Yummy Pitch-In Dishes

We all have pitch-ins to go to- whether it’s with church, friends, family… We all have to go to them at some time.  I confess that I want the dish that I bring to be ALL GONE when we are done.  This means it was good.  I also hate it when someone else brings a similar dish, and so mine doesn’t get eaten as much!  One way to avoid that is by bringing unusual dishes to a pitch-in.  (But not too unusual- because then no one will eat it!) However, you really don’t want to be slaving over this dish for hours.  So, here are two favorite side dishes that are easy to whip up and always yummy!  In my next post, I will share two fruit dishes that you can take to pitch ins.

Apple-Sweet Potato Salad

1 ½ Lb. Sweet Potato

1-2 Large Apples (Granny Smiths work great!  Or use one red apple and one green one for color and taste variety.  I leave the skin on)
1-2 Large Celery Ribs

Dressing:

               1 Tbs Orange Juice

               1 Tbs Olive Oil

               2 tsp Cider Vinegar

               1 tsp Sugar or Sugar Substitute

               Pinch or Salt

Boil Sweet Potato in its skin for 20 minutes.  Cool, then peel skin and cube.  Core and cut apple, cube slices. Chop Celery.  Mix dressing ingredients together and pour over apples , celery and sweet potato, and toss.  Chill, then serve.

Southwestern Three Bean Salad

(The original recipe was for two kinds of beans, but I often use three kinds.  Basically you need three cans of beans in some combination!)

1 Can Pinto Beans

1 Can Kidney Beans
1 Can Black Beans
1 Can Whole Kernel Corn
1 Lg Red Bell Pepper, Chopped
1 Md Red Onion, finely chopped
¼ C (a handful!) Cilantro, chopped
Optional: 1 Finely chopped and seeded jalepeno (I do not use a jalepeno)

Dressing:

½ C White Vinegar
¼ C Vegetable Oil
1 Tbs Sugar
2 tsp Ground Cumin
1 tsp Dried Oregano
½ tsp Salt
¼ tsp Black Pepper

Mix Beans, Corn and Vegetables in a Large Bowl.  Mix Dressing Ingredients, and pour over bean mixture, and toss.   Chill to serve.