Corn and Bean Relish (aka Michigan Caviar): I want them to be like me....

As Son and Daughters begin to grow up and develop personality and skills, I find that I often shop for their character and personality traits in husband and me and hope that they get them.  For example, I want Son and Daughters to have my musicality but Husband's athleticism, my sense of rhythm and Husband's sense of numbers.  They are in the early, yet promising stages of loving books and the written word as much as I do and have the same intense questioning and curiosity of Husband.  But one trait that I definitely hope that they get from both of us is our sense of humor.

I want them to think that the world is a funny place, full of quirks to notice and laugh it, and to be able, when they need it the most, to be lighthearted.   I already sense that they have my goofy humor and we'll see if they get Husband's sarcastic wit; being funny and knowing how to laugh are wonderful traits that I hope that they continue to develop.  Now, many days, their sense of humor (in an almost 7 year old, 5 year old and 3 year old) actually makes me nuts, because their idea of what is funny generally is equal to my idea of aggravation.  Running around without any clothes on is hysterical to them, but makes me bonkers.  Repeating everything I say (or one of the siblings say) over and over again is knee slapping laughter to them, but makes me want to pull my hair out. Telling the same knock knock jokes to me is rip roaring funny and will send them into peals of laughter, while I sit and try to rub out the headache that is pounding ever so softly in the back of my eyes.

But in between making me nuts, they laugh and giggle like crazy.  And they LOOK for things to laugh and snicker at.  The other day, right in the middle of their swim lesson, some child did his "business" (a big one) and so everyone was kicked out of the pool so that they could clean the business and treat the water and keep it all clean.  Son and Daughters, on the way home, asked many questions about WHY they had to leave the pool when the stuff was in an area far away from where they were.  They just didn't get it.  I spent about 2 minutes explaining bacteria and germs, and water circulation and ended it with the wise words, "And that is why we don't swim in the toilet."  The kids were silent for a second and then all three spontaneously burst out laughing, because they get my crazy sense of humor and it's funny to them.  The rest of the day, whenever there was a moment of silence, one of them would bust out with, "And that is why we don't swim in the toilet" and subsequently all shrieked with laughter.  Nothing like some imitation to make you feel like a star and I'm not afraid to say it, I did.

Going back to character traits,  one trait that Son and Daughters got from me and NOT from Husband....a love of beans.  My kids love beans.  LOVE Them.  Eat them up.  Want them.  Husband HATES them.  Detests them.  Abhors them.  (It is, in truth one of only three things he DOES NOT eat.) The first time I ate this bean and corn relish, it was given to me by the blogger of Sillie Smile and Children and I went nuts.  We polished off a HUGE jar...in ...well, I'm ashamed to say it - in two days.  It was a perfect combination of tender beans, crisp onions and celery, tart and sweet sauce and scrumptious against corn chips.  Served cold, it would taste amazing at any gathering where you want people to have some fun and laugh. 

With some special packaging (check here for a cute cool label idea), a jar of these would just be fantastic to give out as gifts.  I know, because I got a jar of one, and it disappeared, all too soon into the mouths of Son and Daughters.

Corn and Bean Relish (aka Michigan Caviar)
adapted from recipe by Jen C. Moon
 
Bring to boil and then cool the following:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 T water
½ cup canola/vegetable oil
1 cup sugar
1 t salt
½ t pepper

Rinse and drain all of the following; set aside in a large bowl
1 can pinto beans
1 can black eyed peas
1 can black beans
1 can white beans
2 cans sweet white corn

Finely chop the following and add to the bean mixture:
1 small red onion
2 green Anaheim chili peppers (if you want it spicy, then add 2 fresh jalapenos as well)
1 cup finely chopped celery

Then add:
1- 10 oz jar of diced pimento (drained)

Mix all of the above ingredients in the bowl.


Pour the cooled vinegar mixture over the bean/vegetable mixture.
Cover and marinade overnight. (stir in the morning)
Drain only portion you are serving.
Refrigerate the remaining mix in marinade.
Can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 1 month.
Serve with tortilla scoop chips.

 

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