Escarole with Chickpeas

I picked up escarole from my grocery, largely because it was the only leafy green that was on sale. I had seen it on menus and in things before, but had never cooked with it personally.

I borrowed the recipe from "Ezra Pound Cake" which I found through Foodgawker. It combines the leafy and slightly bitter escarole with raisins and caramelized onions. I replaced the raisins with dried cranberries.

I'd definitely make this again. The chickpeas and cranberries really complemented the greens well and made it a hearty dish.

Mango Smoothie

Mango mango mangoes! Mangos are definitely one of my favorite fruits. So when I saw them on sale, I definitely bought too many - and they were all ripe. So hence today's recipe, which combines mangos and other fruits into a delectable smoothie (or shake, depending how you think about it).

Mango Smoothie
Yields 4 cups - 2 large servings

2 ripe mangoes
2/3 banana
1 apple
1/4 cup milk
2 tablespoons unsweetened yogurt
Optional: 3 tablespoons vanilla ice cream (it had to be eaten - it was getting all crystallized. So sue me.)

1. Peel the banana, core and cut your apple into large chunks. Toss into the trusty blender and pulse a few times.
2. Peel and dice the mango - this will be messy. Toss into blender with the yogurt, milk, and maybe the ice cream. Blend until smooth.
3. For a thinner shake, use more milk. For a thicker shake, use more ice cream, ice, or less ripe mango.
4. Enjoy!