bob's pineapple salsa

pineapple salsa

Almost every time I post a recipe, I mention my dad. It's inevitable because food seems to have such tie to memories for me. Just in the same way smells can evoke memories. A lot of the recipes I cook today stem from something I ate as a kid or a recipe my parents taught me. This recipe is one of my go-to appetizer recipes. 

fresh and delicious

I remember the first time my dad made it, I was hesitant to try it. It was about 6 years ago and I was still coming out of my "picky eater" shell. I didn't like avocado at that time, nor did I like raw red onions, both of which are in this salsa. I was also hesitant about the idea of pineapple used with savory ingredients. I did try it though, and I loved it. 

perfect for a day at the pool

husband approved

The recipe is simple and measurements don't need to be exact so it hard to screw it up. My husband loves it and I make it once every few weeks for him. It's a good snack on a hot summer day, relaxing by the pool or at a BBQ with friends. Every time I bring it to a party or BBQ, everyone loves it and it disappears fast!

the prep

Ingredients

1 20 oz can of crushed pineapple, drained

1/2 of a red onion, diced

1 jalapeño, minced

1 bunch of cilantro, chopped

2 avocados, cut into chunks

juice of 1 lime

pinch of salt

You can adjust the level of ingredients to your tastes, but this is the ratio we like. If you don't like spicy, leave out the jalapeño or use less, use more if you like it spicier. Cut everything up, and mix it together. I like to add the lime juice and salt at the very end, then let it sit in the refrigerator for about an hour before serving. It helps develop the flavors a little more. Serve with chips and watch it disappear!

enjoy!

valasa soup

Growing up I always had a love of food and cooking. I would watch my dad in the kitchen just throwing things together and making a meal. He could turn random leftovers and pantry items into a tasty dinner just with his own imagination. Watching him I learned a lot and now I'm able to do the same. He passed those skills down to me. 

Now as an adult, my stepdaughter Meli expresses that same eagerness to be in the kitchen and create meals. I want to be able to pass those skills to her and foster her love of cooking. She has been helping me cook and bake and keeps mentioning this soup she wanted to make for us. Normally, we don't eat a lot of soups since it's hot over here, but this past week George and I have been battling a nasty cold so soup sounded just right.

meli's recipe

I told Meli to write down the ingredients she needed and we would go to the store and buy them. I had her write the recipe all by herself, pick out the ingredients all by herself and cut up the ingredients by herself (with a butter knife and under supervision of course!). I had to help her do some of the cooking because the stove isn't kid friendly but I was under her direction the entire time!

look at that fast paced chopping!!

Here is Meli's recipe:

Valasa Soop [soup]

nootlls [noodles]

carots [carrots]

chiken broth [chicken broth]

chiken squars [chicken squares]

prepping the ingredients

cutting the chicken into little squares

The directions are to boil the noodles, cut up the carrots and chicken and then add everything to the chicken broth. Easy peasy! The only trick is to add the carrots at the very end, after the stove has been turned off. Apparently cooking the carrots at all will ruin the soup.

the final product

kiera enjoying her sister's soup

We all had a bowl for dinner and even her little sister, Kiera, enjoyed it!