Sure Fire Salsa and Seventh Graders

Is it possible to feel old and young in the same moment? When I gave my cooking presentation to this group of 60 seventh graders, I felt infantile enough to wish that my mother was there with me. Or at least a really cool uncle with a motorcycle. But, I also felt ancient, since I was the only person in the room with wrinkles, love handles, and clothing items that were bought more than six months ago. (I wore my black beaded mini cardigan that I've had for more than a decade. I'll probably wear it to my own funeral.) I brought my own two charges, since they are homeschooled and must go whereever Professor Pennywise goes, whether it be Target, the DMV, or a junior high home ec class. My Sailor girl picked out some pretty seventh graders and quickly made friends, but my little cowboy West hid behind an overhead projector for most of the time. That didn't stop some of the extroverted boys from offering him some high fives, which he greatly appreciated, because even when hiding behind an overhead projector, it's nice to be greeted by others.
Are seventh graders nicer now than I remember? Because everyone was attentive, interested, quiet, and sometimes even laughed at my corny jokes. I don't remember being that nice, especially when there were sixty people around to talk to. For my cooking demonstration, I made my super fast blender salsa. Whenever I teach a cooking class, I almost always start off with this salsa recipe because it's fast, healthy, cheap, and infinitely useable. Plus, it's popular, and that's important in junior high. I promised the seventh graders that I would post the recipe on my blog, so maybe a couple of them will wander over and get another glimpse at the recipe. And for all of you older kids, from ages seventh grade to ninety-two, if you haven't made this one yet, make it today. It'll make you feel younger instantly.

Money Saving Tips:

Buy up cases of tomatoes when they go on sale. If you can't find cheap tomatoes with jalapenos, buy a jalapeno separately and use plain diced tomatoes. A lemon can swap in for the lime also. Use up some of the tender cilantro stems to save extra money here.

Super Fast Blender Salsa

Estimated Cost: $$1.50

1 clove garlic, chopped

1/4 white onion, chopped

1 (14 ounce) can diced tomatoes with jalapenos, undrained

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, with some tender stems

juice of 1 lime

salt, to taste

Combine ingredients in the blender in the order listed. Puree until smooth, or leave a little chunky, if desired.

NextUp:

Coconut Lime Short Bread Cookies