Black Bean Tacos with Fresh Mango Salsa

Cooking for picky eaters is really tough. I think we all know someone who is very set in their taste preferences and completely unwilling to even taste something new.  My family seems to have more than it's fair share of picky eaters, and conversations at the dinner table include echoes of the same theme:  I don't eat that.  When you are a home cook trying to be health-conscious and increase the amount of vegetables and fruits in your family's diet while sticking to a budget, what can you do?  I say, get creative and get sneaky.

Fresh Mango Salsa

Salsa is a food with a ton of secret advantages. It tastes indulgent when it's actually low fat, low calorie, and high in fiber and other nutrients. It's cheap, especially when you take advantage of seasonal ingredients. It's surprisingly versatile - you can use any combination of vegetables, fruits, and spices you like to create the perfect blend of freshness, acidity, salt and spice. And even though it is shockingly easy to make, it never fails to impress families and guests. One of the most impressive and simple salsas that every home cook should have in their repertoire is fresh mango salsa.

Fresh Mushroom Salsa

Oh how I adore fresh salsa, and this is one of my absolute favorites! This is a slightly modified version of my mother in law's mushroom salsa recipe which has become a staple at family parties. Like all fresh salsas this is simple to make, and if you like mushrooms this recipe is definitely worth a try.

Creamy Sweet Potato Burritos

This recipe came about after I came home from the supermarket with a can of chipotle peppers in adobo sauce that mistakenly made it into my cart. It sat in my cabinet for a year before I even opened up the can to see what was inside. One night while making my usual black bean burritos, I opened up the can and the Creamy Sweet Potato Burrito was born. It has evolved a lot from my first attempt, including one fateful evening when I managed to use an entire can of pureed peppers to create burrito filling so spicy we couldn't even eat it. Thankfully, this version has been perfected!

Fresh Corn Salsa

There's something almost magical about fresh homemade salsa.  Maybe it's the fresh veggies or perhaps it's knowing that someone cared enough not to simply open a jar, but it's always delicious.  The best thing about homemade salsa is there is no wrong way to make it.

Baked Southwest Egg Rolls

If you're like me, you can make a meal out of finger foods.  Several popular restaurant chains offer versions of Tex-Mex Egg Rolls, but they're loaded with fat and calories.  A serving of three rolls at one big restaurant chain  costs you 810 calories and 51 grams of fat.  That's almost half a day's caloric intake let alone a starter before the meal.