Mango Pudding

Mangos are showing up at the markets, this is a great way to eat some;

Mango Pudding

Ingredients:

2 envelopes (1 tablespoon) unflavored gelatin

3/4 cup (175 mL) sugar

1 cup (250 mL) hot water

3 cups (750 mL) pureed fresh mangoes

1 cup (250 mL) 2 percent evaporated milk

8 ice cubes

lime wedges, fresh mango slices for garnish

Preparation:

Add gelatin and sugar to hot water and mix until dissolved and smooth.In large bowl, mix mango puree, evaporated milk and ice cubes. Pour gelatin mixture into mango mixture and stir until ice cubes are melted. Pour mixture into jelly mould and chill until set, at least 3 hours. To serve, dip jelly mould briefly in hot water then turn pudding out onto platter. Squeeze on some lime juice, garnish with mango slices if desired and serve. (Best eaten within a day). Serves 8.

Pies and Politicians

This is the Banana Creme Pie recipe made famous by Daniel's Resturant in Copala. Apparently it was a favorite of Bill Clinton. I don't think we should hold grudges about politcs with desserts, in my opinion, so here it is! This is the recipe as it was given to me, so it is a little awkward in places. Enjoy!

Copala Banana Coconut Creme Pie

Pie Crust:

2 cups flour

4 tbsp sugar

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 cup lard or Crisco

3 to 4 tbsps cold water

Stir together flour, salt and sugar. Cut lard or Crisco into flour mixture. Sprinkle 1 tbsp water over the mixture. Gently toss with a fork. Push to side of bowl until all is moistened. Form dough with hands. Roll dough out and place in a 9" pie plate. Bake at 250 degrees for 30 minutes or until golden brown.

Filling:

1 cup of evaporated milk

1 cup of Sugar

1 cup water

1/4 cup butter

1 tsp vanilla

3 tbsp flour

4 egg yolks

1 cup fresh coconut flakes

2 to 3 sliced bananas

In a saucepan, combine sugar, flour and gradually add milk and water. Cook over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Reduce heat and cook 2 more minutes. Remove from heat. Beat egg yolks in a separate bowl. Gradually stir into saucepan. Cook 2 more minutes, remove and add butter and vanilla. Pour hot filling into shell. Add banana and coconut. Spread merangue over filling. Bake at 350 12 to 15 minute

Jalapeno Chicken

Here's another popular request for my peeps:

Jalapeno Chicken

6 chicken breasts

1/2 cup lime juice

1/4 cup honey

2 TB cilantro

3 jalapeno peppers (diced)

2 TB soy sauce

3 cloves garlic (chopped)

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Combine all ingredients(except chicken of course) and process until smooth. Reserve 1/4 cup marinade and pour remaining over chicken breasts. Cover and refrigerate for 8 hours. Drain chicken and grill, turn and brush with marinade as needed.

Buen Provencho!

Corn Casserole

Okay, I am posting this after numerous requests from my culinary fan base. Buen Provencho!

Corn Casserole

1 c. dry elbow macaroni

1 can whole corn

1 can creamed corn

1/2 c. butter

1/2 c. chopped onion

1 can RoTel (diced tomatoes and chilies)

salt and pepper to taste

1/2 c. velveeta

We have lived in very warm climates, so there is nothing I try to avoid more than to use the stove. Heats the house up way too much. What I usually do is throw it all in a crock pot on high for a couple of hours and give it a stir every once in a while. You can also pour it into a casserole dish, then bake uncovered at 350 degrees for for 30 minutes, give it a good stir, then bake covered for another 30 minutes.