Quick and Easy Quesadillas

This recipe came from my dear friend Kristie.  It is one of the simplest meals you can make, and it tastes amazing.  So when you are in a hurry to put dinner on the table keep the following on your pantry shelves to make it seem like you have been busy all day with dinner.

2 C. Shredded cooked chicken, I use Canned
1 can corn, drained
4 green onions sliced (optional)
1can black beans, rinsed
1 C. chunky salsa
1 C. shredded cheese
8 flour tortillas (I prefer the uncooked ones from Costco)

Mix Chicken, Corn, Onions, Beans and Salsa together in a bowl.  Then place 1/2-3/4 C. of the mixture on half of a tortilla and then top with cheese.  Fold the tortilla in half and then heat in a nonstick skillet on medium high heat.for 2-3 minutes on each side until lightly brown on both sides.  Repeat with the remaining mixture and tortillas until it is all gone.

Pad Kee Mao or Drunken Noodles

While in Caifornia a month or so ago, we were introduced to Pad Kee Mao, otherwise known as Drunken noodles.  It is usually called drunken noodles because it can be very spicy and requires you to drink a lot to calm the flavor.  Although this one is generally not super spicy, unless you get out of control on the red pepper flakes.  My kids love this one, and you can add different veggies to change it up or add more variety.  Hope you enjoy it.  

INGREDIENTS

• 1/2-16 oz box (8 oz)  Wide Rice Noodles
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 cup sliced onions
• 1 green bell pepper, julienned
• 2 tablespoons minced garlic
• Optional: 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1-14.4 oz can baby corn, drained
• 4 plum tomatoes, each cut into 6 wedges
• 2 tablespoons sweet soy sauce*
• 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 tablespoon fish sauce
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 1/2 cup firmly packed Thai basil leaves
• 1 teaspoon rice vinegar
• 
  
• DIRECTIONS

1.	Soak Rice Noodles according to directions on box. Stir to separate and set aside.
2.	Heat oil in large skillet on a high temperature. Add onion, green pepper, garlic and crushed red pepper. Stir-fry until onion starts to wilt.
3.	Add corn, tomatoes, sweet soy sauce, oyster sauce, soy sauce, Fish Sauce and sugar. Mix until combined.
4.	Drain noodles and add to skillet. Stir-fry until just tender, test after 3 or 4 minutes. Mix in basil leaves and vinegar. Stir-fry until basil is just wilted. Serve.

*Sweet soy sauce is found in any Asian store. If unavailable, make your own sweet soy sauce by mixing 3 parts soy sauce to 1 part dark brown sugar in a saucepan. Simmer until sugar is dissolved and sauce is slightly thickened. 

(Oyster sauce, sweet soy sauce and Thai basil are common products found in Asian markets)

Crockpot Thai Coconut Curry

We have been on a Thai kick around here, my son has decided it is his favorite thing to eat.  I ran across this recipe the other day and when I say you made it in the crock-pot  I was sold.  I put it in first thing in the morning and forgot about it until dinner time, and it was delicious.  My son normally does not eat anything with peanut butter, but he kept asking for more, I guess that means it was good.  It's a super easy recipe, and with all the peppers i've frozen from my garden it will be an easy one to make this winter as well.

1 can light coconut milk

2 tablespoon(s) natural creamy reduced-fat peanut butter

1 tablespoon(s) red or green curry paste (more if you like it spicier)

2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce

4 cloves minced Garlic

1 teaspoon(s) grated ginger

1 1/2 pound(s) boneless Chicken breasts, cut into 1 1⁄2-in. pieces

2 red bell peppers, sliced 3⁄4 in. thick and cubed

1 large onion, sliced

1 pound(s) rice noodles

1 cup(s) frozen peas

1/4 cup(s) fresh cilantro leaves

 Lime wedges, for serving

Directions
In a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker, combine the coconut milk, peanut butter, curry paste, soy sauce, garlic and ginger; mix in the chicken, peppers and onion.
Cook, covered, until chicken is cooked through, on low for 5 to 6 hours or on high for 3 to 4 hours.
Twenty minutes before serving, soak the rice noodles in hot water.  When noodles are soft, pour sauce mixture into a large frying pan and add noodles.  Stir the peas into the mixture, and cook, covered, until noddles are pan fried to desired firmness.   Remove pan from heat and sprinkle with the cilantro; serve with the lime wedges, if desired.

Pork Taco's

I got the recipe from another of my cookbooks, this recipe comes from the amazing Elaine Beardshall, a friend of ours who is an amazing cook.  This is an easy recipe and works great in the crock pot if you don't want to oven roast it.  The flavor is amazing!! Seriously, I can just eat the pork and and care less about the tortilla, which says a lot for me.  My kids loved it as well and that pretty much seals the deal at our house.  This freezes great, so don't worry that it makes a ton, you can cook once and eat for several meals.

4-7lb pork shoulder
1 onion, cut into quarters
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 cup brown sugar (optional)
3-4 cloves of garlic
1 tsp oregano
1 tsp cumin
1-2 Tbsp salt
Pepper to taste
1/2 Tbsp olive oil
2-3 Tbsp white wine vinegar

Blend all ingredients except the pork in a food processor or blender until smooth.  Pour the marinade over the pork and rub it into all the nooks and cranny's of the meat.  Place into a roasting pan or dutch oven, cover tightly and roast at 300 for 4 hours.  About halfway through cooking, check to see if you need additional water added, only a small amount to keep it moist.  When the pork is done cooking, let it set for 15-20 minutes, then shred the meat, and mix it with any remaining sauce in the pan.

Serve in tortillas with taco fixings, guacamole, salsa, cheese, beans etc..

Easy Chicken Alfredo

Anyone who knows me, will know that fettuccine alfredo is my favorite all time meal.  There isn't anything better than a good alfredo.  I got this one from our grad school cookbook as well, and it's an easy one, but doesn't go easy on the calories, so beware.  But if you are gonna splurge, go for this one, it's great!!

3 cloves minced garlic
8oz of cream cheese
1/2 tsp onion powder
1/2 cup butter
1/2-1 cup milk
3/4 C Parmesan
2 chicken breasts
1 pkg fettuccine

Cook fettuccine as directed on package.  Slice chicken breasts into thin strips.  Add a small amount of olive oil, onion powder and garlic to a skillet, heat until garlic starts to brown and is aromatic.  Then add chicken to skillet and brown.  Once chicken is brown add butter and cream cheese.  Once they are melted and mixed together, add milk and heat through.  Once the sauce is creamy add the Parmesan cheese, adding more milk if sauce becomes too thick.    Serve over pasta, adding broccoli or other vegetables if desired.

Skillet Chicken Parmigiana

This recipe comes from a dear friend of mine Erica.  It is in a cookbook that I got while we were going to Grad School.  It is a super easy recipe, and it's really yummy!  It's a fast one for those nights you aren't sure what to cook.  Give it a try, and the clean up is pretty quick from this as well.  Enjoy!

1/4 C. olive oil
1 C chopped onions
2 cloves of garlic minced
1 28 oz can of crushed tomatoes
2 tsp of sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp basil
4 Boneless skinless chicken breasts
1/2  C. Italian bread crumbs
1/3 C. Parmesan cheese
1 egg, beaten
1/2 C. shredded mozzarella cheese

in a 3 qt sauce pan, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil over medium heat.  Saute onions and garlic in oil stirring occasionally.  Stir in tomatoes, sugar, salt and pepper.  Heat to boiling, stirring occasionally.  Reduce heat and simmer covered.  Between sheets of waxed paper pound chicken breasts to 1/4" thickness.  In a shallow dish mix bred crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Dip chicken into egg, then oat with bread crumb mixture.  In a 12 inch skillet, heat remaining oil over medium heat.  Cook chicken in oil 10-15 minutes, turning once, until no longer pink in the center.  Pour tomatoes sauce around the chicken in skillet.  Sprinkle mozzarella cheese over chicken, cover and heat until melted.  Serve over pasta.

Honey Lime Tilapia

We had this recipe at my mom's last week.  We usually aren't huge fish eaters, but my kids couldn't help but ask for seconds and even thirds.  This was amazing!!! Definitely a staple recipe now!  Hope you enjoy it.

Marinade:
Zest and juice from 1 lime
1 1/2 Tbsp. Honey
1/2 tsp. Pepper
1 Tbsp. Olive Oil
1/2 tsp. Salt
1/2 tsp. Garlic Powder

Dredge
1/2 C. flour
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/4 tsp. salt
2 Tbsp. Olive Oil

Combine marinade ingredients in a zip lock back or shallow container and place desired number of pieces of tilapia in with marinade.  Leave in marinade anywhere from 1-24 hours

When ready to cook, combine flour with salt and pepper on a plate, remove each fish fillet from the marinade and dredge lightly with the flour on both sides, just a light coating.

Heat 2 Tbsp. olive oil in a medium skillet o0ver medium high heat until shimmering.  Cook fillets 2 at a time for 3-4 minutes per side or until opaque and browned.  Try not to disturb the fish so that you get a nice browned layer.  Serve with lime wedges.

You can freeze the fish with the marinade in zip lock bags, and then thaw and cook as well.

Raspberry Cheesecake Trifle

This comes from one of my all time favorite people, Julie.  Anything she makes is amazing, and always a crowd pleaser.  This is so good, it makes a great dessert for a large group, or for a special occasion, or simply just because.  

2 8oz packages of Cream Cheese
2 Cups Powdered Sugar
1 Cup Sour Cream
2 tsp. Vanilla
1 Cup Heavy Cream
1 tsp Vanilla
1 Tbsp. Sugar
1 Family size Pound Cake (cut into 1" cubes)
2 Pkg. Raspberry Danish Dessert
3 Cups Water
1 Large pkg. Frozen Raspberries
1/2 pint Whipping Cream
1 Symphony Candy Bar

Mix cream cheese, powdered sugar, sour cream and 2 tsp. vanilla together.  Whip heavy cream, add 1 tsp vanilla, sugar and then fold into cream cheese mixture.  Mix cubed pound cake into cream cheese mixture and set aside.  Mix 2 packages of danish dessert with 3 cups water in a large sauce pan.  Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then remove from heat.  Add frozen raspberries to the danish dessert.  In a trifle bowl, staring with the danish dessert, alternate layers between the danish dessert and cream cheese mixture.  Using a total of 3 layers of the danish dessert and 2 layers of the cream cheese mixture.  Garnish the top with whipping cream and chocolate curls, or fresh raspberries.

To make the chocolate curls use a potato peeler on a slightly softened symphony candy bar.

Curry Cashew Chicken Salad

I have always loved chicken salad sandwiches, but one day I tried this variety at a party and I fell in love with the recipe.  I had to have the recipe.  So my dear friend Becca gave it to me so I could share it with you.  This is yummy, if you like curry you will never go back, I promise!! these are great as sandwiches, but you can also just stick it on a bed of lettuce and eat it that way.  Both way's are amazing!

3 c. chicken breast, cooked and diced (I just used canned chicken)
2 c. celery, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1 can water chestnuts, drained and sliced (if desired)
1 c. cashews
2 tomatoes, diced (if desired)
1 head lettuce, sliced
Grapes, sliced (red or green)

Dressing

1 sm. (8 oz) ctn plain yogurt (I used greek yogurt)
1 c. salad dressing
1 Tbs curry
Salt & pepper, to taste

Mix salad w/ dressing. 

either arrange on sliced lettuce, or place on bread for sandwiches

*If you're putting it on sandwiches, it makes 8-12 servings

Mint Brownies

1 cups (2 sticks) butter, softened
2 cups sugar
4 large eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
11/4 cup all-purpose flour
3/4 cup unsweetened cocoa
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1 (10-ounce) package Creme de Menthe baking chips (recommended: Andes)
Shaved Creme de Menthe thins (recommended: Andes)
Chocolate frosting

Frosting:

1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, melted
1/3 cup cocoa
2 cups sifted confectioners' sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
2 tablespoons milk

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grease a 13 by 9 by 2-inch pan.
Using an electric mixer, combine butter and sugar in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed until creamy. Add eggs, 1 at a time, beating well after each addition. Add vanilla, mixing well.
In a separate bowl, combine flour, cocoa, and baking powder. Gradually stir into butter mixture. Fold in mint chips. Spoon into greased pan. Bake for 35 minutes.
While brownies are baking, prepare frosting. Combine butter, cocoa, confectioners' sugar, vanilla and milk in a large mixing bowl; beat at medium speed with an electric mixer until dry ingredients are moistened. Beat at high speed until spreading consistency.
Remove pan from the oven and allow brownies to cool in pan on wire rack. Spread with chocolate frosting. Top with shaved mint thins.