Sunday, March 29, 2009

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

24 comments:

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

So glad that you did the cooking demo!!

I eat salsa everyday (no joke), so I'm LOVING your recipe!!

Catherine said...

Those 7th graders sound a lot nicer, than the 7th graders I remember too! I'm glad it went so well. I love this salsa. I've been eating it all week and I've decided to eat it everyday for the next 15 weeks! It's healthy and easy and delicious. No wonder the 7th graders were so nice!

The Food Librarian said...

Wow! What a nice audience - and I'm sure they loved the salsa!! I wish you visited me when I was in 7th grade!

The Bouldins said...

Seventh graders are fabulous! It was my favorite age group when I worked in a middle school. Still goofy and sweet and fun without the full arrogance of adolescence and old enough to get jokes and carry on a real conversation. Wonderful. I'm glad you had a good experience.

And the salsa looks exciting, too!

Coleens Recipes said...

Great recipe and I really enjoyed the story! You are brave to go into that situation LOL.

gigi said...

So easy and so fun! No wonder they listend to such a sassy teacher as you. I bet that was the highlight of their school day.

Emily said...

I love salsa. This one looks fantastic!

I bet they thought you were cool. I have a coat I still wear from my sophmore year in high school.

Marjie said...

Here and I thought I was the only lunatic who bought cases of stuff!

And I tell the kids routinely that I have faithful, loyal clothes that are older than they are, and never talk back!

Glad you had a great demo.

Allie said...

So glad you did the cooking demo, I'm sure some of those kids will keep that recipe forever! I could eat salsa with every meal, your recipe sounds yummy!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

Sounds like you and the 7th graders had a blast. Wonderful salsa recipe!

Sara said...

How fun to do a cooking presentation to 7th graders! I'm sure you fit right in, and they thought you were pretty cool! I am going to try your salsa. Looks awesome!

Darius T. Williams said...

It totally depends on WHAT school you go to. Glad they all listened. I'm sure your wardrobe wasn't that bad - lol.

Mary Bergfeld said...

How wonderful your children got to see you "working" in that capacity. A wonderful life lesson for your daughter AND you survived what can be a pretty tough audience.

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad it went well for you! Who could be nasty to you though...?

~Cat

The Blonde Duck said...

I love this! I'm so glad you did the demo! And that's so sweet they were nice to the little ones!

Maria said...

How fun!! I bet they were in salsa heaven. Nice job!

Michal said...

i love this salsa and i can guarantee that those kids were nicer than you were in 7th grade!:) sounds like a great field trip for sailor and west.

Sophie said...

I love the sound of this salsa! It would make a tasty marinade for chicken or a beef steak, as odd as it might sound. I once tried it out when I had limited ingredients, and it worked :)!

Your teaching session sounded like it was a success! I too have a few of those items of clothing I just can't seem to part with!

Elder Christian Sullivan said...

Hey Erin,

It's Sallie. I had no idea this website was yours! I love this salsa. Sara Layton actually gave me the recipe a couple of years ago and it's the only salsa i'll eat now.

Prudence73 said...

I am having troubled finding canned tomatoes w/ jalapenos. I have looked at a Super Walmart and a larger local grocery store. Has anyone else had this problem?

Prudence73 said...

I found them at a third grocery store! We loved the salsa and will definitely make it again. My husband especially loved the smooth consistency.

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Anonymous said...

looks like a good small batch, blender salsa recipe,but i really didn't see how you can convert it to case lots of tomatoes though.