Return with Recipe -- Protein Pico

Hi folks!

Happy Saturday! After a 6 month hibernation from my blog, I decided this morning to make a return! Reunions are best celebrated with good food, so I brought an appetizer/side to share. This is a recipe that I ran across a few months ago and it is a new favorite. (Carl, whose usual response to "Do you like it?" is met with a manly "Yeah, it's alright." actually requested this one!) I hope you'll enjoy it as much as we do! So, let's get the party started!

Protein Pico

Ingredients:
→ 1 red bell pepper                      → 1 green bell pepper**
→ 1 red (or sweet) onion             → 1 container grape tomatoes
→ 1 bunch cilantro                       → 1 can white shoepeg corn**
→ 1 can black bean (drained & rinsed)
     ** Grilled corn, cooled & cut off the cob is delicious too!
     ** Add a yellow and or orange bell pepper for a little more color! :)

So, the first thing you are going to do is chop all of your veggies. I like to hand cut everything, with the exception of the tomatoes. When it's time for the tomatoes, I pull out my handy-dandy Pampered Chef chopper and go to town! However, for time sake, you can use the chopper for all of the veggies, if you prefer. It's important to note that I am not a specific "chef". I more of a "little of this and that" and "Whoops! Well, that'll work!" kind of cook! ;)   

Once everything is chopped and mixed up, it's time to prep the delicious dressing!

Dressing:→ 1/3 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil (EVOO)
→ 1/3 cup Apple Cider Vinegar

→ 3-4 tsp sugar (after you make this the first time, you will
                      be able to taste this and tweak it to your taste.)

→ Chili powder -- maybe 2-3 tsps

Whisk the dressing well until everything is blended and give it a taste. It will have a sweet, but zingy taste! (You may like a little more sugar or a little more chili powder -- make it your own! It will be different, but TRUST ME, mixed with the veggies, it's amazing!)

So, it was at about this point that Leah decided it was time for a mid-morning follow-up snack. She saw the "salsa" and B-lined it for the pantry and came dragging out chips and crackers saying, "Hmm, I thinks so -- Please mommy! 'nack?"

So, we had a quick little 3-chip break and then it was back to the pico!

So, once your dressing is whisked and ready, pour it all over your pico and mix well. Let it chill for about an hour to help blend all of the flavors and then it will be ready to serve!

I think you will love this one! I'd love to hear your feedback or changes! Comment below or leave me a note on my facebook page or pin it to your favorite foodie board! :)

Take care! Until next time, cheers! :)