Another quick way to save time, save brain cells, and spice up mealtimes = theme night!
I bring you slightly Mexican night, since I would not claim any authenticity what so ever.
Salsa - the salad
- Dice a punnet of cherry or grape tomatoes (smaller ones are generally sweeter and therefore more acceptable to maturing palates).
- Finely dice a quarter red onion and add to a bowl with the tomatoes.
- Add lime juice (approximately half a lime), chopped cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.
- Mash one ripe avocado with juice from the other half of the lime.
- Add a teaspoonful of garlic puree or finely chop/crush a clove (whatever, to taste, eachto their own).
- Season if required.
- Optional: add chopped cilantro, finely diced red or green onion
- Keep in an airtight dish until serving or it will go brown and provoke cries of "yuck" and general non-compliance :(
The more astute reader will note that the above dishes are merely sides. The feast can be completed with a do-it-yourself taco fest (ground beef chilli, or fajita-style chicken), ready-prepared enchillada, microwaved taquitoes or similar dishes, or even a tamale pie (spicey bean hot pot under a cornbread and cheese crust). If you're ambitious then chicken enchilladas are ridiculously simple to make at home. A couple of cooked chicken breasts shredded into a grated cheese, green salsa and cream sauce, and diced tomato mix makes a great filling. Arrange the filled soft tacos or similar in an oven-proof dish on a bed of more of the green salsa/cream sauce. Top with more sauce and Monterey Jack cheese. Bake at 385 F for approximately 20 minutes until bubbling. A dollop of plain yogurt always completes each serving.
bon appetit :)
