The Battery

The Battery must be one of the most photographed areas of the city of St.John's.  It is breathtaking, captivating, and spell-binding. I think Dr. Suess must have grown up in a place as beautiful as this, to have inspired the whimsical imagery he wanted in books.  

Signal Hill and Cuckold's Cove Trail

Yesterday was such a beautiful day, 7 degrees and sunny with lovely breeze.  Hubby and I joined my niece and her husband for a late morning hike.  We decided to do a portion of the East Coast Trail, so we drove right downtown, to Signal Hill, and took the Cuckold's Cove Trail. 

Take a look.......

This was my first time doing this portion of the trail.  It was so nice to get out in the fresh air and sunshine and enjoy the magnificent scenery.

Hope you all have a great week.

Cheers

:)

Homemade Antipasto

Antipasto means "before the meal" and is the traditional first 

course of a formal Italian meal.

If you haven't already tried Antipasto, please do.  It is delicious!  I simply serve it with crackers.

This is a recipe that my sister, Charlotte, gave me about 12 years ago.  

Antipasto

1 tin mushrooms

½ lb cauliflower

1 cup pickled onions

2 cups dill pickles

1 small can of green beans (finely chopped)

1 each green and red pepper

1 cup stuffed green olives(finely chopped)

1 tin flaked white tuna (drained well)

2 cups ketchup

1/3 cup olive oil

1/3 cup white vinegar

‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘‘

Place olive oil, ketchup and vinegar into large pot.  

Set aside the tuna, green beans olives.

Prepare all remaining ingredients by pulsing in food processor to a pea-size texture.

Place all chopped ingredients in pot with liquids and stir well. 

Slowly bring to a boil, then simmer and stir for ten minutes. 

Remove from heat and immediately stir in tuna, beans and olives

Spoon into sterilized jars and seal.

ENJOY!!!!!!!

*************************************************************************

The first time I made it, the task was monumental, as I didn't have a food processor 

and had to finely chop all the ingredients.  

 Now I just toss it all in the food processor and pulse a few time, and voila!

This stuff smells amazing as it is cooking.

and looks quite lovely on the shelf in my pantry 

If you have a different recipe for antipasto, or if you try this one, let me know.  

Have a great week!

Cheers

:)

Patridgeberry Tarts and Coconut Cream Pie

I love the patridgeberry.  I think it may be my year-round favorite.  It's quite tart and freezes exceptionally well, and  it tastes just as good after being frozen as when fresh.

I was fortunate enough to get to buy three gallons of the ruby-colored gems this fall.  On the weekend I made a small batch of jam and a few pies. Patridgeberry tarts was a staple in Newfoundland homes years ago. 

I have to admit, I'm not a big fan of making pastry, but when I do I usually make enough for a couple different types of pies.  This weekend, it was patridgeberry tarts and a coconut cream pie.

Cheers

:)

From Petite Greenhouse Cucumbers to Delicious "Bread and Butter" Pickles....

It was our first attempt at cucumbers, and they started out pretty modestly....

 

 but they prevailed...........

 

So, this past weekend, hubby harvested our cucumber crop, and I had just 

enough to make a batch of "Bread and Butter" Pickles....

 

 

Was it worth it?  Oh  yeah........... 

 Click here for my recipe, from a previous post.

Cheers

:)

A Walk in the Park

What a magnificent day for a stroll at Bowring Park

No words necessary--hope you all have a wonderful week.

Cheers

:)

Happy Thanksgiving Weekend !!

 

I have soooo much to give thanks for, and I am

truly grateful.

Have a happy and safe weekend everyone.

Cheers

:)

It's Salsa Time!!!!

I first posted this recipe for Green Tomato Salsa on my blog back in early September of 2012.  

That certainly supports my statements of late about the growing season being behind this year.  According to that first post, the tomatoes are about a month behind this year. 

Anyway this past weekend, I spent almost all Saturday in the kitchen....but I love it! Here's my recipe...

Green Tomato Salsa 
   

    * 8 lbs green tomatoes (approximately 16 cups chopped)

    * 6 large onions

    * 6 green peppers

    * 3 sweet red peppers

    * 3 – 6 jalapeño peppers (depending on taste)

    * 6 garlic cloves, minced

    * 1 cup fresh cilantro, finely chopped

    * ½ cup salt

    * ½ tablespoon black pepper

    * Cayenne pepper to taste (about 1/8 tsp)

    * 3 cups vinegar

    * 1 cup lemon juice

    * Coarsely chop tomatoes, onions, and peppers

    * Combine all ingredients in a large pot and mix well

    * Heat to boiling, then simmer uncovered for 25 minutes, stirring frequently

    * Ladle mixture into hot pint or quart jars, filling to within ¼ inch from top

    * Wipe jar rims with damp cloth or sponge

    * Adjust lids

    * Process in hot-water bath: 15 minutes for quarts; 10 minutes for pints (start timer after jars have been placed in pot and water in pot has returned to boiling)

    * When processing is complete, remove jars from pot and allow them to cool to room temperature. Check seals. Label sealed jars and store in pantry

    * Jars that don’t seal can be placed in refrigerator (use within three weeks) or immediately reprocess with new lids

    * Makes about 3 quarts (6 pints)

***NOTE---I use my food processor for all chopping 

Here's how it looked---I wish I could somehow post the fabulous aromas.

This salsa is delicious---we just love it!!

Cheers

:)

Beautiful Morning for a walk

Sunday was a beautiful fall day in St. John's, Newfoundland.  A beautiful day for a 5 km 

run/walk to raise money for breast cancer research.  

I am proud to say that I was one of the almost 2,000 people who took part in this year's 

CIBC Run for the Cure

raising an enormous sum - over $275,000. 

The opening ceremony was beautiful and emotional, as all the breast cancer survivors 

taking part in the walk/run, were led on to the field by bagpipers.

It was a great feeling as the crowds crossed the Start Line, and even better 

to cross the Finish Line.

Cheers

:)

The Grape Journal !!

Well, with the record low temperatures right through July, it was a poor start for 

growing grapes----even in a greenhouse.

The grapevine looked so pitiful after it was cut back in the spring.  I never dreamed
we would actually get any grapes this year.

But it started to flush out and put on quite a nice growth, in spite of 

the cold temperatures and lack of sun....

Then, to my delight and surprise.....little tiny grapes started to form,

and slowly but surely, they grew.......

in perfect clusters......

  and began turning color....

and, now they are almost ready to pick.......  

and share--Yummy!!

Cheers

:)