#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨
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Sweetnicks

Food and Life

Summer in a Bowl: Pico de Gallo (Salsa)

July 21, 2009 · Narrative

Pico de Gallo

We had company for dinner tonight, and the theme was Mexican.  In one hour, I had made Mexican Roast Chicken, homemade guacamole, Pico de Gallo, Sausage Con Queso and Mexican Rice.  I had emptied and filled the dishwasher.  The kitchen was all cleaned up.  The table was set and I was making a tray of food to send next door to my neighbor.  She’s having her baby tomorrow – no cooking for her!

With minutes to go before our guests were due to arrive, I breathed a sigh of relief.  No crazy stress, everything was done, and I could relax for a few minutes.  And then Madeline starts to call me.  She was playing while I was cooking and had gone to explore the dining room.  The good part about when she’s doing something she’s not supposed to be doing is that she calls me right away to help save her from whatever mess she has created.   The bad part is, well, whatever she’s doing that she’s not supposed to be doing.  I walk into the dining room to find her standing on a chair, motioning over to the table.  The table I just set, mind you.  Next to her hands, on the table, was a pitcher of juice that I had just made.  On its side.  Completely and positively empty.  Not one speck left in the TWO GALLON pitcher.  Why, you ask?  Because she had knocked it over and it.was.all.over.  Everywhere.  In all the plates.  All over the table.  Dripping through the leaf of the table onto the floor.  All over the chair.  One big sticky, icky mess.

“Mommy?” she asks, looking up at me with those big brown eyes.  She motions that she wants to get down from the chair.  OH REALLY?

So minutes after the guests are ringing the doorbell, they’re all on the floor with me cleaning up the mess.  Come on in, get comfortable, grab a paper towel or two or forty.  Fifteen minutes later, the mess cleaned up, the plates washed, we finally got to start all over.  Of course, the floor is ultra-sticky now and needs to be scrubbed down again, but moving on…

Mexican night.  Nothing better to kick off a night of Mexican food than a bowl of fresh salsa or pico de gallo (really, what is the difference between the two?), and with the crazy fresh summer produce ripe for the picking, this is one of my favorite ways to use tomatoes.  It really is summer in a bowl.  Yes, there is a bit of chopping involved, but ten minutes later, you’re tasting something that is better than any jar you can get at the grocery store.  I absolutely promise.

This is a Sweetnicks’ Greatest Hit, originally hitting our table two years ago.  Still just as delicious then as it is now… go get ’em.

Pico de Gallo
Recipe courtesy of Latina magazine

1 lb ripe tomatoes, finely diced (with juice)
1/2 cup finely diced white onion
1/2 cup seeded, finely diced cucumber
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
4 serrano chiles, seeded and very finely diced (I skipped)
1-1/2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt, plus more to taste

In medium, nonreactive bowl, stir together all ingredients to combine. Adjust seasonings to taste. Let stand about 30 minutes before serving. Serve with tortilla chips or use in any recipe that calls for fresh salsa. Makes about 2-1/2 cups.

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Posted In: Narrative · Tagged: pico de gallo, salsa

Comments

  1. Donna says

    July 21, 2009 at 11:25 pm

    Love how you call this summer in a bowl. It truly is, so fresh, delciious and healthy. Just perfect! Looks fantastic!

    Reply
  2. Joanne says

    July 22, 2009 at 8:17 am

    Awww poor Madeline! She sounds like quite the character. Pico de gallo, or anything with fresh tomatoes, really does taste like summer to me. Thanks for the winner recipe. I hope the rest of your evening was not quite so chaotic.

    Reply
  3. Sarah Caron says

    July 22, 2009 at 9:49 am

    I can totally relate. These girls bat their brown eyes at you after doing something so mind blowing like spilling a whole pitcher of juice everywhere (or stealing a glass of water from my bedside table this morning and then trying to toss the glass at me, spilling the whole thing in the process).

    Mmm, but that pico de gallo sounds awesome.

    Reply
  4. The Neighbor Husband says

    July 22, 2009 at 10:59 am

    I remember that post. She’s too cute to get mad at :)

    Reply
  5. ladybughugs says

    July 22, 2009 at 12:18 pm

    oooh nooo! bright side (if there can be one) was you had everything else under control?

    It’s hard to fault a little one for following where their curiosity takes them.

    Reply
  6. Ramona says

    July 22, 2009 at 1:53 pm

    I always steal my hubby’s pico de gallo off his plate at the mexican resturants. Love it.

    Your recipe looks good. Uh Oh, Madeline!

    Ramona

    Reply
  7. Susan says

    July 22, 2009 at 3:12 pm

    oooo. i’ve had those days…well, still do. :-) my floor stays dirty.

    i absolutely love pico…never thought about putting cucumbers in there. i bet that makes it doubly good and refreshing.

    Reply
  8. ttfn300 says

    July 22, 2009 at 6:30 pm

    ooh no!!! isn’t she precious ;) hope the rest of the night went well!

    Reply
  9. Lori @ RecipeGirl says

    July 22, 2009 at 6:54 pm

    Your menu sounds wonderful! Pico de Gallo is perfect for utilizing summer tomatoes. yum!

    Reply
  10. Claire says

    July 22, 2009 at 10:05 pm

    Gotta love those kid messes. This looks yummy!

    Reply
  11. Ashley says

    August 3, 2009 at 11:49 pm

    I love the colors in this salsa! What a refreshing summer recipe :)

    Reply
  12. Farmgirl Susan says

    August 5, 2009 at 6:37 pm

    Okay, I’ve had this page open since you first posted it and am finally getting around to commenting. Nothing slow about me. I love the idea of putting cucumbers in salsa – and loved reading this (which I’m not sure is something I should say considering the story). Thanks for the laugh – and glimpse into parenting! ; )

    Reply

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛

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#flowertherapy might be right up there with #water #flowertherapy might be right up there with #watertherapy.  Love passing the time in secret wildflower patches. As you do. 🌸
I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon I remarked how pretty that tiny sliver of the moon was on the way home tonight, and my friend pulled over right away so I could grab a photo. That’s when someone really knows you! It was just too beautiful to resist. 🌙
Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ C Weekend photos in review, old school style. ✨ 
Context: 1/ picture perfect weekend, 2/ threw together a quick meal w udon noodles, steak and broccoli, so good, 3/ the sun reflections on this painting struck me today, looked like a cross 4/ it takes all afternoon but nothing like Sunday Gravy, 5/ six months old, 6/ when he wants some serious zzzz’s, he covers his eye with his ears, the cutest, 7/ breakfast pastries at @coniglios
I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New I have plenty of reusable shopping bags since New Jersey banned the plastic ones last year. But when I spied this beauty for a buck, how could I resist? It just is so darn happy, which makes me happy. The little things aren’t so little. 💛
Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged Cheers to the weekend! This may look like a staged photo, but Lola just has ZERO boundaries and Clifford is exceptionally patient. 😂
I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s I’ve been on a smoked salmon kick lately (it’s so good for you), so when I saw that a local patisserie has a smoked salmon croissant available (weekends only), I added it to my list of things to seek out. I popped into @chocolatinenj early on Mother’s Day and was rewarded with this deliciousness. Layers of soft flaky croissant dough, tender smoked salmon, light whipped cream, thinly sliced red and green onion slivers and dotted with capers… it was every bit as amazing as you’d imagine it would be. If you’re local, don’t sleep on this one. 😋
Weekend photos in review, the belated edition. 1/ Weekend photos in review, the belated edition.

1/ hit up a few yard sales and snagged this beautiful pasta dish from Italy with my favorite color for a buck, 2/ and one of these printer trays came home with me too, 3/ pre Mother’s Day celebrations with 30 local moms, 4/ finished the weekend supervising furniture assembly
Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd bir Today would have been my friend Cathy’s 53rd birthday. Unfortunately she’s not here to celebrate because she died suddenly at age 49. I think of her often … every Mother’s Day because we spent most of them together since her husband worked weekends … when I discover a new food adventure (we once did a day long donut crawl) … when I’m sharing a special time with my kids knowing that her then-11 year old is growing up without her. Before she passed, I always appreciated every day, but since then, even more so. You never know what the next day can bring, so relish in the sunshine, surprise rainstorms, making wishes over railroad tracks and all the wonderful randomness life can throw your way. Don’t waste a single second, say yes, live on the outskirts of your comfort zone, laugh often, tell people you love them, give eight second hugs, and squeeze every ounce of joy you can out of life. Do it for the people who can’t. ✨

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