Keep moving forward.  I think we all feel this is the most important thing to do, but why?  Is it because we believe there is something magical waiting for us at the end of our moving forward, or do we simply feel like anything is better than standing still?  There is some inherent motivation in the act of “moving forward” that really can’t be explained, so most of us do.

For a number of years now on my way to work I pass a woman walking.  This road out of town is rural so a walking path or sidewalk there is not.  She walks along the side of the road on gravel that has been worn only from her own previous day’s steps.  She always has a huge smile on her face as if she’s just won the lottery.  I’ve grown accustomed to seeing her every day and can measure how early or late I am for work by what stretch of the gravel she is on as I drive by.  I really can’t begin to understand where she could be walking to?  It’s far from a store or place of interest or destination of any kind really.  At first she was walking while pushing a baby stroller.  Not sure if she was the grandma or mother as both could be true given the disguise of her all-weather gear.  It then became her pushing an empty, smaller umbrella style stroller ready and waiting for when the toddler walking beside her had had enough.  Now it’s just her.  Still walking and still smiling.  Maybe there is no destination she’s headed for.  Maybe every day she just walks?  Maybe that’s what makes her happy? 

Anyhoo…I figured I should kick myself into gear and get writing again.  So here it is.  Are you happy with it?  Or maybe I’m starting to learn a thing or two from walking lady and all that matters is that writing this is making me happy?  Whatever it is, I can’t go wrong with sharing a great recipe for a fresh, authentic salsa that will knock your socks off!

Ready…Set…Cook!

Simply Salsa

Age – For the whole family!  But hold off on letting baby try until they are more grown and well on their way to experimenting with spicier foods.  You can always adjust and take out the jalapeno and chili powder and pepper spices to tone it down for a toddler.

Ingredients

• 1 clove garlic, peeled and sliced

• 1 small jalapeno pepper with seeds removed

• 2 green onions

• ¾ cup loosely packed fresh cilantro

• 3 tomatoes cored and chopped in big chunks

• Juice of 1 lime

• ½ tbsp. white vinegar

• 1 brown or white sugar cube or you can sub 1 tsp. honey in as a sweetener

• ½ tsp. each of cumin, salt and chili powder

• ¼ tsp. each of black pepper and coriander seed

• 1/8 tsp. crushed red chili pepper flakes

Baby Steps

1. In a mini food processor add the garlic, jalapeno, green onion and cilantro and pulse a few times until the ingredients are finely broken down and mixed together.

2. Add two of the tomatoes and pulse a couple more times and then add the final tomato along with all the rest of the ingredients and pulse until you reach the desired consistency.

3. Put into a covered container and let sit in the fridge at least 1 hour before serving for the flavours to really develop.

4. Then grab the Tortilla chips, flat bread wedges, crackers or whatever your heart desires to dip into this fresh, amazing salsa!  Promise it will have you Zumba dancing in the kitchen!

Makes – Approx. 1.5 cups

Note:  I like to use my mini 3-4 cup food processor for this recipe but you can use a blender or bigger food processor if you like, or if you’re really ambitious you can just hand chop everything as long as you can get it all down to a nice minced consistency.

Thanks for checking in and I hope no matter what you’re up to today and every day, you’re making progress and finding your own happy. :)