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Saturday, June 27, 2009

Swongers Sizzling Summer Salsa

I find myself in a new season of life. A season where my children are more independent and my time is slowly being given back to me(in small increments of course). So what to do with this time of mine? First of all I began sewing again, which resulted in a small business and craft fairs. That was fun, but now I am delving into something I have wanted to do since I first got married and realized I really enjoyed being a homemaker...canning. Yes, the old time art of canning has been a dream of mine for sometime and now it is becoming a reality.

PAUSE FOR A MOMENT WHILE I ASK MYSELF - How is it that I can walk into a store and choose the most expensive item without any effort? It is just effortless. And how is it that I choose such time consuming hobbies and lifestyles? Answer me that question!

OK, back to the salsa-



This recipe is from a wonderful family who lived in our area and attended our church years ago. The salsa is a bit spicy but also surprisingly sweet because of the apple cider vinegar and the local honey. Delectable? Mm, yes!

Begin with
30-40 medium ripe tomatoes(about 2 - 2 1/2 gallons)
2Tbs Salt

Easy peel process: Rinse tomatoes and place into a plugged kitchen sink. Poor boiling water over the tomatoes and allow to soak in the hot water until the skins begin to crack. Place tomatoes in cold water and gently peel skins off.

Chop peeled tomatoes and place into a boiler with salt. Bring tomatoes to a boil then lower heat. Simmer on medium low for four - six hours. This will cook off the excess water. You can tell tomatoes are ready when they have cooked down to half the size.

Now add remaining ingredients. I have included a sizzling recipe as well as a mild.


Remaining Ingredients for Sizzling Salsa:
2C chopped Cayenne Peppers
2C chopped onions
1C local honey (If you do not have a local honey supplier, you could use 2C store bought honey or 2C sugar.)
2T garlic salt
1C apple cider vinegar
1/4C lemon juice
1T chili pepper
1T black pepper



If you prefer a mild salsa use these ingredients:
1C chopped banana peppers
1C chopped jalapeno peppers
2C chopped onion
1/4C lemon juice
1C local honey (see substitution suggestions above)
2Tbs garlic salt
1C apple cider vinegar


Add remaining ingredients to your cooked down tomatoes and boil on high for thirty minutes.Pour salsa into quart jars and seal according to canning procedures for tomatoes. (Makes a little more than 4 quarts)


VeryVerdant

Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Summer Has Officially begun

Yes, it is true. Our old school books have been stored away, grades given and our new books have been ordered and shipped and put into place. The favorite pair of jeans has been replaced with skirts and shorts. But that very busy week of Vacation Bible School is like blowing the whistle and announcing,"Summer is here at last." And how did we celebrate? With a day trip to the ball park, of course.

My husband bought ticket last week and announced that we were going to spend Monday "not working". I am so glad that he balances me like this. I have not stopped, for even a couple minutes, to rest. I had my to do list and I was not going to let anything get in my way of getting every last thing on that list completed. So, the husband announced a day off and it is just what I needed. Like a cold drink of water, it has refreshed me.

We left home at 9:00 and arrived in Atlanta in time to peruse IKEA and have an early dinner at The Varsity. The trip to IKEA was solely for me(because my husband spoils me like that), while the trip to The Varsity was for the kiddos. The ballgame was for all of us. The day was perfect in every way - minus the fact that our Cubbies lost. There is nothing as physically refreshing as spending a day with the ones you love.

Well, except maybe spending money at IKEA!


VeryVerdant
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