When I was in Texas over the holidays, I went rummaging through my mom’s refrigerator trying to come up with a fun appetizer for a family dinner we were having. I found a mango that I was going to use in a fruit salad, but when I cut into it and discovered it was tangy and not-so-sweet, I decided we needed to add more bold flavors, to help hide the tangy mango! I ended up making for this Mango Avocado Salsa. And while it probably would have been lovely with just the fresh ingredients, I decided it needed a sweet lime vinaigrette to accompany it!

I’ve shared the Mango Avocado Salsa recipe over at SCJohnson.com.  This would be perfect for your Super Bowl gathering, or a Mardi Gras party! You can also find a few other healthy Super Bowl Snack ideas, including Homemade Guacamole, Turkey and Pepper Pinwheels and Triple Berry Trifle!

Perfect balance of colors, flavors and tastes!

I have been itching to make some lettuce wraps ever since getting my lettuce transplants from the store earlier this year.  I’ve been waiting for the leaves to grow larger enough to actually wrap…and that time is now.

When I learned about Chris Lilly and his Grilled Chicken Lettuce Wraps with Spicy Mango Marinade recipe from KC Masterpiece, I was inspired.  I made my own twist on the recipe to keep it close to $5…and love the way it turned out!!!

Ingredients

1.5 lb. boneless skinless chicken thighs ($2.98)
about 3/4 cups Spicy Mango Marinade from KC Masterpiece ($.50)
2 mangoes, diced ($1) On sale for $.50 each lately…how to select and cut a mango
1 celery stalk ($.10)
2 garlic cloves ($.10)
1 Tbsp Spicy Mango Marinade ($.05)
Lettuce leaves from the garden
Optional: Use tortillas instead of lettuce wraps
1 bag Steamers frozen peas ($.67) Recent sale and coupon match

Directions

1.Marinate the chicken thighs in the Spicy Mango Marinade for at least 30 minutes in the refrigerator.

“Transport your taste buds to the tropics with a new, spicy mango marinade sure to make any meal pop. A delicious blend of ripe mangos, select spices and a hint of cayenne pepper, the marinade adds a flavorful kick to grilled chicken, pork or shrimp.” – From KC Masterpiece’s Spicy Mango Marinade

2. While the chicken is marinating, cut the mango and chop the celery.  Crush the garlic and add it into the mix. Season with some salt and pepper.

3. After the chicken thighs have marinated, grill them until they are cooked through. Then slice and dice them…and add them to the mango mixture.  Toss and add into lettuce leaves or tortillas.

4. Cook the Steamers peas as directed on package.

5. Serve Mango Chicken Lettuce Wraps with peas.

Cost $5.40

I did receive the bottle of KC Masterpiece’s Spicy Mango Marinade free.  More information can be found on the site’s disclosure policy.

Ingredients
1 cup frozen mango
1 cup frozen raspberries
1/2 cup milk
3 1/2 cups of water
2 Tbsp ground flaxseed

Directions
1. Add fruit, flaxseed, milk and water to blender. Blend!

Makes about 32 oz. of smoothie…enough for 4 cups!

**Note: I did not add any “sweeteners” to this smoothie. I thought it tasted great and both boys drank theirs right up. If you use not so sweet mangoes or raspberries, you might consider adding 1/2 cup of your favorite sweetener.

What’s your favorite thing to add into a smoothie??? I also like tossing in spinach and making “green juice,” as the boys call it!

“It’s the thrill of the bargain!” I love this phrase, and wish I could claim it as my own. It is indeed thrilling to catch a great deal. Slightly addicting perhaps.

This phrase belongs to a friend. She is a fellow bargain shopper all across the board. Including groceries!

On sale at Meijer this week are mangoes and avocadoes. $1 for each one. Making this soup cheap and yummy! Her little man loved it, so it’s been marked “Toddler Approved!”

This Mango-Avocado Soup recipe from Recipezaar.com looks amazing. And I’ve been looking for a good chilled soup! She suggested leaving out the water for a thicker soup. Recipe and directions here. If you added some “hot out of the oven” homemade buns, this meal would cost around $3!

Got a Meijer nearby? Go grab some mangoes and avocadoes. Don’t know how to pick them out. It’s the same for both. Give them a gentle squeeze and your thumb should be able to make an slight indentation. Hard = not ripe. Don’t trust the “ripe today” stickers that indicate they are ripe. Soft = yummy soup tonight! Enjoy!

Thanks MW for the great recipe that perfectly matches a great produce sale!