Art of Natural Living

Enjoying the Green Life

Tangy Mango Pineapple Salsa

By Inger Aug 21, 2023 Appetizers, Condiments, Cooking & Recipes 3 Comments

Sweet and tart with a little kick, Mango Pineapple Salsa is a tasty appetizer or side for meat, fish or poultry.

I love any kind of salsa. Well, other than those that are fire hose hot. Yes, how do you not love a dish that embodies the fun and the bounty of summer!

And the end of summer is indeed a beautiful time. Harvest great food, then enjoy snacks on the deck!

But while I’ve rarely met a salsa I didn’t love, fruit salsa holds a special place in my heart.

The way I see it, tomato salsa is a tasty but a somewhat utilitarian food. “Give them some chips and salsa while I get dinner finished.” Or “That’s a little bland, add some salsa.”

But fruit salsa is gloriously indulgent. A little sweet, some spice, a little creamy, some crunch… Yes, this has it all! Read more

One Pan Thai Coconut Lime Chicken

By Inger Aug 19, 2023 Cooking & Recipes, Main Dish, Poultry 19 Comments

With the bright tropical flavors of lime, coconut and cilantro, Thai Coconut Lime Chicken is a perfect quick and tasty weeknight dinner.

Thai Coconut Lime Chicken is a dish I used to make almost weekly. It was part of what I lovingly dubbed, my “corporate madness” collection— recipes I could get done after work, even on days I arrived home too frazzled to think.

And it was surprisingly kid-friendly. The first time I made it, my youngest looked at the ingredients and wrinkled up her nose. Declaring that coconut was a nut and that I ought to know she hated all nuts, she asked for a cheese sandwich instead.

When the chicken was done, she appeared back in the kitchen announcing that perhaps it did smell good. And someone ate two dinners that night!

At this point, it’s been a few years but I’m excited to add this back to my menu. ‘Cause even though my kids are grown, I’m sometimes still frazzled when it’s time to make dinner! Read more

Peach Clafoutis with Berries

By Inger Aug 12, 2023 Breakfast, Desserts & Snacks, Peaches & Nectarines 25 Comments

Fruity and delicately sweet, this Peach Clafoutis with Berries is like a cross between a quiche and a custard pie for a tasty dessert or breakfast.

When the end of summer rolls around, I’m pretty much in fruit heaven. And, of course, I’m always looking for one more way to indulge in the glorious bounty.

A Clafoutis is a favorite option, and this version adds sweet peach and berry flavors to a delicate custard filling.

It’s a light and satisfying breakfast, dessert or even a light lunch, that’s perfect all year round. Read more

Chocolate Peanut Clusters (or Nut Clusters)

By Inger Aug 12, 2023 Cookies & Candies, Cooking & Recipes 29 Comments

With just two ingredients and possibly the easiest cooking instructions ever, chocolate peanut clusters (or nut clusters) are a tasty treat. Good all year round!

Making candy can be one of your bigger cooking challenges. For harder recipes, you’ll need a candy thermometer, knowledge of sugar stages and, sometimes, a little bit of courage!

But homemade peanut clusters are easy! They take two (2!) ingredients and a microwave. Even counting the salt, they’re 3-ingredient Peanut Clusters!

Plus they’re seriously tasty–and even on the healthy side (okay, healthy for candy.) With a flavor akin to the ever-popular peanut butter cup (my personal candy nemesis), and just minutes of working time, they’re even downright practical!

And if Chocolate Peanut Clusters seem a little low brow—the kind of treat you feed your 8-year-old or you husband’s redneck cousin, they’re easy to dress up. Just make this with fancy nuts like cashews, pecans and/or almonds. Or dress them up with some chunky sea salt, shredded coconut or pretty sprinkles. All good! Read more