Welcome to my weekly roundup…The month of May …a spring month in the northern half of the world, and a fall month in the southern half. The month of many food days/months…National Asparagus, Egg, Salad, Salsa( today its mango salsa) and Strawberry Month to name a few…all foods I love which means there will be some recipes…We are experiencing our rainy season with some fabulous tropical storms…the trees and the grass are loving it though and it is a tad cooler…My scheduling is going well I have never scheduled so far ahead…

Monday Musings…

One of my favourite posts as I can highlight other blogs or something I have watched or read…last week I shared National Mental Health week which is important to keep in the spotlight especially now people are talking about mental health and not sweeping it under the carpet…it could affect any one of us, there was the Eurovision Song Contest and it may have been a political vote but I see it as solidarity and standing behind Ukraine…plus the UK came 2nd what surprise that was…there were some beautiful images of the Joshua True plus I didn’t know they used to be pollinated by Giant Sloths who ate the seeds of the tree and spread the seeds through their dung…isn’t nature wonderful…

Monday Musing’s 16th May 2022…

Tuesday I invited you to join me in my kitchen and it was a hot one today a lovely Chicken Jalfrezi…hot because the recipe includes green chillies and chilli powder not for everyone I know but some of you like a bit of spice… if you do I hope you enjoy it!

CarolCooks2 in my Kitchen…Chicken Jalfrazi…

A-Z of World Cuisine…this week it was a virtual tour of Croatia…

Croatia is heavily influenced by Italian Cuisine so lots of pasta, truffles, and olive oil not forgetting the seafood but there are also traditional Croatian dishes like Black Risotto which is very popular here…

CarolCooks2…A-Z World Cuisines…Part 15…Croatia…Famous for its Black Risotto…

Next, we take a trip over to Sally at Smorgasbord Magazine where she tells us about all the benefits honey offers…

Smorgasbord Health Column – Food Therapy – #Honey -#Propolis – Thousands of Years of History and Health by Sally Cronin

I am repeating my store cupboard basics for those of you who didn’t see it the first time around but also because I am hearing more and more about shortages and empty shelves in stores around the world because of the war in Ukraine and the longer it goes on the more it will rebound on us..prices are rising and some products are getting scarce…

There are steps we can take and I know I live in hopes but also know that some will stockpile and that is so wrong…we all have to eat…I also abhor waste..food waste particularly when there are people including children who are still starving and going to bed hungry and waking up hungry…which means we have to put on our thinking caps and decide before we absolutely have to how we can change the eating habits in our household …we need to decide what foods we should be eating which foods we can go without and plan accordingly…we don’t need all the processed foods and sweet treats… if we do this now as gas and fuel prices are rising already …not only will it ease our budget but it will improve your health.

Buy cuts of meat or fish pieces and make a lovely fish stock or pie ..season those cheap cuts of meat with herbs and spices from your storecupboard or garden…we need to start thinking now about where we can adjust before we really have to…

Dried goods keep almost indefinitely, try something you haven’t cooked with before like couscous or other grains and store a packet or two to ring the changes …

This week in my kitchen…Store Cupboard Basics…Part 2…Pasta and Noodles…

Processed foods are not all bad…but some are …we need to know the difference…for me in a food crisis because I believe there could be one at some point plus a health crisis…health services around the world are struggling because of lifestyle diseases…diseases that can be preventable if we take ownership of our health instead of relying on medication…of course, I do not advocate just stopping taking subscribed medication but speak to your doctor and ask how can I help myself…it can only benefit you and your health.

CarolCooks2…Friday Food Reviews…Real Food v Processed Food…

Finally, because it is National Salsa Month... mango is in season here plus there are some lovely local grown avocadoes to be had…time to make salsa…

Mango and avocado salsa with red onion.

Ingredients:

•  1 mango, diced
•  1 medium avocado, diced
•  ½ medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1/2 red bell pepper (optional)
•  ½ bunch fresh coriander (about 1/2 cup chopped)
•  Juice 1 medium lime (about 2tbsp)
•  1/4 tsp salt and a pinch of black pepper, to taste.

Let’s Cook!

In a medium bowl, combine diced mango, avocado, finely chopped red onion, chopped bell pepper if using and chopped coriander. If you like a hint of spice like me then add chopped chilli.
Squeeze 2tbsp of fresh lime juice over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine and serve.

If not serving right away, cover and refrigerate.

Serve with corn chips or some crispy potato peelings…

Thank you for joining me today I do as always look forward to your comments have a wonderful Sunday xx