Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Mango, Avocado, Black Bean Chop Chop Salad

I can feel it...can you? Summer is coming. This past Friday it was a 82 and beautiful and just made me crave those summer days. We ate dinner outside and I could picture swimming in the ocean, coming home after spending all day at the beach and eating something light and refreshing. Sipping a glass of wine and eating salad a delicious salad.  Today of course is raining and summer feels so far away, now this is coming from someone who lives where it's typically 70 and sunny so I'm not definitely complaining, I'm just dreaming of what this summer has in store. 

Mango, Avocado, Black Bean Chop Chop Salad
1 1/2 cup mango, chopped (I used frozen because it was easy)
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 can black beans rinsed
1 avocado, cut into chunks
1/2 cup red onion, chopped
1/2 cup tomatoes, chopped
1 green onion, chopped
1 cup chicken, cooked & chopped
Juice from 2 limes
2 tbsp olive oil
1/2 cup cilantro
salt to taste

Mix all ingredients together and serve over lettuce. 
*I actually made everything (excluding the avocado and tomatoes) this morning and it's in the fridge marinating to get extra flavor, the kids and I have tasted it a few times (hey a chef has to taste their food to make sure it's good) and I can say I'm super excited for dinner. 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Shepherd's Pie

Oh how I love a good Shepherd's Pie, but I usually find the recipes over involved or time consuming neither of which I have the patience or time for. I finally found a recipe that is quick easy and most of all delicious.

Shepherd's Pie

For the potatoes:
4-6 medium potatoes
1/4 cup heavy cream
4 tbsp butter
1 tsp salt & pepper

For the meat filling:
1 lb ground beef
1 tbsp olive oil
1 onion chopped
1 tbsp garlic
Your favorite veggies (I use 1 cup of frozen 4 pack of corn, green beans, carrots and peas)
4 tbsp tomato paste
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
3/4 water
1/4 cup flour
1 tsp thyme
1 tsp rosemary

Turn on oven 400 degrees
Place diced potatoes in water and bring to boil, cook until tender
While potatoes are cooking, heat skillet add olive oil, chopped onion and garlic.
Add ground beef to brown.
Sprinkle meat with flour and toss to coat. Cook for another minute
Stir in the tomato paste, water, Worcestershire, rosemary & thyme. Combine well and simmer fro 7-10 minutes until sauce thickens slightly.
Add veggies (I really love a frozen organic foursome that I use so I add 1/2 the bag.) Cook until desired doneness
When potatoes are done cooking add butter and cream and mash until smooth
Spray baking pan with non stick spray, pour in meat & veggie mixture. Top with potatoes, make sure to use a spatula and smooth potatoes all the way to the edges this helps create a seal and prevents the mixture from bubbling out too much.
Place baking dish on cookie sheet and bake in middle rack @ 400 for 1 hour