Firstly, I want to say a huge THANK YOU for your support with Project Food Blog. Week after week, I have been blown away by the incredible positivity and support that you have given me. My husband, family, friends, and readers have stood by my side for the past 3 months. I’ve known this from day one, but I seriously have the most amazing support a blogger could EVER ask for. I won Reader’s Choice 5 times out of 9 in the contest, so that just tells you how awesome you guys have been to me.
I did not end up winning the contest, but I would like to applaud Tiny Urban Kitchen for her win in Project Food Blog. The real value of this competition for me has been the learning experience, growth, ignited passion, and the platform to show you what I love to do.
Tonight marks the beginning of the first free weekend I have had since the start of Project Food Blog way back in September. I really don’t know what I will do with myself. Well, you know…except blog, bake, and try to fix the disaster that is my house. I feel like I have 3 months of my life to catch up on.
Oh, and I decided that I am not ready for 2011 yet…
It feels like I just wrote my 10 in 2010 resolution list and now I will be writing another one soon. It will be fun to go over though. I’m looking forward to doing a couple recaps in the next 2 weeks. I’m also very excited to tell you all about my new goals for 2011…and find out what you are shooting for too!
Yesterday, I came across Pioneer Woman’s Pico De Gallo and I suddenly found myself with a huge craving for the fresh, crisp, and clean flavours that make up this Mexican delight.
And then Pico de Gallo turned into something a bit crazy and my kitchen now looks a bit like this.
Ok, it actually it looked much, much worse.
So bad, in fact, I chose not to take a picture for fear that you would all abandon me in horror.
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Pico de Gallo
Pioneer Woman says the key to a successful and authentic Pico de Gallo is ensuring that you have an equal proportion of onion, tomato, and Cilantro. I think she is onto something because this came out delicious and very authentic!
Adapted from Pioneer Woman.
Ingredients:
- 2 large tomatoes
- 1 large bunch of Cilantro (approx 1/2-3/4 cup), thick stems removed, roughly chopped
- 1 large sweet onion
- 1 lime
- 1-2 Jalapeno peppers or other hot pepper
- Kosher salt, to taste
Directions: Finely chop the onion, tomatoes, and hot pepper. Note that the seeds inside the hot pepper are the most heat-producing, so you can remove the seeds if you don’t want it super hot. Remove thick stems of the Cilantro and then roughly chop. Mix the onion, tomato, hot pepper, and Cilantro in a bowl and squeeze fresh lime juice on top. Stir well and then season with kosher salt to taste.
Makes about 4 cups worth and lasts only for about 24 hours or so. Seal in an airtight container to keep it fresh. Use in quesadillas, tacos, fajitas, or just enjoy with some of your favourite nacho chips!
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To make, grab your Pico de Gallo rock stars…
My grocery store did not have jalapeno peppers, so I grabbed this one above, which I believe is some kind of banana chili pepper.
It was hot.
And it worked.
Chop your little heart out. Actually don’t…that wouldn’t be nice.
Chop the veggies up.
I removed the seeds of my hot peppers because Eric is not a big fan of spicy foods and the seeds contain the most heat.
I think Cilantro is one of my all time favourite smells. It is so clean and fresh! Almost like a just out of the shower kind of smell. Mmm.
Mix the above together in a large bowl and squeeze with the juice of 1 lime (or to taste)…
Stir well.
Now you have Pico de Gallo that will rock your face off.
But of course, I could not just leave it at that!
I had avocados to be rescued…
Easy Guacamole
Adapted from Pioneer Woman.
Ingredients:
- 4 ripe avocados
- 1 cup of Pico de Gallo
- Kosher salt, to taste
Directions: Cut your avocados in half and remove the pits. Roughly chop the avocado flesh and then take a fork and mash it up until you have the consistency that you want. I like to leave lots of big chunks in there! Now add 1 cup of Pico de Gallo and mix gently. Season with kosher salt to taste.
Once you have your Pico de Gallo made, this could not be any easier!
You mash up 4 avocados with a fork. I like to leave it nice and chunky.
Add 1 cup of Pico and gently mix.
There you have it!
Easy and fresh Guacamole in a jiffy.
But, no, I did not stop there.
I was thinking one thing and one thing only.
7 Layer Mexican Dip.
Once I set my mind on something there is no turning back.
I chopped about 1/2 cup of spinach greens.
Then I grabbed a can of black beans.
Added in some olive oil, kosher salt, and cumin and I processed it leaving it nice and chunky!
Then I processed together some vegan sour cream with a taco seasoning package.
Then I made my cheese sauce from my Vegan Mac ‘n cheese.
I grabbed some green onions…
Before I knew it, magic happened.
Ok, it wasn’t magic, it was actually a lot of work (1.5 hours start to finish!), but the outcome was awesome!
And now I must go clean up.
Coming up in my next post…Homemade Peppermint Nog and Vegan Eggnog. Very excited.
Hi Angela! Congrats of making the final 3 of food buzz blog challenge! What an accomplishment!
Aww I am bummed that you didn’t win!! But congrats for making it soooo far! You did great :)
That dip looks to die for too :)
Sorry to hear you didn’t win, but congratulations anyway on all your fantastic work! :) Dip looks yummy too!
excuse me while I wipe up the mess I made trying to eat the screen…
You did a fabulous job Angela — and congrats to Tiny Urban Kitchen.
Enjoy a more relaxing weekend ;)
I don’t know what to do first… Go make this or wipe the drool off of my keyboard :) :)
I was bummed you didn’t win, but every one of you in the final 3 were amazing. Plus, no matter what you still accomplished SO much! I’m glad you feel so great about it all.
Ooh, that dip looks delicious. I need to start using my food processor more these days, and that is PERFECT. :) Congrats on getting so far on the Foodbuzz contest. It was very inspiring to see all of the contestants’ creations. I especially loved your behind the scenes post!
You were absolutely amazing in the competition and you certainly can count yourself as a winner for making it so far and for winning Readers’ Choice so many times! I hope you enjoy the next few weeks now that things will hopefully be calmer!
Your attitude is so contagious, and your ability to always see the positive. You rock and totally deserved your top-3 status and your numerous readers’ choice awards! Have a fantastic, relaxing weekend, my dear. :D
I’m really sad you didn’t win, but you did AMAZINGLY getting as far as you did! :)
And that seven-layer dip looks beyond awesome! I can’t turn down anything with guacamole! :P
Wow that dip looks good!!!!!!!!!!! 7 layer is my dad’s favorite…so I might be making this version of it soon!!!!
I am beyond shocked. I thought you had that hands down. I just can’t believe it. I think you deserved it. It just means there are better things waiting for you ahead. Your hard work over the last three months will still bring you lots of success in the future.
I am so sorry you did not win, but wanted to say I loved reading about your journey. I am also loving the recipe above :)
I am shocked that you did not win–I thought that you were clearly the best! Voted for you each challenge.
Angela, So sorry you did not win. Honestly I cant believe it. You deserved it. Sometimes in life 2nd place turns out to open more doors. Look at Susan Boyle, she came in second and no one can even remember who came in first. Same for many idol contestants. Jennifer Hudson didnt even get as far as you did and she won an Academy Award. Doors will open for you. This is not the end …. it’s just the beginning.
:-) I agree! I think there is much more in store for your future!!! All I can say is look at Chris Doughtry…I mean, Taylor Hicks won that contest and we can all see how that is going! ;-)
Angela… I’m so sorry you didn’t win! I always read your blog but this is my first comment. I just wanted to tell you that, even though I’m sad you didn’t win, I REALLY do think that your blog has improved a lot since this challenge started. It was already very good, I’m not saying otherwise, but all this time you’ve invested is really showing! The quality of your photos and writing has improved a lot and I think you’ve found your writer’s voice.
I can see lots of success in your future! (Specifically, I think you’re one step away from a cookbook)
Congratulations!
What a day!! I totally feel like some fresh flavors as well, so I’m going to make some OSG dips for dinner :)
Oh.my.gosh. This looks and sounds sooo good!
Honestly, the list of things I want to make for Christmas dinner keeps getting longer and longer. I should tell my guests to stop eating now in preparation for the feast. And I see green and red in this, so this is absolutely a Christmas dish ;)