[1] This corn-and-bean-salsa-topped baked potato is festive for Cinco de Mayo, or anytime you’d like a baked potato with pizzazz (photo © Idaho Potato Commission).

[2] We like a sour cream garnish on this stuffed potato (photo © Wisconsin Cheese).

[3] Make extra salsa and enjoy it for the next few days with chips, on burgers and hot dogs, with eggs, mixed into plain yogurt as a dip and sauce, and much more. Here’s the recipe (photo Shirley Glaab | Taste Of Home).

How can you turn a baked potato into a Cinco de Mayo dish? Fill it with corn and bean salsa! Add a sour cream topping and you’re set to enjoy the flavors of the day.

This recipe was developed by Sylvia Fountaine, a Pacific Northwest chef, caterer and Feasting At Home blogger; and sent to us by the Idaho Potato Commission.
 
 
RECIPE: BAKED POTATO WITH ROASTED CORN & BLACK BEAN SALSA

Ingredients For 2 Baked Potatoes

 
For The Corn and Black Bean Salsa

 
Preparation

1. PLACE all the corn and black bean salsa ingredients into a medium bowl and combine thoroughly. Adjust the salt and lime juice, adding more if you like.

2. CUT a slit into the warm baked potatoes and fluff up the flesh with a fork. Divide the salsa between the two potatoes.

3. TOP with the sour cream and/or drizzle them with hot sauce. Serve immediately.
 
 
> THE HISTORY OF POTATOES
 
 
> THE HISTORY OF SALSA
 
 
> MORE USES FOR SALSA

For a Mother’s Day homemade treat that doesn’t involve turning on the stove or the oven, how about some strawberry and rosé ice pops? This recipe, from Teresa Barajas, was sent to us by the California Strawberry Commission.

Fun and refreshing, the ice pops are infused with rosé wine (photo #1). There is no added sugar. Nutrition per pop is 59 calories, 4g carbohydrate, 3g sugar and 4mg sodium.

A friend of ours “double dips” by dipping the ice pop into her glass of rosé. This recipe does something similar (photo #2).

Here are some rosé wine ideas for Mother’s Day.
 
 
RECIPE: STRAWBERRY ROSÉ ICE POPS

We recommend a lighter, sweeter style of rosé. Ask for direction at your wine store.

You can also serve a rosé sangria with the ice pops.

Ingredients

 
Preparation

1. PLACE 9 strawberries and the water into a blender; blend until puréed.

2. SLICE the remaining 3 strawberries and distribute among ice pop molds.

3. POUR the strawberry purée into the molds and freeze for 30 minutes. Place a wooden stick in each ice pop and return to freezer until solid.

4. SERVE: Place each ice pop in a large wine glass and pour rosé over it. Serve immediately.
 
 
> THE HISTORY OF ICE POPS
 
> THE HISTORY OF STRAWBERRIES
 
 
ABOUT CALIFORNIA STRAWBERRIES

Along the central and southern coasts of California, a rare combination of special climate and special soils make California home to nearly 90% of America’s strawberry crop.

With cool morning mists from the Pacific Ocean and warm afternoon sun, strawberries grow sweet and juicy.

All hundreds of California strawberry farmers are cultivating the majority of all the U.S.-grown strawberries on less than one percent of the Golden State’s farmland.

[1] Strawberry-rose ice pops, served with a glass of rosé (photos #1 and #2 © California Strawberries).

[2] Dip the pop into the rosé.

[3] Fresh-picked strawberries (photo © Lucinda Hershberger | Wesual | Unsplash).

Strawberries are America’s third most popular fruits (see the chart below).

Discover more about California strawberries at CaliforniaStrawberries.com.
 
 
AMERICA’S MOST POPULAR FRUITS

America’s most popular fruits are based on a 2020 survey by Statista, asking consumers which fruits they had purchased in the past 12 months (chart © Statista).

[1] The Woodford Spire bourbon cocktail, served in a julep glass (both photos © Woodford Reserve).

[2] Woodford Reserve, smooth and tasty, is an excellent Bourbon to drink straight or in cocktails.

[3] Lemonade from frozen concentrate is second-best to fresh-squeezed (photo © Minute Maid).

Tomorrow you’ll be able to watch “the most exciting two minutes in sports” on T.V. Yes, there will be some spectators at Churchill Downs, socially distanced. And in addition to Mint Juleps, they may be drinking a Woodford Spire, created by Woodford Reserve Straight Bourbon Whiskey. Woodford Reserve is the Presenting Sponsor of the Kentucky Derby.

If you’re new to Woodford Reserve, it’s a great value at its price point*. Its smooth taste makes it a fine Bourbon to drink straight; or of course, to mix in any Bourbon cocktail.

So ladies: put on your most festive hat. Gentlemen: look dapper with a bow tie.

And both of you: Get out tall glasses or your julep cups, and start mixing!

And if you don’t get our fill during Derby time, June 14th is National Bourbon Day/
 
 
RECIPE: WOODFORD SPIRE

While you can buy bottled lemonade, it doesn’t taste as good as fresh-squeezed.

But in second place is frozen lemonade. Buy a can of concentrate and dilute it with water. Check the label to see that it’a made from real lemon juice—not reconstituted juice. It will be tastier (and less expensive) than ready-to-drink lemonade.

Serve the Woodford Spire in a mint julep cup. If you don’t have one, substitute a copper Moscow Mule cup, or any other glass, including a wine glass.

Ingredients Per Cocktail

 
Preparation

1. MIX the Woodford Reserve, lemonade, and cranberry juice in a shaker or pint glass, with a bar spoon.

2. POUR into a mint julep cup, and add crushed ice to the top of the glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
 
 
> BEYOND BOURBON: THE DIFFERENT TYPES OF WHISKEY
 
 
________________

*You can find the Woodford Reserve 750ml for less than $40. Woodford Reserve Double Oaked is more.