Thai Chicken Tacos/Wraps

As of lately, Thai flavors have definitely been my favorite.  At my local grocery store, the sweet chili sauce was only sold in a very large bottle, so I am trying to figure out a few ways to use it all up!  

These tacos are so good, and taste so fresh with that yummy salsa topping it off.  The peanuts add some good crunch as well, don't leave them out!!  We served it up with some roasted red pepper quinoa (I cheated and did the box version this time ;)

Thai Chicken Tacos

For the chicken:

1 lb chicken
1 quart chicken stock
additional water
1/2 cup sweet chili dipping sauce
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
the juice of 1 lime
1 clove garlic, grated
1/4 cup unsalted peanuts

For the cucumber salsa:

1 medium tomato, chopped (I used some red bell pepper instead)
1/2 medium cucumber, chopped
6 green onions, chopped
1/4 cup freshly chopped cilantro (oops, forgot this in the photo!)
salt and pepper to taste
tortillas

Place chicken in a saucepan or skillet. Add chicken stock and enough additional water to cover. Bring to a boil and cook over medium heat until done, about 20 minutes.

While chicken is cooking, place all ingredients for salsa in a large bowl. Mix well and set aside.

Remove chicken from skillet and shred. Add chicken back to skillet or saucepan. Add sweet chili sauce, grated onion, lime juice and cilantro to chicken. Heat through.

Serve Thai chicken in a tortilla topped with cucumber salsa.

Recipe Source:  Eclectic Recipes

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

I have been in such a cooking rut lately.  It may be the gray skies, but I have not been motivated to venture out and try new recipes.  I have been making older recipes that are simple and I have been using up some of my frozen meals from the freezer.  But now the sunshine is out, and it has somehow rejuvenated me!!  So here is a yummy recipe that is easy to make and throw in the oven if you need something quick.  It is especially easy if you already have some chicken already cooked and shredded ready to go in the freezer!

The flavors are yummy, the Rotel Tomatoes give it a nice spice.  I really liked this served with tortilla chips and homemade restaurant style salsa.  

Chicken Tortilla Casserole

1 can (10 3/4 oz) 98% fat free 45% less sodium condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (4.5 oz) chopped green chiles
1 container (8 oz) fat-free sour cream
1/2 cup fat-free (skim) milk
2 1/2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast
8 yellow corn tortillas (6 or 7 inch), torn into bite-size pieces
1 medium green bell pepper, chopped (1 cup)
1 (10 oz) can Rotel tomatoes (or 1 tomato chopped if your want it more mild)
1 1/2 cups shredded sharp Cheddar cheese or Mexican cheese blend (6 oz)
1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained

Heat oven to 350°F. Spray 13x9-inch (3-quart) glass baking dish with cooking spray. In large bowl, mix soup, chiles, sour cream and milk until blended. Stir in chicken, tortillas, beans, and bell pepper. Stir in tomato and 1 cup of the cheese. Spoon and spread mixture in baking dish.

Cover with foil. Bake 40 minutes. Uncover; sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese. Bake uncovered 5 to 10 minutes longer or until cheese is melted and mixture is bubbly. Let stand 5 minutes.  Serve with chopped olives, cilantro, salsa, tortilla chips.

Makes 8 servings (270 calories per serving)

Recipe Source:  adapted from Betty Crocker

Sugar Cookie Bars

I feel like I've fallen off the blogging planet for a while.  To be honest, I just needed a little break!  We've been eating frozen meals and older meals that I've made tons of times.  But I'm back now ;)

Alright, I couldn't get through this week without sharing one more Valentine treat!  This one is perfect for the holiday and I thought they would be fabulous for St. Patty's Day coming up as well as Easter, just by switching up frosting colors and sprinkles.  

These are as soft delicious as any sugar cookie you've ever had, but a million times easier!  No rolling, no cutting...you're gonna love them :)

Sugar Cookie Bars

1 cup butter; room temp.
2 cups sugar
4 eggs
2 tsp vanilla
5 cups flour
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp soda

Cream butter and sugar until fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, mixing after each egg. Add vanilla & mix well. In a separate bowl combine flour, salt & soda & stir with a whisk to combine. Add to wet mixture and mix just until combined. Spread on a greased baking sheet (use a 13 x 18 pan). Bake at 375 degrees for 10-15 min, until light golden brown or until a toothpick comes out clean. Cool completely and frost.

Frosting

1/2 cup butter; room temp
1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp vanilla
pinch of salt
4 cups powdered sugar
5 Tbsp milk
food coloring (if desired)

For frosting combine butter and shortening until smooth and creamy. Add vanilla and salt. Add powdered sugar in 1-2 cup increments until combined, then add milk & mix until smooth and spreading consistency. Spread over cooled cookie.

Recipe Source:  Real Mom Kitchen

britni

Strawberry Oreo Valentine Cookies and Other Valentine Food Ideas...

Visit me on over at Kiki & Company today and check out her fun Valentine ideas while you are there! (click link below)

Well, now that we are all over our Superbowl junk food coma, let's bring on some more Valentines treats!  I try to send treats with my husband to work every week at some point, and this is my weekly contribution to help make things a little more festive around the office.  They are super yummy and just as good as their chocolate counterparts :)  

Strawberry Oreo Valentine Cookies

Cookies:
1 package of strawberry cake mix
2 eggs
3/4 cup of shortening

Frosting:
8 oz. cream cheese, room temperature
1/2 stick of butter, softened
2 tsp. vanilla
4 c. powdered sugar

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix together strawberry cake mix, eggs and shortening until well combined. The dough will be pretty thick. Roll dough into balls, making sure they are all similar in size. Place dough onto ungreased cookie sheet and bake for 8 minutes. Immediately transfer cookies to a cooking rack.

Mix together cream cheese, butter, vanilla and powdered sugar until smooth. Spread onto cooled cookies and sandwich together.

*Makes 12-15 cookies after they are sandwiched together

Recipe Source:  Six Sisters Stuff

Here are a few other yummy things you can try for your Valentine festivities...


Red Velvet Chocolate Chip Cookies

Chocolate Covered Strawberry Pie

Sweet Berry Bruschetta

Strawberry Petit Fours


Enjoy!!