Jana: Magic Mango Bread

With "Mango Month" winding down, I wanted to squeeze one more recipe in. Rob had requested our favorite chicken/apple/spinach salad after he and Thomas rode bikes yesterday, so I needed to find something other than a main dish.

After dinner Rob joked, "What's for dessert?" (We don't usually do dessert in this house!) I was quick to reply, "Would you like some Magic Mango Bread?" (How can you resist a recipe called "Magic Mango Bread?") I made it earlier in the afternoon, and it was a perfect after-dinner treat.

I decided to half the recipe, given the logistics of only having one loaf pan here at the apartment. The result was a little dry and crumbly--I'm guessing something got a little off in the conversion. But the boys devoured it, going back for seconds, and then having a slice this morning for breakfast.

DID YOU KNOW? My sifter is also stored in a cabinet back in Georgia, so I had to research another way to sift the flour. Turns out that you can also use a whisk to stir and aerate it.

Jana: Mango, Avocado and Tomato Salsa

I planned to make carne asada burritos last Thursday night--wanted to try the new Ol El Paso Tortilla Stuffers that you can microwave. [SIDENOTE: Turned out pretty decent for a cheap, quick meal! I'll probably buy it again. You might want to try it!]

I thought that a mango salsa would be the perfect complement. It was an easy recipe. Just chop, chop, chop, chop, mix, chill and serve.

And, it was yummy. I loved the avocados and cilantro best, but the mango did add a bit of pizzazz. Luckily, the recipe made enough to top our burritos and as a side dish for chips, plus some leftover.

Jana: Little Chica Mango Chicken

While looking for yummy-sounding mango recipes, I ran across the National Mango Board website. What a wonderful recipe resource! I bookmarked several pages, but decided to start the challenge with a main dish: Little Chica Mango Chicken.

It was a pretty easy recipe to follow and make. However, it did get a little crazy while trying to get this entree and my side dishes (roasted corn and rolls) all ready at the same time. I was running around my tiny kitchen like a crazy person.

Broiling was a new way for me to cook chicken though... and one that I will be doing again... maybe even tonight. It was easy and quick! Next time I'll save a little bit more marinade to keep the chicken juicy all the way until the end though.

It seemed to me that the mango and cilantro topping was a bit of an after-thought in this recipe... just chop, mix, and add on top. Although it was good, it didn't totally mesh with the other flavors of the chicken. I can't wait to try another recipe where the mangoes are more integrated with the meal.

Month 7

Although Callie may have more corn recipes to post [she says that she made a couple, but I'll believe it when I see it :) ], we're taking advantage of mango season lasting until September. Have any good recipes to share?