Blender Salsa

First of all, am I the only one that is still posting recipes? C'mon, you guys, get with the program! OK, hopefully the rest of you will start posting soon because I'd love to get some more good recipes from all of you. This is a delicious, healthy (unless you gobble it down with tortilla chips like me), easy, and inexpensive salsa. I found this recipe from a food blog that I love called Real Mom Kitchen. I couldn't fine diced tomatoes with jalapenos, so I just used a can of diced tomatoes and then bought a small can of diced jalapenos and put in a small spoonful of jalapenos. It worked out well because then you can adjust the spicy-ness. Anyway, I've made it twice in one week because Jason and I can't stop eating it. It's delish. And it's even better on the second day. So enjoy...and then post a recipe for me :) Blender Salsa
1 clove garlic, chopped
1/4 white onion, chopped
14 oz can diced tomatoes with jalepenos
1/2 c cilantro leaves
juice of one lime or lemon
salt, to taste

Combine ingredients in blender in order listed. Puree until it reaches desired consistency. I like mine with a little chunk to it, so I put in half the can of tomatoes and then pureed everything. Then I put in the other half and pulsed it just a few times so I could have some chunks of tomato.

Italian Chili

Last week we went to Wyoming and spent Easter with my family. It's become a tradition that when we drive through Missoula, we stop at Johnny Carino's for lunch. This time when we stopped there I ordered their soup and salad. I got the Italian chili and I thought it was delicious. So when we returned home, I decided to do a google search for the recipe and I couldn't find one! The closest thing I came across was an ingredient listing, but that wasn't much help. So, I decided to make my own recipe for it. You know how I hate to brag about my cooking...ok maybe not...but anyway, this turned out really good. Very similar to the Carino's one, but Jason actually said it was better. I will say though, that if you don't like a lot of meat in your soup or if you don't want it to be very spicy, then just do 1/2 pound of sausage. Also, I only used one can of beans because Jason's not a big fan of them, but I would have used 2 if I were just making it for myself because I like them. OK, so here's my very own made-up version of Carino's Italian Chili. Hope you like it!

Italian Chili
1/2 lb - 1 lb ground Italian sausage
1 bell pepper, chopped
1/2 to 1 onion, chopped
2 (11.5 oz) cans Campbells tomato juice (you can find it next to the V8 in the juice section)
1 (14.5 oz) can petite diced tomatoes
1 c. chicken broth (or bouillon)
1 clove minced garlic
1 - 2 cans navy beans (or any other white bean you like)
1 tsp dried basil
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 c. heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste

Brown sausage with pepper and onion then drain the fat. Add tomato juice, broth, tomatoes, garlic, beans and spices to the meat mixture. Bring to a boil then simmer for 20 minutes. Add whipping cream then salt and pepper . Top with plenty of parmesan and enjoy!