Chili-Lime Barley and Vegetable Salad

1 ½ cup dried barley
¾ tsp salt
4 tsp olive oil
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 red onion, diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 ½ c corn
2 tsp chili powder
¼ cup lime juice (lemon will work fine too)
½ tsp black pepper
1 cup crumbled feta cheese

Cook barley according to packaged directions, using ¼ teaspoon of salt in water. Drain well.
In a large skillet, heat 2 tsp oil over medium heat. Add pepper, onion and garlic. Cook until the pepper is crisp tender, about 5 minutes. Add corn and chili powder. Increase heat to medium high and cook until corn is piping hot, about 5 minutes.
In a large bowl, mix together remaining salt, lime juice and black pepper. Add barley, sautéed vegetables, and remaining 2 tsp oil and toss to combine. Add cheese and toss gently. Serve at room temp or slightly chilled.

Rotini and Black Bean Salad

8oz rotini pasta, cooked according to packaged directions
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon minced garlic
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cup corn (my use frozen, fresh or canned)
¼ c green onions
1 tablespoon fresh cilantro or parsley, chopped

Mix oil, vinegar and garlic together. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. Mix pasta and other ingredients together in a large bowl. Pour dressing over the top. Toss gently to combine. Refrigerate at least one hour, up to 24 hours.

**Note-to make this a main dish, add cheese cubes and or cubed chicken.

Tortilla Pie

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, chopped
1/2 cup celery stalk, chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1 15-oz can yellow corn, drained
1 15-oz can kidney beans, drained
1 15-oz can black beans, drained
1 15-oz can small white beans, drained
1 6-oz can tomato paste
1 tablespoon taco seasoning
1 tablespoon dried basil
5 10- to 12-inch soft tortillas
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Oven at 350. In a frying pan, heat oil and saute the onions, celery, and garlic until onions are transparent. Add corn, beans, tomato paste, and seasoning, heat thoroughly. Set two tablespoons of the bean mix aside. Place one tortilla shell on a baking sheet lightly coated with cooking spray, and spoon a few tablespoons of the bean mix onto it; spread evenly. Place a tortilla on top of beans, top with mix again, and repeat until pie is five layers high. Add two tablespoons water to the remaining mix and spread over the top of the tortilla (this will prevent it from drying out during baking). Bake at 350 for 35 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese, and bake until cheese is melted. Let sit for 15 minutes. Serves six.

Tex-Mex Bean and Potatoes

1 can beans (Red Kidney, Pinto, or black bean are preferred)
1 tablespoon oil
1 pepper, chopped
1 onion, chopped
2 tablespoons taco seasoning
1/2 cup water
4 cup cubed potatoes
1 (10oz) package of frozen corn (about 2 cups)
2 cup shredded cheese

Oven at 350. Bring chopped potatoes and enough water to cover them to a boil in a shallow saute pan. Boil potatoes for about 10 minutes, until fork tender. Drain and set aside. Cook onion and pepper in oil for about 5 minutes, until soft. Add taco seasoning and cook 1-2 minutes more. Add water, corn, potatoes, and beans and mix to combine. Put into a greased baking dish and bake, covered, for 20 minutes. Uncover and sprinkle with cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15 minutes more.

Corn Souffle

4 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup sugar
1 tablespoon flour
1/2 cup evaporated skim milk
1 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
1 lb fresh corn or 10oz frozen corn, thawed and drained

Oven at 350. In a medium saucepan, heat butter with sugar. When melted, stir in flour until blended. Remove from heat. Stir in milk, eggs, baking powder, and salt. Mix well. Fold in corn. Put in a 1-quart baking dish that has been sprayed with cooking spray. Bake 40 minutes. Let sit 15 minutes before serving.

**Note-this is a twist on a traditional holiday classic corn casserole dish. It is much less fatty and caloric, but you don't notice the difference.

Mexican Fiesta Salad

Lettuce
1 can black beans (rinsed)
1 cup corn
1 pepper, chopped
Shredded cheese
Ranch dressing
Salsa

Combine all ingredients, top with ranch dressing and salsa.

Mexi-Stuffed Peppers

Makes 6 peppers

1 diced onion
1 can black beans
2-3 cloves minced garlic
1 cup corn
1 cup rice (cooked)
1 tablespoon taco seasoning

On hand for cooking entree:
6 peppers
Cheese

1. Cook onion and garlic in skillet along with taco seasoning. Stir in rice, corn and beans. Divide among freezer bags as needed (ie, If you want to feed 2 people then divide among 3 bags, etc.)
2. Freeze bags until further use. (If not freezing, skip to step 2 below.)

To cook entree

1. Completely thaw in fridge.
2. Oven at 350.
3. Wash peppers, cut off tops, scoop out insides. Fill each pepper with mixture. Cook on a greased baking sheet 35 minutes or until filling
4. After 35 minutes, top with cheese and put back in oven until cheese is melted-3-5 minutes