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).
++++++++++++++++++++
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.

Chipotle Burgers

This was absolutely a restaurant quality burger. I used about 1 lb of beef and it made 4 good sized burgers. The thing that makes this burger is the mayo. Although I'm not a mayo fan, this was delicious. The recipe writer suggests serving with pepperjack cheese. We garnished with avacado, romaine lettuce, and a tomato. Delicious.

picture from ourbestbites.com

Southwest Chipotle Burgers

(Recipe by Our Best Bites) Burgers:

1 1/2 lb ground chuck or ground sirloin

1-1/2 chipotle peppers canned in adobo sauce, diced (Hint, chipotle peppers are by the Mexican food and canned peppers. By the smallest can they sell. Use more peppers if you like a burger with more kick.)

1 1/2 T adobo sauce (from the chipotle chili can--this is at the bottom of the can)

1/4 C finely chopped onion

1 t garlic powder (I used 2 cloves crushed garlic)

1/2 t cumin

1 1/2 t kosher salt

1/4 t pepper

Place the beef in a bowl and gently crumble with your fingers. Add the chipotle peppers, adobo sauce, grated onion, garlic powder, cumin, kosher salt, and pepper. Use your hands (yes, your hands!) to gently mix things together. If you go crazy and over-work ground beef it gets a yucky texture. Just mix it enough to distribute the ingredients and call it good.Divide into 4 patties (or 6 little ones) and place on a preheated grill, indoor grill pan, or skillet.

Chipotle-lime Mayo:
1/2 C Fat free Mayo

2 t lime juice

1 1/2 t adobo sauce (from the canned chipotle chilis)
2T chopped fresh cilantro

Place mayo, adobo sauce, lime juice and cilantro in a small bowl.
Stir it all together. (I halfed the recipe and still had plenty of mayo left over) .

Sadler Burgers

I love this recipe because it adds a little flair to the traditional hamburger. Recipe courtesy of Patrick's former boss.

Sadler Burgers

1 lb ground beef
1 T. ketchup
1T. BBQ sauce
1 t. worchestershire sauce
2 t. steak sauce
2 t. minced dry onions (I used fresh the first time and left it out the second. I don't think this is an essential ingredient)
1 t hamburger seasoning (McCormick)
1/2 t. pepper

Mix all ingredients together and form into burgers. Makes 5 hamburgers.

Playdough

This recipe stolen from Jill.
I don't think it's intended to be eaten, but Amelia is likely to sample it.

Best Playdough
from this link, modified here to show what I did
In a deep saucepan (3 quart or so):
2 cups flour
1/2 cup salt
2 tsp. cream of tartar
Add:
2 cup water
2 Tbsp oil Whisk until smooth.
Cook over medium-low heat until nearly playdough is nearly set (i.e. no liquid is sloshing around your pot. Mixture beginning to hold itself together). Be careful not to let the bottom scorch!
Add:
2 Tbsp. imitation vanilla extract
Stir until vanilla is blended.
(The vanilla extract seems improve the texture and adds a nice scent as well.)

Chicken Pasta Salad (aka Chicken Tar-Tar)

This is an easy recipe aside from the fact that there is a lot of chopping required. In addition, it makes a lot! I usually serve this with parmasean breadticks.

2-3 c. large shell macaroni, cooked (I also use those spirals)
4 c. cooked chicken, diced
2 c. diced celery
2 c. diced apple (leave skins on)
2 c. red grapes, cut in half
2 cans sliced water chestnuts, drained
2 T. green onions, chopped
1 1/2 c. slivered almonds
Chop and combine, adding apples last
:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::
Mix together the following and add to chopped ingredients:
1-1/2 c. Kraft Coleslaw dressing (found by other salad dressings in store)
1-1/2 c. Miracle whip salad dressing

Chill and serve

Bacon and Sun-Dried Tomato Alfredo Pasta (with chicken)

This is a Weight Watchers recipe with modifications.

1 large chicken breast, cut in pieces
8 oz. multi grain pasta
1- (10 oz) package refrigerated light Alfredo sauce (I used bottled Barilla and it was very good)
1/2 c sun dried tomatoes, juliened
Precooked Bacon (I used Hormel real bacon bits from Sam's Club)
3-4 T chopped fresh basil
1/4 t. ground pepper

Cook chicken over the stove, adding 2 cloves crushed garlic, 1 T olive oil and a dash of white wine (optional).
Cook pasta according to package directions. While pasta cooks, combine Alfredo sauce and tomatoes in saucepan. Cook over low heat, stirring occassionally, until tomatoes are juicy and plump. Microwave bacon according to package directions and crumble.
The recipe suggests combining pasta and sauce, I wanted to control my Alfredo intake, so I dished up the pasta, covered with chicken, then topped with Alfredo sauce, bacon bits, and basil.

I also think cooked mushrooms would be good in this dish. You could serve it with a green vegetable, salad, or breadsticks. Quick and easy.

Chicken and Wild Rice Casserole

This is Patrick's favorite meal. It makes quite a lot.

2-3 chicken breasts, boiled and cubed
1 pkg. fresh mushrooms
1 onion, diced
2 boxes Uncle Ben's Wild Rice (NOT instant)
1 pint cream (the littlest carton they sell--whatever that is)
8 oz. chicken broth.
Cheddar Cheese

Cook Wild Rice according to package directions (make sure to stir in spice packet). Meanwhile Cook mushrooms and onions in a frying pan with a bit of olive oil. Combine chicken, rice, mushrooms and onions in a large casserole dish. Stir until well distributed. Pour chicken broth and cream over top. Cover and cook at 350 for 1 hour, topping with cheese the last 10 min. Serve immediately

Fruit Dip

I tried this for a party and thought it was simple and delicious.

1-7 oz jar of marshmallow cream (I did think the dip was too sweet-- I would try less next time)
1 pkg. low-fat cream cheese, softened
1/8 lime, juiced or 1 T orange juice
1 t. vanilla

Whip cream cheese until smooth. STIR in marshmallow cream followed by juice and vanilla. Serve with strawberries, bananas, apples, or other fruit of your choosing.

Baked Mashed Potatoes

To make this recipe a bit healthier, I use all fat free dairy products. They are still delicious.

2-1/2 lbs. potatoes
3 oz cream cheese
1/2 c. sour cream (I added more to taste)
1/4 c. milk

salt and pepper to taste

Place potatoes in a large pot and cover with water. Bring to boil and simmer until soft. Drain and mash. Add sour cream, cream cheese, basil, and garlic. Combine using a mixer until smooth.

Spread in baking dish and cook at 325 for 30-45 min or until hot.

This makes enough for 6 servings.