A New “Twist” On Cooking Dogs, and a Black Bean, Rice, Avocado Salad with the “Perfect Margarita”

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A new “twist” on cooking hotdogs….a quick and easy black bean, rice and avocado salad, along with the “perfect” margarita!

My LOVE for food runs family wide.  I am very proud of my nephew Kris Wallenta, owner of “Kinta’s” Restaurant…

Kinta'sSeems like only yesterday he was gathering shells at the beach in front of our home…

Kristopher WallentaKris was recently filmed for the new season of “Flavors of Cozumel”.  Hope we get to see that episode in the United States.

Filming "The Flavor of Cozumel"

When I was looking for a “perfect” margarita, I thought I would ask the expert!  This is his “house” margarita. Thank you Kris!  Next time you vacation in Cozumel, make sure you visit my nephew’s restaurant…if you mention me you will get a “free” house margarita…  🙂

Black Bean Rice Avocado Salad

1 ½ cup chicken stock
½ cup water
1 cup long grain rice
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 roma tomatoes, seeded and chopped
2 avocados, diced
2 tablespoons finely chopped red onion
2 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon chili powder
Salt and pepper, to taste
½ of one lime, juiced
4 tablespoons “Blood Orange” olive oil, or
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil and 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed orange juice

In a 2 quart sauce pan combine chicken stock, water and rice. Cook over high heat until mixture begins to boil, reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until rice is tender. Place cooked rice on a serving dish to cool.

In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients. Stir in cooled rice and gently toss until mixture is well combined. Adjust seasoning with additional salt and pepper, if needed.
Cover bowl and refrigerate for 2 hours or more before serving.

Salad may be served in hollowed out avocado shells, top with additional fresh cilantro.

Kinta’s Famous House Margarita

1.5 ounces Tequila (Reposado)
1.5 ounces Triple Sec
1.5 ounces freshly squeezed lime juice (about 3 limes)
1 cup Ice
1 lime
kosher salt

Rub the outside of 1 glass with cut lime. Dip into a plate of Kosher salt.
Combine the Tequila, Triple Sec and lime juice and ice into a cocktail shaker, shake well
and pour into prepared glass…..

Recipe courtesy of Kristopher Wallenta
Kinta’s Restaurant
Cozumel, Mexico

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“This is all you can eat in one day cake” or Cheesecake Layered Caramel Chocolate Cake

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Lol…you know its going to be great with a title like that…..I really am not a baker, but this one is a gem.  A little time consuming, but definitely worth it…taking the best cheesecake, the best cake, the best candy bar and mixing it all together with the best frosting….YUM!!!!  If you are in need of a new recipe for a summertime outing…make this, sure you be a winner!

Cheesecake Layers:

2 bars (2.05 oz. each) Snickers
1 cup butter, melted
3/4 cup sugar
4 packages (8 oz. each) cream cheese
1 package (4-serving size) vanilla pudding & pie filling (not instant)
2 teaspoons baking powder
4 eggs

Cake Layers

1 box Super Moist dark chocolate cake mix
1 8 oz. container sour cream
1/2 cup water
1/3 cup vegetable oil
2 eggs

Filling

1 jar (12 oz.) caramel topping (you can also use chocolate or butterscotch)

Frosting

1 package (4-serving size) chocolate pudding, instant
1 cup milk
1 cup heavy cream

  1. Heat oven to 325°F.  Grease 2 9 inch round cake pans with Mazola pan spray.  Line bottoms of pans with parchment paper; lightly spray paper with Mazola pan spray.  Chop 2 candy bards into small pieces and store in refrigerator for later use.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, beat butter and sugar with an electric mixer until smooth and creamy.  Beat in cream cheese until smooth.  Scrape down bowl and beat in eggs one at a time, until well combined.  Add pudding mix, baking powder and 4 eggs; beat well until smooth.  Fold in chilled candy pieces.  Evenly divide batter between 2 pans.
  3. Bake 50-60 minutes.  Cake will puff up during baking and then deflate when removed from the oven.  Cool on a wire rack for 10 minutes.  Remove cheesecake from pans and place on a cookie sheet or individual plates.  Wrap cheesecake with plastic wrap and place in freezer for 3 hours, or overnight.
  4. Heat oven to 350°F.  Grease 3 9-inch round cake pans with Mazola pan spray.
  5. In a large mixing bowl, mix chocolate cake mix, sour cream, water, vegetable oil and eggs.  Beat with an electric mixer until well combined.  Divide cake evenly into the prepared pans.  Bake 15 to 20 minutes, or until toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.  Cool pans on cooling rack 10-15 minutes.  Remove cake from pan and cool completely.
  6. To assemble, place 1 cake layer on serving plate or cake stand.  Spread 1/4 cup caramel topping over top of cake layer.  Place 1 frozen cheesecake layer on top of cake layer; top with 1/4 cup of caramel topping.  Repeat with remaining layers, finally top with remaining cake layer.
  7. In a small mixing bowl add instant pudding mix, milk and heavy cream.  Beat at high speed with an electric mixer until creamy.  Top cake and sides with frosting.  Top with additional candy pieces, if desired.

Cheesecake layered Chocolate CakeYou can change a lot with this one…use other flavored cake mixes, candies, instant pudding for frosting…  “You are only limited by your imagination!”

ENJOY!