Choose mixed salad greens whenever you can. Or mix romaine lettuce with spinach or any other dark green variety. Romaine by itself is fine, but the darker the greens, the more antioxidants they contain. If you find balsamic vinegar too strong for your taste, pick a milder vinegar like apple cider.

If you haven’t eaten mango, this is a easy way to introduce this delicious fruit into your diet. Pick a ripe mango that feels firm and smells good. Or you may be able to buy frozen mango which works fine for this recipe. For a festive touch, layer the mango cream with fresh berries in a parfait glass and top with chopped almonds.

When people hear the word “greens,” I think they immediately conjure up childhood memories of overcooked lumps of vegetation they were forced to eat and hated. But the vegetable section of the grocery is a different world today, brimming with a variety of greens such as spinach, chard, kale, mustard, collards, and bok choy that are tasty as well as excellent sources of vitamins and minerals. Iron, calcium, and folic acid (an important B vitamin that helps prevent birth defects and offers protection from heart disease) are abundant in these leafy veggies. Greens can have strong tastes, but I encourage you to experiment with varieties you’ve never tried or haven’t had in a while. I believe you’ll be in for a pleasant surprise.

Garlic is one of my favorite foods. It’s an herb with remarkable medicinal properties, and it tastes great too. Garlic is a cardiovascular tonic, lowering blood pressure and cholesterol levels and inhibiting blood clotting. It’s also a powerful germicide and may protect against some carcinogens. The smell of garlic cooking has extremely positive associations for me — it’s comforting and homey. Nor do I have any problem smelling it on other people. If you eat garlic regularly (and with a good attitude), you won’t smell of it. It’s better for you in its natural state, raw or lightly cooked rather than dried as powder or in capsules. Enjoy the smell, taste and healthful
effects of the whole, fresh herb.

I think it has another name, but Melanie’s kids gave it this one.

In the culture and cuisine of the Southwest, chili is serious business. But contrary to what many believe, good chili doesn’t require “carne” or meat. The key to great chili is knowing how to harness the fiery flavor of a wide range of available chile peppers to make the dish exciting yet edible. (“Chili” commonly refers to the dish made with “chile” peppers.) My favorites are the red New Mexican chile peppers traditionally
tied in strings called ristras or available as ground powder, and chipotles which are ripe (red) jalapeños that have been dried and smoked. Experiment with different amounts until you find a level of intensity you’re comfortable with. Be aware, however, that capsaicin, the active component in chile peppers that gives them their heat, is concentrated in the white tissue attached to the seeds. If you’re using whole chiles, you may want to remove that white tissue if you don’t want your chili too hot.

The marinade in this dish is what gives the chicken such a smooth flavor. Although it is ideal if the meat can soak in the marinade for at least 1 hour before cooking to absorb the intricate flavors of the marinade, if you don’t have time, don’t be discouraged, because the chicken will still be flavorful. If you are really planning ahead, you can soak the meat in the marinade for up to two days. Serve this dish with a side of Spanish Rice and Jicama and Carrot Salad. The flavors together are very complementary.

This is a quick pantry dish with intense flavors.