Keep It Simple

Last week at South Dakota Magazine, I shared my mantra for summer entertaining: "Keep It Simple". Get-togethers with friends are about the friendship, and as I say in that article, nobody is giving bonus points for knocking yourself out. That doesn't mean that simple food can't still be delicious. You can find the super simple recipe for Smoked Salmon Pizza online with South Dakota Magazine. It is a fabulous combination of creamy, crisp, fresh, and salty. Excellent for sharing with friends and pairing with a cold summer beverage.

I believe that simple and delicious can be carried over into all of summer, even (or especially) camping. Recently, some old friends (old as in I have known them since elementary school...not that WE are old) and I made time in our busy summer schedules for a short camping trip. I packed up some staples for quick meals that were so simple, we hardly had to think about them. In fact, the biggest challenge we faced was when I realized I forgot to pack kindling, etc. for our camp/cook fire. (By the way, if you have an old atlas hanging around in your car, it does work well for kindling.)

Once our fire was roaring, I set a couple cast iron pans over the flames. Those pans heated up while I sliced a few vegetables as we continued our conversations. Shrimp was tossed into simmering salsa. Zucchini was sauteed with some other vegetables. A loaf of buttered French bread was heated. Dinner was done and was delicious.

I frequently repeat this menu at home in the summer, sometimes on the grill, and sometimes simply on the stove top. Shrimp, fresh vegetables, and salsa pair together so well. We love to dip the warm, crusty bread in the sauce of the salsa and leftovers can all be stirred together and served inside flour tortillas as burritos, or with corn chips as a hearty dip. Salsa Shrimp and Sauteed Summer Vegetables are the perfect way to Keep It Simple On My Plate.

Salsa Shrimp

2-4 tablespoons butter

1 pint salsa (I use my home canned Basic Salsa, but use whatever is your favorite.)

1 pound raw shrimp, peeled and deveined

Melt butter in a heavy skillet (cast iron, if you are cooking over a campfire).

Add the salsa and bring to a simmer.

Add shrimp and simmer 10 minutes or so, stirring occasionally, until the shrimp are opaque and cooked through.

Sauteed Summer Vegetables

olive oil

diced onion

diced peppers (red, green, jalapeno, whatever strikes your fancy)

1 clove of garlic, minced

kernels of corn cut from cob of one ear of corn

small zucchini, sliced

cherry tomatoes, halved (optional)

salt and pepper (or Montreal Steak Seasoning, or whatever grill seasoning you love)

Heat oil in a heavy skillet (cast iron, if you are cooking over a campfire).

Saute the onions and peppers until tender.

Add the garlic and cook until fragrant.

Add the corn and cook until warmed through.

Add the zucchini and saute until tender.

Season with salt and pepper (or seasoning of your choice).

Add the tomatoes, if using, and cook just until warm. 

Cinco de Mayo

May 5^th. Literally.

Most of us know it is a Mexican holiday; some wrongly assume it is Mexican Independence Day. That commemoration of the declaration of war against Spanish colonial government in Mexico is celebrated on September 16.

Cinco de Mayo is actually the observance of a triumph in a battle against France. My understanding is that when the Mexican government claimed their country was too poor to pay outstanding debts to foreign countries, the French decided that it would be an opportune time to carve out their own claim in Mexico. War was declared, and troops were sent. Against the odds, one small Mexican community managed to claim a victory over the French armies at Puebla. This win bolstered the resistance movement among the Mexican people, and after a lengthy, 6 year battle, France withdrew. 

Oddly, aside from Puebla, where the famous battle occurred, I am told that most of Mexico doesn’t actively celebrate Cinco de Mayo. It is just another day. Banks and schools are open, as it is not a federal holiday.

In the United States, we’ve never met a holiday we don’t like to celebrate. Areas with a greater Mexican-American population host festivals, parades, and parties for Cinco de Mayo which honor Mexican culture and heritage. For much of rest of the nation the holiday is synonymous with “2 for 1” taco and margarita deals. While this is a more commercial and less authentic observance of the historical significance of Cinco de Mayo, tacos and margaritas are certainly delicious. I am on board. 

Tostadas are open-faced crispy tacos, and throwing together Chicken Tostadas with Tomatillo Cream would be a great way to celebrate Cinco de Mayo. Shredded rotisserie chicken is tossed with smoked paprika for a grill-like flavor, piled over a creamy, but slightly spicy sauce, and topped with fresh salsa and cheese. If you can't find tostada shells, it only takes a minute to crisp a few corn tortillas in hot oil.

Chicken Tostadas and Tomatillo Cream

 (adapted from Cooking Light)

1/2 cup sour cream

1/4 cup tomatillo sauce or green enchilada sauce or salsa verde

1 tablespoon chopped roasted green chiles

1 cup tomato, chopped

2 tablespoons onion, minced

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice, divided

1 small garlic clove, minced

1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tablespoon jalapeno pepper, minced

2 cups shredded skinless, boneless rotisserie chicken breast

1/4 teaspoon smoked paprika

1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

1/4 cup sliced black olives

6 corn tostada shells

Combine sour cream, tomatillo sauce, and green chiles in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper to taste.

Combine tomato, onion, 1 tablespoon lime juice, garlic, cilantro, and jalapeno in another bowl; toss well.

Toss chicken with remaining 1 tablespoon lime juice and smoked paprika.

Spread some tomatillo cream on each tostada shell; top with chicken and salsa. 

Sprinkle cheese and black olive on top and serve with lime wedges. (Serves 4 {2 tostadas each})

South Dakota Magazine

So...in case you didn't know, I have been contributing semimonthly at South Dakota Magazine for almost a year. However, in poor blogger form, I have neglected the updates here On My Plate.

Let's do a quick catch-up with a rundown of my columns from last summer and so far this fall...

In June, we had The War for the Strawberries with Ace and I trying in vain to protect my precious berries from the squirrels. We did manage to save enough for Strawberry Mousse.

I also waxed poetically about the beautiful corn crops that later were destroyed by the drought. Thankfully, there was still some sweet corn for Fresh Corn and Radish Salad.

July brought my dilemma regarding what to take to the Antiques Roadshow and a Strawberry Rhubarb Upside-Down Cake.

Later, I cried for cucumbers to be made into Refrigerator Pickles...which led to a friend gifting me with more cucumbers than I knew what to do with in August. I now have refrigerator pickles as well as several other versions canned on my food storage shelves.

Zucchini was loud and proud in August with a rich and creamy Zucchini Alfredo

...AND sweet and delicious Zucchini Oatmeal Sandwich Cookies making the pages of the South Dakota Magazine website.

I whined about the difficulty of finding some ingredients here on the prairie and shared the recipe for the ever spicy Andouille Sausage and Shrimp Skewers in September.

Maintaining that level of heat with the kick of my Basic Salsa for Canning was easy.

I admitted to not really loving crock pot cooking, but making a concession for Chipotle Pork earlier this month. 

And, just this past week, I started looking ahead to the holidays and meal planning with Green Beans in Mushroom Sauce.




There you have it...a round-up of what I have been sharing through South Dakota Magazine. Hopefully, I can be a bit more faithful with updates in the future.

I am David Copperfield.

I am a magician. Truly. I have found one recipe that can only be described as magic.

Wave the magic wand. Take some shrimp; toss them with some spices; saute them; cook up some corn, beans, and salsa together, and abracadabra! It's magic.

OK. You don't get it. I am sorry. The magic is that this simple, spicy, satisfying dish can be anything you want it to be.

Need a snack or appetizer? Chop up the shrimp and serve it all as a dip with crispy corn chips.

Feel like a roll up your shirt sleeves and dig in casual meal? Toast some corn or flour tortillas; slice an avocado; squeeze a lime; and devour some really delicious tacos.

Want a salad? Forget all those limp lettuces. Hot, cold, or room temperature, this.is.good. Really. (And, could be served on a bed of romaine.)

Need to feed a bigger group? Whip up some rice and guacamole as sides, and nobody will be able to keep their knife and fork away.

Magic Spicy Shrimp and Corn Salad answers every need you ever had...except maybe for cake...or chocolate...BUT, it is light enough that you should still have room for dessert.

I told you. Magic.

Magic Spicy Shrimp and Corn Salad

(adapted from Cooking Light)

1 tablespoon chili powder (I used Ancho Chile Powder)

1/2 teaspoon garlic powder

1/2 teaspoon cumin

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 1/2 pounds medium shrimp, peeled and deveined

1-2 tablespoons olive oil

juice of a lime (divided)

2 ears sweet corn, kernels cut from cob

1 pint bottled salsa (I used my Basic Canned Salsa. This is where you will really adjust the spice of the dish to your taste. Use a mild salsa or heat it up, if you like.)

1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained and rinsed

1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped

Combine the first 4 ingredients in a bowl.
Add shrimp and toss to coat.
Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
Add shrimp and saute until cooked through.
Add juice of half of the lime.
Remove the shrimp from the pan.
Add the corn; saute briefly.
Stir in salsa and beans and bring to a simmer.
Remove from heat and add the juice of the other half of the lime and the cilantro.
Depending on final dish desired, stir shrimp into corn and bean mixture or serve shrimp on top. (Serves 4.)

Here's the Thing...

Here's the thing...(you know, there is always a thing)...from some of my recent blog posts, you may have deducted that lately, I have been a home canning machine. My basement pantry shelves are lined with jars and jars of concoctions lovingly created from my garden produce, the rewards of the farm garden, and the gardens of several friends. I am not going to kid you. It is A LOT of work. We are approaching the time when I never want to see another Mason jar or jar ring or big speckled pot of boiling water.

I have chopped and mixed and stirred and sterilized and simmered and boiled and sealed countless jars and still am not quite done. We will eat well this winter, and several lucky people will receive some awesome homemade Christmas gifts. I have worked hard, but here's the thing...when I am in the middle of canning, I don't always cook well for the moment.

Hubs comes home and sees me laboring over a pot of simmering tomato sauce and boiling kettle of water, and guesses that I don't have anything ready for dinner. This guess is often right, and his offer to go pick up take-out is usually welcomed. I just can't seem to multitask well enough to plan for dinner and canning. I get a big #fail.

What isn't a big #fail is when I take one of the products of those canning sessions and use it to create a simple meal that fits around the boiling pots on my stove-top. Basic Salsa is a classic recipe with incredible flavor. I think it is the perfect blend of tomato and spicy peppers with just a hint of smokey depth from the cumin. We love it, and I make sure to can up enough so that we never have to scoop our chips into commercial salsa. But, here's the thing...that same Basic Salsa can be simmered with a few tablespoons of butter to make a sauce for shrimp that is a busy home canner's dream for dinner. 

While I often serve Spicy Salsa Shrimp as an appetizer with crusty bread, it makes a perfectly simple dinner when a tossed salad is added to the menu (if you have time and energy, make pasta or rice to toss with the shrimp, as well). We eat it right from the cast iron braising pot, topping slices of warm bread with the shrimp and double dipping (sorry, I know that is gross, but it is just Hubs and I, we have pretty much already shared all our germs) to soak the crusts with more savory, seasoned sauce. The thing is that if I do just a little planning ahead, dinner doesn't need to be a #fail when I am busy with canning. Spicy Salsa Shrimp is a #win On My Plate.

Spicy Salsa Shrimp

1 pound shrimp, peeled and deveined
8 tablespoons butter
1 cup salsa (Basic Salsa is awesome for this.)
the juice of 1 lemon
4 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped (optional, but it really does make it better)
1 crusty loaf of bread (baguette, etc), sliced

In a large skillet (I use my braising pot.) melt butter over medium heat.
Add salsa, lemon juice, and shrimp.
Increase heat to medium-high and until shrimp are thoroughly cooked, approximately 5 minutes.
Remove from heat and stir in fresh cilantro.
Serve with sliced bread. (4 main dish servings; 8 appetizer servings)

Super Bowl

To me, this is a SUPER BOWL.

I used it to make Spinach con Queso dip...which is something you might like to snack on while watching...I don't know...maybe, football?

Spinach con Queso Dip

1 (16 ounce) package Velveeta (pasteurized processed cheese product - I include this so that the food snobs know that I know it isn't really cheese, but I include this note so that they know that I don't care...this time.)

1 (16 ounce) jar salsa, hot or mild - your choice

1 (10 ounce) box frozen spinach, thawed and drained WELL

1/2 - 3/4 cup sour cream

Cube the Velveeta into 1/2-inch portions.
Make sure the spinach is thoroughly drained. (I first squeeze in a colander and then place in a clean kitchen towel and wring the heck out of it.)
In a large, microwave-safe bowl, combine the Velveeta cubes, salsa (I use a pint of my home-canned Basic Salsa, but use your favorite. The ones available with black beans and corn would add interesting dimension.), and spinach.
Microwave on HIGH for 3 minutes.
Stir to combine the melty cheese with the other ingredients.
Return to the microwave and cook on HIGH for 2 more minutes, and stir again.
Repeat heating in 2 minute increments as needed until cheese is fully melted.
Stir in the sour cream.
Heat again for 1 minute.
Serve with your favorite tortilla chips for dipping.

Some Like It Hot

Some like it hot. I don't. I usually shrink from arguments. I might state my opinion, but I don't try to force it upon others. I might have some choice words for someone that is being an arrogant jerk, but I have to be pushed pretty hard before I will let them spew out into an ugly argument. I tend to try to stay out of the fire. I don't like the heat, but some like it hot. That is their choice. I don't have to be a part of it.

Some like it hot in food, too. I do like spice flavoring up my dishes, but I am not a fan of heat that burns off my taste buds. I think that there is a balance to properly seasoned food. Some cooks get it; others don't. Heat just for the sake of heat isn't good flavor; it is just another episode of Man Versus Food. (Which honestly, makes me feel ill if the remote lands there. I can't watch that man stuff his face with one gastric disaster after another.)

When I canned up some of my garden tomatoes into salsa, I tried to find that proper balance. We like really flavorful salsa. I love the melding of sun-ripened tomatoes and spicy jalapenos on my tongue. I like the smokiness that almost comes across as heat in the back of my throat when I add a little cumin to the mix. Chopping and stirring and simmering and processing vegetables into beautiful jars of salsa to carry some of the wonderful summer heat into winter is such a satisfying task. I like it. It is a heat that I really enjoy to put Basic Salsa for Canning On My Plate.

Basic Salsa for Canning

8-10 jalapeno peppers, chopped finely (I don't seed or pull out the spines. We like that kick.)

12 cups chopped tomatoes (I don't peel, but you could, if you prefer.)

2 cups chopped onions

2 cups chopped green peppers

6 cloves garlic

1 (5 ounce) can tomato paste

3/4 cup vinegar

1/2 cup chopped cilantro

2 teaspoons cumin

1 teaspoon salt

Combine all the ingredients in a large (heavy) pot, bring to a boil and simmer for 45 minutes.
Ladle into sterilized pint jars; seal.
Process in hot water bath for 20 minutes. (5-6 pints)

Fridge Friday, episode 3

I have found that while Fridge Friday has so far accomplished its intended duty of prompting me to blog more regularly, it has also made me infinitely more aware of a few other things.

1. I clean my fridge more often. I have to. You are looking at it every week. Yikes. Maybe I should start posting regular photos of my bed so that I will make it more often than just when someone is coming over? Umm...Not.
2. I plan my menus a bit more, if only for Friday. It might surprise you, but I don't often menu plan. I go to the store, buy what looks good and come home and find something to do with it. 
3. And, I have learned that snapping photos inside a refrigerator is tough. The lighting sucks. That little bulb glares like an interrogation room spotlight.  Unscrew it, and you have coarse, grainy light through my camera lens. Of course, that is pretty much the norm for my food pics, so what am I worried about?

 So...anyway...I have been away a lot of this week, but did a big grocery purchase yesterday. Here is my fridge today:

What catches your eye? The English cucumber on the bottom shelf? The pearls of fresh mozzarella in the bottom left deli drawer? That HUGE bunch of asparagus cut fresh from my backyard? Silk soy milk? I know, there is still a lot of butter in the bottom right corner. That is what we use. Olive oil and real (unsalted) butter are my fats of choice. (I keep canola oil and a can of Pam on hand for baking, but they stay in the cupboard a lot.) Oh! Did you notice the bowl of fresh cherries on the middle shelf? It might be a little early for good fresh cherries, but I couldn't resist throwing them in my cart while shopping.

What catches my eye are the poblano peppers on the second shelf. I was giddy to find these mild chile peppers at the store. One of my favorite meatless meals is Grilled Chiles Rellenos served up with Spanish Rice and Grilled Zucchini.  Of course, you wouldn't have to go meatless. The recipe that I pulled from an issue of Real Simple magazine is a great side with chicken or steaks, too. It is healthier than traditional battered and fried chile rellenos and gives a slight nod to Latin flavors with the addition of raisins for a bit of sweetness with the spicy filling. How spicy your Grilled Chiles Rellenos will be depends on your choice of chili powder and salsa. I like using Chipotle Chile Powder and my home canned salsa. Those options provide some awesome heat. However, more mild versions with regular McCormick's Chili Powder and some store-bought salsa have been just as quickly devoured. The beauty of all recipes is that they are just ideas. Mix it up. Do your own thing; even add some ground beef or turkey to the filling, if you so desire. I just want you to enjoy your own version of Grilled Chiles Rellenos On Your Plate.

Grilled Chiles Rellenos

4 poblano chiles

1 (15 ounce) can kidney beans, drained and rinsed

1 (8 ounce) package monterey jack cheese, shredded (for a more mild flavor use a Mexican blend cheese)

1/4 cup raisins (more or less, or not at all if this doesn't interest you)

1/4 cup salsa (I like a chunky salsa for this.)

2 teaspoons chili powder

Heat the grill to medium. (We like a charcoal grill for more flavor.)
Cut a slit lengthwise in each chile and carefully scoop out the seeds and ribs.
In a medium bowl, combine the beans, cheese, raisins, salsa, and chili powder. (This is the point where you would add cooked, seasoned, and crumbled ground beef or turkey, if you want to try a non-meatless version.)
Stuff the peppers with the filling.
Place peppers on grill and cook, turning frequently, until they are soft and the cheese has melted. (Serves 4)

Taco John's Is Closed

The area Taco John's is closed. It has been for quite awhile...so long that I don't even remember when it happened. A year ago? More? Who knows. All I know for sure is that Taco Tuesday, 6-pack and a Pound, and Nachos Navidad (in season) are no longer available to clog my arteries. I must now get my Mexican fix at home. 

Not that creating homemade meals is a bad thing. After all, cooking is my passion, and, of course, most things that come out of my kitchen are infinitely tastier and more healthy than the Taco John's menu. In fact recently, a taco recipe from Food & Wine magazine caught my eye. Chipotle-Rubbed Salmon Tacos calls for simple ingredients that I almost always have on hand, and while Hubs is not a fruit salsa fan, even he had to admit that the Apple Cucumber Salsa was a perfect pairing. Both dishes earn bonus points with me for coming together quickly...almost in less time that it would have taken me to travel to the next town, hit the drive-thru of Taco John's, and return with a bag of that greasy dinner. I might even dare to say that Taco John's can stay closed when I have Chipotle-Rubbed Salmon Tacos On My Plate. 

Chipotle-Rubbed Salmon Tacos

2 tablespoons mayonnaise

1 teaspoon fresh lime juice

2 teaspoons chipotle chile powder

2 teaspoons grated orange zest

2 teaspoons sugar

1 pound skinless salmon fillet, cut into 4 pieces

1 tablespoon, plus 1 teaspoon olive oil

8 corn tortillas

kosher salt
1 avocado, mashed

Apple Cucumber Salsa (recipe below)

1 cup shredded cabbage

Preheat oven to 350°. 

Whisk the mayonnaise with the lime juice. 

Combine the chipotle powder with the orange zest, sugar, and season with salt to taste. 

Rub each piece of salmon with 1 teaspoon of the olive oil and then with the chipotle-zest mixture. 

Let stand for 5 minutes.

Wrap the tortillas in foil and bake for about 8 minutes, until they are softened and heated through.

Meanwhile, heat a grill pan. 

Season the salmon with salt and grill over high heat until nicely browned and just cooked through, about 3 minutes per side.

Gently break each piece of salmon in half. 

Season mashed avocado with a little salt.

Spread the mashed avocado on the warm tortillas and top with the salmon, Apple Cucumber Salsa and the cabbage. 

Drizzle each taco with the lime mayonnaise and serve right away. (Makes 8 tacos)

Apple Cucumber Salsa

1 Granny Smith apple, peeled and diced

1/2 English cucumber, diced

1/2 small red onion, diced

1/2 small red pepper, diced

1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 1/2 tablespoons sugar

kosher salt, to taste

Toss the apple with the cucumber, onion and pepper. 

Stir in the vinegar and sugar, season with salt.

Celebrations after the Battles

Last fall, Hubby and I finally, after 10 years in this house, replaced the broken, heaved, and ugly old sidewalks. It was a task that I had been battling for since we had moved into this home, and I was elated when Hubby finally put it on his to-do list. Plans were for the work to be completed early in the summer, but those fell through, and fell through again, and again, and again. At one point, I was so frustrated and just didn't believe that it was ever going to happen at all. I thought that I was cursed to always have hunks of missing concrete and a death trap leading to my door. Finally, in late fall, after much drawn out labor and even me getting some hands on experience with the mucking and finishing of the concrete, the new sidewalks were in place.

However, it was too late to seed grass. Our cold, harsh winter was right around the corner and there just wasn't enough warm weather left for tender new sprouts. I hated the bare dirt that marred our front yard all winter. I loved when it was covered with snow and nobody could see that we were the only house in town without grass and a proper lawn. I couldn't wait for spring and new grass to be seeded. But, spring came and as usual, other responsibilities pulled us away from the front yard, again and again and again. I was beginning to think that the chicken scratched look was going to be mine forever.

Finally, there was a pocket of time to rake and smooth the soil. Finally, there was time to sow the new grass seeds. And, after careful daily waterings and a few sunny days, we have tender little sprouts of grass. I HAVE GRASS! :~) It is far from a lush, full lawn, but it is a beautiful site after a winter of dead, bare earth. I am ready for the celebration after our battle to renovate the front yard.

Cinco de Mayo (May 5th, for those of you not fluent in Spanish) is traditionally a day for celebrating victory after a battle. It commemorates the victory of Mexican forces over the French occupational forces in the Battle of Puebla. While not a federal holiday in either Mexico, or the United States, it is a celebration of culture and overcoming adversity. Food, drink, music, and dancing dominate the events.

Food? Drink? Music? Dancing? I am all over that kind of celebration. In honor of the liberty and freedom recognized by Cinco de Mayo, I think that it is a good day to break out a recipe with Latin influence for my own celebration of the Battle of the Front Yard Renovation. Chicken Rice Pot with Salsa and Avocado Cream is a Rachel Ray recipe that doesn't come together in 30 minutes, but is packed with flavor and ease. Even my not-so-thrilled-with-Spanish-rice Hubby loved the chicken and rice mixture. However, the fresh salsa with the surprising salty addition of olives and the amazing avocado cream really make this dish. (After all, what can go wrong with ANYTHING with avocados?) They are the perfect toppers to elevate what could be a pretty ordinary main dish to celebration level.



I am going to celebrate Cinco de Mayo and the Battle of the Front Yard Renovation with something spicy on my plate. Chicken Rice Pot with Salsa and Avocado Cream is Yum-O.

Chicken Rice Pot with Salsa and Avocado Cream

1 tablespoon olive oil
2 tablespoons butter
1 pound boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces
2 cups white rice
3 cups chicken stock
1 teaspoon poultry seasoning
1 tablespoon fajita seasoning mix
1 cup tomato sauce
Olive and Pepper Salsa
1 cup Spanish olives with pimento, drained and chopped
2 tomatoes, seeded and chopped
1 small green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
1 small white onion, chopped
3 drops hot sauce
¼ cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
juice of ½ lime
salt
Avocado and Garlic Cream
2 ripe avocados
juice of ½ lime
1 clove garlic
1 cup sour cream
salt

Preheat a medium pot over medium heat, add olive oil and butter.
When butter melts into oil, add cut-up chicken. Season the chicken with salt and pepper.
Stir and lightly brown the chicken, then add the rice and cook another 1 to 2 minutes.
Add chicken stock, poultry seasoning, fajita seasoning & tomato sauce. Bring the stock to a quick boil, 2 or 3 minutes.
When the liquid boils, reduce heat to low and cook 13 to 15 minutes, until rice is tender but still a little chewy in the center.
To prepare the Salsa, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and adjust the salt and hot sauce, to taste.
Next prepare the Avocado and Garlic Sour Cream by adding all ingredients to a food processor and processing until smooth. Adjust seasoning, then transfer to a small bowl.
Stir 1/2 cup of prepared salsa to the chicken and rice mixture. Turn off heat and let stand 5 minutes.
Serve the prepared Latin rice and chicken in shallow bowls with spoonfuls of salsa and avocado cream to garnish. Serve any remaining salsa and sour cream with corn chips for dipping and scooping. (Serves 4-6)

Update:

OK. I hadn't had my dinner menu in place more than 30 minutes, and had just posted this blog entry when Hubby called. He made dinner plans to go out with another couple. I guess the Chicken Rice Pot with Salsa and Avocado Cream will have to wait. I am not cooking tonight. I can celebrate new grass with dinner out. :~)

Second Update:

Well...the plans for dinner out changed just a little bit. Heavy winds hit the town where we were going to eat and knocked out power. At the last minute, Hubby and I decided to join friends for a "tornado party", as they were under watches and warnings. I threw together a quick pepperoni pizza, grabbed some beverages, and we headed out into the storm. It wasn't Chicken Rice Pot with Salsa and Avocado Cream or a real dinner out, but it was a lot of fun.