Mango Salsa

Once in a while, you find the perfect addition to a light summer meal. Something both cool and refreshing, yet not a dessert. It's healthy, it's delicious and of course it's mango salsa!! Until last week, I'd never even heard of this but let me tell you, it's sweet, a bit spicy, and so bright you'll need to put on a pair of shades when you eat it. The ingredients in this unique summery treat are mango, jalepaneo, green onion,lime juice, salt and pepper. We put this on taco's instead of the conventional tomato based salsa and what a difference! It's like we kicked up the health factor and put a completely different spin on a dish that was already guaranteed to be a winner. Just look at this stuff!! Some of the senior members of your family may not even be able to contemplate what this is. You may need to explain it to them several times and one single taste may be enough to induce a jaw dropping flavor coma rendering them speechless. But of course, if this seems like too much of a long shot you could probably spike it with tequila to achieve the desired affect.

Surf Clam with Chourico

Summer is coming and we all know what that means, excellent outdoor eating on warm wonderful days. I was at the Cape last year and have been saving this picture for something special. This is a surf clam with chourico and breadcrumbs mixed in. There is butter on the side to enhance the qualities of this amazing mix even further. To have this divine concoction is to experience the essence of summer at its fullest potential. This meal can only be eaten on a warm day in the sun with a nice cold beverage. Overlooking the ocean on a restaurant occupied dock doesn't hurt to increase the sensation that this meal is truly the pinnacle of the summer. There is something wonderful about having seafood in the high mercury temperatures, it's not incredibly heavy but light and tasty. For those not fortunate to have heard about Chourico before it is simply excellent sausage used in Portuguese cooking which can be quite spicy.

Miso Baked Tofu

When she said, "Tonight we're having tofu," my smile was a bit less than genuine. Being a recent graduate from a tendency toward meaty delights such as buffalo wings or low grade hamburger products, I sometimes have slight relapses into obstinence. One taste of this gingery miso baked tofu and it put my fears of trying new things to rest once again. The salty flavor of the miso paste was a wonderful complement to the fresh bok choy this was served with. A nice creamy drink of thai tea added yet another dimension to the overall flavor. The crisp edges around the baked tofu added an element of texture that wouldn't have existed in the dish otherwise and it was easy to appreciate as I worked my way into the softer center of this tasty treasure. Though I wouldn't tell my beer chugging comrades I like this one, it's a keeper!

Stuffed Mushroom Caps

By the time we get home from work, picking up the phone and magically teleporting food to the door is a very attractive option. This solution to a hectic lifestyle isn't helpful for the budget or for the waistline as we have all found out from time to time. Stuffed mushroom caps are an easy and delicious solution to the fifteen minute meal. A little time in the skillet and the roasting pan can make something absolutely divine. This particular photo uses store bought artichoke dip as the filler but there are many alternatives for this versatile idea. Giada de Laurentiis, who everyone's father pretends to watch for cooking tips, has a slightly healthier version that uses garlic, breadcrumbs, mint, and a few other delectable ingredients. There is an endless supply of ideas available in online recipes that can be used in the fight against those daily takeout cravings. Just say no to delivery and its crunchy fried allure!! Don't put up with it's luke warm sass and beggars desire for your hard earned tip money. Handing anyone a load of single dollar bills that is still wearing their clothes is such a waste! (Just kidding!)

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Taste This!!!

I'm not going to pretend that I know how to cook or that I know everything there is to know about food. Much like super eater Adam Richmond, I am just a regular guy who loves to eat. I exercise more moderation than him, but the guy is great and if you ever get a chance to check him out I do recommend. Tonight, I partook in one of my favorite inexpensive dinner selections to get on the fly. Pho is a Vietnamese staple and also the best soup I've ever had. The dac biet gives you a bit of everything in the most incredible combination. When you receive the large bowl of steaming broth, you know its going to be good because it's been cooking for five hours. The yellow noodles are far better than the blander white in my opinion and requesting extra lime wedges ensures that you can sweeten the whole deal perfectly. Then it's essential to add some of the crisp soybeans and tear up the basil leaves to add those wonderful vegetable flavors. As if this wasn't enough to work the taste buds to their highest possible function, you are able to adjust the level of sweetness and roasting spicy heat with respective hoisin and blistering red sirachi sauce. These last two ingredients should be experimented with in small increments to carefully tune the tastes to what you desire. Once too much spice is in there your living with fire of liquified chilis. Now I've been hiding something about this dish. It can come with seafood, chicken, or beef. My favorite however is eye round (beef), with tendon and tripe.

Ok, I hear the gasps and I understand. Normal americans don't eat things like that. If you can afford top quality meats why bother. Two reasons, first of all its different, second of all its good. Thats all the reason I need. The texture is amazing and the collegen is good for your physical health. You don't need to order it this way, it's just for the adventurous who crave the authenticity and are curious why it's so popular in other countries. So that's my sales pitch on Pho. Celebrity chef Anthony Bourdain says it would be his last meal on earth if it was up to him. Not to mention that Vietnamese restaurants have extremely refreshing and exotic fruit smoothy like beverages.

So there you have it, I don't like food blogs or food research, I can't cook, and my camping meals involve meat stuck in an open flame. But I have a special appreciation for a great meal. Now don't read my blog!! Go shoo!

Savory Salsbury Steak Anyone?

Sometimes, there is nothing finer than a nice home cooked meal. If you eat out often, you can really see the difference as the thick butter and gobs of cream are omitted for a super tasty and much trimmer solution to those hunger pang blues. Does this meal look like one you'd anxiously turn down? Sometimes some nice savory salsbury steak with low fat gravy and other comfort food staples are just what you need!

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Weight Watchers Pizza Casserole

I'm sure the last thing that comes to mind when dreaming up a healthy meal for the family is pizza. There are certain little culinary secrets that can achieve incredible taste with a lot less of the bad stuff. This weight watchers pizza casserole is simply amazing. Just imagine having a rough day at the office and coming home to a nice plate of pizza casserole made with light biscuits with a side of sauteed spinach and mushrooms. Boy do I hope this one is on the table tonight!

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