Cilantro Lime Rice

Here's a rice recipe to go with all of the chicken recipes from the other day. I tried out several, and this was the best!

CILANTRO LIME RICE

1 Tbsp. olive oil
2 cup rice of your choice
3 cups chicken broth
2 to 3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
2 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
zest from one lime
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
1 tsp. salt

Add the oil to a large sauce pan and heat on low. Add the garlic and rice to the oil and saute for 2 minutes on medium heat stirring frequently.

Add the chicken broth, salt, lime juice and bring to a boil. Cover and cook on low for 15 minutes or according to directions on the rice package

When the rice is done, add lime zest and chopped cilantro and stir to mix in. Serve immediately.

If you are using regular long grain rice, follow the cooking directions on the box regarding the amount of liquid to use and the cooking time.

Tip Of The Day

Sink not smelling too pretty? Cut a lemon up into small pieces (As the wife of a plumber, it's not a good idea to put a giant chunk of anything down your disposal.) Run cold water while you let the disposal run.

Pina Colada Slush

• PINA COLADA SLUSH
• 
  
• 2 (14 ounce) cans cream of coconut
• 3 (6 ounce) cans frozen lemonade concentrate
• 1 (46 fluid ounce) can unsweetened pineapple juice
• 2 Fresca or lemon lime soda

1. In a large plastic container combine cream of coconut, lemonade concentrate, and pineapple juice. Mix well and store overnight in the freezer.
2. To serve, place 2 scoops in a glass, then fill the glass with lemon-lime soda. Or place frozen mixture in a punch bowl and cover with soda.

Tip Of The Day

I finally planted some Basil in a cute little pot and put it in the windowsill of my kitchen. I've had it for a year now, and even I have been surprised at how often I use it. Although it was barely clinging to life after my 10 day vacation, (oops.) I've managed to nurse it back to health. Now I'm going to add a little pot of Cilantro next to it. So my tip of the day is - Fresh Herbs! Once you have them at your fingertips, you'll never want to be without them.

3 Different Dinners from One basic recipe!

My favorite way to cook chicken? The Crock pot! This is the easiest chicken recipe ever.

4-6 Chicken breast halves

1 jar of your favorite salsa

1 can green chilis

Put it all in the crock pot, make sure chicken is coated. Cover and cook 6-8 hours on low or 4-6 hours on high. Shred with two forks. If you over cook it though, it will get dry. Make a big batch and freeze it for later!

Now 3 different ways to use this chicken:

CHICKEN SOFT TACOS

Use the above chicken mixture

Favorite tortillas (for a healthier choice use whole grain or sprouted tortillas)

Your favorite toppings:

olives

avocados

tomatoes

salsa

sour cream

lettuce (butter is my fave)

green onions

cheese

taco or hot sauce

cilantro

etc.. etc..

CHICKEN NACHOS

Use the above recipe

Heat oven to 400 degrees

Spread your favorite tortilla chips Jaunita's are my fave) on a cookie sheet (cover with foil for easy clean up)

1-2 cups chicken mixture

Sprinkle 1/2 - 1 cup cheese ( or more?) over the chips

Sprinkle olives, and green onions on top

Bake until cheese is melted

Top with salsa, guacamole, sour cream, etc..

Super fast and soooo tasty.

CHICKEN FAJITA PERSONAL SIZED PIZZA

Oven to 425 degrees

6-10 thawed Rhode's frozen texas rolls ( you can make them into personal size or roll it together into one crust. )

olive oil

2 cups chicken mixture

1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced

1/2 medium onion, thinly sliced

1 garlic clove, minced

1 cup salsa

1 1/2 cups shredded cheese

fresh cilantro

1.Coat pizza pan or cookie sheet with olive oil. Gently stretch dough to form about a 5-6 inch circle.

2. Cook pizza crust for 7-10 minutes.

3. Spoon salsa over crust.

2. in skillet go three times around the pan with the olive oil (or about 3 tsp.)

3. Sautee peppers and onions until crisp-tender. Add garlic and 2-3 cups of chicken mixture. Cook until heated through. (add more salsa if it looks a little dry for how much chicken you have)

4. Spoon mixture over crust. Sprinkle with cheese.

5. Place in oven and bake for 6- 10 more minutes, until crust is golden brown.

Top with fresh cilantro.

Tip Of The Day

For a lower fat, higher protein meal, Substitute plain Greek Yogurt for sour cream in any recipe. If you're a little scared of that, try substituting 1/2 at first, and work your way to a complete substitution! My favorite brands: Oiko's and Athena's

Orange Pineapple Cake

This is a light, refreshing dessert. Great for picnics, potlucks and BBQ's (I'm thinking positive, Spring is almost here!)

Cake:

1 yellow cake mix

1/3 C veggie or canola oil

11 oz. can mandarin oranges drained, reserve juice (or use 2 small cans)

3 eggs

juice and water to equal 1 1/3 cup ( the frosting calls for crushed pineapple, reserve that juice too!)

Spray bottom of 9x13 pan. Spread mandarin oranges (you drained them right?) on bottom of pan

Mix cake mix with oil, eggs, drained fruit juice and water. Bake at 350 for about 35 minutes.

Frosting:

12 oz. cool whip

1 can drained crushed pineapple

3 oz. box vanilla instant pudding

Mix together and spread on cooled cake.