Pistachio and Cardamom Cupcakes

Makes 24

1 cup unsalted pistachios
1/2 teaspoon ground cardamom
2/3 cup unsalted butter, chopped
1 1/2 cup self-rising flour
3/4 cup superfine sugar
3 eggs
1/2 cup plain yogurt

Lime syrup

1/2 cup superfine sugar
zest of 1 lime

Honey, Yogurt topping

1 cup plain yogurt
1 tablespoon honey

Preheat oven to 350. Line 24 standard muffin cups with paper liners.

Place the pistachios and cardamom in a food processor and pulse until just chopped. Add the butter, flour, and superfine sugar and pulse for 20 seconds or until crumble. Add eggs and yogurt and pulse until just combined.

Divide the mixture evenly among the paper liners. Bake for 15 minutes, or until skewer comes out clean. Transfer to wire rack to cool.

To make lime syrup, place the superfine sugar and 3.5 oz of water in small saucepan and stir over low heat until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil, then add the zest and cook for 5 minutes. Strain. Brush the syrup over the cakes while they're still warm, then allow to cool.

To make the honey yogurt topping,place the yogurt and honey in a small bowl and stir until well combined. Sprinkle ground cardamom on top. Easy!

Jean-Pierre's Classic Salsa.

it twas my first time making salsa and it came out pretty darn good.

Here it is:

2 slicing tomatoes (firm + adding up to 1 lb)

1/2 bunch of cilantro

2 tablespoons of lime juice

1 whole onion (i used valida onion cause it's mild... but red works would work fine also)

salt to taste

1 Pepper of your choosing. (i used a New Green F1-a hybrid pepper. you can use red, long hots, etc..)

tomato instructions: First i cut the ends. then using a wide knife (butcher knife) i rolled the skin off. Then i chopped the skin. For the round core that's left over, I chopped it up but before i added it to the rest i gave it a good squeeze to get the liquid out. some people throw it out but i don't like to waste food. also, even though it is squeezed it adds necessary moisture. http://www.mefeedia.com/watch/29495521

so basically you chop it all up. add mix it together. then let it sit to let the flavors mix. Enjoy.