Oh, September, Where have you gone?

That is about how I feel right now. We entered into a "Biggest Loser" competition with some of our good friends. And there is a monetary prize to help motivate everyone. So, between trying to eat healthily and my husband being gone 11 of the last 14 work days (since Labor Day), cooking for myself and the kids has mostly been made up of two different meals every night.

But, I have discovered some healthier alternatives to some of our favorite meals. Like Egg, Bacon and Tomato Sandwiches.

serves 4

2 beefsteak tomatoes, each sliced into 4 slices
2 tsp dijon or spicy mustard
4 slice swiss cheese
4 slices of turkey bacon, cooked
4 eggs, poached

Preheat the broiler. Place tomatoes on a baking sheet. Spread 4 of the slices with mustard, and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Top those 4 slices with 1 slice swiss cheese each. Place under the broiler until the cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven, move each of the cheesy tomatoe slices to a separate plate. Top with 1 slice of bacon, 1 of the eggs, and an additional tomato slice. Serve immediately.

Roasted Red Salsa

I have been searching for information about home-canning salsa. There is a concern that the other ingredients in salsa - onions, peppers, cilantro and spices - decrease the acidity of the tomatoes enough that it isn't "safe" to canned in a waterbath canner anymore.

Well, my search lead me to this recipe which sounded too good not to try it. And, well, it did not disappoint!

{Salsa Roja, or Roasted Red Salsa}
original recipe here
8 full size Roma tomatoes
1 1/2 yellow onions
2 Serrano peppers, remove top and seeds
4-5 cloves of garlic
1/2-1 Tbsp salt
1 bunches cilantro
Halve the tomatoes and onions and lay cut-side up on a cookie sheet along with the peppers and garlic .
Roast at 375 till the onions look nice and translucent, tomatoes look soft, and peppers are getting a nice char on them.

Let it all cool down, then, process in a food processor or blender. Dive in, it will go fast!

The Benefits of a Meal Swap

Well, truly the benefits are endless. However, tonight, we experienced one of my favorites. Getting to try a new recipe that someone else already likes. My meal swapping friend made us this lovely Vodka Pasta from Rachael Ray. They had told us about it, and we were waiting with baited breath to try it. Another plus, I discovered that my kids will down pasta topped with real parmesan cheese, a little cream, and a little garlic. Seriously, my littlest one ate 4 plates.