Tag Archives: mango

Shrimp-Mango Stir-Fry

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Main Dish, Quick Meals and tagged with , , , , , , ,
Shrimp-Mango Stir-Fry

Shrimp-Mango Stir-Fry

Every time I make an Asian-inspired meal from Cooking Light, I wonder if this will be the one that’s a bit off, the one that doesn’t quite come together.  And without fail we sit down to something fabulous, in a way I hadn’t ever considered before.   By now I should know better, the folks who design recipes at Cooking Light magazine seem to always get it right.

This one was no different.  It looks like a very simple shrimp stir-fry with noodles, and it is really, but mango?  with shrimp?  Yes, yes, and yes!  Add some sliced peppers and onion, plus ginger and I find it hard to describe the complexity and absolute deliciousness of this dish.  I swear it’s the ginger that brings it all together, so please don’t leave it out.

Shrimp-ly Delicious!

Shrimp-ly Delicious!

This recipe is meant to serve four, but two of us ate it all, with no regrets.  It’s that good!!

The other good thing about it is that it can be made quickly like most other stir-frys.  Slice, chop, measure and mix all the ingredients in advance and once you turn on the burner, cooking commences and it’s done in a flash.

SHRIMP-MANGO STIR-FRY

Yield:   serves 4

Ingredients:

  • 5 ounces uncooked rice noodles, or soba noodles

    A diverse mix of ingredients!

    A diverse mix of ingredients!

  • 3 tablespoons water
  • 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • 2 teaspoons brown sugar
  • 2 teaspoons fish sauce
  • 1/2 teaspoon cornstarch
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
  • 12 ounces large shrimp, peeled and deveined
  • 1 tablespoon canola oil, divided
  • 1 cup sliced yellow onion
  • 1 cup sliced red bell pepper
  • 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger
  • 1 cup cubed peeled ripe mango
  • 1/2 cup torn fresh basil leaves
Slice, chop, measure and mix before starting to cook.

Slice, chop, measure and mix before starting to cook.

Directions:

1.  Prepare noodles according to package directions.  Drain.

2.  Combine 3 tablespoons water and next 4 ingredients (through cornstarch) in a small bowl, stirring with a whisk.  Set aside.

3.  Combine red pepper, black pepper, and shrimp in a medium bowl; toss to coat.

4.  Heat a wok or a large skillet over high heat.  Add  1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add shrimp mixture; cook 3 minutes or until shrimp are almost done, turning once.  Remove shrimp mixture from pan.IMG_7695

5.  Add remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil to pan; swirl to coat.  Add onion, bell  pepper, and ginger; cook 2 minutes, stirring occasionally.  Return shrimp mixture and juice mixture to pan.

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Add mango; cook 1 minute or until liquid thickens slightly and shrimp are done.

Add mango last.

Add mango last.

 

Sprinkle with basil.  Serve over noodles.  (I mixed mine right in with the shrimp mixture.)

Sprinkle torn basil on top.

Sprinkle torn basil on top.

 

I can't believe we ate the whole thing!!

I can’t believe we ate the whole thing!!

 

SOURCE:  Cooking Light Magazine

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Avocado-Mango Salsa (with roasted corn chips)

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Appetizers, Snacks and tagged with , , , , , , , ,
Avocado-Mango Salsa with roast corn chips.

Avocado-Mango Salsa with roast corn chips.

Sometimes you just gotta have a snack!   And if that snack is good for you, you’ll have waaay less guilt while you munch away.  So is anything better to snack on than salsa and chips?    Not in my house there isn’t.

Munch away on this!!

Munch away on this!!

I think most people know how good avocados are for us.  Each serving of this snack provides more than half the daily requirement of  potassium and is also a good source of fiber and monounsaturated fat.  A serving of 3 tablespoons of salsa and 6 chips is only 92 calories.  Use your own judgement in deciding if you can have more than 1 serving?????  It is so good I think you will want to have more.

Whoever had the idea to combine these ingredients was really on to something:  creamy avocado, sweet mango, spicy cilantro, and tangy lime.  They just belong together.  Add in the crispiness of corn tortillas sprinkled with a little salt.   WOW!  Mr. D. says it’s the best salsa he’s ever had.  He’s become bored with the usual red salsa(s) that are tangy and spicy.  This makes a nice change from all that and it might even be considered “addicting”.

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If you would love to have a bowl of this yumminess pop up in front of you right now, you are not alone.  But hang on for a bit, because it only takes a few minutes to make it.  Part of the enjoyment of this salsa is the chunkiness of the avocado and mango, so don’t mash them.  Once mixed, let the mixture stand for 10 minutes to allow flavors to blend.  We loved the home-made chips too.  They are very crisp and have just a tad of salt sprinkled on them.  A tiny bit more salt in the salsa is all that’s needed to bring this whole taste experience together in a big way.

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AVOCADO-MANGO SALSA with ROASTED CORN CHIPS

Yield:   about 12 servings  (serving size is 3 tablespoons salsa and 6 chips)

The colors of the ingredients make it appetizing.

The colors of the ingredients make it appetizing.

Ingredients:

  •  12 (6-inch) corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
  • cooking spray
  •  1/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
  • 1 1/4 cups chopped peeled avocado
  • 1 cup chopped peeled mango (the golden mango is an Ataulfo mango)
  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro
  • 4 teaspoons fresh lime juice
  • cilantro sprigs, for garnish, optional

Directions:

1.  Preheat oven to 425*F.

2.  Arrange tortillas wedges in a single layer on baking sheets coated with cooking spray.  Coat wedges with cooking spray.  Sprinkle 1/8 teaspoon salt evenly over the wedges.  Bake at 425* for 8 minutes or until crisp.

Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges.

Cut each tortilla into 6 wedges.

Spread out on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray,

Spread out on a baking sheet and spray with cooking spray,

They become crispy and golden.

They become crispy and golden.

3.  Combine remaining 1/8 teaspoon salt, avocado, mango, chopped cilantro, and juice, tossing gently.  Garnish with cilantro sprigs, if desired.  Let stand 10 minutes.  Serve with chips.

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SOURCE:  Cooking Light

Coconut Tapioca Pudding with Mango

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Desserts and tagged with , , , , , , ,
Tapioca Pudding with Mango and Coconut Cream

Tapioca Pudding with Mango and Coconut Cream

Are you still sticking with your New Year’s Resolution?  You know, the one about exercising and losing weight.  You are?  Why that’s just  great!  And I’m here to help with that.  Isn’t it hard going without desserts though, denying yourself those sweets you love?  What happens most often is–you can hold out for a while, but then youabsolutelymusthavesomething for dessert.IMG_6265

For me pudding seems to be the answer.  I cannot completely cut desserts out of my life, so I think that having a limited quantity of a dessert that is not excessively decadent is exactly what’s needed.  It keeps me sane (at least I think so). In my opinion there is no better dessert for this purpose than pudding.  This week my pudding of choice is tapioca.   OK, so call me old-fashioned.  I served it in dessert cups that I found in my parent’s attic;  I love these old vintage dishes, too.

Served in vintage dessert dishes.

Served in vintage dessert dishes.

Tapioca is a pudding that doesn’t get much attention in the pudding/dessert world.   It’s a puzzle to me, as I think it’s gorgeous, has a chewy starchy texture, and comes from the plant world.  Tapioca pearls come in several sizes, but I like the tiny ones.  They get cooked in a custard to which you can add vanilla or lemon, orange, or cinnamon.  Tapioca pudding is like a blank slate.  In this case, since I am feeling the effects of this long cold winter, I included ingredients that I associate with the tropics;  mango, lime and coconut.  I used mango pureed with lime juice, and topped off the whole thing with whipped coconut cream, and toasted coconut chips for garnish.

A luxurious, but surprisingly low-fat dessert.

A luxurious, but surprisingly low-fat dessert.

If you are dreaming of warmer places, places with palm trees and tropical fruits, places where one does not need to pull on heavy snow boots with ski socks, a down-quilted jacket, knit hat, scarf and gloves just for a grocery store run, then this dessert might just be the dessert for you.

As I write this, the southern parts  of the U.S are feeling the full brunt of a winter snow-sleet-ice storm.  I feel your pain, people.  We here in the northeast know just what you’re going through.  Hang in there, Spring is on its way!

COCONUT TAPIOCA PUDDING WITH MANGO

Yield:    4  1/2-cup servings,  plus toppings

Pudding:

Tiny pearl tapioca, plus "light" coconut milk.

Small pearl tapioca, .

  • 1/3 cup small pearl tapioca, such as Bob’s Red Mill
  • 2  1/2 cups coconut milk ( light or full-fat, or use regular milk)
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 1/4 – 1/3 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 tsp. table salt
  • 1/2 tsp. vanilla extract

 Mango Puree:IMG_6258

  • 1 very ripe mango, peeled, pitted and roughly chopped
  • 2 tsp. granulated sugar, optional ( I used it, but would skip it next time)
  • 1 squeeze or two of fresh lime juice

Optional garnishes:

  • whipped coconut cream
  • 1/2 cup toasted coconut chips or flakes
  • few gratings of lime zest

Make Pudding:  In a medium saucepan, soak tapioca in coconut milk for 30 minutes.  Whisk in egg yolk, sugar, and salt.  Place saucepan over medium heat until mixture comes to a simmer, then reduce it to very low so it’s barely bubbling, and cook it until it thickens, about 15 minutes, stirring frequently.

Cooking the tapioca vanilla custard

Cooking the tapioca vanilla custard

Remove from heat and stir in vanilla extract.  Pour into pudding cups to chill for several hours.  Pudding may seem thin going into the cups but after chilling in the fridge, it will set on the firm side.

Pour pudding into dessert cups to chill.

Pour pudding into dessert cups to chill.

To make a softer, lighter pudding you may want to beat the egg white you separated from the yolk, separately with a spoonful of sugar you would otherwise have added to the tapioca.  Beat until glossy peaks form.  After the pudding has cooled for about 15 minutes, spoon some of the pudding mixture into the egg white and fold in, then pour all of it back into the pudding, folding in until it has all been uniformly incorporated.

Make Mango  Place mango chunks in a small food processor or blender with lime juice and sugar and blend until very smooth.  Refrigerate puree until needed.

Make Whipped Coconut Cream:  Place 1 can of full fat coconut milk in the fridge overnight.  This will cause the coconut fats and thin milk/watery part to separate.  Also place small/medium mixing bowl (ideally metal) in the freezer.  The next day, turn the can of coconut milk upside down before opening it, so that the thickened coconut fat will be at the bottom.  Pour off the thin coconut milk;  you should have about 1 cup and this can be used towards the amount needed for the tapioca.  About 2/3 thickened coconut fat will remain at the bottom of the can.  Scrape this into the chilled bowl, and beat it with an electric mixer until thick and whipped, like cream.  Dollop it over desserts such as this, though you will have more than you need for 4 puddings.  It will keep, covered, in the refrigerator for several days.

Thick coconut milk whips up like cream.

Thick coconut milk whips up like cream.

To Toast Coconut Chips:  Heat an oven to 350*F.  Spread coconut flakes on a rimmed baking sheet and toast until golden brown and fragrant, about 5 minutes, tossing once if needed to help them brown evenly.  Let cool before using.

To Serve:  Dollop a spoonful of mango puree on the tapioca, then top it with a some coconut cream.  Sprinkle with toasted coconut before serving.

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SOURCE:  Smitten Kitchen

Coconut Mango Ice Pops

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Snacks and tagged with , , , , , ,

Today I want to share with you another way that I have been trying to beat the heat.    I’m on a binge of making Ice Pops.   And eating them too, of course. 😀

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With a new toy to play with (my popsicle mold), I’ve been dreaming up all kinds of flavors and while most of them have been pretty good, this one, I think, is outstanding. Pureed mango and coconut milk with a little shredded coconut thrown in just to really taste the flavor.  I can’t even begin to tell you how delicious they are.  Sweet pureed mango and silky, smooth coconut are a match made for each other.  Sort of like a Piña Colada.  Want to know what else is great about them?  They are only 68 calories each.  Whoo-Hoo!

COCONUT MANGO POPS

Yield:   Makes 10

Ingredients:

Coconut Mango ice Pops

Coconut Mango ice Pops

  • 3/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk beverage (dairy case)
  • 1 3/4 cups diced ripe mango
  • 1 cup canned light coconut milk
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 Tablespoons honey
  • 1/4 cup shredded coconut
  • 1/4 tsp. coconut flavoring, optional

Directions:

1.  Puree mango in the blender with 1/4 cup of the coconut milk beverage and sugar and blend until smooth.  Pour out into a small bowl and set aside.

2.  In the blender container, combine the remaining coconut milk beverage, canned coconut milk, honey, shredded coconut and coconut flavoring, if using.  Blend briefly to thoroughly mix and chop the coconut.

3.  Pour, or spoon, about  2 Tablespoons of mango puree into each popsicle mold then pour in coconut milk mixture, until all the molds are filled. Cover the molds, insert sticks, and  place the molds in the freezer and freeze until solid, about 5 to 6 hours.

Fill the molds, then freeze.

Fill the molds, cover, insert sticks, then freeze.

Cool and yummy!

Cool and yummy!

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SOURCE:   POPS,  Icy Treats for Everyone,   Krystina Castella

Pina-Mango Coladas

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Beverages and tagged with , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Just in time for what is promising to be a very warm weekend, I have just the cool, refreshing drink you may be looking for.  Lately I have been experimenting with putting together various combinations of fruits plus an alcoholic ingredient of some sort to make a cocktail that we can enjoy in the late afternoon out on our deck. Some have been very Yummy, others only Eeh……  This one, I think, is one of the successful ones.  Try it, and see if you agree.

It contains pineapple, mango, and orange juice, plus dark rum.  I freeze the pineapple in chunks, also the mango, and make orange juice ice cubes.  When it is all blended together you get a thick, cold, frosty beverage that pretty much stays that way all the way to the bottom of the glass.  Then you will want to pour yourself another one!  🙂     The riper the pineapple is, the more pronounced it’s flavor will be.

My advice:  If you do not have the ingredients on hand there is still time to go to the market and get them.  Cut up and freeze the fruits, so when a hot day arrives in your neck of the woods, you will be able to zip up this drink in a jiffy.

INGREDIENTS

Servings:  about 8 @ 2/3 cups each

  • 1 (13.5 0z.) can Lite Coconut Milk
  • 2 cups fresh pineapple, cut into small chunks
  • 1 fresh mango, cut into chunks
  • 1/4 cup orange juice, frozen into cubes
  • 1/4 cup orange juice-not frozen
  • 2 cups ice cubes
  • 2 Tablespoons light agave nectar
  • 3/4 cup gold rum ( such as Bacardi Gold)
  • 8 fresh pineapple slices

1.  Arrange pineapple and mango pieces in a single layer on a baking sheet;  freeze at least an hour or overnight.  Freeze the orange juice in an ice cube tray.

2.  Combine pineapple, mango, orange juice cubes,  ice cubes, agave nectar and rum in a blender;  Process mixture until smooth.  Add coconut milk slowly thru top “feed opening” while blending.  Process just to incorporate.

3.  Serve with a pineapple slice to garnish.

Some further thoughts:  You may choose to omit the rum, and this would still be a cool, delicious drink.  I chose to use “lite” coconut milk to avoid the saturated fat in the heavy, sugary cream of coconut.  This also cuts the calories way down.  I used a darker variety of rum because it’s what I had on hand.   With its underlying hints of molasses and caramel it  compliments the coconut and pineapple but you could use any kind of rum.

Spicy Tilapia Tacos with Avocado Mango Salsa

Posted by deliciousonadollar in Main Dish, Quick Meals and tagged with , , , , , , , , , ,

One day last week I was confronted with this situation–which happens rather frequently around here.  Mr. D. needed to work late, then go directly to a meeting before coming home for dinner.  Meanwhile, I needed to have my dinner on the early side, then go to a dance class in the evening.  My dilemma?  How to provide each of us with a nutritious meal which could be eaten at two separate times.  Are you familiar with this scenario?   I’d love to hear from you about the kinds of meals you serve when this happens.

My solution on this particular day was to make a tasty salsa that could be served with spice-rubbed tilapia, quickly cooked as needed; and served in a toasted corn tortilla.  I also prepared a tossed green salad to round out the meal, dressing to be added when eaten.

Here’s how it went together:

AVOCADO-MANGO SALSA

  • 1 cup diced peeled avocado
  • 2/3 cup diced peeled ripe mango
  • 1/4 cup chopped green onions
  • 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
  • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground red pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt

Mix together all the salsa ingredients in a medium bowl, and set aside for flavors to meld.  This is a delicious salsa that I make often in warm weather.  I love salsas made from fresh ingredients, don’t you?

SPICY FISH FILLETS (TILAPIA)

  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 1 clove garlic, minced fine
  • 1 pound fish fillets  (we are partial to tilapia)
  • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
  • 8 Corn tortillas  (6-inch)
Combine the first 5 ingredients ( thru garlic ).  Rub well over both sides of fish fillets.  These can be prepared in advance up to this point.  Refrigerate, and have ready for cooking as needed.
Place a medium skillet over medium-high heat.  Add the vegetable oil to pan, swirl to coat.  Add fish;  cook 2-3 minutes per side, depending on thickness of fillets.  Remove to a platter and keep warm.
Warm corn tortillas in hot skillet, about a minute per side to warm and soften.
YIELD:  SERVES 4