Black-Eyed Peas for New Years?

So I never was a huge fan of Mom's "black-eyed peas on New Years for good luck!" But here's a recipe that after only a sample tasting became a hit with me! You've got to give it a try!

Bean Salsa

2 cans black beans (drained & washed)
2 cans shoe peg canned corn (drained)
1 can black-eyed peas (drained & washed)
2-3 avacados, chopped or diced
6-7 roma tomatoes, chopped
2 bunches green onions, chopped
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 pkgs (dry) Zesty Italian dressing (Good Seasoning brand) - Mix it as directed, but use only half the amount of oil.

Toss together and enjoy with tortilla chips - it's a light meal all by itself!

Pumpkin Swirl Bread

Mom asked me for this recipe yesterday, so I thought I'd share! I like it because it's very much like pumpkin cake roll, but much faster and simpler. It's also not as sweet - a good recipe for kids, especially if you use whole wheat flour. Cutting the sugar in the pumpkin part makes even makes it breakfast worthy!

1 8oz pgk cream cheese, softened
1/4 c sugar
1 egg, beaten

Combine the above, beating until smooth, then set aside.

1 3/4 c flour
1 1/2 c sugar
1 tsp baking soda
1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
1 c pumpkin
1/2 c butter, melted
1 egg, beaten
1/3 c water

Preheat oven to 350 F. Prepare 1 5x9-in loaf pan - grease & flour, or spray.

Combine the dry ingredients and spices. Combine the wet ingredients, then mix together with the dry until moistened. Reserve 2 cups - pour the rest into prepared pan. Pour cream cheese mixture over pumpkin batter, then top with reserved batter. Cut several times with a knife to swirl.

Bake 1 hour. Allow to cool to facilitate cutting. Enjoy!

Note: If you're like me and just eyeball it, be generous with the amount you hold back for putting on top of the cheese mixture - I always find I should have saved a little more. Maybe I should actually measure next time!

General Conference Quiz

(Note to Tonya and kids - this is kind of a family tradition that we've previously done by email - we thought we'd just use the blog this time. Sorry to confuse you - we'll get back to recipes soon! :-))

Mom's questions:
1. Which apostle mentioned one of Mom's favorite movies?
2. What repentant early apostate's great-great-grandson is now president of the Recife Brazil temple?
3. What beautiful imagery did Elder Jay E Jensen use to describe how the "seeds of testimony" have grown in his life?

I'll have to get back to you with my answers to your questions :-)

Conference Questions

1. What was the opening hymn for the first session?
2. What was the theme (in your opinion) for this conference?
3. Who spoke to teachers in the church?

Have fun!!!

Testing, Testing... Conference Quiz!

So how did you like conference? I know, that's a silly question. :) Here are my questions - I can't wait to see yours!

1. Who talked about walking across a newly varnished floor?
2. Which virtue did President Monson suggest was the parent of all other virtues?
3. How many times was President Benson's 14 Points of Following the Prophet quoted? (It seemed to us that lots of people quoted President Benson on various topics this conference!)

Talk to you all soon - And I have recipes to post - check back soon!

Convenient, Fast, Delicious Dessert!

In case you need something to take to a potluck or just feel like having dessert but didn't make anything ahead, this is perfect! I got the idea from Bob Evan's Lemon Supreme pie.

Take a regular cheesecake mix (generic is fine), and prepare according to package directions. Except instead of a shallow pie plate, you'll want to use a deep dish.

On top of the cheesecake, spread lemon pie filling (canned or box mix made accordingly).

If desired, add a layer of whipped topping.

If you can find little lemon candies to decorate it with, it looks cute. This is really delicious. I made one along with cherry delight and a pasta salad to take to a cookout yesterday, and before we got home Derek asked me to please make another one for today. I just finished it. So, once we've had a big dinner, we're going to veg out on the couch and eat pie/cheesecake and watch a movie. (I suppose if you don't like lemon, you can use another flavor pie filling.)

Apple Butter

I learned to can last year, and to make apple butter. I was going to write out the whole process, but I think sharing the link to the site that helped me the most would be better. That way you can look around in case there is something else you want to know to do. This lady does an excellent job of talking a novice through the processes, and after you figure things out you will know what you can skip (like how to can it and such). I will say that I loooove cinnamon, so I add way more than what the recipe calls for. After the first batch, I got a little more relaxed and would add nutmeg or ginger. Be careful with the cloves...it'll make your butter bitter if you add too much. Nobody wants bitter butter. hehehe My friend made hers with just sugar and red hot candies. I made mine with Splenda due to trying to get off of sugar. Okay, enough of all of that. I'm tired this morning, and tend to get babbly when I'm tired. I hope this helps any of you looking to make apple butter. .If you have any questions I'll try to answer them for you. Oh, I just thought to mention....whatever you use to stir the apple butter once it starts cooking down will get stained, so don't use your favorite pearly white serving spoon or your Great Aunt Ethel's 90 year old wooden spoon. :)

http://www.pickyourown.org/applebutter.htm