to kick-start the weekend

Top 7 things I'm looking forward to this weekend:

1. spending time with Mr. A
2. wearing my home booties (see below)
3. couch time
4. watching the American Idol results on PVR (the key is PVR, otherwise it's Ryan Seacrest overkill)
5. sunny days
6. Mr. A's popcorn
7. cooking, baking and crafting and putting them up here

If you like salads, mangos, spicy chilis or all of the above, please try this salad at home.  This is a spectacular salad, the kind you make want you really want to impress.  It's sweet, it's salty, it's crunchy and juicy.  Thank you Jamie Oliver, for your delicious recipe. (This is the second recipe I've attempted from his show, 30min Meals which is the new favourite around our house).

Here's the recipe!

Thai Mango Salad
adapted from Jamie Oliver 30min Meals

Ingredients:

A large bunch of coriander, roughly chopped

400g beansprouts, washed and dried

100g cashew nuts, peanuts, crushed or sliced almonds

1 tsp honey

1 fresh chili

2 ripe (but not over-ripe) mangoes, peeled and thinly sliced

1/4 red cabbage, thinly sliced

1 carrot, grated

1/2 tsp Soy sauce

1/4 tsp Sesame oil

Juice of 1 lime

Directions:

Place a frying pan on a low-medium heat. Place the nuts in the pan. Shake the pan so that the nuts get toasted on all sides.

Once the nuts are golden, add the honey. Toss the nuts around in the honey until they turn dark brown, then set them aside to cool completely.

Toss the cabbage, bean sprouts, carrots, cilantro and mangoes.  Sprinkle with the glazed nuts and fresh chili.

Dress the salad with soy sauce, sesame oil and lime juice. Toss well.

Enjoy!