I would like to thank everyone for their kind comments about the passing of my Mom-Mom. Our family truly appreciates all of the support we received from our friends and family. We gathered yesterday to say “goodbye” to my Mom-Mom…or as my Uncle Art put it, “See you later.” I already miss her so much and it hurts to know that she isn’t here right now. The other night I reread some old emails from her and it brought tears to my eyes realizing how much she cared about her grandchildren and family. I admire and love her so much and I know that she is continuing her journey in heaven with her loved ones that she has missed dearly over the years. She is finally reunited with her daughter, my Aunt Ginny, who we lost last November. I could only imagine how happy the two of them are and can picture them somewhere in peace by the ocean.
Now, to completely change the subject, I do have a good recipe to share.
This recipe for Black Beans & Rice with Chicken and Apple Salsa comes from the January 2012 issue of Bon Appetit. I found this recipe while I was flipping through Bon Appetit in the store one day and instead of buying the magazine, I took a picture of the recipe with my phone so I would remember to look up the recipe online. I was so excited to try this recipe as I love black beans, rice, avocado, and the likes.
I got around to making this recipe tonight for Christina and I and it turned out delicious. It made the perfect amount for 4 people so I packed up the leftovers for lunch tomorrow. I love having a good lunch…it makes my day so much better! I added to the recipe a bit and decided to add in sliced avocado because I don’t think I can eat a mexican meal without avocado. I also added shredded cheese and hot sauce. As I was following the recipe I realized that there was nothing spicy about it so the hot sauce definitely gave it the kick it needed. I highly recommend trying this recipe. It is full of different flavors, healthy, and delicious.
Black Beans & Rice with Chicken and Apple Salsa
I served this with good quality sweet potato tortilla chips. This recipe is very adaptable. If you do not have a rotisserie chicken you may substitute with another type of chicken. I chose to poach chicken in salted water. I recommend topping the finished dish with sliced avocado, fresh lime juice, cilantro, and hot sauce.
Serves 4
Ingredients
1 cup chopped peeled Granny Smith apple
1/2 cup chopped cilantro, divided
1/3 cup finely chopped red onion, divided
1 teaspoon (or more) fresh lime juice
1/3 cup finely chopped green bell pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 1/2 teaspoons chili powder
1 teaspoon ground coriander
3/4 teaspoon cumin seeds (I used ground cumin)
3 cups low-salt chicken broth
2 15-ounce cans black beans, rinsed and drained
Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
4 cups cooked brown or white rice (I used medium grain brown rice)
1 2–3-pound rotisserie chicken, skin discarded and meat shredded (I used poached chicken)
4–6 lime wedges
Avocado, hot sauce, & shredded cheese for topping (optional, but highly suggested!)
Directions
Combine apple, 1/4 cup cilantro, 2 Tbsp. onion, and 1 tsp. lime juice in a small bowl; toss to coat. Set apple salsa aside.
Combine remaining onion, bell pepper, and oil in a large skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until completely softened, 6–7 minutes. Add garlic and next 3 ingredients; stir constantly for 2 minutes. Stir in broth and beans; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium; simmer briskly, mashing some of the beans with the back of a spoon and stirring often, until sauce is thickened, 8–10 minutes. Season with salt, pepper, and more lime juice, if desired.
Divide rice and beans among plates. Top with some chicken and apple salsa. Garnish with remaining 1/4 cup cilantro and lime wedges.
Question: What adaptations would you make to this recipe?
All endings are also beginnings. We just don’t know it at the time.
This past Wednesday night, our Mom-Mom passed away peacefully in her home at the age of 83. This fall she became sick and was diagnosed with liver cancer. She spent most of the fall in the hospital and stayed strong for a very long time. Our family was very happy to get Mom-Mom back home, but she was still very sick. We know that she wouldn’t have wanted to spend the very end of her life alone in the hospital. We tried to make her as comfortable as we could; although we could never take away the pain she was experiencing. Our family really came together during this time and worked and continue to work together to make the best of the situations we are handed.
Although it is very hard to say goodbye to Mom-Mom, I am trying to find comfort in knowing that she has found peace and happiness in heaven. My Mom-Mom had so much faith and she was so accepting of death. After all, that is the journey of life, everyone who is born must one day die. I am just really going to miss her. She was a brilliant 83 year old woman who had so much energy and love and always was giving the best advice. She lived a very long life and experienced more than I could even imagine. I’m sad that her time with us could not have lasted longer. However, I know that she is now beginning her new journey in heaven and now reunited with her daughter, Virginia, her sisters and brothers, and mother, among many other loved ones. We are all going to miss her immensely. I will always carry her in my heart wherever I go.
PONZIO, MARY (KONDRATOW) – of Atlantic City passed away peacefully in her home on January 11, 2012. She was born on April 22, 1928 and raised in Atlantic City, the youngest of five children. She attended Atlantic City High School and graduated in 1945. Growing up during the Great Depression, Mary was inspired by her mother, Ahaphia who instilled in her a sense of faith, love for her family, courage, honesty, respect, and an appreciation for hard work; values that were in turn taught to her family. Mary enjoyed a loving and caring relationship with her brother, John, and sisters Sophie, Eva, and Anna. In 1947, Mary wed her husband, Arthur. Together, they raised four children. They say, “Behind every great man is a great woman”. Mary and Arthur’s relationship was based on this foundation. The essence of Mary’s life was her devotion to her husband and her family. During the early years of her marriage, she volunteered her time toward civic endeavors. For nearly thirty years, Mary operated a rooming house in Atlantic City. She later worked together with her husband and sons in establishing Arthur W. Ponzio Co. Mary enjoyed ice skating, biking on the boardwalk, and cooking for her family. She was known for her “best” fried flounder, “best” spaghetti and crabs, “best” strawberry shortcake, and “best” rice pudding. Mary took great pleasure in spending time together with her husband flounder fishing on their boat and enjoying the peacefulness of the ocean. Mary is survived by her husband, Arthur, Sr., her three sons, Arthur, Jr. and his wife Dottie Ponzio of Galloway Township; Dr. Robert and his wife Suzanne Ponzio of Sewell; and Daniel, Sr. of Atlantic City. Also survived by twelve grandchildren; Gregory Goff Jr. (Charlene), Michael Chait (Kim), Jennifer Levito (Ken), William Ponzio (Megan), Brian Ponzio, Dr. Danielle Ponzio, Mary Ponzio, Christina Ponzio, Amber Ponzio, Daniel Ponzio, Jr., Olivia Ponzio, and Nicholas Ponzio; and seven great-grandchildren, Gregory Goff III, Kristy Goff, Elizabeth Chait, Jennifer Levito, Alyssa Levito, Connor Levito, and Remy Ponzio. Also survived by her many loving nieces and nephews. Mary is pre-deceased by her daughter, Virginia Ponzio, brother, John Kondratow and sisters, Sophie Dawson, Eva Cook, and Anna Ziesing. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11:00am on Tuesday, January 17th at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Atlantic City where viewing will be held beginning at 9:00am until time of Mass. Interment will follow at Holy Cross Cemetery Mays Landing. Arrangements by the George H. Wimberg Funeral Home.
I am so lucky to have been named after such a beautiful person.
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Sisters Running the Kitchen is a blog created by two sisters, Mary & Christina. We both have a passion for running, cooking, and healthy living. We created our blog to share with our readers ways to live more healthfully. We hope that you enjoy reading! If you have any questions, concerns, or comments, we would love to hear from you at ponzio@sistersrunningthekitchen.com!
