowl. Throw in half the jar of the corn salsa (give or take a half cup). Depending on your preferred heat levels, drop in a couple splashes of hot sauce. I started with three drops, and then I ended up adding an additional three. Add about a teaspoon of salt. Squeeze in the juice of half a lime. Mash and mix up. Enjoy! SO EASY.

Chili N’ Cornbread Casserole

This recipe was a direct result of watching too much Food Network. I was catching up on Trisha’s Southern Kitchen when her cornbread chili recipe caught my eye (and my stomach). I figured I could adapt my own black bean and sweet potato chili – that I make almost weekly – and give it a touch of Southern charm (read: carbs and cheese). Don’t let the list of ingredients intimidate you. This recipe really is fool proof. Also, feel free to substitute the black beans and sweet potatoes for kidney beans and ground turkey, or whatever meat (or veggie) your heart desires.

• 2 Tablespoons Butter
• 2 Sweet Potatoes (Diced)
• 1 Onion (Diced)
• 2 Garlic Cloves (Minced)
• 1 Can Black Beans
• 2 Cans Diced Fire-Roasted Tomatos
• 2-3 Tablespoons Chili Powder
• 1/2 Teaspoon Cayenne
• 1 Teaspoon Cumin
• 1 Package Cornbread Mix (I used Trader Joe’s brand, which called for an egg, milk, and oil, so make sure you have these additional ingredients on hand!)
• CHEESE (I used shredded cheddar)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Melt butter in large saute pan. Add diced onion and sweet potatoes. Cook on medium heat for about fifteen minutes, or until sweet potatoes are mostly cooked through. Add garlic and spices (along with a couple salt and pepper shakes). Cook for an additional two minutes. Add black beans and diced tomatoes. Cook for an additional 5-10 minutes.

While the chili is finishing up, mix cornbread batter together according to box directions. Add about a cup of cheese into batter. Butter a large casserole dish.

Take chili mixture off heat and carefully pour into buttered dish. Spoon the cornbread batter on top of the chili. Place into oven. Cook for 30 minutes, or until cornbread is slightly brown and toothpick comes out clean. Serve and enjoy!

Nutella S’More Dessert Pizza

Yes, you read that correctly. I basically just put all of my favorite desserts on pizza dough. Because why not?

• 1 Package Store Bought Pizza Dough (or I guess you can make it if you’re feeling ambitious)
• Nutella
• Mini Marshmallows
• Graham Crackers
• Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chips

Roll out room temperature pizza dough and bake according to instructions (usually at 450 degrees for 15-20 minutes).

Remove pizza from oven. Top with a generous amount of Nutella. Sprinkle with chocolate chips and marshmallows. Slightly crush up a couple graham crackers to top pizza. Place back in oven for 1-2 minutes, or until marshmallows puff up and chocolate chips melt.

Optional – Melt 1/4 cup of chocolate chips in the microwave and drizzle melted chocolate on top to finish pizza. Enjoy and watch as all of your guests destroy the pizza.

DRANKS

Though I love a good cold beer, a cold White Claw is never a bad idea and always a crowd pleaser.

What will you be serving up at your Super Bowl fiesta?!