Easy salsa from scratch

Posted on May 30, 2012 by Denise


I just love salsa, don’t you? I’ve made a lot of homemade salsa in my time, and just realized I haven’t shared one with you guys here on the blog. Crazy!! Salsa is one of the easiest things you can make, so don’t be intimidated by it. Not only is it EASY, it’s so much better than store bought…..and cheaper too!  And you’ll definitely want to make it to top these Mahi Mahi fish tacos. Oh.so.good!

A tip for those jalapenos…..I wear kitchen gloves now, and never have an issue. If you wear contacts, you might know what I’m talking about. Trust me, you do not want to dice up a jalapeno and then go put in your contacts. Ask me how I know?

Oh and one more thing….you need to let salsa marinate. It’s one of those things like spaghetti sauce or chili, it just tastes better the next day. You’ve got to let all those flavors get to know one another, hang out and mingle. If you can’t make it the day before, then try to prepare it at least 4 hours ahead of time. I’d classify this as a mild to medium salsa. To adjust spiciness add in some of those jalapeno seeds, and another jalapeno if desired.

Now…get busy, time to impress those friends!!


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Salsa from scratch
Author: 
Prep time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 6-8
 
Fresh salsa is easy to make from scratch!
Ingredients
  • 3 large tomatoes, diced
  • ¼ sweet onion, minced
  • 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced (add another if you like it spicy)
  • 2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, minced
  • Juice of 1 lime
  • 2 cloves garlic, minced
  • ¼ tsp sea salt
  • ¼ tsp black pepper
  • ⅛ tsp sugar, organic preferably (optional)
Instructions
  1. Dice and mince all ingredients and add to a medium glass bowl. I pretty much go in the order I've listed here. I use a pyrex glass bowl that has a lid for easy storage.
  2. I'd classify this salsa as mild to medium. For spicier salsa add in a 2nd jalapeno.
  3. Marinate in fridge for 4 hours or longer for complex flavors. Keeps up to a week, but won't last that long!
  4. * For Daniel fast, Daniel plan or Whole 30 omit the sugar

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Highlights from Instagram

Posted on May 29, 2012 by Denise

I hope you all had a great Memorial Day weekend! I love 3 day weekends….it always feels as if I have extra time to do whatever I want. Everyone needs some ‘veg’ time, don’t you think? I know I’ve told you how much I love the Instagram app on iPhone, and now it’s available on all smartphones…..was anyone excited about that? I tend to photo stalk my life daily LOL, so thought I’d share with you guys some highlights from the past week or so.

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I took the girls up to the pool for an evening swim, and captured this sunset.

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Last Tuesday morning I went out for another bike ride…..can you say BLISS?

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Wednesday morning I headed over to Michelle’s house to spend some time catching up, and then she took me to her local Goodwill where I hit the motherload….look at all those food props!! And I was only half done.

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Driving home one night I captured another beautiful Florida sunset….we have them almost every night. I first discovered amazing Florida sunsets when I was in boot camp in Orlando back in the winter of 1989. So far these two pictures don’t do it justice. Wait till I capture one that does!

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Friday afternoon we met good friends up at the Inlet. They’ve put in a new lagoon beach area, and being able to sit under the shade of the palm trees reminds me of the beaches in Hawaii. Ahh….heaven, and the kids had several hours to run around with their friends.

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My youngest eating treats. The first shot was taken at Dairy Queen on the way home from the beach Friday, and the one on the right was yesterday at our friend’s party. I’d say it was a good week for her!

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The only food shot I’m sharing here, but I take many throughout the week and share them on Instagram. Almost everything I make I give sneak peeks on Instagram. This pickled slaw was amazing!

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Saturday morning I went kayaking for the first time since last October. It was like meeting back up with an old friend. I still LOVE to kayak, and I had a wonderful morning spent catching up with my good friend Tammy. We were out for 3.5 hours, but as usual could have been gone for the day! If you haven’t tried kayaking….you just have to!!

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And there was a bit of shopping too. Saturday night we ended up at the mall. We’re not huge mall shoppers…especially since in our area it’s almost ALL upscale stores, but I wanted to scope out the grills at Sears. I’d bookmarked a few online, and wanted to see them in person. Hubby wasn’t willing to take the plunge Saturday night, but Sunday after church I was given the green light to go back and purchase my our new grill. I’m ecstatic to finally get back to big time grilling since we’ve been limited to a table top grill the past few years. I was happy to pitch it to the curb yesterday. Looking forward to a summer full of grilling!

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Memorial Day menu ideas ~ Appetizers, sides and treats!

Posted on May 25, 2012 by Denise

Happy Memorial Day weekend guys!! How’s it possible it’s almost already the end of May? Seriously…..how does that happen? But I’m ready for a nice, relaxing 3 day weekend! What about you? I’m excited to be kicking it off with a trip to the beach this afternoon….we’re meeting friends. And tomorrow morning I’m going kayaking for the first time since last October!! Yay…..feeling BLESSED!

Thought I’d share a few of my favorites that might assist you in planning your menu this weekend. Still looking for any appetizers, sides or desserts? Then look no further…..

* Bacon Cheese Dogs *

* Quinoa Tabouleh *

* Chinese Chicken Salad *

* Buffalo Chicken Dip *

* Cucumber Avocado Salsa Dip *

 * Carmelized Onion Dip *

* Flourless Chocolate Brownie Cookies *

* Lemon Mousse *

* Mango Pineapple Green Smoothie *

* Frozen Berry Cheesecake Squares *

I hope you guys have an incredible Memorial Day weekend!!

2 Comments

Taco wontons

Posted on May 24, 2012 by Denise

Years ago in one of our first home fellowship groups I was introduced to wonton wrappers. Our group met every other Sunday afternoon for a time of catching up, Bible study lessons, playtime for our small children and of course food and fellowship. We met for years, and formed incredible friendships we still maintain to this day! I’m so thankful for the friends in my life! This particular Sunday, my friend Deb brought in sausage wonton cups, and they were amazing!! None of us could stop eating them.

Basically all she did was line a mini muffin pan with wonton wrappers, pushing them snugly down into each cup to form a small cup with the wrapper. She browned sausage, and filled the cups with the cooked sausage added a pinch of shredded cheese and cooked for 10 minutes or so until the wrappers were crisp. These bites were so tasty that I added this recipe to my Christmas Eve appetizer line up for years to come. And it’s also the basis for coming up with this variation….taco wontons! I’m sure you see the possibilities are endless……

All you need to do is brown up a pound of ground beef, preferably hormone free…..and then add taco seasoning. Prepare all your taco fixings, and add taco meat to the wonton cups instead of sausage. They’re super EASY, and a great recipe to get your kids involved in the kitchen. In fact they can do all the assembly before putting them in the oven.

I know these wonton wrappers fall under the processed food category, but sometimes you just want something fun. And thankfully the ingredient list pretty much includes only flour, eggs, vinegar, salt and no dyes, high fructose corn syrup or genetically modified ingredients…I can feel pretty good about serving these occasionally. I actually bought the egg roll wrappers and cut them into fourths. It was less expensive that way…more for the money. And you know me….ever the frugal gal! 😉

Have you heard of wonton wrappers? What do you like to use them for? I love hearing everyone’s ideas!!


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Taco wontons
Author: 
Recipe type: Appetizer, Dinner, Lunch, Mexican
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 4-5
 
An easy, fun taco appetizer. My girls love these!
Ingredients
  • Wonton wrappers (or eggroll wrappers cut in fourths)
  • 1 lb ground beef, browned and seasoned with taco seasoning
  • Romaine lettuce, shredded
  • Monterey jack cheese, shredded
  • Scallions, sliced
  • Tomatoes, diced
  • Sour cream
  • * Any other toppings you'd use for tacos...avocados, salsa, hot sauce, etc. *
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 350.
  2. Line nonstick mini muffin pan with wonton wrappers pushing them in to form a cup. I used 24 wrappers.
  3. Prebake wonton wrappers for 5-7 minutes until starting to be mostly cooked but not overbrowing edges.
  4. Remove from oven and add a small teaspoon of taco meat to each wrapper. Return to oven for another 3 to 5 minutes keeping a close eye so as not to get the wrappers overly brown. You mainly want crisp wrappers.
  5. Cool in pan for 5 minutes and then remove from pan. While wontons are in the oven prepare toppings. Set table with all ingredients and have family make their own with toppings of choice.

 

9 Comments

Slow down you move too fast…..

Posted on May 22, 2012 by Denise

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You’ve got to make the morning last….and that’s exactly what I did this past Saturday morning. If you’re an active Instagram user and follow me there, then you’ve already seen these pictures. If not, you should join in the fun. Instagram is such a great way to keep up with peeps. And it’s not overly crowded yet like so many other social media sites….yet!

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I finally set out on an adventure I’ve been wanting to take forever. And it’s only around the corner from my house. Why’d it take me so long? I don’t know…..any reason you can think of and none at all. But you know as moms sometimes it’s hard to carve out time for certain things. Knowing this would take place on a Saturday morning already limited me….add in kayaking last fall and then the holidays, well….no more excuses! The time is NOW!!

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Just like I fell hard for kayaking, this bike ride cinched the deal! I mean who wouldn’t want to sail through this oasis. It’s been teasing me all along. I can see this very boardwalk from the road, and I travel home this way from church at least twice a week. Oh yes, I’ve been taunted…..

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Now you bet your bottom dollar I’ll be back out here regularly!! If I have to set my alarm and get up with the birds, then that’s exactly what I’ll do. Did I mention this is all in my backyard? Literally…..as I hop on my bike…right around the corner! BEST PART ~ no traffic to deal with. This paradise is tucked away, and most don’t even know it’s here. Shh…it’s my best kept secret!

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I rode along and was able to really HEAR myself! I had TIME to let my thoughts just wander, meander and sometimes sit for a spell. I could hear the sounds of nature all around. I was completely and utterly ALONE which is how it is if I kayak alone. Must be one of the reasons I love both of these activities SO much. The quiet…the peace. Though kayaking with a friend is even better…..we get time to just be “girls” instead of moms and so much time to talk UNINTERRUPTED!

I’m so excited that I now have two hobbies I find equally satisfying….and it’s purely a BONUS that there is exercise involved. I clocked my trip yesterday on the way home from church and found out that I biked 10 miles roundtrip Saturday. Took me an hour and 20 minutes but that includes time to stop and snap pictures, and share via instagram. And also time to just sit and take in my surroundings for a few minutes, RELAX and just BE!

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Hubby and I went out later that afternoon and picked up a few things to make my ‘time out’ more enjoyable. I wanted a basket for the front of my bike, but ended up with a nice weatherproof pouch to put on my handlebars. I’ll be able to store my phone, water, cash and other essentials without wearing them on my back in a backpack. He also picked out a nice side basket for the back and a bike lock so that if I desire to stop in at Publix to pick up a few things I’d have a place for them. Yes…I know I’m blessed. There’s a Publix grocery right there along my path. It’s about 3 miles from home, and I have two others even closer.

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One thing I noticed (which is why I wanted to share this adventure with you and why the title popped in my head while riding) is that all the other bikers I noticed while I was out were all on triathlon bikes. I have nothing against triathletes, and hubby spent 4 years running marathons and competing in triathlons……but when you’re on one of those “fast” bikes….the world just WHIZZES past. I think we spend too much time bouncing here and there, life moves too fast as a rule…..so why am I going to opt for a “fast” activity? As a nature girl, I find I’m drawn to activities that get me OUT IN NATURE….I don’t want to “hurry it up.”

What about you? What activities do you like? Anything activities come to mind you think I’d like?

P.S. I’m happy to report that I already went out on another bike ride this morning!!

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