Goat Cheese With Figs

Yeah. Uh hu. I was at Costco last week and they were having their annual 'cheese tasting'. Since I love cheese so much that my middle name should be "Fromage" I had to taste all of them.

They were all good - but when I looked at the last cheese in front of me I thought figs?? Do I even like figs? Have I ever eaten a fig??

They had this goat cheese on a slice of LaBrea Rosemary Olive Oil bread. I thought - what the heck? If I don't like it - I'll just have another sample of a cheese I do like to counter act it.
I took a bite and fell in love. I am always extremely concious about samples. If my kids are with me, I let them have samples and I just try a small bite of theirs so that we aren't hogging all the samples. But once this delicious combination reached my pallet - all logic went out the window.

I went back SEVEN times!!!! Luckily for me there was always a big crowd so I could just do a quick drive by without being noticed - but SEVEN times? I was crazed with cheese desire.

On my last drive by, I heard one of the sample ladies say that they weren't going to restock these cheeses until the next tasting. I quickly grabbed 3 logs.

Of course, over the last week - I have eaten an entire log to my own (cheese) head - but I put the other two in the garage fridge to save for a party. And when that day comes - I will be the most loved person in all the land - this cheese is that good.

If your Costco isn't selling these little babies - you can find them HERE .

My New Fav Ingredient - ROTEL

Yes, it's true. Rotel. Where has this lovely ingredient been my whole life?? 2 of the most simple, fast, easy recipes I have made with Rotel this week...

Queso
16 oz. Velveeta cheese, cubed
1 can Rotel (medium or hot - based on preference)

Microwave ingredients for 3 minutes. Stir and microwave again for 3 minutes. Done.

I returned from a bike ride to find my hubs and his friend watching the NFL playoffs. I whipped up the Queso and both men were in heaven. Hubs friend, Mike (who is a huge fan of hot/spicy food) commented on the spice and flavor of my dip (I used Rotel HOT). He's not a real foodie - which made me watching him devour this Queso even more rewarding. Mike's wife came over and the first thing he said was "you have to try this dip" she was also impressed (and she IS a foodie) they were all shocked when I told them what was in it. Minimal effort - maximum taste points!

Black Bean and Rotel

1 can of Black beans

1 can of Rotel

Cook black beans in microwave (as per directions on the can) 3 minutes. Add rotel. Done.

I have eaten this both in a burrito and as a side dish. Super delish - and it's high in fiber and low fat!

Thank you Rotel. I will be finding more ways to use you - you rock!

*AND - my friend just told me that the capsaisan in hot peppers has just as much Vitamin C as an orange - so not only is Rotel delicious and low fat - but a great source of Vitamin C!!