Candied Jalapeno's

1 Gallon Canned Jalapenos
Hot Peppers - whole for color
1 1/2 cups Tarragon Vinegar
4-6 Cups Sugar

 Place the Jalapenos and Hot Peppers in Canning jars or refrigerator dishes.   Bring the Vinegar and Sugar to a boil and pour over drained Jalapenos and hot peppers.  Either can these or store in refrigerator.
Candied jalapenos are so delicious on so many things.   I really love them with cream cheese and crackers~  Yum!

Candied Dill Pickles

This is the time of year when the cucumbers are just being planted and your wishing you had some fresh pickles.  Well, I have my Grandmother White's recipe for Candied Dill's to share with you.  We start with Dills from the store!  I hope you enjoy these like our family does!  They are so yummy!

1 quart Dill Pickles
2 cups Sugar
1/2 cup Tarragon Vinegar or Apple Cider Vinegar
1 teaspoon Celery Seed
1 teaspoon Mustard Seed

Wash and drain cucumbers (pickles) and cut into chunks.  Mix all other ingredients and bring to a boil.  Remove from heat.  Let cool and pour over chunk pickles.  Can be canned while hot, otherwise, place them in the refrigerator.

In order to do a gallon of pickles just double the syrup recipe. 

Spicy Pecans

This is the recipe I use for the Pecans I put on my Strawberry salad!
These have a kick but my 11 yr old daughter can't keep her hands off of them!

I most usually double or triple this recipe!


 Spiced Pecans:
1/4 cup Sugar
1 cup warm water
1 cup pecans

soak for 10 minutes

Drain and Discard Syrup

Combine:
2 T Sugar
1 T Chili Powder
1/8 t. ground red pepper

toss with nuts.

Bake 30 minutes at 350- turning very often. ( I tend to turn these every 7 minutes - this insures that I don't overcook them, because no one likes them burnt!)

California Sisters Salad

I promised you that I would bring you this amazing salad recipe, and here it is.  While spending time with my parents this weekend they have taken the Spiced Pecan Strawberry Salad to an amazing place.  While in California they were served this amazing version. The dressing  It is actually completely different except for the greens, strawberries & spiced  pecans!
So here is is the totally kicked up version!

For your salad greens, do a rough chop of Boston Lettuce and combine with a container of Baby Greens.
Thinly slice some red onion, paper thin if possible.
Slice up a fresh Pineapple, Several Kiwi's, and a pint of Strawberries. (not pictured here but also a part of this salad are Fresh Blueberries).
Make up a triple batch of Spiced Pecans.



Now for the dressing:
Combine 1 Cup Mayonaise
1/2 cup Sugar
1/4 cup Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Poppyseeds
1/4 cup of Strawberry Preserves (or simply fruit strawberry's)
Mix all these together very well and refrigerate before serving!