Grilled Chicken and Mango Salsa

Last night for dinner we had grilled chicken, mango salsa, broccoli, rice and watermelon. The only recipe I haven't posted from last night is the mango salsa. Keep reading!

One note on the chicken, since the salsa is so flavorful, I only slightly seasoned the chicken with the rub on one side. I didn't want it to be bland, but I didn't want anything to over power the yummy salsa.

Mango Salsa

2 mangoes, diced small

2 peaches, diced small

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 red onion, chopped

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 Serrano chili peppers, diced (I've also used 1 jalapeno for this)

1 red pepper, chopped

2 fresh limes

Chop all ingredients except the lime. Stir together. Squeeze lime overall. Salt for taste if desired (I add maybe 1/4 tsp.) Allow to chill for a couple of hours for flavors to blend.

Notes on salsa: Measurements are not exact--change up as desired. This is a combination of a couple of recipes and we've found we like this combination, but you can add and take away to your liking.

We all love this blend of exciting flavors!

Lettuce Wraps

I had an abundance of lettuce so I put lettuce wraps on the menu. I decided to try a new recipe (my other one was quite time intensive and I didn't want that for a Sunday). This is the one I tried. I made a lot of changes and they were quite yummy. I don't really love hamburger so I used sausage instead. I added about a cup of rice to stretch it. I also added peanuts. I did put the chili paste in (I think about a tsp). I didn't use the pickled ginger--I just used fresh--about 3 tsps. It was very yummy. So yummy we ran out. But that was okay because the boys could also fill up on rolls and these yummy nachos for dessert. I didn't even have cool whip and everyone yummed it up. Happy kids left the dinner table today! Makes me smile.

Ham Chowder

This is a recipe from my Grandma Porter. It is one of my family's favorites.

Ham Chowder

4 large carrots diced

4 stalks celery, diced

1 small onion

2 large potatoes

5 cups water

2-3 cups diced ham

2 TBSP butter

6 TBSP flour

2 1/2 cup milk (I often use half and half)

seasoning to taste

Salt and pepper veggies. Cook veggies for about 20 minutes in 5 cups of water. Add ham and butter. Blend flour into milk, blending until smooth. Stir into soup, heat, stirring constantly until mixture boils. Simmer partially covered for 10-20 minutes to develop flavor. Season to taste.

Hawaiian Haystacks

I'm not a real fan of Hawaiian Haystacks, but a few months ago I decided I would try to make them so I would like them (as well as a few of my kids). I did pretty good. However, my additions make them labor intensive so they aren't a good fall-back dish liked I'd hoped. Oh well. Here is what I did:

I used the rub on this post for the chicken. Then I broiled it and cut it up. I just used a chicken gravy packet for the gravy, but I added some of the drippings. That made a yummy difference.

I also fried up some won tons. I made them once without these and I was not nearly as popular as when I made them. (Am I shallow to want to try be a popular mom at meal times? I guess I should say that I'm just trying to please my eaters. . . ) Anyway, yummy Hawaiian Haystacks have fried won tons on them!

Then I finely chopped up celery, green onions and red peppers (a must!). Those who like pineapple, coconut and cheese had that available.

Sunday Sandwiches

For Father's Day I made Tom these sandwiches. I've made them once before and he really liked them. This time I had problems getting the chicken up to temp before the chicken got a little tough. I need to note for next time to pound them thinner and put a lid on them while cooking the first side. When done right, this is a pretty good sandwich!

We also had this yummy broccoli. I made a few more notes on that post also.

Then we had ice cream for dessert.

Breakfast Casserole

I usually make this in a 9x13 pan, but for a family reunion, we tried it in the dutch oven. Yum! I like the extra moistness; Tom did not prefer it. Perhaps in the future I'll cover it during baking then turn the broiler on at the end to crisp the top to please Tom.

12 oz. bag of frozen shredded hash browns

1/2 cup melted butter (or less)

1/2 cup milk

1 lb. bacon, sausage or ham, cooked, crumbled or chopped

4 eggs

1 1/2 cup shredded cheese

1/2 cup green onions & green peppers (both optional)

Brown hash browns in frying pan in butter until browned. (You probably could skip this part.) Spread hash browns in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Sprinkle meat and cheese over potatoes. Beat eggs and milk together. Salt and pepper as desired. Add desired veggies. Pour over all. Bake 30 minutes or until set.

This could be made up the night before and put in the oven in the morning.

Crock Pot Chip Dip

This is not my favorite meal, but it nice and easy in a pinch. (and the kids all eat it right up, so I keep making it. . . )

Brown 1 lb. hamburger with an onion

Drain and put in a crock pot. Add:

1 can pork and beans (remove pork and drain slightly)

1 can corn drained

1/4 cup salsa

1 can black beans, drained

2 cans green chilies

Season to taste with Tabasco sauce, chili powder, cayenne pepper etc. Serve in bowls with grated cheese, lettuce, tomatoes, guacamole, sour cream etc. Eat with corn chips. (or just eat plain with corn chips---how my kids like it best)