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Food

My Favorite Homemade Salsa Recipe

August 27, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Tomatoes are in season and ripening at an amazing rate. Time for me to break out the stew pots and start cooking up some homemade salsa, stewed tomatoes and chopped tomatoes for future recipes.

Prepping tomatoes for homemade salsa

One way to process tomatoes is the hot-cold water bath method. This is how my Mother put up tomatoes and I did this for years.

  1. Clean tomatoes in sink, cut off the stems and bruised spots
  2. Dunk in boiling water for about 30 seconds until the skins start to wrinkle
  3. Remove from boiling water and dip in a bowl of cold water
  4. Skins should then easily slip off the tomatoes

I can’t tell you how many hours I have stood over a hot stove during the summer slipping skins off tomatoes. Years ago Beth and I bought a BOGO deal at the state fair for the Salsa maker and I have used it to chop onions, peppers, and tomatoes for years. I love this thing, it works absolutely great for small batches of salsa and the mandolin slicer attachment is perfect for zucchini.

Manual Food Processor – Chop, Blend, Whip, Mix, Slice, Shred, Julienne, and Juice – by Kitchen Plus

A Better Way to Process Tomatoes

However, when I’m make a LOT of salsa or spaghetti sauce, there is a better and faster way to prepping tomatoes and I don’t know why I haven’t listened to my friend Beth before, she kept telling me to get a food mill. This tomato press will take off the skins and either chop for salsa or process for spaghetti sauce.

NapaStyle Italian Tomato Mill Press

How to Make Homemade Salsa

All you have to do is a search on Pinterest for salsa and you can find more recipes than you can handle; everything  from hot and spicy to sweet and mild, even recipes for watermelon salsa and mango salsa. My hubby likes traditional chips and Mexican salsa and just about everything you need can be found in your garden: tomatoes, sweet peppers, jalapeno peppers and onions. Since I don’t like cilantro, I don’t grow it.

Hot Salsas: 40 Simple, Quick, Easy and Spicy Authentic Mexican Salsa Recipes (The Mexican Food Cookbooks Book 8)Salsa: The Ultimate Guide for making homemade salsa

Homemade Salsa Recipe

Remember, cooking is not a science it’s an art, so use the following as a guideline, don’t get hung up on exacts. experiment and if you like spicy and hot, add more jalapenos, if sweet is your thing, add more sugar. Before preparing your ingredients sterilize prepare your jars. I like the dishwasher the best.

Ingredients (makes 4-5 quarts)

  • 10-15 lbs of tomatoes (chopped fine, skins removed)
  • 4 large sweet peppers
  • 2 large onions
  • 6 jalapenos
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 cup vinegar (or lemon juice)
  • 3 TBSP canning salt
  • 3 TBSP cilantro (optional)
  • 2 TBSP cumin (optional)
  • 3 TBSP ground garlic (optional
  • 14 oz can Tomato Paste (for thickening)

Instructions

  1. Chop your tomatoes, onions, and peppers with the tomato mill or salsa maker food processor
  2. Add to large stock pot and stir together
  3. Stir in sugar, vinegar, salt and seasonings
  4. Add tomato paste, enough to thicken to desired amount
  5. Bring to boil on med high heat, stirring often
  6. Reduce heat to simmer (low) and cook for another 15 minutes
  7. PREPARE lids now by placing in about an inch of water and bring to boil, then turn off and let sit
  8. Lay a towel on the counter and place warm clean jars from the dishwasher on towel
  9. Place funnel in jar and using a large soup ladle spoon hot salsa into jars leaving 1″ of space at the top
  10. Use magnet stick to remove lid from water and place on jar, screw jar lid tight

The jars will be very hot, remember you just poured boiling tomatoes into glass, use the rubberized jar holder found in the canning tool set below to hot jars and a pot holder to tighten the lids. Now wait for the popping of the lids to assure the seal.

 

Ball Canning Regular Mouth Half Pint Canning Jar 8 oz. 12-CountTattler Reusable Wide Mouth Canning Lids & Rubber Rings – 12/pkgBellemain 6 Piece Canning Tool SetSalsa Picante Small Peppers Lime Fabric

Because tomatoes are acidic a hot water bath or pressure cooking the salsa is not necessary. Since I really don’t follow a recipe when I cook, and I don’t measure the amount of vegetables I use my stock pot as a gauge of how many quarts of salsa I will be canning. I have a 5 qt pot so that when it’s full to the top I have 5 qts of salsa.

I can a variety of sizes some for home use (quarts) and pints (for gifts), I also always use wide mouth jars, but that is a personal preference.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: canning, cooking, ethnic food, food preservation, Fruit and Vegetable, homemade salsa, mexican food, preservation, recipe, Salsa, Tomato, Tomatoes

Cucumber Sandwiches Are Not Just for Tea Parties

August 21, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

The Simple Cucumber Sandwich

A simple cucumber sandwich was one of my Dad’s favorite summer treats. This wasn’t a dainty sandwich typically served at tea parties as an appetizer, but a hearty manly sandwich with substance.

Cucumber Sandwich

Making a sandwich was an art with my Father. He would slowly peel the cukes, slice them lengthwise, spread mayonnaise (had to be Hellman’s) then liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then he would share with me. The middle of the sandwich was my favorite. I didn’t like the crust. To this day, I eat the crust first and save the tasty inside last. Don’t ask how I do it, it’s a process, yes I’m weird.

Cucumber Sandwich

Making a sandwich was an art with my Father. He would slowly peel the cukes, slice them lengthwise, spread mayonnaise (had to be Hellman’s) then liberally sprinkle with salt and pepper. Then he would share with me. The middle of the sandwich was my favorite. I didn’t like the crust.

I still love cucumber sandwiches with mayo, always Hellman’s mayonaise, it was, and is, a tradition in my house and like many brand loyalty traditions (Crest, Prego, Zest etc) I will NEVER use Miracle Whip. Yuck.

Cucumber Greats: Delicious Cucumber Recipes, The Top 100 Cucumber Recipes25+ Delicious Cucumber Recipes

I always grow cukes in my garden and when I don’t make pickles I put them on  sandwiches. I’m now on a low carb diet, (recently diagnosed with diabetes) but don’t want to stop eating sandwiches. So I’ve found some low carbohydrate breads and wraps.

Mama Lupe Low Carb Tortillas 12.5ozMama Lupe Low Carb Tortillas 12.5ozGemWraps® Mango Chipotle Sandwich Wrap 6-sheetsGemWraps® Mango Chipotle Sandwich Wrap 6-sheetsGreat Low Carb Bread Co. - Plain - 1 LoafGreat Low Carb Bread Co. – Plain – 1 LoafThinSlim Foods Love-The-Taste Low Carb Bread, 2pack (Plain)ThinSlim Foods Love-The-Taste Low Carb Bread, 2pack (Plain)

&

Cucumber Recipes

Delicious Cucumber Tea Sandwiches For Lunch Or For …

Submit your rating here. egg salad tea sandwichescucumber tea sandwiches martha stewarttea sandwich recipeseasy cucumber sandwichescucumber cream cheese tea sandwicheseasy cucumber tea sandwiches …

10 Best Cucumber Recipes

One of the most hydrating veggies on the planet, cucumber is close to 90% water. Not only is it best eaten when raw but tastes delicious when wrapped in sandwiches, pickled, tossed in hearty salads, made into summer coolers or comforting soups. This …

5 delicious cucumber recipes to help you beat the summer heat

… lips from the sun · Sex Tip #107 – Give phone sex a try! Daily Health Tip: 9 healthy habits that can reduce your risk of cancer · Pregnancy Tip #26 – Beware of your microwave! Home / Fitness / 5 delicious cucumber recipes to help you beat the …

10 Vegan Cucumber Recipes That Will Cool You Off This Summer

Poor cucumbers! They don’t get the same attention as other veggies. No one’s making t-shirts with clever sayings about cucumbers like they do with kale. No one is calling them the new “it” food like cauliflower. Yet cucumbers have a lot going for them.

Beat the Heat With These 10 Cool Cucumber Recipes

Summer is finally here! The rising temperatures forces us outside and into a pool or ocean, and we crave foods that are nice and cold. Eating cooling foods is a refreshing way to beat the heat, and cucumber is a perfect in-season vegetable to do so …

Cucumber Recipes – Allrecipes.com

Cucumber Recipes. Top ideas for fresh cucumbers: the best cucumber salads, plus soups, dips, and pickle recipes. Hungarian Cucumber Salad. Ready in 15 …

Cucumber Recipes | Martha Stewart

We’ve collected 40 cucumber recipes from Martha Stewart, including appetizers, sides, salads, and more.

Healthy Cucumber Recipes and Cooking Tips – EatingWell

… slices is nearly as thirst-quenching as a glass of water. Try our refreshing and healthy cucumber recipes – summer ideas for a surprisingly versatile vegetable.

Cucumber Recipes : Food Network

Results 1 – 10 of 1085 … Find cucumber recipes, videos, and ideas from Food Network.

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: Cucumber, cucumber recipes, Cucumber sandwich, cucumber sandwiches, Food, garden, Home, recipe, Sandwiches, vegetable

Fried Peaches

August 17, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

When summer rolls around fairs and festivals bring out the fried foods. Everything is fried: cheese, onion rings, Oreos, Twinkies, and Snickers. But my favorite is fried peaches. Tastes just like a peach pie.

Since State Fair Season, and the Big E (for my east coast friends),  is upon us, what is your favorite food?

Fried peaches
Fried peaches complete with a honey vanilla dip
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Filed Under: Food Tagged With: carnivals, county fairs, Deep frying, dining, fairs, Food, fried food, Fruit, peaches, state fairs

How to Prepare Corn For Freezing

August 14, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

It’s the start of the sweet corn season and I really need to make room in my freezer. Our first batch was 18 dozen ears. I’ve been putting up sweet corn ever since I was little and shucked corn in the garage with my Mom.  It’s easy, shuck, brush off the silk with a handy little brush, rinse and put in bags.

I’ve heard that some people boil, cook, blanch, add sugar, salt etc. But there really isn’t a need for the extra work. Even nine months later corn on the cob taste just like it was picked out of the field.

Sweet Corn
Sweet Corn

It doesn’t take long before my freezer is too full and I have to start cutting corn kernel off the cob and bagging loose corn. I use a bundt pan, put the ear in the middle and it falls right in the bowl. Easy and fast, although with an electric knife it would be even faster.

For those who are scared of knives, or would like the kids to help shuck and strip corn there are safer tools than a big ‘ole honking knife.

Easy Corn Cutter Stainless Steel Cob Peelerzjskin New Peeler Thresher Tool Kitchen Cob Kerneler Cutter Stripper RemoverFantastic Job – Car Shape Corn Stripper with a Little StorehouseCorn Cutter Tool- EZ Creamer and Corn Sheller

But it’s Not nearly as fast as using a power drill McGyver style like below. Since I’m a little intimidated by power tools, I think I’ll stick to my method. But if you have a motivated man in the house this might be a way to get him to help out with the canning.

I rinse the kernels afterwards and let any silk and small pieces float to the top. My daughter loves to eat the pieces of sweet corn that stick together in chunks raw, very tasty and it’s tempting.

Sweet Corn
Sweet corn kernels ready for bagging

Now I have sweet corn in the freezer all winter and corn on the cob to enjoy all year round, just pass the butter, salt and pepper. We were lucky this year and a local farmer told us to just go on over to his sweet corn patch and take all we wanted. He had about an acre planted and shares it with family and friends.

I have a small chest freezer full of corn and I should buy stock in Ziplock bags.

Midea WHS-129C1 Single Door Chest Freezer, 3.5 Cubic Feet, WhiteZiploc Freezer Bag, Quart Value Pack, 40-Count(Pack of 3)

Since we love corn in our house it will definitely save on the grocery bill this year. Between my green beans from the garden and corn we will be pretty well set.

Sweet Corn bagged and ready for the freezer
Sweet Corn bagged and ready for the freezer

What is your favorite memory of summer? Do you have a favorite food to eat during the summer?

More About Sweet Corn

Iowa Icon: Sweet Corn | whotv.com

“There’s nothing like having that first cob of sweet corn to tell you that summer’s really here,” says Ray Kruse, a sweet corn farmer and one of Nair’s graduate students. No one would be surprised to hear that we love our corn.

Gourmet Galley: Get creative with versatile, sweet corn this summer

No matter our age, I think we all have a love for fresh corn. For years, I only knew of boiled corn slathered with butter, fresh corn soup or maque choux, or maybe I should say those were my favorite corn dishes. I also remember that all of them cooked …

Aw, Shucks. Who Knew Cooking Michigan-Grown Sweet Corn Could Be This …

What’s your favorite way to prepare fresh, Michigan-grown sweet corn? Comments + Leave a Comment. Debra Christy, Allied ASID July 22, 2014 at 01:08 PM. peel down the husk, remove e silk, butter and salt/pepper the corn, pull the husk back up around the …

 

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: agriculture, canning, Cook, Corn, corn on the cob, Food, Gardening, Home, Maize, preserving food, recipe, Sweet corn, tasty tuesday

Homemade Sweet Pickles

August 7, 2012 by info@3QuartersToday.com

Our cucumber crop tends to be pretty amazing and after I’ve had my fill of cucumber sandwiches I turn making homemade pickles.  For the first time I tried refrigerator pickles instead of canned. I’ve always avoided refrigerator pickles due to the lack of refrigerator space. But, we’re eating them so fast it doesn’t make a difference.

Homemade sweet pickles

Even my daughter who only likes dill pickles likes these. She said they are sweet, but different.

The recipe is very easy and fast.

Ball Pickle Crisp 5.5 oz. JarSpicely Organic Pickling Seasoning – CompactTwang Pickle Salt, 1.15-Ounce Shakers (Pack of 20)

Homemade Sweet Pickles

Ingredients

  • Sliced cucumbers (about 4 large)
  • Sliced sweet peppers
  • Sliced onion
  • 2 cups vinegar
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1 TBSP salt
  • Ground Garlic and pepper seasoning. (to taste about 1 TBSP)

Directions

  1. Pack cucumbers, peppers and onions tightly  into jars. Mix all ingredients into saucepan and bring to a boil until sugar dissolves and liquid is clear (about 10 min)
  2. Pour into packed jars, seal and store in refrigerator.
  3. Let soak for 24 hours before eating to let the vinegar and flavors combine.
  4. Store up to three months (but they won’t last that long)

You can easily make hamburger relish by using a handy chopper and processing the finished pickles into cucumber relish for macaroni salad, burgers or hot dogs.

Canning Supplies

I have purchased my canning supplies a little bit over the years and love my canning funnel and lid magnet. Seriously, the right tools make the job faster and easier. My Mom made jelly, canned tomatoes, and put corn and strawberries in the freezer.

Ball Mason Jars Wide-Mouth Can or Freeze – 16 oz 12pkTattler Reusable Wide Mouth Canning Lids & Rubber Rings – 12/pkgOrchard Road Regular Mason Jar Canning Lids, Full Case! 360 Lids (30 dozen), (Lids Only; No Rings), BPA FREE!Norpro 605 Canning Lid RackJarden Home Brands Ball Secure Grip Hot Jar Handle (Discontinued by Manufacturer)Back to Basics 400A 7-Quart Aluminum Home Steam Canner

I guess I have continued the tradition and during the summer my big canning pots and supplies pretty much stay out on the cabinets all week for a quick batch of pickles, jelly, or jam.

 

More Homemade Pickle Recipes

It’s time to make the pickles … or jelly … or …

The enhanced flavor of potato salad, chicken or tuna salad sandwiches and other dishes from using homemade pickles and juice is undeniable. And, there’s nothing like opening a steaming hot biscuit and dousing it with a spoonful of fresh, preservative …

Pack pickled peppers and other fun foods for your picnic

The other thing, she noted, is fresh homemade pickles. “You get some fresh pickling cucumbers, throw them in a jar with water, salt, pickling spice, garlic and dill,” she said. “Give them at least three days in the refrigerator and they’re just fresh …

Easy Homemade Dill Pickles – Heavenly Homemakers

Filed Under: Canning and Preserving, Recipes, Side Dishes and Snacks Tagged With: canning, dill pickles, easy pickle recipe, homemade pickles, preserving. Hi! I’m Laura and it is so nice to have you here. Really. You have …

Ridiculously Easy Homemade Dill Pickles | Organic Health

This recipe only takes about fifteen minutes to complete and will leave you with the best homemade pickles in town. They also contain probiotics that help produce better digestion and strengthens our immune systems!

Homemade Pickles | A Fat Girl’s Food Guide to Eating in …

Until recently the joy of a good pickled cucumber eluded me. I just never quite understood their allure until I went to New York and had the cream of the crop pickle wise at the famed Katz Deli, and I’ve not looked back since.

Homemade Pickles – Instructables

This instructable will teach you how to make homemade pickles using cucumbers, mason jars, brine, and any extra flavorings. The whole process requires about 6 steps. 1. Purchasing Supplies. 2. Sterilizing Equipment. 3. Making the brine. 4.

 

Filed Under: Food Tagged With: canning, cooking, garden, Garlic, homemade pickles, kitchen, Pickled cucumber, recipe, vegetables

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