Grilled Pork with Mango Salsa

Marinade:
1/2 C fresh orange juice (2 oranges)
1/4 C fresh lime juice (2 limes)
1/2 C dark rum
1 medium onion, thinly sliced
6 garlic cloves, minced
2 tsp oregano
2 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp salt
1 whole bay leaf, broken in half
1/2 tsp ground black pepper

Mango Salsa:
1 small red onion
1/4 C fresh lime juice (2 limes)
1 lg mango, peeled & diced
1 small red b ell pepper, chopped
1/4 C chopped fresh cilantro
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 C fresh orange juice (1 orange)
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded & minced
1/2 tsp ground chipotle pepper
1/8-1/4 tsp salt, to taste
1/4-1/2 tsp ground black pepper, to taste

4 boneless pork chops

1. Combine all marinade ingredients in a large ziplock.  Add pork & slosh to coat.  Refrigerate at least 8 hours.
2. Heat grill to medium-hot. Remove pork from the bag, discarding marinade. Pat pork chops dry and rub with small amount of olive oil to prevent sticking.
3. Grill 8-10 minutes per side or until a thermometer reads 155 degrees. Remove from grill, cover loosely & let rest 5-10 minutes.
4. Serve with Mango Salsa (that can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated) and your favorite sides!

Leslie's Baked Ziti

This very versatile recipe has evolved so much that I can barely read the recipe card it started on - there are so many side notes!  My most recent and favored version combines Italian sausage, fresh mushrooms and spinach for an easy anytime dish.  This is also great as a "meals-on-wheels" dinner, as I call them.

Ingredients:
12 oz whole wheat penne pasta
16 oz mild Italian sausage, ground
About 1 C chopped yellow onion*
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
Cremini, white or Baby Bella mushrooms (your choice) - about 2 C thickly sliced*
About 3 C fresh spinach, roughly chopped*
1 jar tomato & basil pasta sauce
8 oz can tomato sauce
8 oz mozzarella cheese, shredded
Couple handfuls of shredded Romano cheese

*These are estimates - I never really measure!  :-)

1. Start a large pot of water to boil then cook pasta until just al dente.  (It will finish up in the oven.)
2. While pasta is working, cook sausage, onions & garlic until sausage is no longer pink.
3. Add mushrooms to the skillet & cook another 5 minutes.
4. Add spinach to the skillet, stir in & let it wilt.
5. Drain pasta and return to the pot, stir in sausage mixture, pasta sauce, tomato sauce & half of the cheese.  Mix well, then pour into a large baking dish & cover with foil.  Bake at 350 degrees for 25 minutes.
6. Remove foil & top with remaining cheese.  Return to the oven, uncovered, for another 5 minutes or so, until the cheese is nice & bubbly.
7.  Remove from oven & allow to cool for 10-15 minutes... while you prepare garlic toast or other side!  ENJOY!

Kitchen note: As I mentioned, this is a great recipe for sharing. When I take this meal to someone, I dish it into 2 seperate baking dishes (foil baking pans are perfect) then deliver one unbaked with the extra cheese on the side and directions on a Post-it... and keep the other for me.  :-)  It could also be made ahead and refrigerated, etc.  You can even bake it in individual servings!

Variations: Try a vegetarian ziti with zucchini and yellow squash instead of sausage... or substitute chicken for something different!

Lasagna Fake-Out!

Love lasagna but hate the work??  You'll love this cheesy 30 minute fake-out!  Super easy and oh-so-yummy.

Ingredients:
1# spicy Italian ground sausage
1 small yellow onion, about 1 C chopped
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 C dry white wine
Fresh spinach
1 can tomato sauce
About 1 T Italian seasoning
About 10 oz. fresh cheese ravioli, such as Bertolli from the refrigerated section
Shredded mozzarella or parmesan cheese

1. Crumble sausage while cooking over medium heat.  Remove to a collander to drain off grease.
2. In the same pan, heat about 1 T EVOO and cook onion and garlic until tender, then add wine. Simmer for a few minutes. **Start water to boil for pasta.
3. Meanwhile, roughly chop spinach.  (I didn't put an amount because you can use as much or little as you like. I use about 3 big handfuls.)  Add spinach to the pan to wilt.
4. Add tomato sauce and return sausage to the pan. Stir in Italian seasoning.  Bring to an easy simmer.
5. Cook ravioli according to package directions. Drain and add to sauce. Serve with your choice of cheese - and garlic toast, of course!  :)