Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad (nutmegnotebook.com)

Dressing:
1/3 c chopped cilantro
2/3c light sour cream
1 Tbsp minced chipotle chilie, canned in adobo sauce
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp chili powder
4 tsp fresh lime juice
1/4 tsp salt

Salad:
4 c shredded romaine lettuce
2 c roasted chicken breast cut into pieces
1 c cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 c diced, peeled avocado
1/3 c thinly sliced red onion
1 (15oz) can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 can corn, rinsed and drained

Prepare dressing by mixing well.  Combine all salad ingredients in large bowl and drizzle dressing over top.  Serve immediately.

Serving size 2 & 1/2 cups.
calories- 249
protein 23.3 g
fiber 7g

Honey Lime Enchiladas

1/3 c honey
1 Tbsp chili powder
1lb chicken, cooked and shredded
1/4 c lime juice
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 c heavy cream
15oz can green enchilada sauce
2 c cheese
12 corn or flour tortillas

In a bowl combine honey, lime juice, chili and garlic powder. Whisk together and add the chicken. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to marinate up to 1hr in fridge.
Prepare tortillas (we like the kind you can cook yourselves) by heating in microwave so they don't crack. Spray 9x13 pan with PAM. In a small bowl combine cream and enchilada sauce. Spread 1/2 of mixture on bottom of pan.
Spoon chicken mixture onto tortillas, cover with cheese, then roll up enchilada style. Repeat until all chicken/tortillas are gone.
Pour remaining sauce over top of enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake at 350 for 30-35min

If you want it a little spicier or chunkier, use green taco sauce, medium heat. That made it too hot for the kids, but I liked it!

Chicken Taquitos (our best bites)

1/3 C (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C green salsa
1T fresh lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t granulated garlic, or garlic powder
2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated cheese (cheddar, pepperjack, etc)

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

Spoon down the middle of the tortilla and roll up. Place on baking sheet and spray tops with PAM. Bake for 15-20min or until golden brown on top.

Mini Cheddar Meatloafs

3/4 c milk
1 c shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 c oats
1/2 c chopped onions (1/4 c dehydrated onions)
1 tsp salt
1lb ground beef

Topping:
2/3c ketchup
1/2c brown sugar
1 & 1/2 tsp mustard

In a bowl combine milk, cheese, oats, onions and salt. Add the beef and mix with hands to incorporate. Shape into 8 mini loafs and place in a foil lined 9x13 pan. Combine topping ingredients, then spoon over top of meatloafs. Bake uncovered at 350 for 45 min.

Ben LOVES these. He will eat 3-4 of them! The topping is really good!

Brattens Clam Chowder

2 cans chopped clams
2 cups potatoes, diced
1/2 c onion, diced
1 c celery, diced
3/4 c butter
3/4 c flour
1 pint whipping cream
1 pint milk
1/2 tsp salt
dash of pepper
1/2 tsp sugar

Drain clams into the vegetables. Cover with additional water (about 1/2 inch over tops of veggies) to steam. In separate pan melt butter and add flour slowly. Stir in cream and milk and cook until thick and creamy, stirring constantly. Add undrained veggies and clams. Serve in bread bowls and eat for New Years!

Rootbeer Pulled Pork

Rootbeer Pulled Pork

4lb pork loin roast
dried onoins
salt
pepper
garlic powder
1 can rootbeer

Place roast in crock pot. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle garlic powder and dried onions on top. Pour in can on rootbeer. Cook on high for 4-6hrs or on low 8-10hrs. Pork should shred easily when touched with a fork. Shred and serve with favorite bar-b-que sauce.

*this has to be one of the easiest recipes I have tried. The pork was very moist. I was pleasantly surprised!*

Tacos in a Pasta Shell

Tacos in a Pasta Shell

1 pkg jumbo pasta shells
1-1&1/2 lbs hamburger
1 pkg cream cheese (8oz)
1/8c dried onions (handful)
salt and pepper
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1 tsp garlic
1c water
1/2 pkg taco seasoning
cheese, grated

Cook noodles according to package directions. Brown hamburger with onions and salt and pepper. Drain grease, then add cream cheese and spices. ( I usually don't measure them, I just sprinkle them on until it tastes like how I would like it) When cream cheese is melted, use this filling to stuff the pasta shells. Place in a 9X13 pan. When all shells are stuffed, mix taco seasoning with water and pour over top of shells. Sprinkle grated cheese on top. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes, covered then 10 min uncovered. Can serve with sour cream or salsa if desired.

*my kids love these. Last time I made them I didn't pour the taco seasining on some of them cause Isabel decided that she didn't like taco seasoning, and I cooked them covered the whole time so the noodles wouldn't get crispy on top. These are perfect if your kids can't agree on if they want tacos or noodles*

Steak Sloppy Joes

Steak Sloppy Joes

2lbs beef tenderloin, diced
2 tsp black pepper
2 tsp salt
1/2 c onion, minced
1/2 c green pepper, minced
4 cloves garlic, minced
6 Tbsp A-1 sauce
4 Tbsp brown sugar
2 dash hot sauce (optional)
2 tsp dry mustard

Season beef with salt and pepper and saute over medium high heat 2-3 min. Add the onion, green pepper and garlic and cook 3 min. Mix sauce ingredient together and pour over beef. Try not to over cook the steak so it will stay tender.

* I use whatever cut of steak I have on hand. Brady likes it with hot sauce, the kids don't, so he puts it on after. The kids really like this, it can be cooked in 1 skillet and it super easy!

Orange Glazed Chicken

Orange Glazed Chicken
(the kids loved this!)

1lb chicken cut into 1" chunks
1/2 c orange marmalade
1/4c soy sauce
1/4c honey
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (optional)

In a skillet, brown chicken in olive oil. (I seasoned mine with salt and pepper). While it is browning, whisk together sauce ingredients. When chicken is almost done cooking, pour glaze over chicken and continue cooking until chicken is done and sauce forms a glaze (apx 10min). Serve with rice and heart shaped carrots. :)

Lemon Chicken Pasta

Lemon Chicken Pasta

1 lb noodles of choice
2 chicken breasts, cut into 1" cubes
salt and pepper to taste
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4tsp red pepper flakes (optional)
3 Tbsp Olive oil
2 lemons, juiced
1/2 c Parmesan cheese

Boil pasta til done, then drain. In a saute pan, season chicken with salt and pepper and cook until done. When done, remove to plate.
Add the garlic, olive oil and red pepper flakes to pan. Saute until fragrant (apx 2 min). Mix with noodles and add chicken. Add fresh squeezed lemon juice and stir. Top with Parmesan cheese and serve.

* we leave the red pepper flakes out so that the kids will eat it. If wanted, they can be added at the end. Isabel liked it cause it was sour chicken :) I think that this recipe came from the Neely's on Food Network.

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

Sweet and Sour Meatballs

(adapted from The Open Pantry)

Meatballs:

7 Tbsp soy sauce

6 Tbsp sugar

1 tsp garlic salt

1/4 c water

1 tsp ginger

1 tsp fresh cracked pepper

2 lbs ground beef

2 c panko bread crumbs

Sauce:

1 c brown sugar

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 & 1/2 c water

1 tsp ginger

1 & 1/2 c ketchup

1/3 c pineapple juice

1/3 c vinegar

salt and pepper to taste

Directions:

Whisk together all the sauce ingredients and set aside. To make the meatballs mix together all ingredients except the ground beef and breadcrumbs. Place ground beef in a large bowl and make a well in the center. Pour the breadcrumbs in the well, then pour the soy sauce mixture over the crumbs. Blend together with hands. Shape into meatballs and place in a 9x13 foil lined pyred dish. Pour the sauce over the top and bake at 300-325 for 50min-1hr. Serve over rice.

Caramelized Carnitas

Caramelized Carnitas

1&1/2 lbs pork shoulder
salt and pepper
2 cloves garlic, chopped
4 tbsp brown sugar
2 Tbsp molasses
1/3 c water
green onions for garnish
limes

Cut pork into 1 inch cubes. Place pork in saute pan and season with salt and pepper. Brown meat on all sides, then add the garlic, brown sugar, molasses, and water. Stir once, reduce heat and let simmer (on medium) for about 35min. (This is the perfect time to make tortillas and black beans to go with it!) After about 35min, then sauce will be thick and will start sticking to the meat, caramelizing it. Serve on warm tortillas with a squeeze of lime juice and cheese.

Brazilian Stroganoff

Brazilian Stroganoff

1&1/2 lbs filet mignon (I used stew meat)

1/2 onion, chopped

2 Tbsp butter

1 Tbsp mustard

1 Tbsp Worcestershire sauce

3 Tbsp Ketchup

1 can creme de leite (creme media)

Saute beef and onion in butter. Add mustard, ketchup and worchestershire sauce, then put in the crock pot for 2-3 hours on high. The last 20min of cooking, add the can of cream. Serve over rice with potato chip sticks on top.

The cream can be found in the mexican aisle of the grocery aisle. It's in a blue can. If you can't find it, then you can use heavy cream.

Chicken Croquettes

Chicken Croquettes (Susan Hogan)

1/4 c celery, chopped

1 can mushrooms, drained and chopped

1/4 c onion, chopped

2 Tbsp butter .....3/4 c grateed cheddar cheese

4 Tbsp flour .......1/2 c crushed corn flakes

1/4 tsp pepper....... 1 & 1/2 c cooked rice ..... 1/3 cup sour cream

1 c milk ..... 1 & 1/2 c cooked chicken ..... 1 can cream of chicken soup

4 chicken boulion cubes

Saute celery, onion and mushrooms in butter until tender. Blend in flour and poultry seasoning (to taste, about 1-1&1/2 tsp) and pepper. Add milk and boulion cubes, stir until thickened. Cool.

In large bowl combine rice, chicken and cheese with cooled sauce. Using about 1/3 c of mixture, form a ball (croquette) and roll into crushed corn flakes. (I use crushed up Stove Top for extra flavoring).

Place on greased cookie sheet and bake at 425 for 30min. While it is cooking combine cream of chicken soup with sour cream and poultry seasoning to taste. Heat til warm. Use as a dipping sauce for the crouettes. Makes about 10 croquettes.