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Mitchell woman earns recognition with salsa dishJan 22, 2013 (The Daily Republic - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- When Marlys Schuster took a trip to New Orleans about three years ago, she wasn't looking for a new recipe. But then someone brought some salsa to a party, and she just couldn't help but ask about it. It was so good, in fact, that when Schuster saw an advertisement for a recipe contest, she decided to enter it. "I thought, 'Oh, heck,' " she said. "I like that salsa recipe." So, Schuster, of Mitchell, entered the Taste of CHS Recipe Contest. CHS is a national, farmer-owned cooperative. A few weeks passed until she received an official letter and a complimentary cookbook -- with her salsa recipe inside. "I had forgotten all about it," she said. Her recipe received an honorable mention, along with 16 others and the top three winners from around the country. "I was excited when I found out I was the only one from South Dakota," she said. The recipe combines yellow and white corn with black beans, something Schuster said she normally wouldn't have thought of doing. And while Schuster grows many of her own garden ingredients, she said most of this recipe's fixings come from a can. "So anybody can make this," Schuster said. "There's nothing to it -- you just put the stuff in and stir it up." Having mostly canned ingredients makes cleanup a breeze, too, she said. "I can make a terrible mess cooking something, but this doesn't make a big mess," Schuster said. Schuster said while the salsa is better fresh, it does freeze well for easy keeping. It's also versatile; it can be eaten the traditional way, with chips, or as a side with chicken, fish or even steak. The recipe brings out the flavors of the various ingredients, without too much of a kick -- the way Schuster likes it. A little more chili sauce, though, and Schuster said it could add the zing some people crave in their salsa. It's not the first contest win for Schuster, who collects cookbooks and used to decorate cakes for a living. She's also won an honorable mention in a national bread-baking contest, a pie contest sponsored by Home Federal Bank, and entered the beef cook-off at the State Fair. She's not opposed to entering more, either. "If I find one," she said. Garden Salsa -- side dish Ingredients: 1 15-ounce can whole kernel yellow corn, drained 1 15-ounce can white corn, drained 1 15-ounce can black beans, rinsed and drained 1 14.5-ounce can Rotel diced tomatoes, drained 1 10-ounce can tomatoes, drained 1 bunch finely chopped cilantro 1 bunch green onions, finely sliced 1 small yellow onion, finely chopped 1 red bell pepper, seeded and chopped 1 tablespoon garlic, minced 1/4 cup Marie's Italian Vinaigrette Dressing 1/3 cup Homade Chili Sauce (more if you want it hotter) 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons LouAna Coconut Oil Directions: Stir the yellow and white corn, black beans, tomatoes, cilantro, onions, bell pepper and garlic in a large bowl. Gently mix in the lime juice, Italian dressing, chili sauce and coconut oil. Service with tortilla chips or as a side dish with chicken or fish. Submit a recipe Have an award-winning recipe Submit it to Candy DenOuden of The Daily Republic, and it could be selected for publication on the weekly Food page. Send your recipe by email to [email protected] or by mail to 120 S. Lawler St., PO Box 1288, Mitchell, S.D., 57301. Include a note explaining why you think it should be published, plus your name and a phone number. ___ (c)2013 The Daily Republic (Mitchell, S.D.) Visit The Daily Republic (Mitchell, S.D.) at www.mitchellrepublic.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |