Sticky Rice and Mango (A Taste of Thai)

Who knew heaven could be so simple?  One of my girl's nights out brought this unexpected delight to my palate and I was lucky enough to buy some GF Coconut Fortune Cookies from A Taste of Thai (who shared this recipe with us.)  Go on and try it -- just once!

INGREDIENTS:

1 c. uncooked Jasmine rice
1 13.5 oz can of Coconut milk
2/3 C. sugar
1/2 tsp. salt
2 ripe mangoes

Prepare jasmine rice according to package.  In a separate saucepan, combine coconut, milk, sugar and salt.  Boil for 3 minutes, stirring frequently.  Remove from heat.  Pour hot coconut mixture into cooked rice, stir well.  Lightly press plastic wrap onto mixture in saucepan to cover.  Let rest at room temperature for 30 minutes (this is a great time to peal the mango).  Spoon rice onto a plate and garnish with mango slices.

BLT Salad

My family loves salad.  Especially this new one. It's fresh and fun.  Sometimes it's the little things (like leaving your lettuce in a wedge or slicing your carrots paper thin) that give familiar foods a little extra something.

INGREDIENTS:
24 oz bacon, crisp and crumbled
1 head iceberg lettuce (cut in wedges)
10 carrots, thinly sliced
6 radishes, also thin
1 container cherry tomatoes (left whole)
4 green onions (chopped to the chive)

DRESSING:
1/4 C. Olive Oil
1/4 C. red wine vinegar
3 cloves garlic
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. pepper

First, set your oven to 400'F.  Lay bacon strips individually across a cookie sheet.  Bake for 15-18 minutes.  Measure out ingredients for the dressing into a bottle or jar and give it a good shake.  Prepare veggies and place them in separate bowls. (This step is really important to the members of the family who don't like all of the above veggies or who regularly use the phrase, "Mom!  She's touching me!)  Take the bacon out and place on paper towels to drain some of the grease.  Crumble into a bowl.
Give that dressing one more shake!  Now, pull out your pretty plates.  Place a single wedge off-center and add (in this order) carrots, radishes, bacon, green onions, and tomatoes.  It's pretty, eh?  Drizzle with dressing and dig in!