Quick Pickled Pepers

This is one of my favorite things to make and always keep on hand!

QUICK PICKLED PEPPERS
Inspired by (http://projectsmall.blogspot.com/2011/01/quick-pickled-peppers.html)

Ingredients:
2 qt water
2 qt cider vinegar
4 Tbs agave
4 Tbs salt
4 bay leaves
4 Tbs coriander seeds
4 Tbs black peppercorns
15 Jalapeno Peppers
8 Serrano Peppers
3 Bell Peppers
2 Anaheim Peppers
2 Poblano Peppers
3 cloves garlic, peeled

I also like to add hard boiled eggs, baby onions, elephant garlic (instead of regular garlic), and cucumbers.

Preparations:
Wash the peppers (plus hard boiled eggs, baby onions, elephant garlic, and cucumbers), then take a sharp knife and stab them a few times so the brine can permeate. You can keep them whole or slice them. I say do both, that way you have more of a selection to choose from! Pack into mason jars.

In a non-reactive pot, combine all the other ingredients and simmer for 5-10 minutes. Pour over the peppers and allow to cool on the table. Once cool, move in the fridge. You can start eating them tomorrow, but honestly they taste way better in a week or month!

Salsa

Taken from interwebs without permission

I have refined a salsa recipe that has become popular with friends and family. I make it by feel, so each batch is a little different. But that doesn't stop 4 32-oz mason jars from disappearing in a flash!

Because I make this recipe "on the fly", it is hard to quantify some of the ingredients. Although some ingredients, like the peppers and tomatoes its easy to. I will indicate which ingredients are a guesstimate with an " * ".

ZORCON'S SALSA

4 Beefsteak Tomatoes
3 Bell Peppers (1ea red, orange, yellow)
1 Poblano Pepper
2 Anaheim Peppers
15 Jalapeno Peppers
8 Serrano Peppers
2 large Red Onions
2 bunches of Cilantro
4 cloves Elephant Garlic
1 can Re-fried Beans (salsa style)
1-tbs* Salt
1-tbs* Pepper
1-tbs* Smoked Paprika
1-tbs* Chili Powder
1-tbs* Ground Cumin
1/2-c* Lemon Juice
1/2-c* Rice Vinegar

Roast all the peppers, onions, and tomatoes.

Take the peppers, onions, tomatoes, and cilantro and dice, chop, or place in a food processor (your preference). I use a Ninja kitchen appliance. It is similar to a food processor and I blend all the ingredients down to a slurry. Place in a large mixing bowl

Add in all the remaining ingredients and mix thoroughly.

This batch will yield between 3-4 32-oz mason jars.

Quick Cobbler

Here is a super simple berry cobbler/crumble. I originally saw this recipe on Facebook. I tried it with alternate ingredients on-hand.

QUICK CRUMBLE

12oz Frozen Mixed Berries
7oz Blueberry Muffin Mix
1 can of Lemon-Lime Soda

Instructions
Place frozen fruit in a 9x13 baking dish. Add dry cake mix over the top. Pour soda slowly over cake mix. DO NOT stir the cake mix and the pop.

Bake 350 for 45-50 min.

A tasty treat in under 1 hour!!

Homemade Vinaigrette

I have been mixing my own vinaigrette for a few years and have slowly tweaked one particular recipe into a very flavorful and versatile concoction!

Taken from the internets
without permission

Typically, I make this (and most things in the kitchen) by feel without measuring. But the last time I made it I tried to be mindful of how much of each ingredient I added. Because I don't measure anything, I tend to make each batch a little different... adding something here or taking something out there.

Here is an approximate ingredient list:

• 2-1/2 cup Olive Oil
• 1-1/4 cup Rice Vinegar
• 20 dashes Hot Chili Sesame Oil
• 2 tsp Granulated Garlic
• 1 tsp Ground Pepper
• 2 tsp Paprika
• 2 tsp Mural of Flavor*
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1/2 tsp Cumin

*"Mural of Flavor" is a salt free seasoning mixture from Penzy's Spices. It contains: shallots, onion, garlic, thyme, rosemary, basil, coriander, lemon peel, citric acid, black pepper, chives, green peppercorns, dill weed, and orange peel.

I have also made variations with the addition of these ingredients: grape-seed oil, lemon juice, smoked paprika, chili powder, and onion powder.

In addition to the perfect salad dressing, it makes a great marinade and is perfect for a saute.