Mom's Salsa Recipe

Mom emailed this to Ryan so since I'm sure others might want it I thought I'd put in on here as well :)  Can't wait to try this :)  

Joyce's Salsa
 
3 quarts smashed tomatoes (scald and slip the skins off before smashing)
2 large ground onions
2 small chiles (17 oz. diced green chiles)
1 1/4 t. parsley flakes
2 tsp. garlic salt
2 T. salt
1/4 tsp. oregano
3 T. shilling Mexican seasoning
Boil all together about 45 minutes.*
Bottle & process 25 minutes
 
*Instead of the stove top I often put the salsa in the oven on a very low heat and let it cook for several hours (or all day) stirring occasionally.  The object is to allow it to thicken up as it cooks down.  
 
Also, I add jalapeno peppers and haven't always used the chiles.  I haven't always been able to find Mexican seasoning so I use taco seasoning.
 

{ Bud's Birthday Bash }

Food, Mirror, & Squirrel

Catching up.. This is Lydia's first experience eating out of a spoon.  I didn't mix enough rice cereal with milk this first time.  I've figured it out now :)

Lydia is really funny when she see's herself in the mirror.  Of course this is a video of after I went to grab the camera and she stopped giggling but a video nonetheless.

This last video is Ryan setting the squirrel free at an elementary school.  He was eating our tomato's in our garden so we got a trap and caught him :)  But then we had to bring him on our date night to set him free at least a couple miles away so he wouldn't come back .

Best TEXAS Sheet Cake EVER!

If ever craving chocolate...this is the fix!!  Just make sure you are ready to exercise because you will probably gain 10 lbs from eating it--and you can't stop at just one.  It is soooooooo good!!

Ingredients
1 cup butter, cubed
1 cup water
1/4 cup baking cocoa
2 cups all-purpose flour
2 cups sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 cup sour cream

Icing
1/2 cup butter, cubed
1/4 cup plus 2 TBSP milk
3 TBSP baking cocoa
3 3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract

Directions
In a large saucepan, bring the butter, water and cocoa to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Combine the flour, sugar, baking soda and salt; add to cocoa mixture.  Stir in the sour cream until smooth.

Pour into a greased 15x10 inch baking pan.  Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean.

In a small saucepan, melt butter; add milk and cocoa.  Bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Whisk in confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth.  Pour over warm cake.  Cool completely on a wire rack.

**This recipe does not use eggs**

Hold onto your undies and socks---this is going to knock them off!!! ;)

Chicken & Spinach Pasta Bake

I made this a few weeks ago because I needed to use up the spinach I had in my freezer.  I was worried no one would like it due to the spinach, but surprisingly, they LOVED it!!  It is super fast and easy--great for a week-day meal when life is busy. ;)

8 oz uncooked rigatoni

1 T olive oil

1 c chopped onion

1 (10oz) pack frozen spinach, thawed

3 c cubed, cooked chicken breasts (or whatever chicken)

1 (14oz) can Italian-style diced tomatoes, drained

1 (8oz) container chive & onion cream cheese

1/2 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp pepper

1 1/2 c shredded mozzarella cheese

Prepare rigatoni according to pkg directions.  Spread oil on bottom of 11x7 baking dish; add onion in a single layer.  Bake at 375 for 15 minutes or just until tender.  Transfer onion to large bowl, set aside.

Drain chopped spinach well, pressing between paper towels.  Stir in rigatoni, spinach, chicken, & next 4 ingredients into onion in bowl.  Spoon mixture into dish & sprinkle evenly with shredded mozzarella cheese (the more the better).  Bake covered at 375 for 30 minutes; uncover & bake 15 more minutes or until bubbly.

Enjoy!!