Thai Chicken Peanut Bowls

Ingredients:
1 cup quinoa, rinsed
1-3/4 cups chicken broth
2 teaspoons peanut oil, divided
2 large chicken breasts, thinly sliced
salt and pepper
2 cup coleslaw mix
1 cup frozen shelled edamame
2 green onions, chopped
1 egg
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
1/2 cup salted peanuts, chopped and divided

For the Thai Peanut Sauce:
1/4 cup low-sodium soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 Tablespoons water
1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon sugar
1 Tablespoon + 1 teaspoon peanut butter
2 teaspoons chili garlic sauce (or garlic and siracha)

Directions:

1. Bring chicken broth to a boil in a saucepan then add rinsed quinoa. Place a lid on top then lower heat and cook until quinoa has absorbed chicken broth, about 15 minutes. Fluff with a fork then set aside. (Can be done ahead of time.)
2. Combine all sauce ingredients in a microwave-safe bowl then microwave for 20 seconds.Stir until smooth then set aside. Whisk together egg and sesame oil in a small bowl then set aside.
3. Heat 1 teaspoon peanut oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper then add to wok and stir fry until no longer pink. Remove to a plate then set aside.
4. Heat remaining teaspoon peanut oil in wok then add coleslaw mix, frozen edamame, and green onions. Stir fry until tender, 2-3 minutes, then push to outsides of wok, creating a clear space in the center. Add egg whisked with sesame oil to center of wok then stir fry until soft scrambled.
5. Add cooked chicken, quinoa, sauce, and half the chopped peanuts to wok then toss to combine. Serve with remaining chopped peanuts.

Image and modified recipe from http://iowagirleats.com/2014/01/06/thai-peanut-chicken-quinoa-bowls/

Southwestern Chopped Salad With Cilantrol Lime Dressing

Ingredients
Large head of romaine
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 large orange bell pepper
1 pint cherry tomatoes
2 cups corn (I used frozen, thawed)
5 green onions
Optional: avocado

Dressing:
1 cup loosely packed cilantro, stems removed and roughly chopped
1/2 cup plain Greek yogurt (or sour cream)
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice (about 1/2 lime), more to taste
1-2 garlic cloves
1/4 cup olive oil
1 1/2 tsp. white wine vinegar
1/8 tsp. salt
Optional: cumin, honey/agave

Directions
Make the dressing: puree all ingredients in a food processor/blender until smooth. Taste and adjust seasonings if necessary.
Finely chop romaine, bell pepper, tomatoes, and green onions.
Place all ingredients in a large bowl and stir to combine.
Toss with desired dressing.

Recipe and image from http://www.thegardengrazer.com/2013/04/southwestern-chopped-salad-with.html?_szp=343154

Chewy Coconut Lime Sugar Cookies

2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon baking soda
½ teaspoon baking powder
½ teaspoon salt 1 cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
1 egg ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
zest of one large lime, finely minced
3 tablespoons lime juice
½ cup unsweetened toasted coconut
½ cup sugar for rolling cookies

Instructions
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
Line cookie sheets with parchment paper. If you haven't already toasted your coconut just put a layer of coconut on a cookie sheet and bake it at 350 degrees for 5-7 minutes. Watch out. It goes from white to burnt really quick if you aren't watching closely.
In a small bowl, stir together flour, baking soda, baking powder and salt. Set aside.
Using a mixer, beat together the butter and sugar until smooth and very fluffy. Beat in egg, vanilla extract, lime juice and lime zest.
Gradually blend in the dry ingredients and toasted coconut.
Roll rounded teaspoonfuls of dough into balls, and roll in sugar.
Place on lined cookie sheets about 1 1/2 inches apart. I made mine too big and they ran together. These do spread quite a bit.
Bake 8 to 10 minutes in the preheated oven, or until lightly browned. Let stand on cookie sheet two minutes before removing to cool on wire racks

Recipe and photo from http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2010/07/cookie-monster-hits-vegas-chewy-coconut.html#UWGz2iksc1FctoAB.99

Chicken Enchilada Casserole

This is a great make ahead meal.  Its not low in calories, but its a people pleaser for sure!

Ingredients:
6 small corn or 3 large flour tortillas
1 large onion diced
2 Tbsp. oil 30ml
4 oz.can green chilies 114ml
finely chopped
10 oz. can cream of mushroom soup 284ml
2 cups grated cheddar cheese 500ml
2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese 500ml
1 cup salsa 250ml
3-4 cups cooked chicken, cut into 1kg
large bited-sized pieces

Instructions:
Cut each tortilla into 6 pieces. Saute onion in oil. Add chilies, soup and half the grated cheeses. Cook slowly until cheese melts. Line a buttered 1 1/2 qt. casserole with half the tortilla pieces. Cover with 1/2 cup salsa. Layer with half the chicken, then half the cheese sauce. Repeat layers. Top with the remaining grated cheeses. Bake at 325f for 50 to 60 minutes. Let stand (or sit if you prefer!) For 10 minutes. Serves 6.

*from The Best of the Best Of Bridge Cookbook

Crockpot - Whole Roasted Chicken

This recipe has changed my life.  I LOVE rotisserie chicken.  I used to make them all the time in the rotisserie we were given as a wedding gift.  However, since I found this recipe, no need to put that big thing out of storage each time.

I buy whole chicken in a pack of three each time I shop.  I freeze them to have on hand for those days when I just don't know what to cook.  I use them for greek gyros (with pit, hummus and tzatziki) or soup or just as my lunch food for the week on salad or in a sandwich.

I pull all the skin off my chicken, remove the extra parts inside, rince and pat dry to prepare for the rub.   Combine the following to create a rub for the chicken

• 3 tsp salt
• 2 tsp paprika
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 1 tsp onion powder
• 1 tsp thyme
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

 When finished, placed the chicken into the crockpot, breast down and cook on low for 8 hours (maybe less).  (High for 4-5).

*recipe found at http://sloppyjos.wordpress.com/2011/11/18/crock-pot-chicken/

Cilantro Lime Tacos

cooking spray for sauteeing
2-3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup cilantro lime pesto (recipe follows)
flour or corn tortillas
preferred taco garnishes (salsa, sour cream, cheese, etc)


Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, saute chicken over medium high heat and cooked through. Toss cooked, seasoned chicken with the pesto. Fill tortillas with chicken and top with preferred garnishes.

Read more at http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/cilantro-lime-chicken-tacos.html#cd3KHgTl074126w1.99

Ingredients:
cooking spray for sauteing
2-3 large boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in bite sized pieces
salt and pepper to taste
1 teaspoon garlic powder
1/2 cup cilantro pesto
2 tbsp lime juice
flour or corn tortillas
preferred taco garnishes (salsa, sour cream, cheese, etc)

Season chicken with salt, pepper and garlic powder. In a skillet sprayed with cooking spray, saute chicken over medium high heat and cooked through. Toss cooked, seasoned chicken with the pesto. Fill tortillas with chicken and top with preferred garnishes.

Adapted from http://joelens.blogspot.com/2010/05/cilantro-lime-chicken-tacos.html#cd3KHgTl074126w1.99

Creamy Mexican Corn Dip

I made this at Christmas this year and loved it.  I have since made it at a number of gatherings and have been asked for the recipe every time without fail.

INGREDIENTS:

2 cans white and yellow corn ( or one can white and one can yellow) - drained
1 can rotel - drained
1 8 oz cream cheese - dice and soften
1/2 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder 

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Cilantro - chopped - add to taste

DIRECTIONS:
Drain corn into colander and rinse off canning liquid.  Then add Rotel to drain in colander but don't rinse.  Cut up cream cheese into chunks and add all into bowl including spices and chopped cilantro.  Microwave for 2 minutes to heat cream cheese.  Mix well and pour into sprayed 9 x9 baking dish.  Bake at 350 for about 30 minutes.  Can also be added into small crock pot instead.  Cook on high until cream cheese melts, reduce to low and mix well.

 

*receipe found at dishinanddishes.com

Pumpkin Pie with Sweetended Condended Milk

I had pumpkin pie a couple of years ago that I just loved, when I asked for the recipe, I found out the secret ingredient was condensed milk...*insert heavenly moment here*...isn't everything better with that golden ingredient?

1 can (15-oz) pumpkin
1 can (14-oz) sweetened condensed milk
2 large eggs
1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice
1 9-inch deep dish pie crust

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Place pie pan on a cookie sheet and line with the crust.

In a large mixing bowl combine the pumpkin, milk, eggs, and spice; mix together until smooth.  Pour the filling into the crust.

Bake at 425 degrees for 15 minutes.  Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees and bake another 40 minutes or until a knife inserted about an inch from the crust comes out clean. 

Remove from oven and set on a wire rack to cool completely.

Crumble Topping

I love fruit crumble but a good crumble is only as good as its topping...Here is one I like to use.

• 3/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup light brown sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 cup rolled oats
• 1/3 cup mixed nuts or seeds (I used almonds flour)
• 1 stick unsalted butter, diced and chilled

Peanut Butter Chocolate Bars

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25) package plain yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup coconut (optional...my sister did not like the texture of it in there)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl using a mixer or spoon. Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cup of the mixture to crumble on top.
3. In a small pot, melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and coconut.
4. Spread chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 cups of reserved cake mixture on top evenly.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Read more at http://www.the-girl-who-ate-everything.com/2009/03/peanut-butter-chocolate-bars.html#Prs2WiTPHpOxMFJu

Ingredients

• 1 (18.25) package plain yellow cake mix
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1 cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 eggs
• 1 (12 oz) package semi-sweet chocolate chips
• 1 (14 ounce) can sweetened condensed milk
• 2 Tablespoons butter
• 2 teaspoons vanilla
• 1 cup coconut (optional...my sister did not like the texture of it in there)

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Combine cake mix, melted butter, peanut butter, and eggs in a large bowl using a mixer or spoon. Press this into a 9X13 pan reserving 1 1/2 cup of the mixture to crumble on top.
3. In a small pot, melt chocolate chips, sweetened condensed milk, and butter. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla and coconut.
4. Spread chocolate mixture over the mixture pressed in the pan and then crumble the 1 1/2 cups of reserved cake mixture on top evenly.
5. Bake for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before cutting into bars.

Curried Zucchin Soup

Ingredients:

4 small zucchini, cut into chunks

1 medium shallot, minced

1 tsp curry powder

1 tsp ground fresh ginger

1/4 tsp dry mustard

2 cups chicken broth

2 Tbs raw rice

salt and pepper

1/4 to 1/2 cup heavy cream 

Instructions: 

Add the zucchini chunks, shallots, curry, ginger,
and mustard into a saucepan. Pour the

chicken broth over it, add the raw rice,
and bring to a boil.  Cover the pan and simmer

for 45 minutes. Puree the mixture using a
hand held blender, or pass it through a food

mill. Season with salt and pepper.  Add 1/4
cup of heavy cream, taste it and add more if

you like it richer.

*recipe found at http://bewitchingkitchen.com
(adapted from The Essential New York Times Cookbook