It’s been a busy morning in the kitchen, which has kinda spilled over into the afternoon.
It started with getting a batch of pico de gallo. I could eat this stuff on my ice cream! Vince doesn’t like it so much so I freeze dry it, then put it in little 4 oz. jars. When I want to use the pico, I add a bit of water and lime juice to rehydrate it and that’s about the perfect amount for one serving. I love using it on eggs, omelettes, steak, a lot of things. Of course, this one batch won’t give me enough to make through the year but every little bit is appreciated.
Next up was the bell peppers that I’ve been picking.
I had enough of those for one tray.
I had enough eggplant for two trays.
So, quite a mix in the freeze dryer – pico, peppers and eggplant. I don’t mind mixing things like that. I wouldn’t put a tray of bananas in there for fear they’d taste like cilantro or bell peppers, but this combination will work just fine.
Then I finished the sourdough English Muffins I had started last night. These have dried cherries and almond slivers in them. Haven’t had one yet but I know they’re going to be great.
You can see that most of the produce off my bar is gone. I got everything in the freeze dryer except the tomatoes I kept out for the next few days. I don’t know why I kept those out . . there will be plenty more to pick every day. I’ll make more pico as soon as I get more cilantro. I had ordered two bundles with my last grocery order. They were out and sent those little plastic packages of organic cilantro which wasn’t enough for what I made this morning. I had cilantro growing but the heat got the best of it and I miss having it.
Laura says
I love using pico to make guacamole. Add a little salt and pepper, and it’s good to go.
Judy Laquidara says
Yes, I am happy to just cut up an avocado and dump pico on it.
Pat/SC says
I love cilantro and so does my husband! The heat got ours and I was craving some. I noticed I had a jar of dried and used it to make pico. It was good! Randy wanted to know where I found the cilantro. It’s for emergencies when we can’t get to Aldo or have some of our own. This was organic.
Judy Laquidara says
When I brought the first load of stuff in my car from Texas, I had a plastic tub of sprouting seeds and a jar of cilantro seeds had opened upo and some spilled. I dumped the bucket just on the edge of the driveway and as I dumped it, I thought “I’m going to regret that!” I had cilantro everywhere but by the time Vince got the freeze dryer hooked up, it had all bolted so I’m hoping for another bumper crop next year. I’ll definitely freeze dry some next year if it comes back up.
Nelle Coursey says
Can you grow it inside?
Judy Laquidara says
I might could but I only have carpet and wood floor except in the bathrooms, where I have tile and we don’t have windows in any of our bathrooms, except glass block windows in the master bathroom.
Marcie says
What is the difference between pico and salsa? Thanks!
Donna in KS says
My husband made pico year round; it is addictive and good on just about everything. I’ve tried but not successfully! Another thing to miss. Pico is fresh, salsa is canned. Is that the difference? One of our sons grew cilantro this year, it was great and appreciated, but yes, it bolts! BTW, Judy, my new fridge was installed last Tuesday. Finally!!