Tag Archives: Salsa

Simple Game Day Party Recipes

I just got an email from Noodles & Company offering me a free bowl of my favorite noodles if I show up to the restaurant decked out in Green Bay Packers paraphernalia. Nice… except I don’t own any Packers gear. Noodles & Company’s special NFL playoff promotion is clever, but since I don’t have any green and gold outfits, I guess I be making my own party dishes for the big weekend wild-card games, such as: VEGETARIAN STUFFED MUSHROOMS Ingredients: 1 pound mushrooms, cleaned and stems removed 1 package (10 ounces) frozen chopped spinach 1/2 cup seasoned bread crumbs 2 … Continue reading →

Fruit for Dinner

Like many kids her age my preschooler would much rather crunch on apples than carrots and celery. My daughter loves fruit. Vegetables… not so much. So imagine her surprise when we visited Hawaii a couple months ago and my fruit loving daughter was offered the following dishes. They were a hit with my little one and I have since integrated these recipes into our menu mix. (Note: I would make them more often; however, I am allergic to some of the ingredients.) COCONUT CHICKEN WITH FRUIT SALSA Ingredients: 4 skinless boneless chicken breasts Salt and pepper 1/2 cup flour 1 … Continue reading →

Spring Break Menu: Tropical Treats

Just because you can’t afford to jet off to the Caribbean this spring doesn’t mean you have to miss out on the ravishing regional cuisine. The following tropical treats can be made in your own kitchen for less than a quarter of what you would pay for a plane ticket to the island retreat. CARIBBEAN STEAK WITH COCONUT RICE Ingredients: 1 flank steak (about 1 1/2 pounds) 1 can (8 ounces) crushed pineapple Ingredients for Marinade: 1/4 cup fresh lime juice 2 tablespoons finely chopped fresh cilantro 1 tablespoon Caribbean jerk seasoning Ingredients for Coconut Rice: 2 cups water 1 … Continue reading →

Super Simple Summer Sides

After months of tolerable temperatures, the heat is finally on in our neck of the woods… and the rest of the nation. From Oregon to Georgia the mercury is soaring. When the temperature is hovering near 95 degrees you can bet that most home cooks aren’t planning menus that require them to stand over a hot stove (regardless of if they have central air). In fact, when it gets this hot I try not to turn on any of my kitchen appliances. Instead, I stick to a simple menu of lighter foods such as salads, sandwiches and refreshing side dishes … Continue reading →

Sizzling Steak Tacos with Mango Salsa

How often do you prepare steak for a weekday dinner? In a previous blog I revealed that making steak in the middle of the week is not a common occurrence in my home. But, during the summer months it’s not uncommon for some home cooks to throw a few steaks on the grill mid-week. If you are one of these lucky folks then you might consider making the following recipe. These Sizzling Steak Tacos are hot and spicy thanks to some ground cumin and garlic. The simple ingredients give the steak a welcome kick. Meanwhile, the fresh mango salsa has … Continue reading →

Summer Selections: Tangy and Tropical Fruit Salsa with Grilled Chicken and Salmon

Take an evening stroll around your neighborhood during the height of summer and you’re likely to be tantalized with the smells of grilled goodies. The temperature is rising and the grills are out in full force so why not join the masses by whipping up the following simple, delicious and nutritious recipes. Both match a version of fruit salsa to a type of grilled meat-—either chicken or salmon. The chilled fruit creations add a refreshing zing to the hot meat and they are an effective means by which you can get your kids to eat fruit at dinnertime. Grilled Chicken … Continue reading →

Recipes for Fish Fridays

With Good Friday just a few days away I figured this was a good time to post the following seafood recipes. Granted, it might have been more appropriate to post them at the beginning of Lent, but for those who abstain from meat on the Fridays leading up to Easter Sunday (or on all Fridays) these recipes can still be employed this week… and beyond. Both recipes don’t require a slew of ingredients or a lot of prep time to yield a delicious and extremely healthy seafood meal. Please note that the scallop recipe does call for strips of bacon, … Continue reading →

More Delicious Party Dips: Fiesta Dip and Cheesy Gorgonzola Dip

If you are struggling to find the perfect dish to take to an office party, potluck or family get together you’re in luck. For the past week I have been scouring my recipe boxes in search of the perfect contributions to the huge bash my friends are hosting on Sunday in honor of the Green Bay Packers making it to the NFC Championship game. In two days the Green and Gold will slaughter the New York Giants while we gorge on Spicy Sloppy Joes, Crunchy Cole Slaw, Crab Dip, and dozens of other tasty dishes. When the party is over … Continue reading →

Kicked Up Surf ‘n Turf For New Year’s Eve Dinner

If you are looking to end 2007 on a high note (and a full stomach) then the following recipes should come in quite handy. Ever since I was a child our family would sit down to a fancy meal on December 31st. Since it was the last meal of the year my grandparents and parents would spare no expense and our New Year’s Eve dinner would typically consist of seafood and a choice cut of beef–be it steak and lobster or prime rib and shrimp or crab legs and beef tenderloin. Whatever the pairing we always knew our New Year’s … Continue reading →

Salsa-fied Chicken

In a previous blog I told you that my best friend was doing something a bit different this holiday season. Instead of baking dozens of batches of Christmas cookies, she decided to jar her own homemade salsa (fruit and traditional) and give those out to friends and colleagues. However, I failed to include the recipe she attached to each jar of salsa. It’s a dish she calls SALSA-fied Chicken. It’s extremely easy to make (its done in a crock-pot) and her kids love it. I’ve also included her recipe for traditional salsa and one for Pico de Gallo. SALSA-fied Chicken … Continue reading →