Pineapple Mango Salsa

This stuff is amazing. I got the recipe from a friend (Thanks Beth!!) and we've made it 3 or 4 times in the past month. It's just that good! And SO easy to make...unless you happen to get jalapeno in your eye. If you do that, rinse it out with milk. It really works! (Not that I've ever done that or anything!)

Pineapple Mango Salsa

1 large can of pineapple tidbits, drained

2 ripe mangos, cubed*

1/2 small red onion, finely chopped

1 bunch of cilantro, minced

1 jalapeno, finely chopped

Juice of 1 lime

Mix all ingredients in a bowl and stir together. Serve over grilled chicken or with tortilla chips. Even better the next day!

*Here's a great tutorial for cubing a mango.

Black Bean Salsa

2-15 oz. cans black beans, rinsed, drained
1-15 1/4 oz. can whole kernal corn ,drained
1-10 oz. can diced tomatoes with green chiles, undrained
1-7 1/2 oz jar roasted red peppers, drained and diced
2 plum tomatoes, chopped
1 medium red onion, finely chopped
4 green onions, finely chopped
1/3 cup minced fresh cilantro, (: I put one whole bunch of cilantro in the salsa. It was good.:)
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/3 cup orange juice
1 t. ground cumin
1 t. grated orange peel
1/8 t. coarsley chopped green pepper
Tortilla Chips

Combine the first thirteen ingredients in a large bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least two hours. Serve with tortilla chips

Rustic Pasta

I originally shared this on my other blog, hence the photo tag.  Enjoy!
Rustic Pasta
Thin spaghetti or fettuccine noodles
3-4 cloves minced garlic
Olive oil
Fresh tomatoes, roughly chopped
1 jar (12 oz.) roasted red peppers
2 handfuls fresh basil, roughly chopped
1 container feta cheese
Pine Nuts
Parmesan Cheese



Start water to boil for pasta. While the pasta cooks, roughly chop your tomatoes, roasted red peppers and basil. Set basil aside. (I used 6 campari tomatoes, but you can use whatever kind you like. I've used my garden tomatoes and cherry tomatoes before.) In a large skillet, saute minced garlic in olive oil. Add tomatoes and peppers and cover. Simmer on low-medium heat for 10-15 minutes or until cooked down slightly. The tomatoes should still hold their shape. In a large bowl, toss cooked and drained pasta with tomato mixture, basil and feta cheese. Top each serving of pasta with pine nuts and Parmesan cheese.

Edited to add: You can also top this with strips of grilled chicken if you like. We have done this before and it really helps to fill it out as a full meal.

Welcome!

I'm so glad everyone wanted to get on board with this blog.  Please please share your favorite recipes here.  I know that I'm really looking forward to hearing what your favorite meals and memories are.  If you have any trouble using it, please email me at aprilchon@gmail.com.  I'll also be checking the email address tied to this blog, so you can send messages there as well.  It might take us some time to get used to this, but I think it will be a great resource for the family.

Buon Appetito!