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

Pesto Ricotta Stuffed Shells

I had a friend bring our family stuffed shells a few months back.  I decided that I should make them myself since they were enjoyed by everyone in the family.  I didn't have a recipe but I did put together what I figured was in the dish she brought.

I mixed 1 egg and 2 tbsp pesto into about 4 cups of ricotta (2/3 of the container)

I then poured 1/3 of a jar of Alfredo sauce at the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  I just happened to pick a jar up at TJ's the day before.  You can always make your own and use that too.

I boiled the full box of shells. (I ended up having 12 shells that did not fit into my pan so I prepared them and put them into a take out container I had a put them in the freezer so that I had a second meal on hand in for the future)  You can always cook up a second pan too.

Once the shells are cooked (NOT overcooked) place the ricotta mixture in a large piping bag (or put it in a zipper bag and but the end off to create a tip for piping).  Then pipe the mixture into each shell.  Probably about 1 tbsp per shell.  Lay each shell on the bed of Alfredo sauce in the pan.

Once all the shells are filled,  cover with 2 cups tomato sauce.  Then on top of the tomato sauce, spoon the rest of the Alfredo sauce.  Top with pesto.

Cover with foil and bake at 350 for 30 mins.  If you want some extra cheesiness, add 1 cup grated mozzarella on top of the shells for the last 5-10 minutes.

Grilled Pizza

I watched this cooking show last night all about grilling. One of the things I have never tried was pizza on the grill. I was making lunch for my family and thought I would give it a try. It was really easy.

PREPARING THE DOUGH

You can find my dough recipe here. Once you have prepared it and let us rise, turn on your BBQ and heat to about 400 degrees.

Roll out your dough. (I divided it into four smaller pizza's since I was doing a few different kinds.)

Once BBQ is up to temperature, brush one side of dough with olive oil, place that side down right on the grill. Leave for about 2 minutes or until it bubbles and is firm enough to flip with a metal flipper. Make sure to brush with olive oil before turning over. Cook for about 2 more minutes and take it off the grill.

Load on your toppings and either return to the grill (I would turn it down to low about 250 degree) or put it in the oven at 375 until toppings are warmed and cheese is melted.





PIZZA VARIATIONS

Pesto Chicken





I spread about 1/4 cup pesto on the pizza dough
Top in order with:
1/8 cup mozza cheese
Balsamic onions (1/2 red onion, sauteed in olive oil. Add 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar when cooked).
1/8 cup Sun dried Tomatoes (drained)
1 Thinly Sliced grilled chicken breast (I grill it with basil and garlic salt)
Mozza cheese (your desired amount
1/8 cup feta

Mexican Pizza





Brush onto crust, 1 tbsp olive oil mixed with 1 Clove minced garlic
Top in order with:
1/8 cup mixed mozza and cheddar cheese
1 Thinly sliced Mexican chicken breast (2 tsp each chili powder and cumin, 1 tsp each Cayenne and paprika, mix together and coat chicken before grilling)
Mozza and cheddar cheese (as desired)
Cook

Before serving cut pizza into pieces and top with fresh salsa, sour cream and avocado slices.