Salsa for Canning

Another way to use the tomatoes and jalapenos from the garden throughout the year...most closely resembles Chi Chi's bottled salsa. You can adjust the heat easily by reducing the jalapenos, as this version is pretty zippy. I like to leave the seeds in the jalapenos for more heat. I have fiddled quite a bit with this recipe to get to what we like, so it may take you a few tries to get to the flavor and consistency you prefer.

8 cups fresh tomato, chopped (I do a rough chop)
2.5 cups onion, chopped
1.5 cups green pepper, chopped
1 c jalapeno, fine dice
6 cloves garlic, minced
2 t cumin
2 t black pepper
1/8 cup kosher salt (scant)
1/3 cup red wine vinegar
6 oz can tomato paste
1/4 cup cilantro (add after cooking)

Cook all except cilantro for 10 minutes at a low boil. Take off heat and stir in cilantro. Process for 10 minutes.

Ceili, Ghillies and Wigs...Oh My!

Sarah is really getting into her Irish dance class, and we just attended our very first ceili. For those not well versed in Gaelic, it is social dance party, kind of like a square dance. There was a little performance by each class, but for most of the night, it was a free for all. Sarah actually had blisters on both feet from dancing so much!

The bottom line for me is that she's having so much fun, and is just really comfortable there. She may not have the steps down, but she's loving it, and that's what counts.

Meatballs...belated

Well, I said I would post this quite some time ago, and didn't exactly get to it. Story of my life, I guess. So, here it is...the meatball recipe to go with the spaghetti sauce. SO good when simmered together for about an hour.

1 pound ground beef
1 egg
1/2 cup bread crumbs (I use whole grain, processed til medium size...not very fine)
about 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese (I just use the stuff in the can)
1 tsp garlic powder, or a little less if you don't like garlic as much
scant 1/4 cup onion, finely diced
salt and pepper to taste (I do not pepper, use only a little bit of salt)

Mix all together and shape into balls. You can either plop them in sauce just like that, or I like to brown them in a skillet, then into the sauce. Or, you can bake them at 375 for 12 minutes or so. Too easy, and way better than any store bought version you'll find.

Sarah Bean

Whoever said my child is out of sync is just crazy.
Doesn't every kid run around with swim goggles on?

What a free spirit. I love it!

Tag...you're it!

1. Go to the the 4th folder where you keep your pictures on your computer.

2. Post the 4th picture in the folder.

3. Explain the photo.

4. Tag 4 fellow bloggers to join in the fun!

So, here's my photo...a very nice picture of Sarah on her first day of kindergarten, sporting her crown from the Dublin Irish Festival. Kind of boring, considering all the silly pictures we have on the computer, but I had rules to follow! Now, the problem is, I don't have 4 follew bloggers to tag...I only know one blogger, and she's the one who tagged me. Quel dommage!

Igloos and Stuff

Today we had a snow day, just like almost all the rest of the residents of Ohio. My back is sore from shoveling and trying to assist in "igloo" building. You can see our finished product here...it started to sleet in the middle of building and I called it a day. We tried to give it a top with a blanket and then a sheet, but neither of those worked. You can see why I didn't become an engineer, but they were happy.

Naban...

This is how Danny "helps" Nathan play with his toys. Notice how thrilled the poor boy is.

The wonderful woman who babysits for Danny a couple of days a week has the sweetest baby boy, Nathan. (or Naban, if Danny's saying it!) We had the good fortune to watch Nathan a few days ago, and of course I HAD to take some pictures. Oh, to have a baby again....