BEST EVER COCONUT HOT CHOCOLATE

This is the best hot chocolate I've ever consumed in my life. This recipe serves two.

2 cups milk

1/4 cup unsweetened coconut milk

2.5 tbsp sweetened condensed milk

2 tbsp unsweetened cocoa powder

1/2 tsp vanilla

I add all ingredients in my cocoa latte machine (definitely worth the $20 at walmart) and let it mix and heat up, then serve with mini mallows. If you are unfortunate enough not to have this clever contraption I am certain this could be made on the stove.

Also, if you like your hot chocolate sweeter I suggest adding more sweetened condensed milk, but you can always test taste and adjust as needed.

Jerk Chicken with Coconut and Pineapple

This recipe is similar to MB's pineapple fajitas, with the addition of pineapple juice, coconut, brown sugar and served over rice.  yum! 

2 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves, cubed

1 (20 oz) can pineapple chunks 

1/3 cup shredded coconut

1 1/2 tablespoons brown sugar

jerk seasoning

1/4 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

desired vegetables - I like to use green and red peppers, onions cut in chunks and mushrooms

olive oil

salt and pepper to taste

brown rice

Season chicken with jerk seasoning and saute in olive oil.  Stir in the pineapple and its juice, coconut, brown sugar, cinnamon and red pepper flakes (I add more jerk seasoning as well).  Add desired veggies; reduce heat to low and simmer.  Serve over rice.

Chicken Milano

I got this recipe on allrecipes.com and made some adjustments.  It is extra delicious.

1 tablespoon butter

2 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup sun-dried tomatoes, chopped

3/4 cup chicken broth

1 cup heavy cream

1 pound skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

olive oil

2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped

8 ounces pasta (of choice)

In a saucepan over low heat, melt butter; add garlic, tomatoes and chicken broth.  Increase to medium heat and bring to a boil.  Reduce heat and simmer, uncovered, for about 10 minutes. Add the cream and bring to a boil, stirring.  Simmer over medium heat until the sauce is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon (this takes about 10 minutes).

Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to boil, add pasta and cook until al dente; drain.

Season the chicken with salt and pepper and saute in olive oil.  Transfer to a plate, cut into diagonal slices; cover and keep warm.

Transfer the pasta to serving plates, top with chicken and coat with sauce; serve (I topped it all with parmesan cheese).  

Cafe Rio Pork, Revised

I read on one recipe blog that the addition of Coke/Dr. Pepper doesn't add much to the flavor but serves as a meat tenderizer. I haven't tried the recipe without it, but it always seemed to be an odd addition. For more Cafe Rio cheats, visit THIS post.

Sweet Pork
3-4 lbs. Pork Butt/Shoulder
2- 10 oz. Mild Red Enchilada Sauce (use med or hot if you want more spice)
1 can Coke or Dr. Pepper
1 tsp. Salt
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 t. cumin
2 t. chili powder
1 t. cayenne pepper
2 c. Brown Sugar
1 can chicken broth (to cook pork in)


Cook Pork in crock pot for 4-6 hours, in chicken broth. Drain water, shred pork, mix the rest of the ingredients, cook another 1-2 hours in crock pot. Serve a top tortillas with cheese, salsa, romaine lettuce, guacomole and cilantro lime dressing (below).
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Cilantro Lime Dressing
1 buttermilk ranch packet
2 tomatillos
1/2 bunch cilantro
1 clove garlic
Juice of 1 lime
1 jalapeno, seeded (I use 1/2)

Make ranch dressing according to package directions (I use fat free ingredients to cut calories-- still delicious). In a blender or food processor whirl together the tomatillos, cilantro and jalapeno. Now add the garlic and lime juice to your blended mix. Blend again. Combine with ranch dressing and enjoy.

Banana Bars

Yes, there was a sale on ripe bananas at Walmart. I can't pass up a good deal. This is one of our very favorite desserts. It's a great way to use your brown bananas!

2 c. flour
2 t. baking powder
1/2 t. salt
2/3 c. butter
2/3 c. sugar
2/3 c. packed brown sugar
1 t. vanilla
1 egg
1 c. mashed ripe bananas
1 c. semi-sweet chocolate chips

Cream butter and sugars, add egg, then flour, salt, baking powder and mix well with beaters. Add bananas and chocolate chips. Bake in an 9X11 pan at 350 for 20-25 min.

Banana Bread

This recipe is my mom's and is superior to all others I've tasted.

1 c. sugar
1/2 c. vegetable oil
2 eggs
2 c. flour
1 t. soda
1/4 t. salt
3-5 large mashed bananas (ripe)
pecans or walnuts

Mix ingredients by hand. Add nuts (whole, not chopped) and stir well. Pour into a greased long loaf pan (or two regular sized loaf pans-- otherwise it will not cook through). Bake 45-60 min at 350.

Cashew Chicken

From allrecipes.com with modifications by me.

Sauce:
1 T. sugar
2 t. cornstarch
2/3 c. water
4 T soy sauce
2 T. vegetable oil
Mix and let stand.
===============
2 cloves garlic
grated fresh ginger or 2 t. dry ginger
2 chicken breasts, cut
1 small onion, cut in wedges
1/2 c. cashew halves, rinsed to remove salt
Other vegetables, diced(broccoli, carrots, snap peas, etc)
rice

Meanwhile, cook rice separately. Cook chicken, adding garlic and ginger then onions, vegetables and cashews when vegetables are tender. Add Sauce mixture and stir until thickened. Serve over rice.