Black Bean and Corn Salsa

*****I have received NUMEROUS questions about this recipe questioning it's safety*****

I'm not a professional "canner" but here is my outlook. I've been canning this several times a year for the past 5 years. That being said, it usually doesn't last more than a few months in my cupboard. Beginning 2 years ago, I too thought it would be safer to pressure can this, so I have been. I believe it's safer this way. If you don't pressure can, I would recommend processing longer like 75-90 minutes depending on elevation. (I used to waterbath/steam for 25 minutes at 4500 ft elevation) however, longer cook time will overcook the tomatoes and make it not as yummy. That being said, I've never had problems with myself or kids getting sick. So I say, use the recipe, can it how you feel safe! If you do decide to use a pressure canner, I process for 15 min. I got the recipe years ago on another website and re-posted to add the changes that I made. Best of luck!!!

8 cups tomatoes, peeled, chopped and drained
2 1/2 cups onions, chopped (I use sweet onions)
1 1/2 cups green peppers
1 cup jalapeno pepper, chopped
1 cubanelle pepper, chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon black pepper
1/8 cup canning salt (if you dont have canning salt, you can use sea salt)
1/3 cup vinegar
1 (15 ounce) tomato sauce
1 (12 ounce) tomato paste
1 (15 ounce) black beans, drained and rinsed
2 cups frozen corn or canned or fresh

mix in a big pot and heat it up because you want to pack the salsa in jars while it's hot. i bring to a boil (if you can call it that) for about 5+ minutes.

eat fresh or pressure can for 75-90 minutes. (original recipe says, "can in prepared hot jars and process via water bath or steam for 10 mins, 5 additional minutes for every 1000 ft above sea level.")

i add 2 T of lemon juice and 2 T of sugar to mine... but this is totally optional. i also throw in what i have as far as pepper go. i put in a total 6 cups combined onions, peppers and jalapenos, green chilies, etc. i also put in twice the amount of corn and black beans... the first i time i put in what the recipe says and the salsa was yummy but all agreed that it needed more corn and beans.... happy canning!

makes 4-5 quarts or 7-9 pints (depends on how much corn, beans and peppers you use)

Bunny Buns (Orange Rolls) c/o Jill T.

1 pkg. yeast
¼ cup warm water

1 cup scalded milk
1/3 cup sugar
½ cup shortening
1 tsp. salt

5 ½ cups flour

2 eggs beaten

¼ cup orange juice
2 Tbs. grated orange peel

In a little bowl pour yeast into warm water. Meanwhile, blend scalded milk, sugar, shortening, salt. Cool till warm. Stir in about 2 cups flour. Beat well. Mix in eggs and stir in softened yeast. Add orange juice, orange peel, and remaining flour to make a SOFT dough. Let stand 10 minutes. Knead dough 5-10 minutes on lightly floured surface till smooth and elastic. Place in lightly greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover, let rise in warm place till doubled in size (about 2 hours). Roll out into rectangle and grease with butter. Roll up and cut like cinnamon rolls.
Let rise again and cook at 350 until they are golden brown (10-15 min). Cook a little longer then you might first think because they then to be a bit doughy.

Frosting:
All the juice from the orange that you used the peel from. I put the orange in a plastic bag and let the kids squish it up and then I drain the juice off. I mix the juice with cream cheese (4 oz) and powder sugar until I reach a consistency that looks right!

**If you're too lazy to scald your milk here is what i do.... mix the milk, shortening, salt and sugar in a pyrex and nuke for 2 mins (shortening does NOT need to melt and the mixture will be warm enough to make bread but not too hot to kill your yeast) i pour this mixture directly into my kitchen aid with the 2 cups flour, with the dough hook and finish it in there, much easier than kneading by hand!

**also, i'm too lazy to use an orange so i just use orange juice from the freezer and dried orange flakes for the peel... turned out wonderful!

Baked Oatmeal

3 cups quick oats
1 cup butter or applesauce or 1/2 cup of each
1 cup sugar
2 large eggs
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp vanilla

mix and bake in pan (9x13 for thin and smaller for thicker)
350 for 25 min, serve warm or cold

suggested toppings:
yogurt and fruit
peanut butter
bananas
cinnamon and sugar
jam and jellies
milk (more like traditional oatmeal)

Emily's Chicken Salad

Whisk together in a medium bowl....

1/2 cup light mayo
2 tablespoons sour cream
1/4 tsp parsley
1/2 tsp dill weed
1/4 tsp thyme
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp black pepper
1 tablespoon lemon juice

Mix together in a medium bowl.....

3 cups diced cooked chicken breast meat
1/2 cup finely chopped celery
1/2 cup chopped green onion
1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, drained and chopped
1 1/2 cups grated or cubed Swiss cheese
1 1/2 cups craisins or halved grapes

Mix together and serve on bagels, croissants or a bed of lettuce. YUM! Store in fridge. Tastes better the next day after flavors have mixed.

Linguine with Artichoke & Lemon

12 oz. linguine (dry or fresh)
1 cup chopped green onion
1/2 tsp. rosemary leaves
1 tbls. olive oil
1 can artichoke hearts/bottoms
2 lrg. garlic cloves, minced or sliced
3/4 cup chicken or vegetable broth
1/4 tsp. Lawry's or Jane's seasoning salt
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1/2 cup wine substitute (1/4 cup red wine vinegar 1/4 cup water)
1/2 cup whipping cream
1 tsp grated lemon peel
3 tbls. parsley
2/3 cup parmesan cheese, grated
salt and pepper to taste

while pasta is cooking.....

in a frying pan over medium heat, stir onions, garlic and rosemary for 1-2 minutes in olive oil. Add artichokes, broth, wine, cream, lemon peel and stir until boiling.

drain pasta and return to pan. Add artichoke sauce, parsley, and seasonings. Mix together and top with parmesan before serving.

This was SOOOO yummy AND notice there is no meat?

Maryland Crab Cakes

1 lb crab meat (imitation is fine)
1 cup seasoned bread crumbs
1 large egg
1/4 cup mayo
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. dry mustard
butter or frying oil

Chop crab meat (remove cartilage if you're using fresh crab). In a bowl, mix bread crumbs, egg, mayo and seasonings. Add crab meat and mix gently and thoroughly. If mixture is too dry, add a little more mayo. Shape into desired size cake (about 8-10 for smaller and 6 for larger) Cook cakes in frying pan in just enough fat to prevent sticking, until browned on both sides (about 5 min on each side.

YUM... no topping/dip necessary!!

Enchilada Sauce

INGREDIENTS
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 cup diced onion
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
5 tablespoons hot chili powder
4 1/2 cups chicken broth
1/2 (1 ounce) square semisweet chocolate

DIRECTIONS
Heat oil in a large saucepan over medium-high high heat. Saute onion until tender. Stir in garlic, oregano, cumin and cinnamon; saute for a few minutes.
Stir in flour and chili powder, stirring until sauce thickens. Slowly whisk in chicken broth; reduce until sauce reaches desired consistency. Stir in chocolate until melted and well blended.

I used canned beef, monterey jack cheese and cook-yourself tortillas from Costco and made enchiladas.... can I just say "YUMMY!!!!"?