Fresh (and easy) Salsa and Breakfast Bars

One of my FAVORITE ( notice the enhanced letters) things to eat is Salsa. Especially fresh homemade salsa. You know like you get in the Mexican restaurant or the kitchen of a great cook....

Well, I went to a friend's house one evening for dinner and she had this sitting on her table. I was hooked. So as usual when I find something I love, I asked for the recipe.

She said, I just took the stewed tomatoes from Aldi, added green peppers, onions and spices and there you go.

That created the desire in me to perfect my own easy salsa recipe I can whip up at any time.

Yesterday was warm and we were hungry for something cool but not a lot of work. The girls and I decided Salsa and salty chips ( don't forget the lemonade) would fit the bill. Yumm! My youngest and I ate half the bowl right away. I wanted to add black beans to the salsa, but was quickly voted against that decision.

Here is my recipe:

Fresh Salsa

1 green pepper, diced

1 onion, diced

1 can diced tomatoes

1 - 2 fresh tomatoes chopped

Seasoning to taste:

Cilantro

Granulated Garlic

salt/pepper

Red Pepper Flakes

Mix everything together, let sit for a few minutes so the flavors mix together. Then enjoy!

As I said, I wanted to throw some black beans into the mix but was voted down.

I made these breakfast bars this morning before church. YUMMM!

Berry Breakfast Bars

1 c. oats

1 c. flour

2/3 c. brown sugar

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/8 tsp. baking soda

1/2 c. melted butter

Mix together. Layer 1/2 -3/4 mixture in the bottom of a 8 x 8 pan. Reserve the rest for topping. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min.

Filling:

2 c. berries ( blueberries, blackberries, cherries, raspberries.. your choice)

2 Tbsp. water

2 Tbsp. sugar

2 Tbsp lemon juice

Put all in a small pan, bring to a boil until mixture thickens. Pour on top of the already baked bars, top with the reserved topping from above. Bake at 350 for 20-25 min.

* Note.. I was in a hurry today and so I put it all together at once and baked it like that. It was delicious. So.. it worked that way too. :)

*** I got this recipe from the "Summer In the Kitchen" Gooseberry Patch Cookbook. Gooseberry Patch has quickly become a loved name here. ****http://www.gooseberrypatch.com/

Off to work in the flower garden and put tomato cages on my tomatoes. I love this time of year.

Blessings to you!