Hot Sauce For A Crowd...

Today I made my families favorite hot sauce. I love the look of just filled canning jars sitting on the counter waiting to cool and be eaten or stored away for another day. 

Ingredients:

5-6 cans of diced tomatoes * 1 can of hot Rotel * 1 Tbs. Garlic Powder * 1 large onion, coarsely chopped * 5-6 jalapenos, chopped * 1/8 cup salt * 1/4 cup sugar (optional) * cilantro

 My food processor is not large enough to hold all of the tomatoes, so I put a couple of cans of tomatoes and the rest of the ingredients into the processor and pulse until it looks right. I don't like it pureed I like to see the vegetables, but not to the point of being chunky. 

When it is to your liking empty into a large bowl. Put the rest of the tomatoes in the processor and pulse. Add to vegetable mixture and stir well. Fill jars and store in refrigerator. I have on occasion boxed the jars and shipped them to my son. When I do this I heat the mixture in order to seal the jars. This hot sauce doesn't last long enough at our house to worry about it. Makes 7 pints.

I have modified this recipe over the years. I no longer add the sugar and we like it fine, I use a little less than the 1/8 cup of salt(this is a coffee scoop) and sometimes I use canned peppers. Tweek it to your liking and enjoy!!!

Have a great week!

Easy Five Minute Candy...

This candy is so quick and easy to make you will want to keep the ingredients on hand for emergencies. An emergency might be:

1. I need a chocolate fix.
2. I need to take something somewhere with absolutely no time to go to the store.
3. I need to take something somewhere and absolutely don't want to go to the store.
4. Unexpected company is on the way.

Other reasons:

1. It looks so good people will think I bought it at a candy store, so why would I want to go to the store.
2. It looks so good people will think if I made it I must have slaved all day, so why would I want to slave all day.
3. It's really good.

Ingredients:

1. Bag of Rolos candy
2. Bag of Pretzels
3. Pecan halves or pieces

Turn oven on. Lay Rolo's in a single layer on a cookie sheet covered in wax paper.

Set cookie sheet in warm oven for a few seconds.

 Take cookie sheet from oven when Rolos are soft and glossy. Lay a pretzel on top of Rolo and press down.

 Press pecan half or pieces into the top (I didn't have any). Place cookie sheet in refrigerator until candy is hard.

 Place on plate to take to event or leave in fridge and eat one every time you pass by.

These are great inexpensive treats to make with the kids or grandkids.

Happy snacking!!!!  

Midnight Snack...

Here's a little midnight snack I love. Popcorn with Hot Tamales. Sometimes I add some Reese's Pieces or Milk Duds.

And here's a little secret... I nearly always sneak a box of Tamales into the theatre.

I love to get a piece of salty popcorn mixed with warm melty sweetness.

Have a great week!!!