Bringing in the Sunshine... (Avocado Pineapple Salsa)

I love Summer time.  I know it isn't officially Summer as far as the whole tilt-of-the-Earth goes, but for all practical purposes, it is Summer.  Memorial Day Weekend?  Check.  End of the school year?  Check.  Fun plans and nice weather?  Check and check. So, being "Summer", I have the perfect thing to share with you.

I happened upon this SIMPLE recipe when I had a gluten-intolerant friend come to visit and needed a way to dress up some chicken without killing her.  It was intended to feed us for that specific purpose but we loved it and we have had it many times since then.  And right now is the perfect time for it as the ingredients (mainly avocado and pineapple) are easy to find at this time of the year.  Sometimes I use a fresh pineapple, but that yields a lot so this time I went for the canned rounds and just chopped them up.  Make sure you get the kind in pineapple juice and not syrup.  Yuck yuck yuck.  Who wants their fruit swimming in sticky sugar for the entirety of its shelf life?  Not me.

Here is what you do: 

1. Take the four ingredients above, dice, and throw in a bowl.  (I used 1 avocado, 1/2 can of pineapple, 1/2 red onion, and 1 small handful of cilantro.)
2. Mix with the juice of a lemon or a lime.
3. Add a dash of salt.
4. Enjoy.

"But what should I enjoy it with, Tiffany?"  Glad you asked.  We have had it on top of chicken, on top of fish, and by the spoonful.  No joke.  It is hard to keep this stuff around.  I think crackers or chips would love to be wearing this finery as well.  Basically, it is just all around good, so enjoy it anyway you possibly can.  And give me some of your great ideas so I can expand my horizons, alright?  Alright.

Happy Summer, Friends!

Time: 10 minutes
Yield: 4 servings (for the top of fish or chicken) or one medium bowl (for dip)

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 avocado, diced
• 1/2 can of pineapple rounds, diced
• 1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
• 1/2 red onion, chopped
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt to taste

DIRECTIONS:

1. Mix.
2. Enjoy.  (Simple like that.)

Cost: $3.83                 Cost per Serving (4): $0.96

Top on fried fish, add a side salad (last night's dinner) and it comes to $3.02 per serving.