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.
[print_this]
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!
[/print_this]
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.
Angela, I’m gutted for you. I agree with other commenters that it was clear that you were on a level above the others and about the cookery book and about the coming 2nd being something potential important for your future, it possibly sounds trite to say things happen for a reason, but… with you, I think you’re on a path, so, here’s to bigger and better.
big hugs, you’re amazing :)
maybe it’s pms – but i feel like crying!
you ROCKED IT, angela!
every single time.
congrats on ALL OF IT!!!
xoxox
Congrats on making it so far…you did an amazing job!! i was surprised to find out you didn’t win b/c you’ve won so many readers choice. you are a winner anyways. there is so much value in this entire experience as you said before. keep on doing what your doing b/c your doing it right!! this dip looks delcious. can’t wait to try it.
Aw, I am sorry you didn’t win but seriously everything you made looked delish! You went a lot farther than a lot of people so that is something to be proud! Enjoy your weekend off!
so sorry you didnt win. you totally deserved to! I voted for you! I still admire you and think you did great!
I agree with Candice. You really were a step above the rest in your pictures, presentation, and, above all, the quality of your writing. Your immediate response to the results shows how gracious of a person you are. And thanks for introducing me to the quote by Eleanor Roosevelt. I have to admit that I am waivering on backing down from something out of fear, and that quote has put a little fire in my spirit to keep on truckin’!
You won in my eyes!
Fantastic Recipe…WOW.
:)
oh ange, so sorry you didn’t win. i loved each and every post you did and you definitely gave more than 110%. i love coming to your blog and seeing what you’ve come up with next.. and this recipe look fabulous! enjoy your weekend, take care of yourself you deserve it!!
Oh yes!!!! This is exactly what my body has been craving the past couple of weeks – colour!! Warmth!! Taste!! I need to make this soon! By the way – while your recipes from the contest were just amazing, your attitude and grace surpass all that. Be. So. Proud.
And now you have permission to relax and enjoy your weekend! :)
Congrats on doing so well in the contest!
This dip looks amazing!!! Mexican food is my favorite and this looks like it would rock my world! Do you think it would stay good if you shipped it from Ontario to NY :D
i so wish you’d won, but i have to say that i am so impressed with the class you’re handling this with…your blog is fabulous, always has been, and i can’t wait to see what it turns into!
I love PW! I’ve often thought you two had similar writing styles/sense of humour. Definitely a compliment! — Yours and hers are two of my favourite blogs! Everything looks fabulous, and I think you did an outstanding job with all the recipe challenges!
Great job on the food blog and my mouth is watering now. That 7 layer looks sooooo good. My kitchen is already a mess so I’ll have to leave it to another day.
Clearly you got readers choice so many times for a reason! Good Job! You are truly amazing and should be totally proud of yourself! I for one appreciate all your hard work!
Thanks!
I’m sorry to hear you didn’t win- you did such a great job. But congratulations on a free weekend:-). And that dip? Oh, my goodness. I’m *this close* to drooling.
Congrats on getting as far as you did! And for having a relaxing weekend before more holiday chaos!
Angela…I am so sorry you didn’t win. In all honesty, I thought you were a TOTAL shoe-in. Like, you had the sucker clinched, bagged, and wrapped up. I am so sorry..you must be feeling pretty crappy right now (your blog post is classy and awesome as usual!) but of course, in your heart, you’re probably a lil…meh. About it all. And then some. You have poured your HEART AND SOUL into this and it showed. I give you major props for the way you took this challenge on and to heart, and then some!
You are amazing!!!
:)
And the dip. I love 7 layer dip…and this one, looks great, of course!
I don’t know how you didn’t win! Seems like something strange was going on.
You’re still a winner in my mind!
I completely agree with Averie. I was so disappointed that you didn’t win — thought you had it hook, line, and sinker and deserved it hands-down (all those “Readers’ Choice” nods)! I am so sorry you were “robbed” after all those hours of hard work. But you (and we) gained so much along the way. :)