Oh Snap!

Spring has sprung in a big way here in LA LA land.  April showers (and, well, April) are over.  Birds are singing, sun is shining and the farmers' markets are exploding with sugar snap peas.  Additionally, sangria is flowing, horrible chain restaurants are overflowing with prom dates and Real Housewives of New Jersey starts in just two short weeks.  All is right with the world.

OK let's do this:

Stupid Easy Sugar Snap Pea Salad
total time 10 min
makes 4-6 servings

For the sauce:
1 t safflower oil
1/2 sweet onion, diced
1 T ginger, minced
2/3 c coconut milk
medium bunch of cilantro, stems and leaves roughly chopped
1 or 2 t green curry paste
zest and juice from 1 lime
salt, to taste
---------------------------------
1 cup sweet corn kernels 
1 red bell pepper, chopped
1 lb sugar snap peas, blanched for 1 min

Heat oil in a large sauce pan over medium heat.  Brown the onions, then add the rest of the sauce ingredients.  Simmer for 2 minutes, then remove from heat.

Blanch the sugar snap peas (boil for 1 minute, then run under cool water).

Once the sauce has cooled for a few minutes, puree it in your little food processor.

Add the sauce back to the pan over med heat.  Add the corn and pepper and simmer until the peppers are tender (about 3 minutes).

Meanwhile, slice the peas on a diagonal and stir in to the sauce.  Serve warm or cold.

Mango Salsa

It's really hard to come up with anything funny to say about mangoes.  Chris Kattan tried and look what happened:

 

Nobody likes you, Chris Kattan.  You either, J. Lo.

But Mango Salaso...That we like.  A lot.

OK, let's do this:

Stupid Easy Mango Salsa
makes 3 cups
total time 5 min

2 ripe mangoes, peeled, cubed
1/2 serrano chili, minced
juice of 1 lime
handful cilantro, chopped
1/2 small red onion, diced small
salt, pepper, to taste

Combine all ingredients.  Serve with tortilla chips and margaritas, and without Chris Kattan.