Texas Caviar

This is my recipe for Texas Caviar. I got it from my cousin, Camille, and it is YUMMY!

1 bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped (I used the dried parsley#)
1 can jalapenos, diced
1 can black-eyed peas, drained
1 medium white onion, chopped
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 can hominy, gold or white, drained
1 120z Zesty Italian Dressing (can use generic brand but not fat free)
3 -4 chopped tomatoes, depending on what you like (alright, I've cheated here too and put in two cans of petite diced tomatoes)

Marinate all of the above ingredients except for the tomatoes for at least one hour. Add tomatoes before serving.

**I have also added chopped cucumbers and diced avocado**

#According to the Food Network, if you use dried herbs in place of fresh it is a 1 to 3 ration - so 1/3 of 1/2 is ???, I just cheated and looked on my handy dandy Equivalent Measurements chart I purchased at the dollar store - 1/3 of 1/2 EQUALS 1/4 cup plus 2 Tbsp or 1/8 cup.

Disclaimer: I am not a math genius :)

BBQ Meatball Sauce

This is a recipe I found in a local cookbook, from the town of Waverly, Illinois. I have taken this to potlucks, parties, served it at home - It always gets great reviews!

Barbequed Meatball Sauce

2 cups ketchup
1 ½ cup brown sugar
2 tablespoons liquid smoke
½ teaspoon garlic powder
½ cup minced onion

I buy a bag of frozen meatballs (from Wally World), cook according to directions in oven. I then mix up the ingredients for the sauce. I then place both sauce and meatballs in crockpot on high for 30 - 45 minutes and then turn to low. They are ready to serve and delicious.

Food Storage: I bought a small bottle of liquid smoke and it has lasted me forever. All the other ingredients I use frequently for cooking or already have in food storage. If you were invited last minute, you could cook the meatballs in the microwave, make the sauce on the stovetop and then take it in the crockpot. Easy.