Summer Salsa

So this doesn't have to be just a summer salsa.  It's actually really tasty any time of the year, but it just happens to be Summer and I used fresh corn on the cob so I'm callin' it Summer Salsa.  I am struggling to cook lately.  We have eaten waffles, pancakes, egg on toast, and cereal way to many nights since school got out.  I loose the cooking bug this time of year.  If I can't just throw it together I don't want to make it.  I don't want to be inside.  I could live in my strawberry patch 24 hours a day right now.  Weeding, and talking, and just watching as everything grows.  If you have a dinner suggestion that doesn't involve breakfast food, pass it along.  I know there are people out there who read this blog, you're just a quiet bunch, but I need you now!!  I need some summer inspiration!  But until then I'll just eat the entire bowl of this salsa.  Thank you very much!

Summer Salsa

Everything is an approximation.  Just add what you have and taste it before you serve it:)

4 avocados

1 chopped tomato or a big handful of cherry tomatoes

1 15 oz. can of drained and rinsed black beans

2 ears of corn cut off the cob

1 big handful of cilantro

drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1/4 c. lime juice

1 t. salt

1 T. sugar

In a big bowl add all the veggies together.  Don't toss until you add the dressing ingredients.  Stir very gently or you'll have mashed avocados and it won't look so pretty.  Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.  That means add a little more................... to make it how you like it!  Love ya!

Pineapple Salsa

I am on vacation, and a lovely one at that.   I have my handsome Jimmy with me and all my little kidlets, and I'm never going home.  Actually........I'm starting to miss my dogs, and my kitties, and my garden (which is still alive if you can believe that!) and just the general feeling of fall.  I'm starting to want some hot soup on a chilly night, and to wear capris with flip flops and long shirts.  I'm not ready for the big step to long pants and boots, but that will come.  I'm sure when I get home the leaves will all have turned, but we Clawson's are truly enjoying our last big Hurrah!  Can I just tell you that the pineapple here in this paradise is lovely.  Perfectly perfect, and wonderful, and I've eaten 6 of them.  6 whole pineapples.  I just cut the 6th pineapple minutes ago, and yes it was as good as all the other 5.   It's the pineapple salsa I'd like to talk about today.  We've had fish this and that, and nothing is better with fish than pineapple salsa.

I used to make mango salsa, and I still love it, but this pineapple stuff is yumm-y!  It is great served with fish tacos (that's what we're having tonight!) grilled fish, pork roast, chicken of the BBQ and served straight up with a spoon.  You know another good thing about pineapple salsa is that you can make it even when you aren't in paradise.  Sam's and Costco sell amazing pineapples for a great price all year round.  Oh I almost forgot this salsa is great with chips.  Enjoy it at your next Mexican night.  Tortilla shells, shredded chicken or beef, guacamole, regular salsa and some pineapple salsa.  Dang that sounds good!

Pineapple Salsa

fresh pineapple

red onion

cilantro

serrano chili

tomatoes

a little lime juice

sugar

salt

Chop all ingredients into small bits, and mix together.  Add a squeeze of lime and a little sugar and salt.  Taste it.  See what else it needs.  You may want a little more salt or a little more sugar.  Adjust to your taste.  Serve over fish tacos or with a pork roast or just by the spoonful.  It is wonderful!

My Cousin's Are Amazing Cooks

Every Aug. my granny has a little gathering of grandchildren at her pool for the annual Cousin Party.  Doesn't every kid in the world love their cousins to death?  I was telling someone the other day that I have taken my kids on some pretty fantastic trips, but their favorite trips always seem to involve cousins!  There are always 2 big cousin trips each summer and they always involve camping, dirt, bears, Uncle Dave's Hola song, and lots of late nights.  If you ask my kids what they did this summer it will be all about the Garner Reunion with the cousins, and the Clawson Reunion with the cousins.  Are you sensing a common thread here?

Well cousins are amazing.  They teach you all sorts of things.  I learned how to do the "lollipop pop" with my fingers from my cousins and the song "Playing With the Queen Of Hearts".  I learned how to do a 1 1/2 flip off the diving board with my cousin and how to make Cheeser's and Tuna Patties.

So our cousin party last week was dang fun.  Not everyone could attend, so we gossiped about those not there. (Just kidding Emmi!) But I soon realized that I come from a family of amazing cooks.  Grams bought pizza and everyone was asked to bring a little something.  I brought a watermelon-what a cop out, but everyone else hit homeruns!   I walked back to my car with a couple new recipes for my file.  I'll be making both real soon.   I hope you enjoy them- I know I enjoyed every minute being with my cousins!  We need to do that a  little more often.  Thanks Granny for the good time!

Angie's Fruit Salsa

1 cup grapes

1 lb. strawberries

2 Granny Smith Apples w/skin on

3 Pink Lady or Fuji Apples w/skin 

1 orange-juiced

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 teaspoon Cinnamon

4 Kiwi

1/2 cup jam-strawberry

Angie took all the fruit and buzzed it in a food processor.  She left it a little chunky, but not too much.  The flavor is dang good.   

Tortilla chips: Take flour tortillas and spray them with pam or butter and sprinkle with cinnamon and sugar.  Cut into wedges and bake @385 until golden brown.  Serve the salsa with the cinnamon sugar chips.  It was divine, and beautiful!