Fresh Pico de Gallo

Farmer's market means, fresh veggies and herbs!  My husband and I took advantage of the fall like weather and loaded up our dog and off we went!  It was the perfect day at the market.  I even tried goat cheese (again) still don't like it.  Found some fabulous local vendors and some great treats!

I was feeling pico in my soul, so we picked up everything I needed.  Oh the joy of fresh veggies as opposed to the icky stuff in the store.  Take advantage while you still can!!!

This recipe seems to easy to even share, but I am sharing it anyway!  I never miss the chance to make some fresh pico and just wanted to share how I do it!

While I enjoy the combination of white onion and green onions, please, use just one or the other if you like.  Cilantro is another "to taste" ingredient.  We have discussed this on social media before, it seems people love it or hate it, there isn't much of an in between.  I VERY finely minced mine so a tablespoon is perfect, if you like more, get on with it!

2 cups finely diced tomatoes
1 jalapeno FINELY minced (remove veins and seeds unless you want to shoot fire out of your....whatever)
1/4 cup finely minced white onion
1 green onion chopped
1 T cilantro (not my fav, so add more if you like)
1/2 of a lime
1 tsp. salt

Place all ingredients into a bowl and mix until combined.  I used 1 tsp of salt and then ended up adding a WEE bit more.

This pico is so refreshing, so flavorful and should definitely make all of my healthy eaters happy! Very easy to double or triple for a party, and it will keep in the fridge a few days, so make tons, it is a delicious snack!  I think I will use the rest on some well seasoned grilled chicken breasts!  I am down for healthy AND this delicious and I hope you love it too!

This will get stronger onion and jalapeno flavor the longer it sets.  You could let the tomatoes drain before mixing in other ingredients, I simply use a slotted spoon to scoop it out into a bowl for eating!  

ENJOY!

Lime Cheesecake Dip

As I sit here writing..........  the same 3 neighborhood dogs have been "talking" to each other going on about 5 hours.  I love dogs, I love dogs more than most people, but for the love of the dog pound, can we get these things to SHUT UP?!?!

I had to get it out to someone, and you guys were here.  And so it goes!

I don't know about you, but when I get asked to bring "something", "somewhere" last minute, I panic.  I seriously have 50 things in my arsenal that are for situations just like these, so why do I panic?  "Have I taken this before"?  :Will anybody like it"?  "Do I have all the ingredients".  Those kind of thoughts run through my head.  Because let me tell you something, I dislike going to the store.  I want to make the list, and have an expert pick my items up and deliver, then I need someone else to put them away.  Again, distracted.  UGH these dogs!

Here is a simple, 4 ingredient dip, that you can whip up in ohhh....let's say 3 minutes, if you have to plug in your hand mixer.  Please, serve it with some honey graham sticks, they are the perfect balance.   OR, you could do nilla wafers, or, whatever tickles your fancy.

2, 8oz bricks of cream cheese, softened
1 cup powdered sugar
1 lime, juiced and zested
1 tsp vanilla extract

Add all ingredients to a bowl and get at it with your hand mixer.  Mix until creamy and smooth. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving, longer is better.

SEE!  Now, get your things together and get off to where you are taking this to, and throw kisses to your public as they swoon over your dip!

ENJOY!

Citrus Spritzer

I have to admit something. 

I recently visited my mom, who, though she completely is lost by this "blogging" thing, is very supportive of it.  She has been "going through" everything in her house, because she knows I love all kinds of dishes to photograph on and just for general use. 

Well, I knew I wanted to make a citrus drink but I also wanted a clear pitcher.  For some reason, I do not own a clear glass pitcher.  So while doing dishes, I spot one in her cupboard.  Now, she has shrunk to about 3'7 and I know she doesn't even remember it is in the TOP of the cupboard let alone use it.  So I finish the dishes, put on my best "perfect 10" face and into the living room I go.  It went something like this:

Me: Hey Mom, you don't happen to have a clear glass pitcher you want to get rid of do you?
Mom: I don't think so, let me think.
Me: (waits patiently, baring my pearly whites)
Mom: If I do ,it would be in the corner cupboard on the top shelf of the lazy susan. (where they have been for at least 150 years)
Me: Ok, I am going to look.  What if I find one?
Mom: Well, bring it here if you do.
Me: (goes into kitchen pretends to bang things around).  I FOUND ONE!!
Mom: Let me see it!
Me: OMG it is perfect for what I need.  Do you USE it?
Mom: No but it belonged to Marie.
Me: And?
Mom: Well, I don't really want to get rid of it.
Me: Mom, be real here, when is the last time you used it.
Mom: Well probably never but that is beside the point.
Me: You said you are cleaning things out, just think of what a good home this will have.
Mom:  Let me think about it. 
Me: Ok well do you want me to put it back in the cupboard or put it in this box of stuff you found for me.
Mom: Chris, you aren't going to trick me into giving it to you.
Me: Mom, there is no statute of limitations on child abuse and you spanked me with a wooden spoon, at LEAST 5,000 times as a child. 
Mom: If you don't put that pitcher back in the cupboard you are going to see me turn this walker into a deadly weapon.
Me: Mom, you seem angry, are you ok?  Is this part of dementia that is likely setting in?
Mom: The only demented thing about ME is giving birth to YOU. 
Me: Give me the pitcher mom, just do it.
Mom: FINE.  Take the pitcher but if I want it back you better give it back.
Me: You won't, but ok.

See it is all about wearing them down kids!  Even at 39, I can wear her down.  Really we were laughing so hard during this conversation it was pretty hilarious, perhaps you had to be there. 

Anyway, to the point at hand.  What is better on a hot summer day than a refreshing, cold beverage?  Water is almost always my first choice, but this citrus drink, is SO refreshing, you won't want to be without it!

I think this would be great served for a party, a meal, or just an afternoon by the pool, in the backyard, anywhere! 

1 12oz container of frozen limeade concentrate
2 oranges (1 sliced)
2 limes-sliced
1 lemon-sliced
1 liter Sprite/7 up/Sierra Mist OR Prosecco
1/4 cup sugar (optional, use it if you think it needs it)

Mix limeade according to package directions in a large pitcher.  Cut one orange in half and squeeze into limeade, discard when you have squeezed all the juice from them.  Stir.  Add in citrus 20 minutes before serving.  If you add it before that, the peel will bitter your beverage.  Pour a glass 1/2-3/4 full of limeade and then spritz it with your carbonated beverage of choice.  Make it alcoholic or don't, the choice is yours!

NOTE! Make sure to get extra fruit to garnish glasses or to add a slice into each glass when serving!

I hope you try this and I hope you love it so much, you have to keep making it!  It is the perfect summer refresher, that can be made in one pitcher, and spritzed for either a drinker or a non drinker!

Your "aaahhhhhhh this is perfect" Chefwannabe

Cherry Limeade Cupcakes

So, you DID listen to me and you did come over for this one eh?  Cool, glad you did.  This may seem like a regular cupcake recipe but it has a fun twist and when you see what it is, you are going to think to yourself, "COOL"!  If you have a child celebrating a birthday soon, don't order cupcakes, make these!  Let me get on to gettin' on so you can find out, I possibly hit this one out of the park.  

Well, you all know how I feel about box cake mixes.  And to be honest, I swear I was going to use a from scratch recipe today.  When at the last minute I decided to divide my batter, I decided I was going with a box.  You will see why.  I just want it to be noted, I DID plan on making cake from scratch.  Even fate thinks I am better off with the box!

Cherry limeades are possibly my second most favorite drink, especially in the summer.  My husband so kindly brought me one a week or so ago and with my unwavering love of cupcakes I thought I should probably try to put this drink, in a cupcake.  I did it, I really did it.  AND, to top it off, literally, you get a sweet little cherry, and POP ROCKS!  I wanted to be able to give you that fizzy in your mouth like a limeade that is carbonated and what better way?  It beat out the idea of just having you pour baking soda and vinegar with a shot of lime down your throat.  Better choice, don't you think?

Here is what you will need for the cake part of this recipe:

White cake mix
Cherry Flavoring
2 limes (zest AND juice)
green food coloring
red food coloring

Mix cake according to package directions EXCEPT, leave out the water it calls for.  At this point divide into 2 bowls.

Bowl 1 gets, half the amount of water called for, 3-5 drops of red food coloring and 3 tsp cherry flavor.  Mix completely.

Bowl 2 gets, zest of one lime, juice from 2 limes into a measuring cup.  Whatever the difference is between the lime juice and half of the measurement needed for water, make up with water added to your lime juice.  Also add 3-5 drops of green food coloring.

Preheat oven to the temperature on the box and line cupcake pan with liners.  (have some that are slightly attractive, unlike mine, thus the missing liner on the photos)

Add green batter to the bottoms of all the liners, about 1 1/2 tbsp, and then add the red/pink batter on top.  You want to make it so this fills the cupcake up 2/3 of the way.  I got 18 cupcakes, but I think you should easily get 20.  I overfilled a handful of them.  Bake according to package directions, they are done when a toothpick inserted, comes out clean.  Let cool completely.  While you are letting them cool, lets get started on the icing!



Lime Buttercreamcheese Frosting
4oz cream cheese at room temp
1 stick butter (room temp)
4 cups powdered sugar  (keep an extra 1/2 cup handy just in case)
green food coloring
2 limes (zest and juice)
marashino cherrys
pop rocks (cherry or strawberry)

Combine all ingredients with a hand mixer or stand mixer.  Mix until completely smooth and all food coloring is mixed in.

I used a piping back, and piped the icing on the cupcakes.  Top with a maraschino cherry, and cherry pop rocks.  If you want, RIGHT before serving you can drizzle a tiny bit of cherry juice over the top to get the rocks crackling while serving!  These are so fun!!  You will be a rock star if you serve these to a bunch of kids OR adults!

Your "buy extra pop rocks for yourself"chefwannabe

Chris

Key Lime Mousse Pie/Cheesecake!!!!!

It is FINALLY Friday friends!  Man this has been the week from H-E, double hockey sticks!!  I apologize for my slacking, just haven't had time this week.  It is over, it is done and we never have to relive it again.  Right?  Can you give me an AMEN to that?

When you want to indulge, in something sweet, with a slight tart undertone, a decadent texture and flavor, yet light, this is it!  This is the kind of pie you keep going back for, for another piece!  Give me cream cheese, fresh whipped cream and butter and it is like my dream recipe for heaven's sake.  I can't say no to any of those ingredients!!  Can you?!?!


This is an amazing recipe I got from a fellow Army mom, way back when my son was in BCT.  I needed an easy cheesecake, pie, something, dessert and this is what was shared with me.  I made it and could not believe how good it was.  I will warn you, it SEEMS like alot of work, but it isn't.  There are alot of steps but it is really very easy.  The result is a flavor to behold and although I love lime, I did cut the juice in half and and the zest.  I will keep the original measurements in and just note what I did. 


Remember when whipping heavy cream to put your bowl and whisk or beaters in the freezer for 15 min or so before, and that your cream is cold, it will whip up in half the time.  You could also use gingersnaps for your crust.  When it came time to add my cream cheese, I did it in my food processor! This pie is somewhere between cheesecake and key lime pie.  It is so tasty and you could add a couple of drops of green food coloring to drive home the lime and the Christmas color if you wanted!  


This makes a ton of filling and I think could easily make 2 pies.  


* 2 cups Nilla Wafer Cookie Crumbs
* 2 tablespoons white sugar
* 6 tablespoons melted butter
* 1 (.25 ounce) envelope unflavored gelatin
* 2/3 cup lime juice (I used 1/3 cup)
* 2 1/2 cups heavy cream, divided
* 9 ounces white chocolate, chopped
* 3 (8 ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup white sugar
* 2 tablespoons grated lime zest (I used 1 tbsp)

Directions

1. Combine cookie crumbs and sugar in a large bowl. Pour in melted butter, and mix thoroughly. Press into the bottom, and 1-inch up the sides of a 10-in springform pan.
2. Sprinkle the gelatin over the lime juice in a small bowl, and set aside to soften. Bring 1/2 cup of whipping cream to a simmer in a heavy pan. Remove from heat, and stir in the white chocolate until melted. Mix the gelatin into the chocolate until well combined; set aside to cool. Beat remaining 2 cups of cream to stiff peaks in a large bowl, and set aside.
3. Beat the cream cheese with the sugar with an electric mixer until well blended. Slowly blend chocolate mixture into cream cheese, then mix in lime zest. Fold the whipped cream into the cream cheese mixture, and pour into prepared crust. Cover, and refrigerate overnight.


Please take the time to make this incredible dessert. Though I did not garnish mine, the possibilities, especially with the holidays are endless!!  

Your "cheesecake addicted" chefwannabe

Chris