Pic of the Fruit Salsa

So I was talking earlier about cleaning out the fridge and creating something from the leftovers - this is a trait that my mom has down pat! So here is the fruit salsa served over grilled chicken which was marinated in a lime/citrus marinate. There is white rice on the side (the rice is plain right now but after I took the pic I smothered it the soy sauce) and sliced cukes with italian dressing.

I honestly wasn't sure whether or not I would enjoy the salsa but I truly did. I went back for more because there just wasn't enough on my plate. And the best news of all - hubby tried, liked it and went back for more!!! Based on that simple fact the meal was a success in my book!!

Fruit Salsa?

So today, like many other Saturdays, I cleaned out the fridge. This can be a horrifying and terrifying expedition but it can also be quite refreshing. After everything was removed from the fridge, I scrubbed down all the shelves. It actually wasn't as bad as I thought it might be it - was just soooo cluttered I didn't know what was in there or what was growing it's own arms and legs if you know what I mean. In the process I came across a few strawberries that needed to be used up, some canned pineapple that needed to be used as well and some cilantro. So I got to thinking, "what can I do with these ingredients cuz I certainly couldn't just throw them out?" So how about some fruit salsa. I got to work on it. I chopped up the strawberries, the pineapple and cilantro and mixed them in a bowl. Next I went digging for more things to add. Found some green onions, chopped them and added them. Found a piece of leftover red pepper - chopped and added that to the bowl. And low and behold I had some wonderful jalapenos. Chopped, seeded (cuz not everyone likes it as how as I do) and added that to the bowl. Next I squeezed in some lime juice and honey. Sprinkled on some cayenne pepper and cumin. Tossed it a bit and right now it's marinating in the fridge for dinner tonight. I decided to marinate some boneless chicken for the grill to go with the salsa. The marinate was also a menagerie of leftovers from the fridge. I used the rest of the lime juice, some blood orange infused olive oil (this was gift from my daughter), cilantro, garlic, taco sauce and cactus jack spice (this is a wonderful secret spice mixture I get from brother). Whisked that up and poured it over the chicken. Later I'll grill the chicken and serve with the salsa. My fridge looks great and now I have some wonderful food for dinner. When my mom cleaned out her fridge she would make garbage soup. What do you do? Do you just throw everything away or do you try to repurpose it? Let me know...I'll let you know how dinner turns out but I don't think the hubby will be too fond of it. He believes salsa is only made from tomatoes and peppers and onions!! I'm gonna try and broaden his thinking!!

Game Night Oops!

So I worked pretty much all day trying to get appetizers all ready and make sure the house was all nice and clean for the girls to come over for game night. I was already and set to go....just waiting the arrival of my guests. The girls start to arrive, I laid out the goodies I had prepared and we begin to partake! We munched for a while and then decide it was time to begin the game. The games went well (I didn't win one pot) and then we broke for dessert. Oh it looked lovely and tasted just as wonderful. But guess what - no pics!! Ugh I forget to get out the camera and take some pictures for the blog! I'm such an airhead sometimes.

So the best I can do is let you know that everything was delicious. We had dates stuffed with pecans and wrapped in bacon - well everything with bacon tastes delicious!! We had a new type of veggie dip with freshly cut veggies (I had to throw in something semi-healthy) and we had a spinach and chick pea spread and for the protein we had some Asian style chicken wings. The dessert I think was the biggest hit - we had Chocolate and Strawberry Nachos. Omgoodness! Definitely a recipe worth repeating.

As for the game (LCR) - I did not win at all. The wealth of the winnings was spread everywhere else around the table.

All in all we had a great time. I'm working on the next venture - hopefully I'll remember the camera for the next one.

A gift from God

Today is my youngest child's birthday. Way back in 1988 (oooo this just makes my body ache)....anyway - focus! Way back in 1988 my husband and I had some discussions about whether or not we should have another baby. He was of the opinion that the boy and girl we had were plenty. I wasn't so convinced. The discussions were tabled until around Christmas time 1988 when I proudly announced to my wonderful husband "honey, God has decided to grace us with another child!" Of course, I was helping with the Lord by sometimes forgetting to take that little pill every day that helps prevent these things from happening.....but I won't tell if you don't!! She turns 22 today (another thing that makes my body ache)!! She is a beautiful woman now and continues to amaze me with the things she can do. She is sweet and kind and she is a fireball and a tornado. I'm so happy that she calls me mom!! Happy Birthday Chelsea!! Oh and don't tell her I put this photo up - I'm sure she won't like it but it's the most recent one I have!!

Time for Change!!

So the photo above was taken several years ago and I'm thinking that we need to update it. We have all changed quite a bit since this photo was taken except for Brenda, Sharon and Louise, they are pretty much the same. I've put on a "few" pounds since then, Mom's hair is no longer that curly and she now lives in AZ :( and Danielle and Colleen are thinner. So I'm guessing that I'm the one that found their lost pounds!! Anyway since Brenda has decided to become an excellent photograph I'm thinking we will get her to update our photo. Don't know when we will do this - so be prepared girls!! O and the girl sitting behind Colleen - I have no idea who she is. She looks so terrified like she doesn't want to be associated with any of us!! She really didn't want to be in the picture. Our group may not be for everyone and we may be a bit frightening at times but we are definitely a fun group aren't we?

Hot as a Mutha!!

So I was watching Heat Seekers on the Foodnetwork the other night. The visited this restaurant that makes Hot as a Mutha Pasta. My son and I thought "Yes, this would be good." So I started to my quest to first off the recipe. My son, didn't think the restaurant would publish their recipe but I thought - of course they would. Not sure if I started looking for the recipe because I really wanted to make it......which I did...........or just to prove my son wrong. Low and behold - I got it!!! So today I ventured out to gather the ingredients. One thing about New England stores - they are not well stocked with habanero peppers!! And I needed a pound of them. Anyway.........I cleaned out two stores and have approximately 3/4 pound. I figure it should be good enough.....after all how hot do I really want this sauce. So tonight I will be making the sauce and this weekend I'll be trying it with my son. Will let you know exactly how hot this sauce really is!