Between Christmas and New Year's, time truly does start winding down. We rushed to put up the decorations and do the shopping and wrap the presents and plan the meals. When it's over, we look toward the new year and the new year's celebration, new year's day dinner and putting up decorations. BUT, we move slowly; even sluggishly to get it done. It seems there's just no hurry. As a matter of fact, let's watch some football and just chill. There's certainly no lack of it. Hmmmm. Fresh salsa comes to mind.
Recipe 1:
1 1/4 cups tomatoes
1 packed teaspoon cilantro
1/8 teaspoon chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon green onions
2 teaspoon white onions
1/8 teaspoon Tabasco
1 teaspoon garlic salt
Cut the tomatoes and put them in a bowl. Add the onions and then the garlic. Next add the salt and chili powder, cilantro, Tabasco sauce in that order. Stir about 1 minute.
Recipe 2:
* 3 tablespoons finely chopped onion
* 2 small cloves garlic, minced
* 3 large ripe tomatoes, peeled and seeds removed, chopped
* 2 hot chile peppers, Serrano or Jalapeno, finely chopped
* 2 to 3 tablespoons minced cilantro
* 1 1/2 to 2 tablespoons lime juice
* salt and pepper
Put chopped onion and garlic in a strainer; pour 2 cups boiling water over them then let drain thoroughly. Discard water. Cool.
Combine onions and garlic with chopped tomatoes, peppers, cilantro, lime juice, salt, and pepper. Refrigerate for 2 to 4 hours to blend flavors.
Makes about 2 cups of salsa.
What to do with it after you make it:
o Serve with chips alone or melt some velveeta or some nacho cheese.
o Soak your wings in it.
o Barbecue your chicken with it.
o Cover your pork chops with it and cook them in your crock pot.
o Mix with sour cream or yogurt and use for a topping on baked potatoes.
I think I'm gonna need something stronger than popcorn and coke! I may have to go for some apple cider and cheese puffs.
Cheese Puffs!
¾ Cup Flour
¼ tsp Salt
¾ Cup Water
6 TBS Unsalted Butter Cut into 6 pieces
3 eggs
1 cup sharp cheddar
Preheat Oven to 450. In medium saucepan melt butter, add water. In a separate bowl, mix flour and salt. When butter and water start bowling, add flour mixture all at once. Cook dough until it smells nutty. Remove from heat and place in mixer. Turn on medium speed; add one egg at a time. Add cheese. Use spoon to drop dough on cookie sheet lines with buttered parchment or use a silpat. Bake for 12-18 min until puffed up and golden brown.
I just made some apple butter for Christmas gifts and it came out great! I got the bacic recipe from Rachel's blog. You can see my process here at Just Put It In A Crockpot
Looking around for little web treasures the way I do, I found this little gem. Facts Of Life Christmas
I've been into football more than usual this year; especially, college football. I found this handy little site to keep up with who plays who and when on the college bowl games. Hey, girls like football too! 2009-2010 College Bowl Football Games
If you like the Christmas Classics, like I do, here's one for you
Here is mine and my youngest daughter's favorite Christmas song.
MAKE A SNOW FLAKE Items You Will Need:
Elmer’s Glue, 1 small bottle per person
Q-tips, 30-60 per person, or more, depending on the number and size of snowflakes you want to make.
Waxed paper, one 18 inch sheet per snowflake Glitter, optional (glitter glue also lends a neat effect)
Procedure:
Spread a sheet of waxed paper on the table surface. This will be your working space. Using Q-tips, design a snowflake on the waxed paper. Q-tips may be bent, broken in two, or used whole for different effects. In general, the end with the cotton swab should create a corner with a neighboring swab.
The best-looking, most accurate snowflakes are six sided, although three-sided works well too.
Experiment by arranging three or six Q-tips in a sunburst fashion, with one end meeting in the middle. These will be your stems. Using more Q-tip pieces, repeat patterns between the stems. Keep in mind that every Q-tip must be connected to the whole.
When you have finished your snowflake design, squeeze a puddle of glue over each joint. Do not skimp! Use lots of glue. A large puddle is needed to connect Q-tips together. Don’t worry if the puddle spreads and loses shape—it will harden clear and contribute to the overall crystalline effect of the snowflake. For a sparkly effect, shake the snowflake with glitter before the glue dries.
Set the snowflake on the waxed paper aside until the glue dries. This will take several hours, and maybe even overnight. Continue making more snowflakes!Try different sizes by using different lengths of cotton swaps for the stems.
When the glue has dried completely, carefully pull the snowflake away from the waxed paper. If an
insufficient amount of glue was used to hold the Q-tips together, simply return the snowflake to the waxed paper and cover with more glue. You will have to wait again for the glue to dry. Then remove the snowflake from the waxed paper. Use clear fishing line to hang from the ceiling. Tada! You have an instant blizzard!
