Fresh Salsa Recipe

I think I had combined several different recipes to make the one I served on New Years Day. You can make it "to taste".
1 can corn - drain
1 can black beans - drain and rinse
1 or 2 small cans sliced olives - drain
Finely chop - one green pepper, one red pepper, one small red onion, one bunch cilantro leaves(don't use the stems)
4 -5 tomatoes - seeded and chopped
1 tsp. salt
juice of 3 limes - squeeze over 2-3 chopped avacados and then stir that into the other veges.
I think that is about it - enjoy!

Obviously - I have had a life long love affair with food - but about the only time I enjoy cooking anymore is when I think someone might really enjoy it. Thank you to all you came in on Wednesday - and want to make it a a tradition. Like I have always told my children - "We'll see"
I plan on taking down my Christmas decorations this weekend and putting the house back in order - will see how far I get. Have a great day, Kaye

New Years Day

Our gathering on Thursday was alot of fun - some ladies even got a project made! The food was a success and several people had asked for recipes - so I will put them on the blog - maybe someday I can get my "Web Master" to create a spot where I can add some others. If any of you have the South Cache Quilters 20th Anniversary Cookbook, the pasta salad recipe is on page 52 - with just a few changes in the dressing.
"Chunky Pasta Salad"
2 packages pasta - any variety - cook 7 minutes
1 cucumber - cut into bite size pieces
2 tomatoes, seeded and cut into bite sized pieces
1 bunch green onions - sliced
1 green pepper - diced
1 - 2 cans baby corn, drain and cut
2 cans pitted olives - drained
1 package pepperoni , cut each slice in half
2 cans artichokes, drained and quartered
1 zucchini, julienned
1 bunch asparagus, blanced and cut into 1" pieces ( throw it in with the pasta for about 4 min.)
2 stalks celery - sliced 1/2 c sunflower seeds
Combine all ingrediants in a large bowl.

Dressing - combine in large container - blend real well -
3/4 C oil 3/4 c sugar
1 1/2 c. vinegar - use 1 c white, and the rest balsamic and seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp. salt 1 tsp. pepper 1 Tbl. prepared mustard
1 Tbl. garlic salt 1 Tbl. parsley flakes 1 tsp. celery seed - opt.
Pour over salad - blend well - let sit over night. Makes a huge yummy salad!

Cranberry Spread
1 bag fresh cranberries - wash -drain - chop fine in food processor
1 jalepeno pepper - finely chopped
1/4 c finely chopped cilantro 1/2 tsp. cumin
4 - 6 green onions - finely chopped
2/3 c. sugar
Mix all ingrediants together - spread over a 8 oz. package of cream cheese. Serve with crackers and chips.

2009 is almost here- I can hardly believe this year is over. I hope you are all planning on coming to our New Years Day Sa-le-bratin. From noon to 5 we will have almost everything in the store 25% OFF - you can't beat that!!!! Bring your machine and sew the afternoon away. I have also come up with two different pin cushions you can make - one from wool and one from cotton. There will be some yummy treats as well - I hope you can join us. We are putting together a class schedule - so if you have any requests please let me know. The Winterfest trunk show will be coming down this week - so if you still want to see the great classes being offered, you had better hustle in. Hope you and yours are enjoying the holidays - it has been alot of fun for my family and I. So incase I don't get back here before the year is over - I hope for a peaceful, prosperious and Happy New Year for us all. Kaye