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9.28.2011

{recipe & free printable} Canning Homemade Salsa & Free Printable

We had a bushel of fresh tomatoes sitting on our counter for a few days and I needed to use them QUICK!  So... I decided to make and can some fresh salsa.  I did some research online and canning acidic items can be tricky.  From what I've read you really need to make sure you add enough lemon/lime juice or vinegar to counteract the tomatoes acidity and prevent it from harboring botulism. So... here we go...
Items needed (for 1 batch):  I made roughly 7 batches and it yielded in 5 jars for canning, plus a little bowl full for immediate consumption.
3 Fresh/Ripe Tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/2 White Onion, roughly chopped
1/2 Bunch of Cilantro
3 Chili Peppers (I prefer to use jarred peppers, because then I can use roughly 1 teaspoon of juice from the jar)
1 1/2 Teaspoons Lime Juice
Garlic Salt (to taste--but I typically use 1/2 Tablespoon)

*This salsa is a bit spicy so if you have a milder taste omit one of the chili peppers and cut down the amount of chili pepper juice you use from the jar.

To make pico de gallo I would just cut all of the ingredients into like sized bite pieces and mix together, but to make the salsa below I put everything into my food processor and pureed it until smooth.  I wasn't sure it was going to turn out, but low and behold it tasted great!


 Now onto the canning part...because the recipe is raw you will need to process it in the water bath longer than if you had cooked the salsa over the stove top first.  Ladle the salsa into the sterilized jars leaving some space on the top.  Cover with your lids and place your jars into the water.  Make sure there is roughly 1-2 inches of water covering the top of the jars once the basket is submerged.
 Next, taking into consideration where you live and how high of an altitude you reside in will determine how long you process your jars in boiling water.  We live in zone 2 according to the lid of the canner so once the red needle reached the green area on zone 2 I began my timer for processing.  I processed this salsa for 75 minutes because the ingredients were raw going into the jars.

 Once processed, take them out and let them cool before attaching any labels.  Check the lids for air tightness.  Push the middle of the lid and if it pops back they haven't processed long enough. Make sure you store in a neutral environment-- not too cold, not too hot, not too sunny...etc.  I put my jars in the pantry.
 Yum!  It was pretty darn good if I do say so myself. Next time we'll heat the salsa up in the microwave, add some grated cheddar cheese and eat it with chips.  Enjoy, we sure did!
Oh and of course you need a printable label to go along with your jars of salsa.
Download FREE Printable HERE

9.27.2011

{gift} Newborn Name Onesies

I know I've been M.I.A. this past little while-- I apologize.  We went on vacation and I had a hard time coming back and getting into the swing of things.  Anyway, could you die over the tininess of these onesies?  I could!  It almost makes me want another one right now.  Almost!  My cousin is due with twins in November so I decided to make her some hospital name onesies.  She has chosen to name the twins after some very special family members-- Ruth & Jack.  Darling names I must say.  I wasn't too thrilled with how they turned out, but then decided over time I liked the distressed look.  The vintage look happens when you iron on the reversed image twice, once after it has already cooled down.  If you're not a fan of the distressed look don't make the same mistake I did and iron it too much! ;)
Sadly, by the time I got around to posting this my cousin has lost one of her babies.  Such sad and awful news to hear.  I pray that the remainder of her pregnancy goes smoothly and all is well in the end.

You can email me through my Etsy site for custom name printables for iron-ons or stickers.  The cost-- $3.50/custom name printable.
STAY TUNED-- I have some fun FREE HALLOWEEN PRINTABLES coming soon.  Complete with banner, cupcake toppers, apothecary jar labels, and tented food card labels!

9.02.2011

{etsy} New Customizable Printable Parties Uploaded

PIRATE PARTY PRINTABLES
AARRRGH! I've been busy making some fun new party printables for my Etsy site.  Hope ya'll don't mind that I've neglected the blog for a bit.  Below you will find my newest additions.

Pirate Party Printables Include:  Banner, Invitation, Food Labels, 2" Party Circles/Cupcake Toppers, Straw Flags, Cupcake Wrappers, Pirate Hat Cut-Out, Pirate Eye Patch Cut-Out, "Pirate Loot" Party Favor Tags, Wind Sail Cut-Outs, "Sea Water" Water Bottle Labels, Treasure Hunt Clue Cards and "Pirates Only" Sign.


DRAGON--CASTLE--KNIGHT PARTY PRINTABLES
Then I created these fun castle printables for a sweet lady that contacted me about doing custom orders.

Castle Party Printables Include: Invitations, Thank You Cards, 2" Cupcake Toppers/Party Circles, Banner, Food Labels, "Thank You" Party Favor Tags (in 2 different colors), "Dragon Spit" Water Bottle Labels, Straw Flags/Tags, Welcome Sign, Directional Signage and Cupcake Wrappers.


So go on over and get a better view of my newest printables on Etsy.  Enjoy.