3 Quarters Today

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Food

Garlic Knot Bread

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Garlic Know Bread RecipeA little over a month ago we had a BBQ and party. Why? Just because we could. It was a combination Pinterest party, BBQ, and excuse to feed my oldest Marine son who was home on leave. We started at noon with hamburgers and hot dogs and progressed throughout the day, moving through the meat groups. Here is just a start of the various foods we served.

My friend Beth brought fixed this wonderful delight, recipe courtesy of Rachael Ray, who else, her favorite chef.

Italian Garlic bread with marinara sauce
Ready to eat Italian Garlic bread with marinara sauce

My son came outside while it was cooling and said “What is that wonderful spectacle on top of the stove? I want to eat it!” In no time at all it was gone.

Recipe

  • Nonstick cooking spray
  • 4 tablespoons butter
  • 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
  • 1 pound store-bought pizza dough, cut into 1-inch balls
  • 2 tablespoons finely chopped rosemary
  • Coarse ground sea salt
  • Black pepper
  • 1 cup shredded provolone
  • 1 cup grated Parmesan
  • Tomato sauce, homemade or store-bought, for dipping
  • Pieces of cooked bacon (optional, but we added it, bacon is good with EVERYTHING)

Preheat oven to 400ºF.

Prepare a bundt pan with non-stick cooking spray.

In a small saucepot, melt butter with garlic. Pour into a large mixing bowl and toss together with pizza dough balls, rosemary, sea salt and black pepper. Place half of the dough balls into the bundt pan, top with half of the cheeses. Top with remaining dough and finish with remaining cheese. Bake 30 minutes.

Serve with tomato sauce alongside

*This reminds me of the dessert treat monkey bread with butter and cinnamon. I’m sure thawed dinner rolls could be used in replacement of pizza dough

Have Extra Tomatoes? Make it Salsa Time

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I have an abundance of of tomatoes. So what am I going to do? Make Salsa!  I’ve made salsa for many years now and I’ve pretty much guessed at the recipe. This year I’m using a recipe my friend Beth has used for years. Her family gave it high marks, so I’m using it now. The tomato paste makes it thicker and not watery, which was my original problem.

Tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos
Garden Fresh Tomatoes, peppers and jalapenos

Salsa Recipe

Many people will say don’t mess with a salsa recipe, but I can’t leave well enough alone. I mean think about it, even if you always put in the same ratio of onions and jalapenos they are going to be different in spiciness every time. For example the longer jalapenos stay on the plant the hotter they get. I learned this the hard way.

Ingredients

  • 10 cups peeled tomatoes, chopped, seeded and drained
  • 5 cups chopped onions
  • 5 cups sweet green peppers
  • 1/2 Cup chopped celery
  • Large can of tomato paste
  • 8 cloves crushed garlic
  • 2 TBSP chopped fresh cilantro
  • 1 TBSP salt
  • 1 TBSP Cumin
  • 1 TBSP Chilli powder
  • Powdered Citric acid per instructions ( I use less than required as I don’t like the tart taste)
recipe for homemade salsa
Cooking the salsa, getting it ready to can

Directions

  1. Prepare canning jars by washing thoroughly and sterilize in dishwasher or boiling water
  2. Chop the first six ingredients and mix together in a large pot
  3. Add tomato paste and stir
  4. Add salt, cumin, and chili powder as desired to taste and preference
  5. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to simmer.
  6. Cook on simmer for at least one hour until desired thickness
  7. Place lids into water and bring to boil. When water boils turn off heat
  8. Pour salsa into prepared jars, screw on rings
  9. When lids pop the jars are sealed and ready for storage.
Mexican salsa recipe
Finished canned salsa for the year

Do you have a favorite salsa recipe? Do you prefer yours mild or spicy? Me I like a mild salsa, my husband likes it hot, in fact the hotter the better, just like his chili. Here are a few more salsa recipes below, remember don’t be afraid to experiment.

More Salsa Recipes

Salsa Recipe – Allrecipes.com

In a medium-size mixing bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cilantro, garlic, lime juice, tomatillo, and salt to taste. Mix well. Add 1/2 of the jalapeno pepper, and taste. If you desire your salsa with more of a kick, add the remaining 1/2 jalapeno.

Life Tastes Good: Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe

Homemade Tomato Salsa Recipe | by Life Tastes Good is about as simple to make as it comes and uses all fresh ingredients for maximum flavor #Mexican #Appetizer.

Mango Salsa Recipe – Allrecipes.com

This spicy, fruity blend of fresh ingredients will turn any dish into an exciting new favorite!

Garden Tomato Salsa Recipe | Taste of Home

I grow almost all of these ingredients in my garden. This recipe makes a large batch, but it’s always gone in no time. —Barbara Mundy, Radford, Virginia.

Salsa II Recipe – Allrecipes.com

This is a very good salsa recipe. Simple ingredients are boiled and blended to created a flavorful, spicy mixture that’s great with tortilla chips and on Mexican-style foods. The amounts of onions and jalapenos may be varied; canned crushed …

Cucumber Sandwiches Are Not Just for Tea Parties

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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)

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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.

Fried Peaches

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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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How to Prepare Corn For Freezing

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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 …