Lime Salsa

We are still on a yeast free and sugar free diet. This means no vinegar is allowed, except for apple cider vinegar with the mother. We are not big fans of ACV, and so I made up a new salsa recipe that I could can and keep in my pantry. It is impossible to find a store bought salsa that is allowed for our diet. This is a great recipe. Even though it is canned, it still tastes like a fresh salsa because of the lime juice!

10 cups peeled and chopped tomatoes (I prefer Romas as they are more meaty and less juicy)
3 cups chopped onions
4 bell peppers chopped
3 jalapenos diced, removing about 1/2 the seeds
6 basket of fire hot peppers or any small hot peppers will work, diced and seeds included
1 scant tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
3 tsp. garlic powder
16.5 oz tomato paste
1.5 cups fresh lime juice (about 8 large limes)
2 tsp. pickling salt

Mix all of these together. Simmer for about 30 minutes or longer depending on how much liquid you want in your salsa. Put into hot sterilized jars, and put on hot sterilized lids. Put hot jars into boiling water in a water bath canner. Process for 15 minutes, makes about 8 pints.

Canned Tomato Sauce

3 ice cream pails of tomatoes
2 1/2 lbs onions
2 green peppers
1 or 2 red peppers
2 medium zucchini (optional)
1/2 cup pickling salt
1 cup sugar
3 tsp garlic powder
2 tbsp oregano
2 tbsp parsley flakes
2 tbsp basil
4 bay leaves
36 oz tomato paste

Blend tomatoes in a blender (saves you from peeling all the tomatoes). Add diced or blended onions, zucchini and peppers (depending if you want chunks in your sauce). Add rest of the ingredients. Simmer for one hour. To sterilise jars, place in a cold oven. Turn oven on to 225 F, heat jars for 20 minutes once oven is at correct temperature. Put sauce in hot jars and place in water bath canner. Can the pint jars for 35 minutes and quarts for 40 minutes. Times may change depending on altitude. Take out of canner and let cool. Lids will make a popping sound when they seal and will be concave in the middle. Makes 9 quart jars.

Finnish Meatballs

1 pound lean ground beef
1 cup plain bread crumbs
1 yellow onion, minced
1 egg
1/2 cup whipping cream
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground allspice (I didn't have allspice so I used French Onion Dip Mix instead)
1/4 cup butter

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
2 cups milk
1/2 cup whipping cream
salt and pepper to taste

Mix the ground beef, bread crumbs, onion, egg, cream, salt, and allspice in a bowl with your hands until evenly mixed. Roll the mixture into golf ball-sized spheres.
Melt the butter in a large skillet over medium heat. Cook about half the meatballs in the melted butter until evenly browned on all sides, 5 to 7 minutes; remove to a plate and repeat with the remaining meatballs, keeping the liquid in the skillet when finished.
Sift the flour into the skillet drippings; cook the flour in the skillet drippings until brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Slowly stream the milk into the skillet while whisking vigorously; pour the cream into the mixture and stir until smooth. Add salt and pepper. If you aren't good at making gravy and end up with some lumps you can pour the gravy through a strainer. Return all the meatballs to the skillet; stir to coat with the gravy. Bring the mixture to a simmer and cook until the meatballs are cooked through, 15 to 20 minutes.

Sloppy Joe Spice Mix

1 tablespoon instant minced onion
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon instant minced garlic
1 1/4 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon cornstarch
1/4 teaspoon dry mustard
red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl until well blended.
Spoon mixture into jar or container.
Label as Sloppy Joe Spice Mix.
Store in a cool, dry place and use within 6 months.
Makes 1 package (about 3 T) of mix.
Sloppy Joes: Brown 1 lb lean ground beef in a medium skillet over medium-high heat.
Drain excess grease.
Add seasoning mix, 1/2 cup water, 1 (8 oz) can of tomato sauce and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Serve over toasted hamburger buns