Category Archives: Salsas and Chutneys

Sweet Potato Nachos

INGREDIENTS:

2-3 Ea Sweet Potatoes

1 Tbsp Olive Oil

tt Dash of Cayenne

tt Dash of Chili Powder

3 Ea Mini Sweet Bell Peppers (red, orange), sliced

1/4 Ea White Onion, sliced

1/2 cup Black Beans

2+ Tbs Jalapenos, diced

1/2 Ea Avocado, cubed

Sprinkle of desired cheese or Daiya (non-dairy alternative)

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

Using a sharp knife or mandolin, slice sweet potatoes thinly and lay flat on a lined baking sheet.

Drizzle lightly with olive oil, and toss with cayenne pepper and chili powder.

Roast for 10-15 minutes depending on the thickness of your potato slices.

While potatoes are roasting, add peppers and onion to a saucepan over medium heat and cook until softened.

Remove potatoes from oven, arrange them together as you would nachos potato chips, and top with salsa, black beans, roasted peppers, jalapenos, cheese and avocado.

Put back into the oven for about 5 more minutes, top with cilantro and enjoy!

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Filed under Healthy Lunches, Party Picks, Salsas and Chutneys, Starters, Summer Favorites, Vegetarian Fare

Tacos Carne Asada con Pico De Gallo

7268D501-07E4-4A81-8113-FA57F777B450.jpegEA158F84-B08E-48E5-8035-24DF5534D85D.jpegINGREDIENTS:

2 lbs          Flank or Skirt Steak, trimmed of excess fat

1 recipe     Mojo, recipe follows

a/n             Olive Oil, for coating the grill

tt                Kosher salt and Pepper, freshly ground

16 ea          Tortillas, corn

a/n              Lettuce, Romaine or Iceberg for serving

a/n             White Onion, chopped for serving

a/n             Jack Cheese, shredded for serving

1/2 cup     Pico de Gallo, recipe follows

2 ea           Limes, cut in wedges for serving

INGREDIENTS For MOJO:

4 cloves    Garlic, minced

1 ea             Jalepeno, minced

1 lg             Handful of Cilantro, finely chopped

tt                Kosher Salt and Ground Black Pepper

2 ea           Limes, juiced

1 ea           Orange, juiced

2 Tbs         White Vinegar

1/2 cup     Olive Oil (I reduce to 1/4 cup)

INGREDIENTS for PICO DE GALLO:

4 ea         Vine-Ripe Tomatoes, chopped

1/2 md    Red Onion, chopped

2 ea         Green Onions, white and green parts sliced

1 ea         Serrano Chile, minced

1 bch       Cilantro Leaved, chopped

1 ea          Lime, juiced

1/4 cup   Olive Oil

1 tsp        Kosher Salt

DIRECTIONS:

Lay the flank steak in a large baking dish and pour the mojo over it. Wrap tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for 1 hour or up to 8 hours, so the flavors can sink into the meat. Don’t marinade the steak for more than 8 hours though, or the fibers break down too much and the meat gets mushy.

Preheat an outdoor grill or ridged grill pan over medium-high flame (you can also use a broiler). Brush the grates with a little olive oil to prevent the meat from sticking. Pull the steak out of the marinade and season both sides with salt and pepper. Grill (or broil) the steak for 7-10 minutes per side, turning once, until medium rare. Remove the steak to a cutting board and let it rest for 5 minutes to allow the juices to settle. Thinly slice the steak across the grain on the diagonal.

Warm the tortillas for 30 seconds on each side in a dry skillet or on the grill, until toasty and pliable.

To make the tacos, stack up 2 of the warm tortillas, lay about 4 ounces of beef down the center, and sprinkle with some lettuce, onion and cheese. top each taco with a spoonful of the Pico De Gallo salsa and garnish with lime wedges. Repeat with the remaining tortillas.

DIRECTIONS for the MOJO:

In a mortar and pestle or bowl, mash together the garlic, jalapeno, cilantro, salt and pepper to make a paste. Put the paste in a glass jar or plastic container. Add the lime juice, orange juice, vinegar and oil. Shake it up really well to combine. Use as a marinade for the chicken or beef or as a table condiment.

Yeild: approximately 1 1/4 cup

DIRECTIONS for the PICO DE GALLO:

In a mixing bowl, combine all ingredients together. Toss thoroughly. Let it sit for 15 minutes to 1 hour to let the flavors marry.

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Filed under For the Grill, Salsas and Chutneys, Summer Favorites, What's for Dinner?

Grilled Chicken with Grape-Walnut Chutney

INGREDIENTS:

4 cups                      Seedless Red Grapes, cut in half

1/4 cup                     Red Wine Vinegar

3 tbs                          Sugar

2 tbs                          Balsamic Vinegar

1/2 cup                      Walnuts, chopped and toasted

3 tbs                          Italian Parsley, chopped

8  each                     Chicken Legs and Thighs, attached

INSTRUCTIONS:

To make the chutney, heat a large skillet over medium heat.  Add the halved grapes and cook until warmed through, stirring occasionally, about 2 minutes.  Add the wine vinegar, sugar and balsamic vinegar and continue to cook, stirring, until the mixture reduces slightly, about 10 minutes.

Add the nuts and parsley.  Increase the heat to high and boil until the juices in the pan thicken to a syrup.  This should take about 1 minute.

Season the chutney with salt and pepper.  Transfer to a bowl and set aside.

For the chicken, prepare a barbeque and when the coals are covered in white ash, spread them out in an even layer.  Season the chicken legs with salt and pepper.  When you can hold your hand over the coals to the count of four, place the chicken skin side down on the grill.  Cook, turning occasionally, until the chicken is done, about 10-15 minutes.

Remove from the grill and keep warm.  Serve with the chutney.

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Filed under Chicken Dishes, For the Grill, Salsas and Chutneys, Summer Favorites, What's for Dinner?

Cilantro-Chile Chutney (dip for Samosas)

INGREDIENTS:

1 cup              Cilantro Leaves, loosely packed

1                      Jalapeno or Serrano Chile

3 tbs                Water

1/2 tsp            Cumin Seeds

1 cup               Yogurt

1 tbs                Lemon Juice

1/4 tsp            Salt

Pinch              White Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a blender or processor, put in the cilantro leaves and chile.   Add the water and puree to a smooth paste.  Scrape down the sides of the bowl as necessary.

In a small pan, heat the cumin seeds over low heat until they started to smell nutty and aromatic.  Remove from the heat, let cool and grind to a fine powder.

Add the ground cumin, yogurt, lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Taste and adjust seasoning.  Stir to blend thoroughly and chill before serving.

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Filed under Holiday Menus, International Inspirations, Party Picks, Salsas and Chutneys, Sauces, Starters

Mango Salsa

IMG_2752

INGREDIENTS:

2                    Fresh Mangos, diced

1/4 cup         Pineapple, crushed

1/4 cup         Red Bell Pepper, coursely chopped

1/4 cup         Green Bell Pepper, coursely chopped

1                     Jalapeno, seeded and finely minced

1 tbs              Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1                     Garlic Clove, finely minced

1                     Shallot, finely diced

2 tbs              Fresh Cilantro or Parsley, chopped

2 tsp              Fresh Lime Juice or Lemon Juice

tt                     Salt and Pepper

INSTRUCTIONS:

Mix all ingredients in a bowl.  Chill for a couple of hours before serving to allow flavors to blend.

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Filed under Fish Favorites, For the Grill, Party Picks, Salsas and Chutneys, Starters, Summer Favorites, What's for Dinner?

Cranberry Chutney

 
 

Cranberry Chutney

 INGREDIENTS:

1                     Orange, peeled, tough membrane removed, chopped

1/4 cup          Orange Juice

1 pkg              Fresh Cranberries (12 oz)

1 cup              Sugar (more if desired)

1                      Large Golden Delicious Apple, peeled, cored and chopped

1/2 cup           Golden Raisins

1/4 cup           Pecans or Walnuts, chopped

1 tbs               Apple Cider Vinegar

1/2 tsp           Ginger, ground

1/2 tsp           Cinnamon, ground

INSTRUCTIONS:

Combine all ingredients in a large saucepan.  Bring to a boil.  Reduce heat; simmer, stirring occassionally, for 5 to 8 minutes, or until cranberries are bursting.  Chill until serving time.  Freeze surplus in small containers.  Makes about 4 cups of chutney.

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Filed under Holiday Menus, Party Picks, Salsas and Chutneys, Starters