Homemade Salsa {Easy Recipe}

One of the fondest memories I have of growing up is...

helping my mom in the kitchen.

Learning to wash dishes standing on the dinning room chair...

Stirring the pot as it shimmered on the stove...

Learning all her cooking and baking secrets...

My mom loves to cook and bake.

It is something that brings her JOY.

She also loves to serve others by cooking/baking for them.

To this day...

she prepares a meal for a family in need,

bakes Christmas goodies for neighbors, work, and the people in her life.

This Christmas my sister and I received something from my mom that is so...

Meaningful...

Thoughtful...

A treasure...

She carefully picked for each of us a recipe book to fit our personalities...

Wrote a special message in the inside cover...

And filled it with some of her and our favorite recipes in her handwriting.

Words don't express what it means to me...

The memories that it holds...

So...

Since I can't really send a meal or goodies through the snail mail...

I want to share with you a simple and quick recipe for Homemade Non-Chunky Salsa.

{Homemade Salsa}

Ingredients:

3 Cans of Diced Tomatoes or equivalent amount of fresh tomatoes

1 tsp. Cumin

1 tsp. salt

1 tsp. Garlic Powder

1 Jalapeno (finely chopped)

Steps:

*Blend all ingredients together and refrigerate overnight.

*You can add more or less of each ingredient to get the desired taste or heat you like.

What is one of your favorite recipes?

Have a Lovely, Simply Created, Day!

Cole

P.S.

I'll be sharing my word for 2011 this week.

To read about my 2010 word, click here.

Freeze ahead peach pie filling {Recipe}

I love the following recipe...

It is seriously the best thing since chocolate and pb and...

you all know how much I *heart* that combination.

My friend, "K," passed along an awesome recipe for preparing...

fresh, peach pie filling that can be frozen until ready to bake.

This is the best because...

1. It tastes homemade.

2. It creates a "full" pie.

3. It takes about 2 seconds to make a pie once you have this step done.

4. I easily have a dessert to take to a supper, a friend in need, a party.

Are you ready?

Got your stuff?

{Fair warning....lots of pictures coming up} :)

And remember...

if it seems like a lot,

it's not bad.

The pay-off is so WORTH IT!

Ingredients:

4 qt. peeled, sliced fresh peaches (about 20-25 medium)

         TIP: You can score these for cheap if you have an orchard near by.

3 1/2 C sugar

3/4 C quick cooking tapioca OR 1/2 C + T ultra gel ( I used the Ultra Gel...it's wonderful!)

3/4 tsp salt

1/2 tsp lemon juice

Directions:

1. Prepare ingredients and utensils, etc. that you will need. (This makes it so much easier)

2. Poach the peaches in a pot of boiling water, leaving them in there no longer than a minute. Tip: I used a ladle to get them out of the boiling water.

 {I only did one for the camera shot...didn't want to lose peaches or my camera}

3. After you remove the peaches from the boiling water, stop the cooking process by putting them into a bowl of ice water.

4. Take the peaches out of the water and you will literally be able to pull the skins off in 1 or 2 pieces.

{The peaches will sort-of fall apart at this point}

5. Cut the peach in half and remove the seed with a spoon.

6. Thinly slice the peaches. Put the sliced peaches into a bowl and add some fruit fresh while you slice your remaining peaches.

7. Combine all your ingredients together with the peaches (you will need a bigger bowl) and let it stand for 15 minutes.

8. While the mixture is "standing," line 4 (9 inch, foil) pie pans with foil. After 15 minutes, add the fruit mixture to the pie pans with foil and level.

9. Place in freezer until frozen, then carefully take the foil full of filling out of the pie pan and close the foil. Sealing well to prevent freezer burn. 

TIP: I then wrap the foil filled with fruit in press-n-seal wrap. {This helps to ensure no frost.}

10. Place two pie fillings each into a zip-lock freezer bag and freeze until you need it. 

When you're ready to make your pie:

1. Take the filling out of the freezer and its wrappers.

2. Place filling (frozen) into your pie pan (crust already in it) ;)

TIP: I used the "B.C." instant pie-crust and it tasted homemade. (You bakers will know what I mean, if not shoot me an email or leave a comment.)

3. Cover with your top crust, seal tightly.

4. Brush top of crust with a little bit of milk, sprinkle with sugar, and cut some vents into it.

5. Bake at 400 for 50 minutes with the edges covered. Then remove the foil around the edges and back for another 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbly.

The end result?!?!

 A scrumptious pie Simply Created by Cole...

 This week I am joining Kristen over at her blog, "We are THAT family,"  for her "Works For Me Wednesday" party. I would highly recommend it. There are going to be some great fall recipes. 

 

November and Baking

Can you believe it is November already?

I can't, the time has gone by so fast.

It feels like just yesterday I was starting the school year with my new students.

I'm still figuring out this whole schedule thing.

Balancing work, home, life, and writing.

The routines seem to change just like the seasons and sports seasons.

A different thing each night.

What I've learned continued to be reminded of...

is...

I don't have to be perfect.

Just be me.

Can I get an amen? :)

I look forward to this season...

pumpkins, spices, cozy blankets, hoodies, scarves, and baking!

Remember this scrumptious beauty?

Well...

this week I am going to share an awesome recipe that...

will allow you to enjoy homemade, fresh pie...

long after the orchards are closed for the winter.

To help you prepare and make the recipe along with me this week...

here is what you will need...

*4 quarts of peeled, sliced fresh peaches or about 20-25 medium peaches

* sugar

*  Ultra Gel

*salt

* lemon juice

*disposable pie tins (I used 4)

* foil

*saran-wrap

*gallon freezer zip-lock bags

This may seem like a lot of work BUT...

it is seriously the greatest thing next to chocolate & peanut butter combined.

So. Grab your stuff. 

And meet me back here this week.

Not only do I have a scrumptious, beauty of a pie planned but some other...

Simply Created, Simply Beautiful things as well.

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

A Secret...

I have a secret...
I love to bake!

Like full out, full on, bake up a storm.

weheartit

This *sweet* secret began...

when I was little.

Watching my mom bake all her goodies...

for holidays, special occasions, those needing some encouragement, and just because.

I remember standing on the kitchen table chair watching her...

whip, stir, sprinkle...

such sweet goodies.

Occasionally, sneaking a warm cookie off the parchment paper only...

to leave a ring of a cookie gone missing.

Because of my mom...

I love to bake.

I've not done much baking this past year until a summer trip to the Orchard.

Now, with the Holidays approaching...

I look forward to baking some amazing recipes passed on from my mom...

Trying some new ideas...

And sharing these wonderful goodies with others and YOU.

To get it started...

here is a glimpse of a yummy peach pie...

Created with yummy peaches from the orchard.

And boy do I have any amazing recipe for you...

A recipe for the pie that will allow you to enjoy it year round.

 For now, here is a sneak peak to get your taste buds going...

Yep, this is homemade, fresh, peach pie...

Straight from the Orchard to my oven.

What is your secret?

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

Fall at the...

Apparently the orchard is so much fun it begs more than one trip...

A few weeks ago some friends and I went back out to the orchard...

This time we loaded up on tons of apples, 

a few pears,

and lots of fun memories.

While we were at it...

we decided to drive to a pumpkin patch too!

Here's our adventures in picture form...

{lots of pictures coming up}

 A corn pit...

 Juggling pears...

Who doesn't try that in an orchard?

 Apples, and lots of them!

I don't remember the name of these, but I hear they make great pie!

Good thing, I got a large bag.

 A pause to capture memories...

Go Green!

 A beautiful fall day...

 A scarecrow...

 Lots of people picking pumpkins...

 And, a corn maze...

What is your favorite fall activity??

Have a Lovely Day,

Cole

Now showing...when peaches fly!

Remember...

not so long ago...

An apple orchard adventure, complete with the 80's throw-backs?

Where I got all these yummy peaches.

My friend, Rachel, makes some yummy, instant, freezer jam.

So, I thought I'd give it a shot.

{Lots o' photos coming up}

First, I gathered everything I needed

{Cuz' I roll like that}

 

{note to self...next time save the Pectin pack with directions so I can give the amounts}

Second, I peeled the peaches...

{This is before I found out how to boil the peaches and have the skins slide right off}

And, I put them into this...

But then, I decided that I didn't want chunky jam. 

So out came the food processor...

Not, before I realized as Peaches went flying...

that I had the lid on wrong,

which left a large gap,

which flung peaches,

e.v.e.r.y. w.h.e.r.e.

I was shocked {but only for a second}...

but then rolling with laughter.

I literally was cleaning peaches off the cupboard, dishwasher, and floor!

Once the laughter died down...

I added the sugar, lemon juice, and pectin mixture to the fruit as the Pectin package said.

I allowed it to sit for the amount of time as said on "package."

{Really, truly, next time I will have it more together.}

:)

Lastly...

I poured the mixture into these nifty, plastic, freezer cups.

{Please excuse the *gasp* blinds in the background.}

How did it turn out you may wonder?

Well...

it's super sweet,

a little too runny, 

but set up perfectly in the freezer.

What did I learn from this new adventure?

1. It's not a good idea to start a project like this at 11:30 p.m. {yep, no joke}

2. Pictures, Pictures, Pictures {I did not take enough}

3. Save the package {a.k.a. directions}

4. Never give up...even when peaches fly!

You'll still get a really good product and learn something or somethings to boot!

I've got another peach recipe for you soon...

Instant peach pie filling.

Don't worry...

I've got L.O.T.S of pictures

&

all the directions.

Love, Cole

Easy Peezy PB Kiss recipe

I've got another Easy Peezy recipe for you...

(did you get the last Easy Peezy recipe?? Mexicorn Dip?? YUM!)

I love this one because it is quick, simple, and cheap to make...

but it tastes like a million bucks!

It's a great recipe for an impromptu get-together...

one to do with your children and have some quality time...

or a razzler dazzler for college students on a *budget*...

Here's the low-down...

You will need:

 1 cup PB

1 egg

1 Cup Sugar

Mixing Bowl

1 Cup

Mixing Spoon

Baking Sheet

Baking Spray or Parchment Paper

The process:

* Pre-heat oven to 350

*In mixing bowl, beat egg first

*Then add sugar and PB

*Mix well into a stiff dough and roll into the size of a walnut

*Lightly spray or cover a baking sheet with parchment paper

*Place walnut sized PB balls on baking sheet and push a small indention in center with thumb

*Back at 350 for 10-15 minutes (depending on your oven)

*As soon as they are out, let them cool for about two minutes

*Place unwrapped Hershey Chocolate Kiss into each indention.

*Makes about 24-26 cookies

Insider hints:

*I've found putting the cookies into the fridge after they are baked and have a 

Hershey Kiss on top will help them set up faster.

*The parchment paper works a bit smoother with these cookies as far as stick-ability.

*You can definitely double or triple this recipe at one time.

*Un-wrapping the Hershey Kisses first is a time saver.

ENJOY!!

photo credit courtesy of weheartit

"O My Lanta..."

My heart stopped...

For just a little bit today...

while working on the blog ...

I LOST my background and some wording...

"O My Lanta..."

but the problem was solved by Casey at Hot Bliggity Blog...

she responded quickly...

seconds to be exact...

and talked me through it all...

THANK YOU Casey and Hot Bliggity Blog!!!...

You ROCK!!

photo credit courtesy of weheartit

*Coming soon...Easy Peezy PB Kiss Cookies (a great recipe for anyone or to send with a college-bound student)

Easy Peezy Mexicorn Dip

Hi!

How was your weekend?

I hope that you enjoyed the "lazy days" of summer. ;)

Today I wanted to share with you one of my favorite go-to recipes...

It's super quick...

and Easy Peezy...

~MEXICORN DIP~

You will need:

1 small crockpot or it can be cooked on the stove

1 can Mexicorn

1 can Rotell (I usually use the Mild, but any will do)

1 package of Cream Cheese

Chili Powder to taste (optional)

The Process:

Are you ready?

Open up all ingredients...

Pour into crockpot or pan...

Cook until smooth and creamy (stirring along the way)...

Enjoy!!

Really... that is all there is to it!

Easy Peezy, right!?

I love this recipe because I usually always have these ingredients on hand...

just grab some tortilla chips and you're set to go...

You can always throw one of these (sombreros) in for fun...

(taken several years ago at a Cinco De Mayo party... ;))

What is your favorite Easy Peezy Go-To recipe?

Have a lovely day!

~Nicole~