Changes to this blog!

You may have noticed that I just added 3 recipes to this blog! I decided I could post those over at the family blog as well, since I want the family to enjoy them as well! They could always look at my blog but this little blog seems to be quite neglected...so there! Also, I'd like access to change the background of the blog so it looks more enticing!

Salsa de Tomatillo de Brewer

Oh man this salsa is so stinkin' good! We went to WalMart last night (which, by the way, don't EVER go to WalMart on a Saturday night in Utah. Everyone and their dog is there so they don't have to shop on Sunday!) And it was 9pm for cryin' out loud! Anyways, being poor, we are on WIC, so we get fruits and vegetables up to a certain amount of money, and we stocked up! Jimmy really wanted this salsa so we loaded up on tomatillos, cilantro and onions! We also got stuff for a special salsa that he makes that is so good! I think I'll post on that one when he makes it later this week. The avocados are not ready to eat yet! That must be why they were so much cheaper than usual!

So I think my dad got this recipe from The Gecko Grill in Arizona, maybe he can refresh my memory? But he makes it often. It's not spicy at all, unless you want it to be, it's more sweet! And it's gone within a day or two!

So here it is:

Tomatillo Salsa:

16 tomatillos (or 1 1/2 pounds)
1 medium onion
2 jalapenos (you may leave seeds in for more spice, and you can add more jalapenos if you like. However, I do not like spice, and used only 2 and I scraped ALL the seeds out!)
3/4 cup sugar
1/2 cup white wine vinegar
2 tsp salt
2 bunches of fresh cilantro

Blanch tomatillos and jalapenos in a sauce pan with water (or you can lightly roast them on the grill, they just need to be soft) So you'll pretty much boil them, then put them in a bowl of ice water to keep them from continuing to cook.

What they look like right when you put them in the pot to boil them.

In the bowl of ice water

Then puree everything in a blender! It's as simple as that! I stuck mine in a Tupperware and into the fridge because to us it tastes way better nice and chilled.

And wa-la! Deliciousness for me to go enjoy right now!

Brown Sugar Muffins

Back when my family lived in Arizona, we were in a ward called the Windsor Ward. The Relief Society made a cookbook, made up of everyone's favorite recipes. When it was finished my mom bought like 5 of them to give to her kids when they moved out of the house. (I guess she didn't know  she'd have 7..?) So, I received mine when I was 18 and went off to college! I love this thing! A lot of my favorite recipes are in here!

This recipe is so easy and so yummy! It's originally from Kathy Newbold of the Windsor Ward...not sure I remember who that is, but these muffins are delish! I made them last Sunday, and today! The best part is that Tate will actually eat them! I use a mini muffin pan to make some for him because it's just easier for him to hold and bite, and he eats them within 3 days or so for breakfasts!


Brown Sugar Muffins:

1/2 cup butter, softened
1 cup brown sugar
1 egg
2 cups flour
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. vanilla
1 cup milk

In small bowl combine flour and baking soda, set aside. In large bowl beat butter and brown sugar, add egg and vanilla until well combined. Add dry ingredients alternating with milk until well combined. Put in greased or lined muffin tins. Bake at 350*, 12-15 minutes.

The most dee-vine chocolate chip cookies

I decided that I should post my favorite recipe for chocolate chip cookies! No other beats it! No offense, but these cookies are seriously to die for! They don't get any better than this! I think I just might start posting my favorite recipes, mostly what my mom has taught me. I want them to be easy to access from anywhere, and this is the perfect place for that!

Chocolate Chip Cookies:

2 packages instant vanilla pudding mix

1 cup crisco
1 cup butter     
   *Mix all three

1 cup white sugar
1 cup brown sugar
    *Add and stir


4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
   *Add and stir


1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
4 1/2 cups flour
   *Add and stir

12 oz chocolate chips

Bake at 350* for 9 minutes or so. I never time them I just keep an eye on them and don't let them get too brown. I like soft cookies. I use a kitchenaid and just mix it when it tells me to! This recipe makes a ton of cookies so beware! You can freeze the dough and make them later! Enjoy!

Perservering

          Since no one has posted anything in a while I thought I would take up the courage and post something. For now I think that we have a lot of planning to do with our schedule and calenders and such, so I like to send this out to everyone living in the "Brewer Family" home right now to plan a meeting or something to plan things out. So let's celebrate. By the way my favorite word is Pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis just to let you guys know. This word is actually a lung disease caused by silica dust coming from volcanoes if you didn't already know that.

Ernie Maxwell

Kyle and I just decided that we would like to go to Catalina together again. But this time, it will be pretty extreme. We are planning a 3-4 day backpacking trip from one side of the island to the other (Avalon to Two Harbors). The first day is supposed to be 15 miles, so I have GOT to start training pronto.

By the way, about a month ago, my Mom, Landon and Logan and I all decided to go for a hike nearby. I found this easy hike in Idyllwild called Ernie Maxwell, and it was beautiful in January. It was about 2 1/2 miles in and 2 1/2 miles out. We began a little late in the afternoon, so we only made it about a mile in before we had to turn around. We passed 2 little streams before we turned back.

I was pretty upset about not finishing it, so a couple weeks ago I convinced Kyle to come with me this time. It was a Saturday and we brought the dogs along with us. It was Cooper's first time on a hike and he acted like he had never seen people in his life. I will definitely have to work on his people skills, but other than that, it was just lovely. The streams were still running and most of the trail was covered with trees. Well, Kyle and I did make it to the end where we had a little snack and headed back. Definitely one of my favorite trails. BUT, if I am going to take on a 30 miler, I will have to take on more than a measly 5 mile hike. For sure.

I am learning how to play the Ukulele and I learned how to play C, G, and A chords. I taught myself C and G, but Lyle taught me the A chord. I made a few cool rhythms, but I am still trying to figure out an easy song I could learn to play like Super Mario Brothers. I am also going to try to get a Ukulele for next Christmas (2012):p.