Shredded Pork Sliders with Fresh Mango Slaw

As I mentioned in my last post, I had a recent kitchen victory! Let me tell you the background story. In the past, I've attempted to make pork carnitas in my slow cooker, with ZERO success. Ugh. When I've tried, I always follow the directions EXACTLY, and it would smell so wonderful after eight hours in the crock pot. I'd rush into the kitchen and grab my forks, ready to shred some tender, juicy pork, and.....it was never what the recipe promised. Though always tasty, it would be chewy and sometimes tough...always disappointing.

 I have no idea what went wrong each time--whether I didn't get the right cut of meat, whether I didn't trim enough fat or didn't add enough liquid for the meat to soak up...in any case, my pork attempts always left me with dashed hopes and feeling like a kitchen failure, ha! I took it really personally, but I learned something new each time.

Simple Mango Sorbet (No Ice Cream Maker Needed!)

I was telling my roommate recently about these almost-daily cravings I experience for something intensely cold and fruity. I don't know what it's about, but when the craving hits, it's like I need a BURST of fruity flavor right away. The craving hit on Saturday afternoon and sent me running to the nearest frozen yogurt shop in search of something--you guessed it--cold and fruity.

Strawberry Mango Salsa with Baked Salmon

It's late summer now, and I am SO EXCITED because that means one thing: fall is coming!!! The way I see it: if you don't like fall, you're wrong. Fall is the best time of the year, ever. Period. I mean, come on--in addition to fall attire (boots, scarves, sweaters--hooray!), the weather is fabulous for football, bonfires...and fall FOOD?!! Oh, don't even get me started. Ugh, I can't wait! :)

In the meantime, though, I'm not trying to hate on summer, because summer definitely comes with so many AMAZING, fresh, wonderful flavors, like those showcased in the delightful salsa I made today! Mango, strawberries, cilantro, red onion, and lime juice = Strawberry Mango Salsa. Seriously, that's it. No salt, no pepper (unless you want to add it), and you have a bowlful of summer! Mmm.