Coconut Rice with Black Beans, Plantains, and Mango Salsa

Coconut Rice with Black Beans, Plantains, and Mango Salsa  Rating: 9

Three words. Caribbean. Comfort. Food.  This was great and super easy!  This was our first time using a plantain thanks to our co-op produce.  If you are unfamiliar with plantains, they are sold next to the bananas and tropical fruits.  They are larger than a banana, less sweet, and starchier. 

The avocado was a nice touch but I think it would have been good without it, too.  I say this because my dear sister-in-law is deathly allergic to them.  Isn't that weird!  She has to carry an epipen just in case she has exposure.  She's a special person.  What can I say?

Back to the food.  I did not use the jalapeno in the salsa only because I did not have a fully ready one waiting to be picked from our garden. 

I could eat this often.  It was fresh, but a bit sweet, and totally satisfying.  Great first experience with plantains.

Secret Chocolate Cake

If you are going to make a treat anyway, might as well add some nutritious ingredients as well.  This chocolate cake is made with...

Beets!  In all their ruby-red glory, beets!  There is a summer variation, provided as well, using zuchinni.  This recipe is originally from Simply in Season.  I came upon it when I subscribed to their weekly recipe.  You can do so also.  It is a great way to get thinking about seasonal eating, which I urge.  They only display their recipe for one week so you'll have to wait for it to come around.  Adaptations are also online but I found this link to be the closest match.

Secret Chocolate Cake  Rating: 8

In making this cake, I used whole wheat only and I was still happy with it.

To avoid sabotaging my efforts, I served it with unsweetened applesauce, as suggested, instead of sugar laden frosting (which is a beautiful thing of its own).  My family and I were pleased with the combination.

Did I detect beet?  Only because I made the cake did I very faintly notice the trace of beets but it still tasted really good and I truly do not think a single unknowing soul would think the cake was off.  I'd certainly make it again.  When your mother tells you to eat your beets, you can now say, "Yes, please."  So enjoy all that vitamin C, folate, and potassium love.

Spring Salad with New Potatoes

Spring Salad with New Potatoes  Rating: 8

I made this last summer while my mother-in-law was visiting and she loved this salad so much she requested the recipe.  It is a lovely potato salad that is lightened up with other veggies and a zingy dressing.  It is not your average potato salad, it is better.

This time around I subbed green beans for asparagus because that is what I had on hand, but I do prefer it with the asparagus.  I also used snap peas and radishes from the garden. You can put whatever seasonal veggies sound crisp and fresh to you.  I cheated on the pickled onions this time and just put some thinly sliced white onions in a leftover jar of pickled banana peppers Neal canned last season.  Just as good.  Served it up with slices of pineapple.

Mexican Enchilada Sauce

Mexican Enchilada Sauce  Rating: 10

Don't bother buying canned red enchilada sauce.  You have everything you need in your pantry and you'll know what you are putting in your body.  This is easy and yummy. Ole!

If you want total comfort food make homemade corn tortillas for your enchiladas.  These tortillas are a 9 or 10.  We started making our own when we started reading ingredients on packages and got Neal a tortilla press for Christmas.

Blue Cheese Beet and Carrot Rice

Blue Cheese Beet and Carrot Rice  Rating: 7

This was a second go at beets since Neal was okay with the first experience.  He actually went off to the farmer's market and came home with these all on his own. 

Keri was leaning toward an 8 on this one.  It was really good with all the spices in there and comforting because of the rice.  We used walnuts instead of pecans and I omitted the bacon.  We can only imagine bacon would improve the rating but we are trying to eat less of this product. Packed with antioxidants, omega 3s, protein, and love for your body and mind.

We served this on Star Wars Day and called it Boba Fett Beet and Carrot Rice.  Sophie thought it was cool how the beets shared all their antioxidant love with the rice.  Pink food is always more fun.

Quick and Easy Pizza Crust

This is our Go-To Pizza Crust.  We don't have to wait long to use it, it's easy to double so the second one can be thrown in the freezer for a future meal, and we like the taste and texture we get when we use our whole wheat flour.

Quick and Easy Pizza Crust  Rating: 9

We use demerara sugar in place of white and whole wheat flour in place of bread flour.

Also, if you are making your own pizza dough, this is a great time to shake things up a little.  Try mixing in herbs and spices that will complement the pizza you are creating.  Ideas may include Italian herbs, garlic, onion powder, cilantro. curry powder, cumin, or chili powder.  For a dessert pizza, consider adding cinnamon or nutmeg.  Have fun with it!

Chicken Gumbo with Fresh Okra

Chicken Gumbo with Fresh Okra  Rating: 8

We've made this several times, especially when our local farmer's market has baskets spilling over with okra.  It' is definitely comfort food and comes together pretty quickly.

I forgo the sausage and shrimp and am still pleased with the outcome.  I've even used canned chicken in a pinch and like it.  We are generous with the hot sauce in the recipe and bring the bottle to the table just for good measure.  We serve it over brown rice.  Enjoy!