Strawberry-Cucumber Salsa

It's almost Friday! Woohoo!

I have to work on Saturday, so I still have 2 more days to go, as opposed to most of you who just have 1, but that's fine with me!  A weekend is a weekend. 

I've discovered a new route to work, which involves taking the scenic route downtown, but it avoids the congested highway and gets me to work on time - without me having to leave any earlier than normal.  So score one for me!

I know this is late in the season, fresh strawberries are hard to come by - but that doesn't necessarily stop me from making this.  It's a great condiment for tacos or fish, and even better as a replacement for tomato-based salsa as a dip for tortilla chips!  I've been in a real dippy mood the past couple of days, haven't I?  Sorry, can't help it!

Ingredients:
Adapted from Perry's Plate's recipe

10 strawberries, diced
1/2 English cucumber, diced
1 scallion, thinly sliced
small handful of cilantro, chopped
salt and pepper, to taste
1 jalapeno, seeded and minced

In a medium bowl, combine strawberries, cucumber, scallion, cilantro, and jalapeno.  Season with salt and pepper to taste. 

Serve with tortilla chips or as a topping for fish or tacos!

Well, I'm off to enjoy a nice bowl of some carrot-ginger soup and some of Andy's famous grilled cheese!  Have a great night guys!

Caramel Brownies

My dinner guests didn't seem to mind either =)

So I ran a mile yesterday.  At 12:30 in the afternoon.  It was 85 F.  Needless to say, it was pretty brutal.  I managed to finish it in 9:39, so I guess that's not bad for starters, right?  It's a tad bit cooler today so maybe I won't feel like death afterwards.

I feel like such a baby complaining about 1 measly mile!  I know a lot of you run on a constant basis and are probably laughing at my pathetic complaints, so I'll try to keep them at a minimum =)

Anyway, this isn't the best picture ever, but frankly.   I couldn't not share this with you.  I should have been more patient and let the brownies firm up a bit more in the fridge (so that they would actually be photogenic - but nothing a scoop of vanilla ice cream can't fix), but instead, they were a big gloopy mess.  The tastiest pile of gloop I've ever eaten.  So yeah, make the brownies, let them set in the fridge (or not), and come and thank me. 

The recipe is from Mel's Kitchen Cafe (who's picture is WAY better than mine - go ahead, go check it out!)

The only thing I changed about it was that I didn't use pecans.  Instead, I topped my brownies with rainbow sprinkles, crushed walnuts, and a mixture of white & dark chocolate chips.  I was feeling a little gluttonous with the toppings. 

But anyway, have a great Wednesday guys!  And don't forget, tomorrow is the CSA round-up so if you feel like joining in, e-mail me at mtlabor85@yahoo.com!  Thanks again for stopping by =)