Verde Chicken Tortilla Pie (or make them enchiladas)

This is what I served as my entree last night.  I was thinking about it, & I have no idea why I have never posted this b/c it is my all time favorite!  I usually make them into enchiladas, but I told Jay O. after doing it this way...I might never go back to the enchilada way again!  This was SO simple!

Ingredients:
12 corn tortillas
1 rotisserie chicken, shredded w/skin removed
1 can 98% fat free cream of chicken soup
1 16 oz. container LIGHT Sour Cream
1 8 oz. container chopped green chilies
1 Jar Verde Salsa
Monterrey Jack Cheese, shredded
Add green onion on top, or sprinkle taco seasoning to add color.

Directions:
Heat oven to 375
Combine cream of chicken soup, light sour cream, and green chilies into a medium size bowl, stir well.
In a baking dish, spread the mixture on the bottom of the dish.
Heat a DRY, small skillet over high heat.
Individually heat each tortilla in the skillet on each side before placing it into the dish.
Here's the process (not forgetting to heat each tortilla, of course!)...  
Spread mixture on bottom-->place 4 tortillas on top into a square-->spread more mixture on top-->sprinkle shredded chicken on top-->pour verde salsa on top of chicken-->sprinkle cheese on top of salsa-->4 more tortillas-->mixture-->chicken-->salsa-->cheese-->REPEAT THIS PROCESS ONE MORE TIME.  Bake at 375 for 30-35 min.

 

I usually set the extra salsa out as an option to put over the top of each serving.
If you would like to make enchiladas, simply spread the mixture on the bottom of the dish, heat each tortilla & spread a spoonful of the mixture (just mix verde salsa into the mixture if making enchiladas) inside of the tortilla, sprinkle chicken & cheese & roll up.  After you've finished all of the tortillas & they're evenly lined up in the dish, spread the mixture & sprinkle cheese on top!  If you're making enchiladas, you will need more than 12 tortillas. 

Mexican Chopped Salad w/Honey-Lime Vinaigrette!

This is the salad I served.  The dressing is definitely a keeper!!  If the cilantro smells stronger than usual, don't use quite as much in the dressing.

Ingredients:                                                 

1 head Romaine, shredded

1 can mexicorn
1 avocado, diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1 small pkg slivered almonds, toasted

1 container Feta cheese

1/2 can black beans

1 yellow bell pepper, diced

1 container cherry tomatoes

Dressing Ingredients:

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

1/4 cup olive oil

2 Tbsp honey

2 Tbsp finely chopped cilantro

1 garlic clove, pressed/minced

1 Serrano pepper, diced

Directions:
Toast the slivered almonds on a baking sheet @ 350 for about 8 min, or until slightly browned.

Prepare all salad ingredients & put on top of the shredded romaine in a large, and of course cute, bowl :-)  Cover with fresh cracked pepper.

Place all dressing ingredients into a blender or food processor & pulse until blended.  I like to put the dressing in a food processor to evenly disperse the cilantro, garlic & Serrano.  

Pour dressing over salad & toss to serve!

I got this salad recipe from Epicurious, & made a few minor changes.  Love this site. 

This would be great as a meal w/crushed chips underneath the salad & grilled chicken on top!

*Corn & Avocado Salsa*

Last night Jay O. & I had Aunt Abigail, Rebekah, & Chris over for dinner.  Yesterday, I was in the mood to cook so I decided to have a mini dinner party, we were glad they were able to make it!  This is what I served as an app. 

 

Ingredients:

1/2 can golden sweet kernel corn                                                
1 can mexicorn
2 avocados seeded & diced

1/2 red onion, diced

1 red bell pepper, seeded & diced

1 Serrano pepper, diced

1 Tbsp minced garlic

1 Tbsp ground cumin

1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1/3 cup red wine vinegar

2 Tbsp olive oil

1/4 cup fresh lime juice

salt & fresh ground pepper to taste
you could use the full can of corn & full red onion if serving a larger group.
And, it would be great with a can of black beans added, too!

Directions:

Drain corn & dice ingredients.  

Combine corn, avocado, onion, red bell pepper, Serrano pepper, garlic, cumin, red pepper flakes, cilantro, salt & pepper.

In a small container combine & stir red wine vinegar, olive oil, & fresh lime juice; stir to combine.

Pour the mixture over the veggies, & stir.  
If you're waiting awhile to serve the dip, wait to add the avocado in right before serving so the avocado doesn't brown & stays fresh!

Chill until ready to serve.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips.  Whole wheat scoops are my favorite choice!

Very Refreshing!!!

*Brocolli Salad*

For the entree when my parents came over for dinner, I prepared this light & healthy broccoli salad & a previous post, turkey cacciatore  burgers on portobello "buns." We enjoyed dinner out on the back porch, it was perfect weather for it!

Ingredients:                                               

1 1/2 lbs broccoli

3 Tbsp chopped red bell pepper

3 Tbsp chopped red onion

3 Tbsp distilled white vinegar, or rice-wine vinegar

1 Tbsp Sesame Oil or Olive Oil

2 tsp brown sugar

2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

Salt to taste

I think next time, I will stir in some toasted slivered almonds, if you want to add that :)

Directions:

Cut off broccoli florets. Trim and peel stems; cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place broccoli florets and stems in a steamer basket over boiling water; cover and steam until cooked but still crisp, 2 to 3 minutes. Refresh under cold water. Drain well.

Stir together bell pepper, onion, vinegar, oil, brown sugar and crushed red pepper in a serving bowl. Just before serving, add the broccoli and toss to combine. Season with salt.

Only 109 Calories per serving, if you're just using this as a side item it would be even less. I got this recipe from Eating Well.

Hot Artichoke & Olive Dip

Last night Jay O. & I had my parents over for dinner & this is the appetizer I prepared.  We loved it, & my Dad even said it was the best dip he has had in a long time!  The recipe is stemmed from one on the PW blog, but I added a few ingredients, & made it a lighter version. 

And, just to note, I am not a fan of black olives but the olives combined with all of the other ingredients gave it the right hint of flavor!  Muy bien :)

Ingredients:

1 14 oz. can Artichoke Hearts                               

1 small can sliced black olives

8 ounces Light Cream Cheese

1 cup Light Mayo

1 whole Egg

1/2 Red onion, diced

1/2 cup grated Parmesan Cheese

4 Dashes Worcestershire Sauce

4-5 dashes hot sauce

Salt & Pepper to taste

Cayenne Pepper to the heat you desire

If you don't have Cayenne, I used ~ 1 Tbsp Taco Seasoning

Directions:

Combine all ingredients in the bowl of a food processor. 

Pulse 5 to 8 times until mixture is combined but not totally liquefied. 

Stir and check seasonings, then pour into a small casserole dish. 

Bake at 350 degrees for 20 to 25 minutes, or until hot and bubbly.

Serve with Stacy’s Simply Naked Pita chips.

Roasted Asparagus w/thyme, lemon zest & parmesan!

I am always looking for new ways to season my favorite side items & this had just the right flavor :) I highly recommend trying it!

Ingredients:

1 pound asparagus spears

1 tbsp olive oil

Kosher salt

Cracked black pepper

2 tbsp butter (I used olive oil based butter, but I recommend regular if you want to brown the butter well)

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

2 Tsp chopped fresh thyme

1 tsp grated lemon rind

2 tbsp Parmesan

Directions:

Preheat oven to 450

Place asparagus on a baking sheet; drizzle with olive oil.

Sprinkle evenly w/salt & pepper.

Bake for 10-15 min or until tender/crisp.

Meanwhile, melt butter in a small skillet over medium heat & cook for 3 min until lightly browned.

Remove from heat & stir in lemon juice.

Drizzle butter mixture over asparagus; toss well to coat.

Lastly, sprinkle thyme, lemon rind & Parmesan on top!

I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

I downloaded blogger+ on my iPhone tonight...my fingers are exhausted now! Goodnight :-)

Proscuitto, Spinach, Fresh Mozzarella & Feta Pizza, Mmm!!!

This pizza was very yummy!  Jay O.'s favorite spicy five pizza has feta & I have had a pizza in DC that had prosciutto that I absolutely loved so I created this recipe with all of my favorite ingredients :)

Ingredients:
pre-made thin crust pizza crust (or whatever you'd like!  get wheat if it's available:))
3-4 Tbsp of your favorite tomato sauce          
1 pkg fresh mozzarella sliced thinly
1 small container feta cheese
4 slices prosciutto 
1 bag spinach
4 cloves garlic, pressed
crushed red pepper flakes
fresh cracked pepper


Directions:
Heat your oven to the desired temp indicated on the pkg of your pizza crust.
Cook your spinach & pressed garlic in ~2 Tbsp olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat until spinach is fully cooked (make sure to drain or squeeze out excess fluids once cooked)-- set aside.Spread your pizza crust w/tomato sauce.
Spread the spinach & garlic evenly over the sauce.
Cut & fold pieces of prosciutto, dispersing the pieces evenly over the spinach..
Place thin slices of fresh mozzarella evenly over the pizza.
Sprinkle the feta over the mozzarella.
Grind your fresh cracked pepper over the feta (generously).
Sprinkle red pepper flakes on the top to your desired heat..
Bake pizza directly on your oven rack for 8-10 minutes & serve!!!

*Low Fat Carnitas Tacos*

My Mom made this recipe not long ago for her & my Dad, & they both absolutely loved it!  I plan on making it sometime soon, but I will unfortunately have to omit the beans since Jay O. is not a fan, but I can always add a little spoonful to my tacos :)  They enjoyed it so much, I had to go ahead & share it with you!

 

Ingredients:                                         

2 lb. boneless porkloin

1 med onion, diced

3 carrots, diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 chipotle chile in adobe, chopped plus 2 T adobe sauce

2 15.5 oz cans cannellini beans drained and rinsed

1 28 oz can diced tomatoes

3 T tomato paste

1 1/2 tsp. diced oregano

1 tsp. ground cumin

1 tsp. kosher salt

1/2 t. ground black pepper

1/4 tsp. each cinnamon and cayenne pepper                     

1/4 cup chopped cilantro.                          

For Garnish:

Diced Red onion

Queso Fresco

Lime wedges

picture courtesy of www.cookinglight.com
Directions:

Trim excess fat from pork and cut roast in half crosswise.

Combine remaining ingredients, except cilantro, in a 6 qt. slow cooker and add pork, cover and cook 5 hours on high or 8 hours on low.

Shred pork with two forks and stir in the cilantro. 

Serve in corn tortillas with crumbled          queso fresco, red onion and lime wedges on the side. 

Serves 8 to 10.

Per serving :  265 calories, 9 g total fat, 3 g sat fat, 666 mg sodium, 22 g carbs, 65 mg chol, 28 gram protein, 7 g fiber.

Thanks, Mom!

*Shopping Guide*

So...I know this is off subject from my usual topic, recipes.  But I just wanted to share some of my favorite shopping sites for shoes & that must have dress or top you have been looking for!  I am somewhat of an online shopaholic or at least I love to browse :)  

There are of course the well known stores we all go to like Urban Outfitters, J. Crew, Nordstrom, Dillard's etc. but I tried to list ones that may be new to you.  Some of the sites listed are a little pricey like Farfetch & Net-a-Porter, but they are good for an occasional splurge, special occasion, or just to see what's "in"!

All of the sites below are links to their websites, so just click to shop or at least have fun taking a peek!

Clothing Sites:                        

Akira Chicago

Alice & Olivia
 
Asos

Boutique to You

Couture Candy

CUSP by Neiman's (love this site)

Farfetch

French Connection

Harmony Lane

Madewell

Mod Cloth

Net-A-Porter

Piperlime

Rachel Roy

Rent the Runway (for renting formal or cocktail dresses) 

Revolve Clothing                                                              

Seychelles

Shop Bop 

Swell

The Outnet

Top Shop

Tulle

SHOES:

Endless
   
Envi 

Kelsi Dagger (the site is almost up & running...love her shoes.  a lot of hers are on endless & solestruck too)

Lulu's (Very affordable prices!)                   

Lori's

Moxsie

Sole Struck "to rid the world of ugly shoes"

What A Pair (this site has a few good things 
like jeffrey campbell & the yellow box flip flops, 
but not my fav site)

Zappos 

I like Max & Chloe's Jewelry Site & 
Fantasy Jewelry Box.


Good Search Engine Sites for Shoes/Clothes/Accessories:

Shop Style

Style Find (In Style's search engine website)


VINTAGE/CRAFTY WEBSITES...you won't like everything on these sites, but you can occasionally find a unique piece of jewelry or a flirty  & fun vintage dress.  And, it's very fun to look!: 


Designer Social
                                                                        Dorethea's Closet
                                                                                
Etsy
 
Posh Girl Vintage

The Red Velvet Shoe

Unique Vintage (a mix of vintage & regular clothing lines.  You can usually find a cute swimsuit, too!)

Discounted Sites (these are sights you have to sign up for, and can get great discounts on designer clothes, shoes, or even vacation getaways!) 

Hautelook

Ideeli

Ivory Trunk

Rue La La

Taigan

If I think of anything I left off I will add it :)

Now, don't spend TOO much!!!

Baked Summer Sausage w/Honey & Cracked Pepper

Jay O. introduced me to this recipe (pretty sure Mrs. Cathy had something to do with it, too:)).  We made it at Thanksgiving in Dallas at my Aunt Christine's & Uncle Denton's, and made it at the Kennedy Christmas at the lake, too!  I have had a few requests for the recipe, so I thought I would share it on here as well! Very simple.

Ingredients:
1 all beef summer sausage
cracked pepper
honey
crackers (plus the cracker recipe ingredients if you would like)
sharp cheddar cheese
 

Directions:
Remove the casing from the summer sausage.
Score the sausage with a fork or knife.
Cover/Roll the sausage in honey until fully covered.
Top the honey with lots of fresh cracked black pepper.
Bake in a glass casserole dish at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until warm, turning occasionally.
(make sure to cook it in a dish where it won't bubble over)

Serve with crackers & a block of sharp cheddar cheese for slicing.  I serve this recipe with my herbed cracker recipe.

My mother-in-law Mrs. Cathy serves this with her homemade jezzabelle sauce which I will get the recipe for!

The boys are sure to love this one!!!