Fresh Mango Salsa

Still remember my previous post on how to easily dice and peel a mango, all inspired by a real life story?  If you've missed it, no worries, click here to read the juicy details.  With the diced mango, I've made this Fresh Mango Salsa.  It’s super easy to prepare and so refreshing!  In this recipe, I used my favorite Ataulfo Mangos.  It’s sweeter than the Tommy Atkins variety, which has a firmer flesh and more sour taste.  Both would work just fine here. 



The key to this refreshing Mango Salsa is that after mixing the ingredients, you have to let it sit at room temperature for 15 to 30 minutes.  That way, the flavors from different ingredients can get to know each other and combined beautifully.  Just like any relationship in life, we need to spend the time with the other to develop that bond!  You’ll be surprised how much the taste is enhanced by giving it that 15 to 30 minutes of time. 



This Fresh Mango Salsa pairs perfectly with any kind of white flesh fish fillet.   It’s also wonderful with pork chops, or chickens.  Basically, any white meat with mild flavors would work.  I hope you’ll give it a try.

Before I conclude this post, I also want to encourage you to spend 15 to 30 minutes (more if you want) each day with someone you want to enhance your relationship with.  Sit down and ask them how their day went, or give them a phone call if they’re far away.  It could be your spouse, your kids, your parents, your siblings, your in-laws, or a long lost friend, etc.  So, let me know, who would you pick?  I think I’m going to call up my brothers!


 
 
 

Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam

Yes, yes and yes!  You’ve read that right, it’s Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam!!  It’s as luscious, decadent, rich, ridiculously good and irresistible as it sounds!!!  Yes, it has Bourbon, maple syrup, and of course, bacons in it;  all transformed into this jam!!!!  I think I’ve used too many exclamation marks in my sentences!  But who cares?  When you have something as outrageous as Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam, it deserves all the exclamation marks out there!!!  Oops, sorry for using the marks again but I just couldn't help it. 



This Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam is truly amazing!  The Bourbon gives this jam a wonderful depth of flavor.  The maple syrup adds an earthy and smoky sweetness that compliment well with the smoky and salty bacon.  I used some uncured apple wood smoked bacon here.  You can use anything that you like.  I also added some apple cider vinegar to cut the richness from the bacon and that adds a wonderful tang to this jam.  The fresh ginger and red pepper flakes give this jam the heat and spiciness that balance well with the sweetness from the brown sugar and maple.  The flavor combination is complex, yet, it’s pure indulgence that you don’t want to miss.  After all, who can resist bacon? Oink Oink....



Best of all, this Bourbon Maple Bacon Jam is a cinch to make.  Come on into the kitchen with me to see how it’s done:

1) In a large stainless steel skillet, cook the bacon over medium heat until golden brown and crisp; drain out melted fat/oil as necessary, stirring frequently, it takes about 20 to 25 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

2) Remove fat from pan but leave 1 tablespoon of fat in pan. In the same skillet, add onions, shallots and garlic and cook over medium heat, until translucent, about 5 minutes.  Stir in red pepper flakes and ginger, stir and mix well.

3) Increase heat to high and add the bourbon and maple syrup. Bring the mixture to a boil and scrap up browned bits on the bottom of the pan. Then, add vinegar and brown sugar; let mixture come to a boil again.

4) Next, add the reserved bacon and reduce to low heat. Let the mixture simmer and cook until the liquid reduces to a thick glaze, about 10 minutes.  Transfer the mixture to a food processor and pulse until it has the consistency of a chunky jam. Transfer to an airtight container and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. Enjoy!
 


Super easy to prepare, right?  One of my favorite way to serve this jam is spread it on toasts and serve with fresh cherry tomatoes and fresh thyme leaves.  The freshness from the tomato and thyme really compliment the richness of the jam.  Go ahead, make some and share the wealth.  This jam would definitely make a wonderful homemade gift.  I also have a few more serving suggestions at the end of the recipe.  Feel free to check them out.  What is your favorite indulging ingredient?  Is it bacon? Chocolate? Or something else.  I would love to hear from you.  
  

Orange Curd—Sunshine in a Bowl!

My whole family adores citrus, not just in sweet treats, but in many savory dishes as well.  I’ve made citrusy vinaigrette such as this one here and it’s been my family’s go-to salad dressing ever since.  With all the citrus fruit I get from my In-Law’s garden, it’s hard not to love these fruits.  If you haven’t done so, check out this Meyer Lemon Curd with Vanilla Sugar Recipe, it’s good on almost everything, such as toasts, scones, tarts, or even by the spoonful, ahem….don’t ask me how I know that.



So, with the super sweet oranges that I got recently, I’ve made some orange curd.  I put quite a bit of zest in this curd because I love the aroma from the zest.  The zest contains the essential oil and carries lots of flavor, even more so than the juice itself, in my opinion.  So, I didn’t strain this curd after it’s done cooking because I want as much zest in my curd as possible.  If you prefer a smoother curd with no zest, by all means pass the cooked curd through a strainer, the choice is yours. 



This Orange Curd taste like sunshine in a bowl to me.  It’s tart, its’ sweet, and it’s refreshing, yet it’s also very rich and creamy without any cream in it.  It puts a smile on my face every time I taste it.  I’m sure it’ll do the same to you if you give this recipe a try.  If the weather in your area is less than perfect, this Orange Curd  will brightens up your day.  Happiness could be really simple, as simple as a tablespoon of orange curd on a slice of homemade bread.  I believe happiness depends on our attitude in regards to how we perceive things around us. 



Thank you for stopping by today.  I hope you enjoy today’s recipe.  So, please share with me, what kind of recipes make you feel happy?  I would love to hear from you and give your recipe a try too.   Meanwhile, be happy and keep smiling.  You never know who would fall in love with your smile.