Thursday, January 13, 2011

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

5 boneless skinless chicken breasts, cubed and cooked
1 onion diced
1 can enchilada sauce
1 can cream of mushroom soup
1 can cream of chicken soup
1 doz. corn tortillas
Big bunches grated cheese
1 can diced green chili (sm. or lg. to taste)
Salt, pepper & garlic to taste
Saute meat with onion and set aside.  Mix with enchilada sauce, soups, chicken, chili, garlic, salt and pepper; mix well. Layer sauce with tortillas and cheese leaving off last layer of cheese. Put cheese on top the last 5 minutes or baking. Cover and bake 45 minutes in 350 degree oven.

This freezes really well too - pull it out and defrost.  Cook for about an hour.

Sunday, January 2, 2011

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad


This is great served as an entree as well.   It is good both warm and cold.

2 cups water
2 cubes chicken bouillon
1 clove garlic, smashed
1 cup uncooked quinoa
2 large cooked chicken breasts - cut into bite size pieces
1 large red onion, diced and cooked with chicken
1 large red bell pepper, diced
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1/4 cup olive oil
  1. Bring the water, bouillon cubes, and garlic to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in the quinoa, reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer until the quinoa is tender and the water has been absorbed, 15 to 20 minutes. Discard the garlic clove and scrape the quinoa into a large bowl.
  2. Gently stir the chicken, onion, bell pepper, feta cheese, parsley, chives, and salt into the quinoa. Drizzle with the lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, and olive oil. Stir until evenly mixed. Serve warm or refrigerate and serve cold.

Curried Quinoa


I made and served this with chicken tikka, it had great flavor and was a great addition to the Indian chicken dish.  I am sure you could substitute the quinoa for brown or white rice as well.


1 Cup Quinoa
1½ Tbsp. Vegetable Oil
½ Onion Diced
1 Tsp. Grated Fresh Ginger Root
1 dash cayenne pepper
1 Heaping Tsp. Cumin
1 Heaping Tsp. Coriander
¼ Tsp. Ground Cinnamon
1¾ Cups Water
½ Cup Fresh or Frozen Peas 
Salt to Taste
  1. Rinse quinoa with cold water.
      
  2. Place oil and diced onions in a heavy saucepan. Saute the onions on medium high heat for four to five minutes.
     
  3. Add the ginger root and quinoa. Cook for one minute stirring constantly.
    A fine, white spiral appears around the grain as it cooks.
     
  4. Stir in the cumin, coriander, cinnamon, cayenne and salt. Cook for one minute stirring constantly.
     
  5. Add the water and bring it to a boil. Cover, reduce heat, and simmer for 15 minutes.
     
  6. Stir in peas. Cover and cook for four or five minutes or until peas are tender and all the water has been absorbed.
     
  7. Fluff with a fork before serving.