5/30/14

Easy Fresh Salsa

So, one of my husband's favorite snacks is chips and salsa. My husband is also one of those guys who can polish off a truckload of food and have nothing to show for it. He usually goes for the fresh salsa in the refrigerator section at the grocery store.

Guys, have you seen the price of that salsa in the refrigerator section? Let me tell you, it's usually too much. It's hard to justify paying at least four dollars for a little tub of salsa, especially if my husband can polish it off in a few minutes.

Luckily, I decided to try my hand at making fresh salsa. And let me tell you, I will never go back! It is so easy. And for the price of one little tub at the grocery store, you can have a big bowl that will last you more than a few minutes. Well, that is, unless you're around a big group of people. Then it just might go fast.

This recipe is perfect for summer because it is so quick and easy. Not to mention once those fresh tomatoes and peppers start rolling in...it is heaven in a bowl! It has become a staple in my house now and I hope you will like it.

Easy Fresh Salsa
makes about 4-5 cups
print this recipe

10 roma tomatoes
1 yellow bell pepper
1-2 jalapeños
1/2 bunch cilantro
2-3 garlic cloves
1/3 cup diced red onion
juice of one lime
salt and pepper to taste


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Start by cutting the tops of the tomatoes and halving them. Scoop out the seeds and juice. For this recipe, I am totally a fan of the "garbage bowl." You know, its the extra bowl you have nearby on the counter to place all the scraps for the garbage. It makes it cleaner, easier, and faster than having to do it over the garbage. Anyway...

Place the tomato halves in a food processor. Remove the seeds from the bell pepper and roughly chop. Add it to the food processor. Seed and cut the jalapeños. I cut these a little smaller than the bell pepper so there are no big pieces of jalapeños by the time it's mixed up.

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Pulse until mixture is finely diced.

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Remove mixture from food processor and place in a bowl. Chop up the cilantro, finely mince the garlic, dice the onion and add it to the mix. I find it is easier and more consistent to do this with a knife and cutting board instead of the food processor. Then just mix it with the pepper and tomato mix.

Add lime juice then salt and pepper to taste. You're done!

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Grab a bag of chips and proceed to wolf it down!

-Candice

4/6/14

Grandma's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake

This is one of the most popular recipes in our family. Our Grandma Viola made this cake for special occasions and it was always a hit. Now, with our own little families, this cake always disappears as soon as its cut. It is light, moist, flavorful, and perfect for Spring!

I recently made this cake for our brother's birthday. Grandma Viola's birthday is April 3rd and she passed away on March 16th, so it only seemed fitting to make this cake this time of the year to remember her. We hope you enjoy this family favorite!

Grandma's Lemon Poppy Seed Cake
makes one bundt cake
print this recipe

Cake:

1 package lemon cake mix
1 package instant vanilla pudding
4 eggs
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup water
1 1/2 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup melted butter
4 Tbs poppy seeds

Glaze:

1 Tbsp melted butter
3 Tbsp milk
1/2 tsp vanilla
powdered sugar (enough to make a spreadable glaze)


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Preheat oven to 350º. Mix all ingredients together until just combined.



Spoon into a greased and floured bundt pan and smooth batter until it's even.



Bake for 35-40 minutes. Let stand in pan about 10-15 minutes, then invert onto a cooling rack. Let cool completely. Mix together glaze ingredients in a bowl and spread over cake. Allow to dry. Cut to serve, and enjoy!

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-Christina

2/9/14

Valentine Marshmallow Popcorn

Growing up in Paris, we were so fortunate to have a bunch of cousins who lived close by. Every Valentine's Day we would make some kind of homemade treat and take it around to each other. It usually involved sugar cookies and Aunt Janelle's famous popcorn balls! I decided to whip up a batch of this yummy goodness and take it around to the family I have living close to me. It is incredibly easy and fast to make. You will love it, and so will your favorite Valentine.


Valentine Marshmallow Popcorn

16 cups of popped corn
1 cube butter
1 1/2 cups sugar
1/2 cup corn syrup
1 tsp vanilla
3 cups marshmallows
Desired amount of candy mix-ins (I used cherry juju hearts)
Valentine sprinkles

Mix popped corn and marshmallows in a bowl set aside. Melt butter, then add sugar and corn syrup. Boil for three minutes, remove from heat and add vanilla. Pour over popcorn marshmallow mix then add candy. Dump on a parchment lined cookie sheet then sprinkle with Valentine sprinkles.


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Happy Valentine's Day!

-Christina