sunday dinner

We had friends over for dinner yesterday. I don’t mean to imply that I cooked the dinner. Actually, most of the cooking was done by my friend, Niki. I chopped and she cooked. We had a wonderful spread – a perfect spring meal: sauteed chicken breast, rubbed with a delicious spice blend (I think it was called Northeast Woods) from Penzeys; cheddar cheese and whole wheat quesadillas; a yummy succotash (no Lima beans!); fresh fruit salad; and a hot and flavorful mango salsa. Niki is an amazing cook and her baked goods are to die for. And aside from the fact that she does all this with food, she’s also a very talented artist – check out these free-hand, machine-embroidered kids’ shirts she’s been designing and making for her recently-opened shop. I’m loving this one.

Niki’s Mango Salsa:

2 (very) ripe mangos, peeled and diced

1/4 red onion, finely chopped

1 jalapeño pepper, seeded, ribbed and finely chopped

a handful of fresh cilantro, chopped

juice of one lime

coarse salt and pepper to taste

Mix it all together and let it sit at room temp for at least 30 minutes prior to meal to blend all the flavors. It makes a great accompaniment to chicken, pork or fish!

Fresh berries for the fruit salad, individually cleaned by Freddy.

Succotash made with summer squash, yellow onion, fresh-shucked corn, jalapeño pepper and Great Northern beans. Mmmm…