Sunday, July 11, 2010

Salsa

E and I are learning to can vegetables! It has been such a fun experience! It is not only learning something new that has been so great, but the fellowship (and working together) with friends as well! 


My friend Deana has a garden and she has so graciously shared her bounty with us.
We went to our friend Connie's house to do the canning.


We canned salsa using her recipe here.

4 quarts (8 pints) jars chopped tomatoes

3/4 cup jalapeno peppers (either canned or fresh)
1 cup white vinegar
8 ounces canned green chili peppers
1 Tablespoon salt
1 cup chopped green onions (with tops)

**We added cilantro and garlic this time and it was delicious!

Pulse in food processor being careful not to over do it!

Thursday, July 8, 2010

Tomato Soup

My friend Connie introduced me to this recipe. We are canning tomatoes this week and this is one of the things we canned with the tomatoes we picked from the garden! It is SO delicious!


2 TBS Olive oil
1 med onion, chopped
1 carrot, peeled and chopped
1 bay leaf
1 garlic clove
2 pkts stevia (2 tsp sugar)
1 TBS parsley
1 tsp salt
½ tsp pepper
¼ tsp onion salt
2 tsp soda
3 cups chicken stock
56 oz (two 28 oz cans) crushed tomatoes (approx 4 cups)

Milk or half and half (to taste) It is optional.

Heat olive oil in a large saucepan. Add onion , carrot, and bay leaf; cook over med heat. Cook about 5 minutes until vegetables are soft. Add garlic and cook 2 more minutes. Add broth and tomatoes. Puree in blender. Add stevia, parsley,salt, pepper, onion salt, and 2 tsp soda.

If serving immediately, can add either milk or half and half at this phase. This soup is also very good without the milk or cream.

Do not allow the soup to boil with the milk in it or else it may curdle.

I add the cream or milk as I prepare each bowl or mug of soup. I keep the base recipe and add the dairy or chicken stock for a lower fat option.