Two Salads for Summer

Carol requested I post a couple of my recipes...I'll add the pictures next time I make these two salads. At first when she said, "Mexican Caviar," I was at a loss...& then she went on to explain the dish, & the light bulb was on! I do like the name, so I may stick with it!

Mexican Caviar

Drain & rinse:

1 - 15 0z can black-eyed peas

1 - 15 oz can black beans

1 - 15 oz can white corn

Chop:

2 - green peppers

5-6 Roma tomatoes

1 bunch green onions

Put all ingredients in a large bowl. Pour about 1/2 bottle of your favorite Italian dressing over & allow ingredients to marinate overnight. Serve with chips or eat as salad. Enjoy!

My next recipe is a little more difficult to pen as I don't have a recipe...the most important thing is to experiment with the spices &/or mayo/miracle whip that is most palatable to your individual taste. So, here goes...Enjoy!

Potato Salad

Scrub red potatoes & fill up a 3 qt. saucepan...boil until tender, drain & cool. When cool, put in the refrigerator overnight. While the potatoes are cooking, boil 4-6 eggs, cool, refrigerate. I've discovered that the refrigerator temperature keeps the potatoes in uniform pieces rather than room temperature potatoes which seem to break apart and can get mushy. (I don't like mushy!!)

Peel & cube potatoes and eggs & place in large bowl. Chop dill pickles (or use dill pickle relish) & add to the bowl. When I am making this for our family I add some vadalia onions or other sweet onions, too, however, I omit the onions when making this for extended family or others.

The dressing...now this is the difficult part because I don't measure very well...I just taste & then add whatever is missing. Here is what I do: Put about 1 1/2 - 2 cups Miracle Whip Lite (I've tried every brand of mayo & combination of Miracle Whip & mayo & I always come back to Miracle Whip Lite.) I squirt mustard into the dressing...probably 1/2 T. because too much will overpower the other ingredients. Then I pour in dill pickle juice...probably 3 T & 1 T sugar (sometimes I use splenda)...then I add salt & pepper to taste. Stir until all the ingredients are incorporated & the dressing is smooth. Taste...add...taste...and add again until you are satisfied. If there is someone home with you...ask them to taste it, too, right, Dale? I have added a little celery salt or a little of some other seasoning at times, but I still come back to this basic recipe. Enjoy!