Fresh Tomato Salsa

I've discovered that I love taking pictures of my food to go along with the recipes, but this one was sooo good I couldn't get a picture before it was gone. Jeff and I ate almost the whole thing in one night which by the way is a bad idea unless you have a big bottle of tums around! Jeff especially loves fresh salsa and has been trying to find a really good recipe for a long time. This is probably the best I've had.

Fresh Tomato Salsa

3 c. chopped, ripe tomatoes 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
3 green onions with tops, sliced 1 T. olive oil
1/2 c. green bell pepper, chopped 1 tsp red wine vinegar (we used apple cider v.)
1/2 c. purple onion, chopped 1/2 tsp salt
2 T. lime juice 1/4 tsp cumin
2 T. fresh cilantro
1 T. jalapeno, chopped (I think I'd only add this if I wanted it really spicy)

Mix all ingredients. If time permits, refrigerate salsa for two or three hours before serving so individual ingredient flavors will blend. Serve it with any tortilla dishes, grilled chicken or hamburgers, or tortilla chips.

Popcorn Popping

Popcorn is like the year-round snack. You eat it while playing games, watching movies, eating at Wingers (sorry-had to throw that in), watching fire works, and just hanging with friends and family. My cousin gave me this recipe for flavored popcorn that is yummy. I made some today for Valentine treats, but am thinking by just changing the flavor of Jell-O, you can make them for any holiday/season. How fun!

Candied Popcorn

INGREDIENTS12 cups popped popcorn1 cup light corn syrup1/2 cup sugar1 pkg. (4 serving size) JELL-O Brand Gelatin, any flavor1 1/2 cups PLANTERS COCKTAIL Peanuts, coarsely chopped

DIRECTIONSPlace popcorn in large bowl.Mix syrup and sugar in saucepan; bring to boil. Remove from heat. Add gelatin; stir until dissolved. Add peanuts.Pour over popcorn; mix well. Cool about 5 minutes. Shape into 18 balls, each about 3 inches in diameter.

Chocolate Chip Cookies

I love to bake, but I do not make a good chocolate chip cookie (I know. How very sad.), that is, until last Sunday. (They didn't look so blue, though...) It's amazing what happens when you turn back to something that has worked in the past! I got this recipe from a friend in high school and it has not failed me yet. Jeff thinks they are a little "cakey" and we both think they could use some vanilla (I would do a tsp). However, 4 dozen cookies were gone in less then 3 days and we only shared 6 with neighbors. Here's the recipe:

2 sticks butter

1 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

2 eggs

2 1/2 cups of flour (you will need to add more, but this is a good starting point)

3/4 tsp salt

1 tsp baking soda

chocolate chips

Mix together. Drop on cookie sheets and bake at 350 for 10-12 minutes.

Peaches and Cream

If you've read my blog, you know I am trying to eat and be healthier this year. For one of my snacks, I am supposed to do 1 milk and 1 fruit. I came up with this little goodie that actually tasted like ice cream.

1 serving of fruit (I used canned peaches)
1 serving of milk
handful of ice

Blend it all up until smooth and enjoy!

Simple and yummy and no sugar needed!

Meatless Meals

No, we're not going vegetarian, but I would like to start trying some new meatless recipes considering how expensive meat is. I found this site http://www.vibrantlife.org/vl/rcategories.html that has vegetarian ideas that look yummy. Some are a little too much for me. (Still not willing to try tofu for one.) If you have any yummy meatless or mostly meatless meal ideas, email them to me and I'll post them. I'll post what I find as well.

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies

These are the perfect cookies to leave for Santa or anyone else for that matter. (I even burned a batch and they still tasted good!) Enjoy!

Cinnamon Sugar Cookies
From the kitchen of: Angie Maynes

1 c. butter, softened 4 1/3 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. sugar 1 tsp. Salt
1 c. confectioner’s sugar 1 tsp. Baking soda
1 c. vegetable oil 1 tsp. Ground cinnamon
2 eggs 1 tsp. Cream of tartar
1 tsp. Vanilla extract Colored sugar

In a large mixing bowl, cream butter, sugars and oil. Add eggs and vanilla; mix well. Combine the flour, salt, baking soda, cinnamon and cream of tartar; gradually add to creamed mixture. Shape into 1-inch balls.

Place on greased baking sheets; flatten with the bottom of a glass dipped in sugar. Sprinkle with colored sugar if desired. Bake at 375˚ for 10-12 minutes or until lightly browned. Remove to wire racks to cool. Yields: about 8 dozen.

Fabulous Fall Foods

Fall is the reason I love the kitchen. Every year about September I start into a baking frenzy. This year has been no exception. I've done 2 pumpkin pies, an apple pie, and rolls from scratch to name just a few things. I like the smell, the warmth, and the comfort of baking. Jeff thinks I've gone a little nutty. Every Sunday he sees me satisfying my itch to bake and welcome the crispness of fall into our home. This Conference weekend was no exception. Saturday found my family and I (including my parents) bottling apples from my uncle's tree. (They turned out beautiful.) We also did a few jars of apple pie filling, too. Sunday I decided a nice Sunday dinner of roast, mashed potatoes, veggies, and Jell-O wasn't enough. It need some fresh homemade rolls to go along with it, and we had them. (Thank you Grandma, for always making fresh rolls at Thanksgiving! Now they are a must in my house.) Long story short, fall is my favorite time to bake. I think tonight we'll have chili with some homemade cornbread. If you haven't tried this recipe, it is a must-have for a good pot of chili or any other soup!

CORNBREAD:

4c. Bisquick
1 1/2 c. sugar
3/4 c. cornmeal
4 eggs beaten
1 1/2 c. milk
1 c. melted butter

Mix ingredients together. Bake at 350 in a lightly greased 9 X 13 pan for 35-40 minutes. Cool 10 minutes before serving. Serve with butter and honey!