Christmas In New Zealand

Good Times in New Zealand

Mango Madness

Lately I guess you can say I have had the cooking bug. Here is another recipe that we just tried. It was super easy and ryan said it was the best thing we have had so far. (the chicken is a little spicy, but not too bad)

Spicy Mango Chicken

1/4 cup mango nectar
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 jalapeno chil peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 teaspoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons Lawry's seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon Lawry's Garlic Powder w/ Parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
4 boneles, skinless chicken breast halves (1lb)

In small bowl, combine all ingredients except chicken; mix well. Brush marinade on both sides of chicken. Grill or broil chicken 10-15 mins or until no longer pink in center and juices run clear when cut, turning once and basting often with additoinal marinade. Do not bast during last 5 mins of cooking. Discard any remaining marinade. (makes 4 servings)

Mango & Black Bean Salsa

1 ripe mango, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 cup canned black beans, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped tomato
2 thinly sliced green onions
1 TBS chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 tsp lime juice
1 1/2 tsp red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp Lawry's Seasoned Salt

Combine all ingredients in a bowl, mix well. Let stand for 30 mins to allow flavors to blend.

The Salsa is the key....it really adds some great flavor to the flavorful chicken.

A New Recipe

Here is a new recipe that we tried the other day that I thought you might like.

Apple Pecan Chicken Roll-Ups

1/2 c apple juice
1/2 c Uncle Ben's instant rice
1/2 c finely chopped unpeeled apple (granny smith, golden delicious or jonathan are good ones)
1/4 c chopped pecans
3 TB sliced green onions
4 bouneless, skinless, chicken breasts (about 1 lbs)
1 TB vegetable oil

1. Heat oven to 400 degrees. In sm saucepan, bring apple juice to a boil. Add rice, cover, reduce heat and simmer 8-10 mins or util liquid is absorbed. Stir in apple, pecans and green onions. Remove from heat.

2. Flatten each chicken breast to about 1/4 inch thickness by pounding between two pieces of waxed paper. Place 1/4 of rice mixture on each chicken breast. Roll up, tucking in edges. Secure with toothpick.

3. heat oil in med skillet over med-high heat. Add chicken and cook 4-5 mins or until lightly browned; place in shallow baking pan. Bake 20-25 mins or until chicken is no longer pink in the center.

Makes 4 servings.