Thursday, December 23, 2010

Happy Festivus!

The video is finally finished after multiple setbacks!  Sorry about the quality.  We are away from our usual equipment.



Onto the recipes...  This salsa is really good and perfect for winter when the tomatoes are pink and disgusting.  Letting it sit overnight is non-negotiable.  The flavors have to mesh, but it's worth it.  I like adding lime right before serving to make it taste extra fresh.

muy caliente!
30 Second Salsa
28 oz can diced tomatoes, rinsed and thoroughly drained
3 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
2 jalapenos, seeded or not, roughly chopped
1 small onion, roughly chopped
1/2 cup tightly packed cilantro
1/3 cup white vinegar
1 tsp salt
lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

In a food processor, pulse the tomatoes, garlic, jalapenos, onion, cilantro, vinegar, and salt until the consistency of chunky gazpacho.  Pour into a bowl and refrigerate overnight, the longer the better.  Right before serving, add the lime juice and taste for salt and pepper.

Ginger Balls are a variation of Oreo Truffles.  Super easy to make, which works great for a party.  Save money by using store brand cookies and buying chocolate chips in bulk.

Ginger Balls
1 pkg creme-filled ginger cookies (like Ginger-Os)
8 oz vegan cream cheese
12 oz (generous 2 cups) semi sweet chocolate chips
crystallized ginger, chopped

In a food processer, chop the cookies into fine crumbs.  Add the cream cheese and blend until combined.  Scrape into a bowl and refrigerate for 45 minutes, until easy to roll into balls.  Roll into balls and place in the freezer until firm.  Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or in the microwave (stir every 30 seconds).  Dip the balls into the chocolate and top with ginger.  Freeze until solid.  Keep in the fridge until ready to serve.

Spiced Caucasians are just a holiday tradition at our house.  There really is no measuring.  Just add as much alcohol as you like.  Here's what I do...

deliciousness
Spiced Caucasian
ice
lowball glass
1 oz coffee liqueur like Kahlua
1 oz espresso vodka like Seagram's
vegan nog
freshly grated nutmeg, optional

Fill the glass with ice.  Top with liqueur and vodka.  Fill will nog.  Stir.  Top with nutmeg, if so desired.  For a truly caffeinated version, try Mocha Kahlua!

I hope everybody has a great holiday season!  Happy Festivus and Happy New Year!

9 comments:

Jen Treehugger said...

Happy Festivus back atcha Mo.
xx

dreaminitvegan said...

Ha I love the name for the drink!
That salsa looks fabulous and would pair lovely with our tamales we will be eating.

Merry Christmas!

Amanda J said...

Happy Festivus! What will your feat of strength be?

MeloMeals said...

They have cream filled ginger cookies? oy vey.. I wish I had never heard about that! yum!

Love your salsa recipe. I've made a similar one to that.. super good.

and the spiced caucasian.. LOL.

TiffKey said...

30 second salsa!?!?!?!? That's my kind of cooking! :D

Luciana said...

I've come back no less than five times to stare at that salsa. I should just make it already!

Monique a.k.a. Mo said...

Luciana-Do it! It's really easy and super adaptable. Makes breakfast tacos taste fantastic!

River said...

Happy new year! Your feats of strength cracked me up! :D

That salsa looks awesome! *WANT*

Mr. Wing-It used to be obsessed with those Ginger-O's for a while.

Claire said...

wow!
That drink sounds amazing!