Havij Polo (Carrot Rice)

1 pound ground beef
1 pound chopped carrots
2 cups white rice
1 medium onion (grated)
3 Tbp Lemon or Lime juice
Oil
Salt
Black pepper
Turmeric
Saffron

Sautee onions in a greased saute pan, then add ground beef to it.  Season it with salt, black pepper, and turmeric.  Let the mixture cook thoroughly.

Saute chopped carrots in another greased saute pan.  Then mix carrots with ground beef mixture, heat on medium for 3-4 minutes.  Add lime/lemon juice and keep the heat on for 2 more minutes.

Cook your rice as directed on the package.  Mix your beef and carrot mixes into the rice. Add some oil.  Add saffron.  Put a lid on and after about 4-5 minutes lower the head and let it steam for 15-20 minutes. 

**We could not find saffron at our local grocery store, we may need to check somewhere else- the recipe still turned out great- but I have a feeling that this would have made it even better
**This is a great meal to make extra and keep in the fridge as left overs- it is just as good heated up!

(Recipe from husband's coworker)

Spaghetti Cacio e Pepe (Cheese and Pepper Pasta)

3/4 pound spaghetti
3/4 cup grated Pecorino Romano cheese
1/3 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
1 tsp coarsely ground black pepper
Salt

Cook pasta as directed.  When draining keep 1/2 cup of the cooking water from the pasta.  In a bowl, combine the cheeses.  Quickly add a little bit of the water and cheese to the pasta and stir, repeat.  Sprinkle the black pepper and season with salt.  Toss again.  Serve.

**We prefer a little less pepper, but then again we didn't cook as much spaghetti because it was just my husband and I.

(Recipe taken from Food and Wine Annual Cookbook 2011)

Black Eyed Pea Salsa

1 can black eyed peas (drained)
2 tomatoes diced
3 Tbp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbp sugar
1/4 cup olive oil
Cilantro chopped
1/4 tsp salt
2 cloves garlic minced
1/2 tsp jalepeno pepper diced

Throw in a bowl.  Mix it all together.  Sit in the fridge for a day.  Serve with Tostitos.

**This makes a delicious, fresh tasting salsa.  Nothing what like you'd buy from a jar!

(Recipe from a dear friend of mine)

Apple Cider Bean Dip

This recipe is quite simple and simply delicious!

1 avocado diced
1 tomato diced
1 can of corn (drained
1 can of black beans (drained)
Apple Cider Vinegar

Mix all ingredients together and serve with Tostitos.  I mix the apple cider vinegar last and taste it to determine how much I want. 

**You can't go wrong with this recipe and it is great for parties.

(Recipe from a dear friend of mine)