Mango Salsa Scoops

(note, I made this at the end of August, here in MN, it is obviously not a hot summer day!)

Easy and quick and perfect on a hot summer day. I loved that this was a bit both spicy and sweet and kept nicely in the refrigerator for snacks all week long :)

This was from the Food Network Magazine, 50 After School Snacks Insert



Mango Salsa Scoops

Toss 1 cup diced mango and a 14.5 ounce can of black beans (rinsed and drained) with 1/4 cup diced red onion. Add 1 small can of chopped pickled jalapenos and the liquid, chopped cilantro and lime juice. Season with salt. Serve in tortilla scoops.

Spaghettini with Aglio e Olio

I loaned Lidia Bastianich's Italian American Kitchen Cookbook from the local library, now I might have to purchase this for myself, there were so many wonderful recipes and tips and tricks to try. This is a stellar read if you get the chance. The recipe is simple, delicious, and will for sure be made again!

Spaghettini Aglio e Olio (from Lidia Bastianich's Italian-American Kitchen Cookbook)

1 Pound spaghettini or linguine (as I did)
5 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
10 cloves garlic, peeled and sliced
1 Tsp crushed hot red peppers, or more to taste
1/4 cup chopped fresh Italian Flat Leaf Parsley
1 cup freshly grated Parmesean-Reggiano

Bring a large pot of water to a full rolling boil over high heat and add a generous pinch of salt to the water. Cook the pasta semi covered, stirring occasionally until tender.

Meanwhile, heat 3 Tbsp of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat, add the garlic and cook. Occasionally stir and cook until the garlic is pale golden, about two minutes. Remove from heat and add the crushed red pepper.

Ladle about a cup of the pasta cooking water into the sauce. Add the parsley, the remaining 2 Tbsp of olive oil and salt to taste.

If the skillet is large enough to accommodate the sauce and pasta, fish the pasta out of the boiling water and add directly to the skillet. If not, drain the pasta, return it too the pot, and add the sauce to the pot. Toss the pasta to coat with the sauce and heat for about a minute. Remove from heat and add the grated cheese, check the seasoning, and add more crushed red pepper if needed.

Serve immediately.

Jambalaya

After taking a break from food blogging for awhile, this is a big one to come back with. Brian and I had never really had Jambalaya but I had seen Ina Garten prepare it on her show, Barefoot Contessa, and it looked amazing.I followed the recipe fairly closely with a few adaptations such as I omitted the shrimp (mainly because we don't eat shrimp.) I upped the veggies a bit and the fresh herbs, and I substituted canned tomatoes for convenience.

There was a lot of chopping involved so plan timewise for that, or have someone in the kitchen helping you. Other than that the process was very easy and this recipe makes quite a bit I will say! We each had a good portion and there was easily leftovers for the week afterwards. I may try and freeze some of this though. However, this was the perfect excuse to break out the LeCreuset Ivory beauty thats been hiding in the closet for a few months



Jambalaya (Adapted from Barefoot Contessa)

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 pound sausage, such as kielbasa or Andouille, sliced
1 pound smoked ham, cubed
1 tablespoon butter
1 medium onion, diced
1 cup celery, diced
1 green bell pepper, cored and diced
1 red bell pepper, cored and diced
1 14.5 oz can diced fire roasted tomatoes (drain a little bit of the liquid off)
3 garlic cloves, minced
2 jalapeno peppers
2 teaspoons diced fresh oregano
2 teaspoon diced fresh thyme
3 tablespoons tomato paste
6 cups chicken stock, I used boxed
3 cups long grain rice, rinsed if needed
3 bay leaves
1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
6-8 dashes Tabasco (optional)
½ cup chopped scallions divided (optional)
¾ cup chopped fresh parsley, divided (optional)


Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or black iron pot over medium heat, add the kielbasa and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, until browned. Remove the kielbasa to a bowl, and set aside. Add the ham to the same pot and cook 8 to 10 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove to the bowl with the kielbasa, and set aside.

Add the butter, onion, celery and peppers to the same pot and sauté for 8 to 10 minutes, until the onion is translucent. Add the tomato, garlic, jalapeno or cayenne, oregano, thyme, and tomato paste and cook until all the vegetables and herbs are blended well.

Add the stock and bring to a rolling boil. Stir in the rice, and add the sausage, ham, bay leaves, salt, pepper and Tabasco. Return to a boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.

Add ¼ cup of the scallions and ¼ cup of the parsley if using. Cover the pot, remove it from the heat and allow the jambalaya steam, for 15 minutes, before serving.

Garnish with the remaining ¼ cup scallions and ½ cup parsley if using, and a dash of Tabasco, if desired.