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.
Bummed that you didn’t win, but you remain my long distance inspiration for cooking and eating well. Btw, I tried your Pumpkin Oatmeal cookie recipe (the modified Apricot Spelt cookie recipe) with YET another twist (this is now the 10th variation). Coconut-Almond-Macadamia nut (sans the cinammon, the cacao and the pumpkin). They are totally awesome. Also, tried your Chocolate Peppermint Vegan cookie for a cookie exchange party tomorrow. They came out GREAT! Everything you post is delicious and you are awesome!
Omg I am shocked to say the least. A totally political move on the part of Foodbuzz. Had they counted the votes, I assure you, you would have won. This comes off as very suspicious.
Keep your head held high my friend, you are the PEOPLE’S next food blogger star!!! Only a fool would choose to ignore what the masses are saying.
You did an amazing job. Be proud of yourself. We all are!
I totally agree, Tania!! I’m, too ,shocked beyond disbelief. It’s like the readers votes, tweets and “likes” on Facebook didn’t even count!! Umm, why did they even have us tweet, etc. if they weren’t going to count the votes???? Totally bummed and disappointed in Foodbuzz.
Angela, I can only imagine how bummed & disappointed you must feel after pouring so much of yourself in this project . Yep, at least you know you ARE the people’s choice as winner!!
Totally amazing job overall! Congrats on that!
This is my first time writing a comment on your blog. I’ve been following you all through the challenge and was 120% sure you were going to win. I even clicked in before 12 and got very excited for you but lo and behold, you didn’t. My chin dropped and I said “oh my goodness, they got it all wrong.” You keep doing your thing girl. Bigger and Better things are going to come your way. They did get it all wrong but you will reap the benefits soon–their loss :-)
I am sad that you didn’t win, but finishing top 3 is HUGE!!!! I hope you feel good about it, and are proud of your fantastic accomplishment!!!!
Just wanted to say how much I’ve enjoyed reading your blog. I’ve loved all the beatiful photography throughout the challenge. And I love how accessible you make vegan food. I’m not even vegetarian, but I love that if I needed a recipe to veganize – you would have it.
Keep up the good work. And if I ever come up to the Toronto-way (I’m in Syracuse, NY), I will try to find you to give you a hug. Consider yourself forwarned. Actually, I’m not a crazy stalker lady. Just play one on blog comments.
Congrats to you!
The dip is so pretty! It would be a great item to take to a holiday party!
Congrats on being the top 3! I was a bit sad you didn’t win, but this is a huge accomplishment as well!!
Love your recipes and your posts :)
I’m sad you didn’t win, but on the plus side, I visited Tiny Urban Kitchen for the first time (yeah, her blog doesn’t work in China…) and I found a great new blog to read. I think that these connections are very important and because of this challenge, we ALL got to know new people! You still were part of the top 3 though, and that was an amazing feat. :]
I think you should have won. Your entry was amazing!!!
I was disappointed to say the least :) but I am happy this competition introduced to your wonderful blog!!! truly inspired by your authentic and true glow, congratulations for finishing in the top three, I am sure you are number one for at least one great supporter who keeps appearing with you every now and then in posts :)))
Great job with everything, you never cease to impress me and I’m sorry you didn’t win. Your photography, writing, and creativity will always have me visiting ohsheglows though!
Yes, I completely agree with the many other posters who said we wish you won and think you should’ve. But I think that’s okay because like you said, you learned a lot and now its all over and you have some free time on your hands!
Angela I am sorry to hear you didn’t win — but I am so glad you are being so gracious about it. You are setting a good example :)
I love layered dips like this — where each bite you get a little more.
Sorry you didn’t win but congrats on all your hard work! You did well and I have enjoyed keeping up with PFB :) Now looking at this dip I am already hungry for at 10:45 a.m :)
Even though you didn’t win, I can tell through your posts that you have learned A LOT and have grown so much as a blogger and baker. You’re amazing! :)
I’m going to be honest: I was surprised you didn’t win!
No matter what, you did an incredible job!
Hi Angela, I’m sure that like many people I learned about you you through the FB blogging challenge. I thought who is this pretty girl who glows and is so popular?? So I checked out your blog and thought wow, she really has something special going on here and I would like to comment on that. First off it is obvious that your are tremendously creative and not afraid to put the hard work in to achieve the results that you desire in everything you post on your blog. You are down to earth, approachable and I think that you honestly possess the complete package to sweep your readers off their feet and INSPIRE them all day long. I think you are with out a doubt the people’s choice and I for one am looking forward to everything you do here. Best Wishes and keep up this wonderful blog:-)
So sorry to hear you didn’t win, you did such a fabulous job throughout the whole contest (as is standard on your blog in general!). I enjoyed reading all about it and cannot wait to see what 2011 has in store for you! Congratulations on making it to the final 3 :)
WHAT!! you didnt win??? . . . what a crock! (woops, is it bad to just blurt out what i really feel ;)
nevertheless you excelled at each and every challenge and gave us an over the top quality blog during the process- i cant wait to see what you do next!! happy holidays!!
I am disappointed that you didn’t win. You have my confirmation that your entries were innovative (without being intimidating), delicious and pretty to look at. I enjoy your approach to food and have tried several of your recipes with great success. Your “Holiday soup for the soul” is our current favorite, even for a husband who claims to not like curry. You have found one of your callings in life (being Eric’s wife is another and who knows about children someday). I look forward to many more wonderful blogs from you.