Posts Tagged ‘Avocado’

Mango Avocado Pasta

Wednesday, July 28th, 2010

On an exceptionally warm day a few weeks ago Sean suggested doing something cool for dinner that had avocados and jalepenos.  I immediately thought of a great salsa I made back in October for Chicken Tostadas and thought, why not toss with some rotini pasta.

Every night when we sit down to dinner I ask Sean what he thinks of the meal since I know he is going to be completely honest with me.  I like to get his opinion because he usually comes up with ways that the dish could be better or in some cases agrees that the dish should not be repeated.  Secretyly though I ask him so that I can hear a compliment when the dish is good, it really makes me feel good about my cooking skills.

When dishes don’t go well I chalk it up to the recipe and make a mental note to either make some major changes or just not make it again.  This dish was different because I had come up with it all by myself.  Sure I got the recipe for the original salsa from someone but the idea of adding a few things and tossing it with pasta was mine so I was anxiously awaiting what Sean thought of it. 

Well he didn’t disappoint and proclaimed, because it really felt like a proclamation to me, that this was one of the best dishes I have made.  I was high as a kite after he said that, who would have thought something as simple as some salsa and pasta would be such a hit.  I completely agree with him though because it really was the perfect meal for a hot day.  It is light and refreshing while still substantial with the pasta.  This is definitely a repeat recipe.

Here’s to taking a chance and finding a new favourite recipe.

Mango Avocado Salsa

1/2 cup diced peeled mango

1/2 cup diced peeled avocado

1/2 cup chopped tomato

1/3 cup chopped onions

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (I used 1/4 of a cup)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper

2 cups uncooked rotini pasta

Toss everything with pasta and serve cold.

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Posted in Chicken, Pasta |

Chicken Tostadas with Mango Avocado Salsa

Monday, October 26th, 2009

Chicken Tostada's with Mango Avocado Salsa

Mangoes are definitely something that I have learned to love over the years.  I was never a big fan of them until I was living in Egypt and having fresh mango juice from a street vendor.  Up until recently I hadn’t even really worked with fresh mangoes,   I now see what I have been missing all these years.

The mango avocado salsa is what initially caught my attention for this recipe.  The original recipe from where else but Cooking Light, is for a chicken taco with mango avocado salsa but I thought I would mix it up a little bit and pile it high on a tostada. 

The seasoning used on the chicken had a little bit of spice that complimented the sweetness of the mango.  All of these elements played together for a really great dish.  This was a perfect meal for a weekday night when you want something different but don’t have all day to put it together.  I will definitely make this dish again.

Chicken Tostadas

Courtesy of Cooking Light

1 teaspoon garlic powder

1 teaspoon paprika

1/2 teaspoon onion powder

1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper

3/4 teaspoon salt

4 (6 ounce) boneless skinless chicken breasts

1 1/2 teaspoons olive oil

Heat a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat.  Combine the first 4 ingredients and 1/2 teaspoon of salt.  Rub over the chicken.  Add oil to the pan, swirl to coat the surface.  Add chicken and cook 4 minutes on each side or until done.  Remove chicken from the pan and let stand for 5 minutes.  Cut into 1/4 inch thick strips.

Mango Avocado Salsa

Courtesy of Cooking Light

1/2 cup diced peeled mango

1/2 cup diced peeled avocado

1/2 cup chopped tomato

1/3 cup chopped onions

2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro (I used 1/4 of a cup)

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 tablespoon minced jalapeno pepper

tostada shells

While the chicken cooks, combine mango and the next 6 ingreidents, stir in remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt.

Pile everything on top of the tostada and enjoy!

 

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Posted in Chicken |