Im Baaaaack!

 Yes I have decided to come back to the blog. At least try to. These things are so easy to put aside.

 I have come to the conclusion that someday I will write that book. In the meantime I need to practice writing. Plus with my daughter at college it is a good way to keep up with her and of course family and friends far away.  it is a wonderful way to journal.

  The picture above is of my garden. It has been an excellent  summer hobby. For some reason this year it has taken on a new life. I have experimented with a variety of garden techniques . Every time I try a new one I have been motivated to blog but alas I have not. Today I promised myself I would Kick off with a short blog .

   I went out today to prepare for my winter garden. Something that has never worked for me in the past but quitters never win and winners never quit or something like that. Maybe this will be my year. Anyways my garden has slowed but still popping out food. Looks like Pierre the Scarecrow is still working hard.

  Just a note to my newly emptynester friends , gardening is a wonderful way to funnel all of that maternal instinct. As my daughter has been away for 3 years now  I find myself fighting the over parenting from afar. Now is the time for her to learn to be an adult and yes my pepper plants appreciate the extra love. Actually my green bean and cucumber tee pee was my crowning joy. Yes Erin , you are in competition with my plants. You are still in first place but who knows ?

  This is what happens when your sister makes you buy a 6 pack of Jalapeno plants in March. What the hell do you do with a Jalapeno  pepper? My experience with Jalapenos consists of those squishy little round things that go on Nachos and maybe a hot dog if you are feeling adventurous. Fortunately my Jalapenos did very well . This is my attempt at Jalapeno Jelly. I burned 2 fingers , cut three and  my stove screamed  in pain when it over boiled all over the burners . Note to self and other adventurous souls who attempt jelly, use a pot way bigger than the ingredients.    

  Well everyone is welcome to join me on my life journey. I definitely need to address my Smashed Pennies, just acquired quite a few on our recent Canada cruise, travels and of course my Ebay adventures. Shout out to Gloria Dee.  You are on the adventure  of a lifetime . I want to see some blogging. You are a personal hero and ! hope to do what you are doing some day.

GREEN CHILE ROASTING TIME!!!!

Its green Chile roasting time!!! I do believe that no one ,with the exception of my daughter Erin , loves green Chile's more than I do. My father in law lives in Las Cruces New Mexico. It was there that I truly learned Green Chili appreciation. Growing up in California I have learned to appreciate good Mexican food. It is abundant here. The Green Chili however is not a big part of the cuisine. Sure we have Chili Rellenos and Green Chili sauce but they tend to be bland and somewhat slimy.

Not in New Mexico though. They put Green Chili's in or on everything. Eggs, hamburgers , hot dogs ,you name it Green Chili's go on it. Once you have eaten a freshly roasted Green Chili your hooked!!!! I started out buying Big bags of Green Chili's when we would visit New Mexico . I would bring them home and roast them. They freeze quite well.

I always shop at the Mexican Grocery store for my vegetables. Great prices and they are fresh, fresh, fresh. One day I noticed they carry Green Chili's. Honestly I'm not sure if the regular Grocery store carries them or not but I do buy them regularly and roast them .

This year while shopping for plants for my vegetable garden I got quite the wild hair. Not only did I purchase Eggplant and Artichokes, stories in their own right, I purchased peppers ,peppers and more peppers. All kinds of Peppers. Green Peppers, Red Peppers, Yellow Peppers, and of course the Anaheim Green Chili. To my amazement the Green Chili's took off. All of them have taken off.

Following is a tutorial on how to roast Green Chili's for my niece Melissa the self proclaimed foodie. But you can roast Green Chili's too !!! Its fun and self satisfying. Great thing to do with kids. My daughter Erin enjoyed helping me and shes 18!!

First you start out with firm fresh Green Chili's . Get your propane or gas barbecue nice and hot. Put your chili's on the grate and shut the top. In about 3 to five minutes you will hear a sissing and some pops . This is the Chili's starting to pop. Once the skin browns on one side and you can easily stick a fork in it turn the Green Chili's on their other side and let that side brown. Don't be afraid of burnt skin. This is a sign they are done .

This is what the Chili's should look like. The skins will start to peel off. They should still be firm enough to hold a shape and let a fork pierce easily. You need to let them cool a bit. You don't want to wait too long as they peel much better while they are warm.

This is how the skin should peel off. The Chili underneath should be pliable yet firm. Too mushy and you have roasted it too long. I don't recommend starting off with a large quantity as the roasting process is a learned one.

This is your end product. At this point you need to make a decision. As all the heat of a pepper is in the seeds, you can cut them open and get rid of the seeds or you can keep them in. The Green Chili flesh is a wonderful mild pepper .I keep the seeds in. After they defrost I can choose to keep the seeds or dispose of them depending on my heat preference.

I them will pop 2 chili's in a baggie and freeze them. As it is just my husband and I this is the perfect portion of Green Chili. If I need more for a recipe I will defrost more bags. Now all you have to do is take them out of the freezer pop them into the nuker for about 20 seconds and you have fresh roasted chili's. Perfect for eggs, quiche, hamburger topping ,Chili you name it!!! Erin and I have decided I need to take the next step. Chili Rellenos here I come. Wish me luck........