Cranberry Salsa

 Update:
I made this salsa for a party we are going to tomorrow, but I can not stop eating it.  My exchange student Rina and I have eaten almost the whole batch. I need to go make  another for tomorrow.  Yes it is that good. I told my husband I wouldn't mind this replacing my regular salsa and using it for everything.  He rolled his eyes he doesn't get it,  but it is really  I would.  Try it!


The other day I was at a friends house for lunch while our kids played and she pulled out this cranberry salsa.  She had seen it on the today show last year. She asked if I  had had it before and I had not. I had not even heard of it.  We just ate it with chips and salsa, but it would be divine with a soft cheese on top of crackers  or atop of grilled fish or poultry.
 I think this would be killer with turkey this thanksgiving, different but great!!!    I will also serve it as an appetizer with cream cheese and crackers. This week.

printer friendly recipe
Ingredients

• 12 ounce bag cranberries
• 1 clove garlic
• 1 bunch green onions, roughly chopped
• 1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and minced
• juice of 2 limes
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 cup cilantro
• 1 1/2 T oil

Directions
  Place cranberries and garlic in food processor or blender and pulse a few times.  Add onions, pepper, lime juice, sugar, salt and cilantro and pulse.  Add oil and pulse until desired texture.

The original source is Yankee magazine

not so green, green smoothie

    Sorry I have been M-I-A for the past couple days between being in California away from my computer I have been sick, so sick laying on my moms couch doing nothing.   But, we are home now, and life must go on.
   I never get sick, yes hardly ever.  I am now, and I think either it is to help me feel compassion on those who are sick more often, like my poor husband,  or because last week my husband, friend and exchange student Rina were all sick and I kept thinking I am so glad this doesn't happen to me I must be healthy or because I was gone all last week with out my BLENDER and I did not drink this smoothie.  It was probably a mix of all three.
  This morning first on my priority list was to make my smoothie.   You can make green smoothies with out a fancy blender but once I went smooth it is hard to go back.  I am really in love with these.  This is what I have every morning for breakfast.
  Many people do not know what a  green smoothie is but it is simple just 40% greens and 60% fruit.  You do not taste the greens at all.   This is the best way to eat greens as well because it breaks down the nutrients much better than us chewing.  I choose not to put in any fruit juice or yogurt or anything like that because of the extra sugar, it may take a little getting used to it you are used to a very sweet fruity smoothie.  My kids both love them.  One morning I forgot to make extra for them and they both cried until I gave them some.  They just think it is a sweet drink not that I am sneaking a few servings of fruits and vegetables.  I also add  ground flax seed, you do not taste it at all but it adds more fiber and omega 3's.  Enough about the smoothie, now lets make it.

You can really add any type of green you like (mustard greens are way to strong do not even think about it) and any type of fruit.  This is my line up:
My staple smoothie   printer friendly recipe
 2 huge handfuls of greens I usually use spinach but, I try and mix it up a bit with kale and romaine too about 2-4 cups depending on my choice kale is a little stronger I do not use as much
1-2 cups liquid, I use filtered water (depending how thick you like it)
1 large banana. This really mellows the flavor of greens
3T ground flax seed
1 1/2 cups frozen berries (  I love this triple berry mix blueberries blackberries and raspberries)
1 cup other fruit today I used frozen peaches I love a handful of grapes too they make it so sweet
1 large carrot. This also really sweetens the drink up.
If it is still to bit try using some apple juice as your liquid or adding a squirt of honey.
 Also for a protein boost add protein powder I should do this more but Parker is allergic to both soy and whey protein so I am two lazy to make separate batches. I have also experienced with silken soft tofu for protein it was good it takes like nothing .

 I forgot to show my banana.  I am sure you have seen one before, imagine it there.

pile it in.  The order matters, liquid then softer things then frozen on top

 I didn't have my carrot ready in time, but it is not too late to add it.

pour unto glass and bottoms up

my kids love them!

If you do not use frozen berries then you will also want to add ice at the end.  If it is not blending well and getting stuck add more liquid.   I use a Blendtec blender I absolutely adore it. I had a vita-mix before and I used them side by side I chose the blendtec, but both were great.  Now I understand you all might not have this blender, before you add it to your Christmas list try yours out it will probably do a fine job.  The main difference is your blender will not break down all the little seeds from the berries,  not a big deal. A note from my reader was a tip if you are using a  less powerful blender to do the greens and water separate and liquefy that then add other fruits.  Just blend it as good amount it make it smooth as possible.

Gourmet white chocolate cinnamon caramel apples

Years ago while visiting my cousin in Seattle she served us these apples from rocky mountain chocolate factory I could not get enough, but at $8 each and 3 times as much from stores like Williams and Sonoma and Harry and David that was too spendy for me.  So what is a creative and frugal girl to do… make them myself!!  I knew I could make them for much cheaper and be just as good, if not better because they were made with love . I experimented and figured out it was easy to do, It does take some time, but if you don’t have it there are short cuts to take.   Now they are a staple in our home very fall. 
This week for family night we made these to share with new neighbors who just moved in to welcome them and wish them a happy fall.. This is a classic fall treat that everyone enjoys! I hope you do too

Printer friendly recipe
Ingredients
12 large, tart apples (You can use red apples too but I like the contrast of the Granny smith with the sweets caramel and chocolate)
 Homemade caramel - or 2 bags Kraft caramels if you are short on time
2 bags white chocolate chips  1 T oil for thinning and it helps the chocolate set faster. ( I like a nicer brand like guittard, or white chocolate melting chocolate from a candy or baking supply store. Our Win-Co actually sells it is in bulk it is called white chocolate melty. it works great. I use about 1 and a half pounds.
1/2 cup sugar mixed cinnamon to taste usually about 1-2 teaspoons
 Popsicle/ craft sticks
 Cellophane bags for wrapping
Ribbon for tying and decorating
Any cute tags to attach

Caramel Recipe great for 2 dozen apples or dip some and save some yummy caramel for later
4 cups of sugar
1 can of evaporated milk
1 can of sweetened condensed milk
1 cup of unsalted butter
1 tsp. of Vanilla
2 cups of light corn syrup
Instructions: Melt butter. In a heavy saucepan combine sugar, syrup, and butter over medium heat. While on the medium heat bring mixture to a rolling boil. Slowly pour milk in as you stir. It takes a while at this point I thought it would never quite get to the right temperature, but just keep stirring. Slow and steady wins the race, do not raise your temperature. The caramel will turn to a caramel color. Cook to a firm ball stage (Drop a little of this syrup in cold water and it will form a firm ball, one that won’t flatten when you take it out of the water, but remains malleable and will flatten when squeezed.) or 240-245 degrees. Once at firm ball stage, take off heat and add vanilla. Stir constantly. Let it cool for five to ten minutes and then test an apple.
Tip1: have all these ingredients ready and pre measured so you do not burn caramel. It works best with a candy thermometer, nice ones are great, but a cheap one from the grocery store will do the job as well.
 Tip2:  once sugar has dissolved to syrup do not re introduce new sugar it will crystallize, keep the sides of your pan and utensils clean.

1. Wash and dry apples. Keep apples cold it works much better. I do an ice bath before then dry them off before dipping or just store in cold fridge beforehand
2. In a medium to large saucepan make caramel. , or melt caramel according to package directions l
3. Put popsicle stick in the apple. Dip in melted caramel making sure to fully coat it. Let it drip drip drip then take a knife to scrap off the bottom so you do not have a a large foot of caramel when dried.
4. Place on parchment or wax paper that has been sprayed with cooking spray heavily or a great non stick cookie sheet sprayed with oil or smear butter.
5. Cool in the fridge until caramel is set up. 2-3 hours is best.
6. Melt chocolate chips in the microwave in 30 second intervals. You can add a little shortening oil veg, oil if the mixture is too thick.
7. Coat the apple with the chocolate. Again drip drip drip and then scrap excess off.
8. Sprinkling it with the cinnamon sugar mixture.
9. Cool completely in the fridge.
10. wrap up pretty and give them to unsuspecting neighbors, they will love you forever!
11. Save some for yourself and enjoy.  You deserve it, you are fabulous, yes you are!!
Happy Fall! 

Cute gift too, this is what we left on doorsteps!

strawberry shortcake with pineapple whip.

this recipe
I found this recipe on family favorite recipes the other day and decided I had to try it. It would be perfect this weekend for mothers day. I tried it last week on some friends who came into town. HE said "it is ok.... if you love Delicious Food!" haha
I have been snaking with strawberries this week with the left over whip. Give it a try.

Below are the original directions:
This is a great, light dessert. It is very summery and easy to take on picnics! If you are feeling REALLY lazy, just buy a pre-prepared angel food cake at your local grocery store and prepare the whip just before serving.

1 box angel food cake, prepared in bundt pan
1 pint heavy whipping cream
1 tsp vanilla
2 Tbsp. powdered sugar
1 (15oz) can crushed pineapple
1 small box vanilla pudding mix
strawberries, sliced (or any other fruit you like)

Prepare angel food cake. While cake is baking, whip heavy cream with electric mixer until peaks form. Add vanilla and sugar, then set aside. In a separate bowl, combine crushed pineapple with pudding powder. Stir well. Combine pineapple mixture with whipped cream using a large spoon or spatula until well mixed. You can either frost the entire cake with the pineapple whip or serve on individual plates, topping with the whip.. either way is great. Top with sliced strawberries or any other fresh fruit.

This is how I did it:
I really laughed when she said if you are really lazy you can buy prepared angel food cake. does anyone really make their own? I have done it before, but it too much work, I just buy them. Also I had opted not to do my own cream either. I am sure it would have been delish, but I used light cool whip instead. a little kinder to the waistline.
so my recipe was much simpler and healthier.
I also did not have crushed pineapple so I just took a can of pineapple slices and threw it in my food processor until it was the consistency of crushed. turned out great!
MY recipe
1 can Crushed pineapple
1 box vanilla instant pudding
8 oz cool whip.
Mix pineapple and pudding til mixed then fold in cool whip.

Very simple, put on top of angel food cake slices with sliced strawberries!!!
Easy spring dessert!!

Fruit Salsa and Cinnamon Chips

I have heard so many people talk about this fruit salsa recipe I got from allrecipes.com
I heard announced at church that during our next weeknight activity we were supposed to bring a fruit dish. I thought this was a perfect excuse to try it out. Everyone loved it. it was fun to make and the cinnamon sugar chips, were so good. People could not believe they were baked and not fried. I have heard you can buy these chips, but I looked everywhere and could not find them. I am happy I made them myself.

Enjoy it as a summer appetizer or an easy dessert."

Ingredients:

2 kiwis, peeled and diced 2 Golden Delicious apples - peeled, cored and diced 8 ounces raspberries 1 pound strawberries 2 tablespoons white sugar you can add whatever fruit you would like I added to this fresh blueberries and pears.

1 tablespoon brown sugar 3 tablespoons fruit preserves, any flavor 10 (10 inch) flour tortillas butter flavored cooking spray 2 cups cinnamon sugar

Directions:

1.	In a large bowl, thoroughly mix kiwis, Golden Delicious apples, raspberries, strawberries, white sugar, brown sugar and fruit preserves. Cover and chill in the refrigerator at least 15 minutes.
2.	Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
3.	Coat one side of each flour tortilla with butter flavored cooking spray. Cut into wedges and in a zip lock bag add cinnamon sugar mixture ading a few wedges at a time shake until covered then remove and arrange in a single layer on a large baking sheet. Spray again with cooking spray.
4.	Bake in the preheated oven 8 to 10 minutes. Repeat with any remaining tortilla wedges. Allow to cool approximately 15 minutes. Serve with chilled fruit mixture