Mexican Crockpot Chicken: *My Way

1 can no-salt-added corn, drained
1 can low-sodium black beans, drained & rinsed
1 small jar chunky salsa
1/3 small yellow onion, chopped
garlic salt
pepper
2 chicken breasts
shredded 2% milk cheese (I used Colby Jack)

Mix corn, beans, 1/3 jar of salsa, onion and put in bottom of crockpot. Place chicken on top, season to your liking with garlic salt & pepper, top with remaining salsa. Cover and cook on high 2 1/2 - 3 hours until chicken is done, careful not to overcook. Sprinkle cheese on top and cover until cheese is melted. Serve as is or over rice, even shred the chicken if you like and put in tortillas.

*There are tons of versions of this. Some add cream cheese or Velveeta and omit the onion and seasonings. This is my version! Next time I think I will try hominy in place of the corn and Rotel instead of salsa.

Deep Dish Taco Pie

I don't know where this recipe originated, but my Mom made it a lot when I was little and it's requested a lot in my house these days. It's not an exact science, I change things up every time I make it, but this is how I made it tonight. BTW, this recipe makes two pies, but the leftovers are AWESOME! We'll eat on this for days and days and days...

Heat oven to 350, once heated pre-cook deep dish pie shells until lightly browned.

Make rice. (I used Knorr's Sides Mexican Rice. I prefer their Taco Rice version, but it's difficult for me to find)

Make 1 lb of taco meat, mix in 1 can refried beans. (I used the fat free variety) Heat through.

Layer into each pie shell (Use your judgment on amount):
Meat/bean mixture, handful of crumbled tortilla chips, rice, shredded Monterrey Jack cheese, meat/bean mixture, handful of crumbled tortilla chips.

Bake for about 10 minutes, or until crust is done. Sprinkle with cheese and stick back in oven for a couple more minutes to melt cheese.

Let stand several minutes before cutting.

Muy Bueno!

Arroz Con Pollo

ME: Any suggestions for dinner this week, Joe?

JOE: I would like arroz con pollo.

I scoured my trusty Cooking Light cookbook and did not have a recipe for it. Drats! So I Googled it and came across this incredibly easy recipe: Arroz Con Pollo Recipe

NOTE: I did not have any fresh green pepper, but I did have a small can of diced green chiles that I used.

Courtney's Skillet Chilaquiles

When Joe and I vacationed in Mexico years ago, I discovered a love for chilaquiles and recently stumbled upon a great recipe that I will share at some point. Joe and I also share a love for frittatas, so this morning I decided to combine the two using random ingredients I had on hand. Here's what I used and did (The measurements are approximate):

1/4 cup diced bell pepper
1/4 cup diced onion
Four corn tortillas cut into one-inch strips
1/2 cup of pinto beans rinsed and drained
A pinch of cilantro, chopped
Garlic salt
Pepper
Two eggs
3 egg whites
1/4 cup salsa
Fresh jalapenos, diced
*1/4 cup cheddar-jack cheese
*Handful of mozzarella cheese (I ran out of cheddar-jack)

*I always use 2% milk cheese

I heated the oven to 350, sprayed a 10-inch skillet with cooking spray and sauteed the bell peppers and onion for a couple minutes. In a small bowl I beat the eggs and egg whites and then stirred in everything but the mozzarella. I poured the egg mixture over the onions and bell peppers, stirred to mix and then let it cook for about 5 minutes over medium heat until the egg was almost set. I sprinkled the mozzarella on top and put it in the oven for another 5-8 minutes until cooked through. Then I let it sit a couple minutes, slid it onto a cutting board, used a pizza cutter to slice it into four wedges...

and served it with fresh jalapenos.

Yum!

Southwestern BLT Salad

Another yummy recipe! Click here to got to the site to get it!

Taco Salad Casserole

2 lbs hamburger
taco seasoning
8 0z cream cheese, softened (I mixed a little salsa in with mine)
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey Jack cheese
1/2 cup chopped green onion
several handfuls chopped lettuce
1/2 large tomato, chopped

Prepare taco meat.
Spread meat into a casserole dish.
Spread cream cheese evenly over top.
Sprinkle Monterrey Jack cheese over cream cheese.
Layer onion, lettuce and tomato.
Serve and enjoy!
Goes well with fresh avocado.
Would also be good served with chips and a layer of Spanish rice, black beans or both!

Low-Carb Chilaquiles & Cilantro-Lime Slaw

I got both of these recipes out of my Cooking Light cookbook (thanks again, Jenn!). I changed the chilaquiles up a bit to make them low carb.

Low-Carb Chilaquiles
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
1/2 cup chopped green onions, plus a little extra
1/2 cup shredded Monterrey jack cheese, divided
2 tbsps grated Parmesan cheese
1 tsp chili powder 1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (11 oz) can salsa verde
1 (4.5 oz) can chopped green chiles, drained
cooking spray
fresh jalapeno (optional)

*Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
*Combine chicken, onions, 1/4 cup Monterrey Jack cheese, Parmesan cheese, chili powder, salt, pepper, green chiles, cilantro and jalapeno in a medium bowl and mix well.
*Spread mixture in bottom of 11x7 baking dish coated with cooking spray.
*Top with salsa verde.
*Sprinkle remaining Monterrey Jack cheese on top.
*Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until bubbly.
*Serve with green onions on top.

Cilantro-Lime Slaw
3 tbsps lime juice
1 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
2 tsps sugar
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1 (12 oz) package coleslaw

*Combine first 3 ingredients in a small bowl.
*Combine next three ingredients in a large bowl.
*Drizzle juice mixture over slaw and toss well to coat.

Tex-Mex Panzanella

This is a Weight Watchers recipe that, of course, I have tweaked.

*****

4 cups cubed corn bread

3 tbsps lime juice

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 tbsps canola oil

1 can black beans, drained and rinsed

1 can low-sodium corn

1 lrg tomato, chopped

1 cup shredded 2 % milk cheddar cheese

fresh cilantro

*****

I ALSO ADDED:

diced southwestern-flavored rotisserie chicken

a handful of chopped red onion (because I had some on hand)

a handful of chopped green onion

a dash of garlic powder

*****

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Heat cornbread in oven for five minutes, stir and heat for five minutes more.

While cornbread is in oven, combine lime juice and next three ingredients (here is where you'll also add the garlic powder if you so desire) in a large bowl, stirring with a whisk.

Add oil and stir with a whisk.

Add beans, corn, tomato, chicken, red and green onion (if you used them) and toss well.

Add corn bread and cilantro; toss gently.

Top with cheese.

*****

I served mine over a salad of mixed baby greens, but I will eat the leftovers today for lunch cold and with chips and a little avocado. YUMMY!

Taco Bean Soup

My family, both immediate and extended, loves taco soup. I may have put that recipe on here before, if not, I'm sure it will be added at some point. We eat it all the time. The soup I made tonight is actually a Weight Watchers recipe that I modified ever so slightly, but it tastes just like our family's taco soup - only healthier! So, it's a win-win situation! I'm posting the doubled version of the soup since I doubled the recipe to feed three adults plus a kid and wanted to have leftovers. Hana and I would go hungry at lunch time if it weren't for leftovers. =)

2 (15 oz) cans of turkey chili with beans ( I prefer Wolf Brand)
2 (14.5 oz) cans of no-salt-added diced tomatoes (I used the southwestern-flavored ones)
2 large, coarsely chopped zucchini or yellow squash (I used both)
2 cups water
1/2 cup shredded, reduced-fat Mexican blend cheese (I did not double the cheese)
1/4 cup sliced green onions (I also did not double the onions)
***Made with the ingredients listed above, this is only 3 WW points per 1-cup serving of soup, 2 tbsps cheese and 1 tbsp green onion. But I also added...
1 can Ranch-style beans with jalapenos
1 can hominy
1 avocado, diced
handful of chopped cilantro
reduced-fat sour cream
_____________________________________
In a large saucepan, combine first four ingredients plus Ranch-style beans, hominy and cilantro. Cover and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes.
Ladle into bowls and top evenly with cheese, onions, avocado and sour cream.

Deep Dish Mexican Pie aka Taco Pie

A family favorite!
*****
This recipe makes two pies which usually means leftovers. I assure you that this pie is even better reheated than it is fresh!
*****
Deep dish pie crusts (2 come in a pack), thawed
1 lb hamburger meat'
taco seasoning (I'm partial to Taco Bell brand)
1 can refried beans (I use fat free)
Rice (I use Litpon Sides Taco Rice); buy two if you want to serve some on the side
tortilla chips (I'm partial to Tostitos Multigrain. If you haven't tried them, you're missing it!)
shredded colby-jack cheese (I use 2% milk)
I also use a handful of chopped cilantro
*****
Preheat oven to 350.
Cook the rice; set aside.
Cook the hamburger meat and season the meat per instructions on the taco seasoning packet.
Mix the refried beans and the chopped cilantro (if you're using it) into the taco meat.
*****
Layer in the pie crusts as follows:
meat/bean mixture
tiny bit of cheese
rice
tiny bit of cheese
tortilla chips (crumbled or whole will work)
meat/bean mixture
crumbled tortilla chips
*****
Bake in the oven approximately 30 minutes or until edges of crust are browned. Sprinkle cheese on top and put back in oven just a few minutes until cheese is melted.
*****
Remove from oven and let sit at least five minutes before slicing.

Mexican Bean Salad

1 can pinto beans, drained & washed

1 can dark red kidney beans, drained & washed

1 can corn, drained & washed

lots of diced red onion

lots of diced green onion

1 cup shredded Colby-jack cheese

lots of cilantro, chopped

1 medium tomato, diced

1 package dry ranch

*Next time I'll add fresh jalapeno!

Put it all in a bowl, mix well, cover and refrigerate until served. Great as a side dish or even as a dip. Fritos are a perfect match!

Mexican Stuffed Baked Potatoes

This is my own tweaked version a Weight Watchers recipe.

4 large baked potatoes (cooked)
1 lb taco meat
3/4 cup cottage cheese
1/4 cup 2% milk shredded Mexican blend cheese
1/2 cup corn kernels
2 green onions, chopped
handful of chopped cilantro
salsa
Lipton Mexican rice, cooked

1. Mix cottage cheese, shredded cheese, corn, green onions, cilantro and a splash of salsa in small bowl.
2. Cut potatoes lengthwise and top with taco meat, rice, cheese mixture and a little more salsa.

Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas

Yet another recipe from my new Cooking Light cookbook.

Three words:

1. Oh

2. my

3. goodness!

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1 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup chopped cilantro

2 minced garlic cloves

1 seven ounce bottle salsa verde (such as Herdez)

2 cups shredded cooked chicken breast (I just used canned)

1/3 cup (3 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese, softened

1 cup fat-free, less-sodium chicken broth

8 six-inch corn tortillas

cooking spray

1/4 cup (1 ounce) crumbled queso fresco

1/2 tsp chili powder

4 lime wedges

*************************

1. Preheat oven to 425

2. Place first 4 ingredients in a blender (next time I would add a jalapeno because I like some heat); process until smooth. Combine chicken and cream cheese in a large bowl. Stir in 1.2 cup salsa mixture. Reserve remaining salsa mixture.

3. Bring broth to a simmer in a medium skillet. Working with 1 tortilla at a time, add tortilla to pan, then flip. You only want to get it moist, turning it only once or else it will become soggy. Remove tortilla; drain on paper towel covered plate. Spoon about 1/4 cup chicken mixture down center of tortilla; roll up. Place tortilla, seam-side down in an 11x7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Repeat procedure with remaining tortillas, broth and chicken mixture.

4. Pour reserved salsa mixture over enchiladas; sprinkle evenly with queso fresco and chili powder (I forgot to do the chili powder but it was still mouthwateringly delicious). Bake at 425 for 18 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Serve with lime wedges.

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Yield: 4 servings (2 enchiladas and 1 lime wedge)

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Serve with cilantro-lime rice and black beans, I even added some sliced avocado.

Thanks for the amazing cookbooks, Jenn!

(I'll work my way to the other one soon. The recipes in there sound great too, this one just has more enticing pictures! LOL!)

Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad with Watermelon-mango Salad

More recipes from my new Cooking Light cookbook!

Watermelon-Mango Salad
2 cups cubed, seeded watermelon
1 cup sliced, peeled mango
1 1/2 tbsps lime juice
2 tsps honey
1/8 tsp salt
1 tsp fresh chopped mint

Mix lime juice, honey and salt with a whisk. Drizzle over fruit and toss gently to coat. Sprinkle with mint, cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.


Chipotle Chicken Taco Salad
DRESSING:
2/3 cup light sour cream
1/3 cup chopped fresh cilantro
4 tsps lime juice
1 tbsp minced chipotle chile, canned in adobo sauce
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients and mix well.

SALAD:
4 cups shredded romaine
2 cups chopped roasted skinless, boneless chicken breasts (I used a rotisserie chicken)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1/2 cup diced avocado
1/3 cup diced red onion
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1 small can corn, rinsed and drained

Combine salad ingredients, drizzle with dressing and serve immediately. I also served a side of cilantro-lime rice.

CILANTRO-LIME RICE:
Cook rice and add lime juice, fresh chopped cilantro and garlic salt to taste.


This meal was absolutely delicious! The fruit alone was out of this world. Next time I think I'll omit the lettuce from the taco salad and just serve it as a chipotle chicken salad with tortilla chips or even in a pita pocket. Yum!

Left Over Fajita Pizza Supreme

1 tube refrigerated pizza crust
1 cup salsa (I used Joe T. Garcia's "Hot")
1/2 cup diced onion (I used half yellow, half purple)
1/4 cup julienned green bell pepper
1/2 lb fajita meat (I used left over beef fajita meat)
Dash of cumin
Dash of chili powder
3 cloves of garlic, chopped
1 avocado, diced
Handful of crumbled Cotija cheese (a Mexican crumble cheese)
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese (as always, I used 2% milk cheese)
2 tbsps olive oil
salt and pepper
I also used Joe's left over homemade Mexican rice, reheated
*TIP: To successfully reheat rice so that it's not crunchy, place it in a plastic microwave safe container, add a decent amount of water, put the lid back on tight and microwave long enough for it to steam and the lid to pop up a bit.
________________________________________________________________
Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
Spread dough onto greased 10x15 (or so) cooking sheet.
Cook dough for approx 8-10 minutes, until edges are lightly browned.
________________________________________________________________
In the meantime, saute onion, cumin, pepper, chili powder, salt, pepper and garlic in olive oil until vegetables are tender, add meat and stir until meat is heated through (since I used left over already cooked meat).
________________________________________________________________
Once crust is lightly browned, spread salsa evenly over the top, add 1 cup cheese. Add meat and veggie mixture and top with rest of shredded cheese. Cook 10-15 minutes until crust is brown and cheese is bubbly. Remove from oven, turn oven temp to "warm", spread rice on top of pizza, sprinkle Cotija crumble cheese on top and place back in oven. Once Cotija is melty, remove and let sit at least 5 minutes before slicing.

Serve with fresh avocado on top. Makes 12 slices. Muy Bueno!

Pico de Gallo

1/2 tsp salt
1 minced clove of garlic
2 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and finely chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
3 tbsps finely chopped fresh cilantro
1-2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped
2 tsps fresh lime juice

Mix it all in a bowl and refrigerate for at least 1/2 an hour before serving.

I cannot make enough of it. Joe eats it as fast as I can make it!

Mexican Pizza Pockets

Ingredients:
1 puff pastry sheet, thawed and rolled out
1/2 lb hamburger meat (I never use any more than 96/4 % fat)
taco seasoning
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 oz cream cheese (I use reduced fat)
1/4 cup white corn
1/4 cup diced yellow onion

1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
2. Cook onions with meat and season with taco seasoning per taco seasoning instructions.
3. Mix in cream cheese and corn and stir until cream cheese is melted.
4. Cut puff pastry into 3-4 inch rectangles, ovals will work too.
5. Place 1-2 tablespoons of meat mixture in middle of each rectangle, but over to one side.
6. Brush edges of pastry with butter and fold empty side over to cover the meat mixture. Seal edges together with fork. (like ravioli) Repeat until all is used. If you have any of the meat mixture left, feed it to your hungry 18-month old daughter. =)
7. Place on greased cookie sheet and and brush tops with remaining butter.
8. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.

Dip in sour cream, salsa, guacamole, or a mixture of any of the three and serve with a side of rice. Muy delicioso!

Courtney's Taco Soup

1 lb hamburger meat
Taco Bell brand taco seasoning
1 packet dry ranch
1 can Ranch-Style Beans with jalapenos
1 can butter beans
1 small can white corn
1 can yellow hominy
handful of chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
shredded Colby-Jack cheese

In large soup pan, brown hamburger meat with onion & season with taco seasoning.
Add all beans and veggies, be sure to add their juices too!
Mix in half of the cilantro as well as the dry ranch and enough water to fill the pot close to the top and bring to a boil.
Reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
Ladle it into bowls and sprinkle cheese and fresh cilantro on top. Goes great with tortilla chips, Frito's, cornbread and even white rice!

Arepas With Chicken & Corn

2 cups masarepa cornmeal

1 tsp salt

2 cups hot chicken broth

1/2 c black beans, drained

1/2 c shredded cheese (jack, cheddar, mozzarella, or combination)

corn on the cob, cooked

paprika

chili powder

garlic salt

1/2 c sour cream

pinch of chopped cilantro

one diced avocado

rotisserie chicken (breast, shredded: I bought one already cooked at Wal Mart, lemon garlic flavored)

1/2 tomato, diced

1/4 red onion, diced

salsa

1. combine cornmeal and salt in bowl

2. add broth, mix until no-lump dough forms

3. divide into 8 pieces, cover them with a damp cloth

4. heat lightly greased griddle, dip hands in cold water (prevents sticking) and roll each piece into a ball.

5. make an indention in each ball and insert a tiny bit of beans, cheese and onion.

6. pinch dough around filling to enclose

7. flatten each ball to 1 inch think between palms

8. cook on griddle until crisp, about 3 minutes per side

In blender (or Magic Bullet, as I prefer), add sour cream, cilantro, a few pieces of avocado and a dash or garlic salt and blend until smooth.

Place arepas on plates and stack chicken, remaining beans and cheese, onion, salsa, avocado, tomato and top with sour cream mixture.

Rub corn on the cob with butter and sprinkle on paprika, chili powder and garlic salt.

One word: Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm..........

Black Bean Chicken Burritos with Cilantro-Lime Rice

I made these a couple nights ago for dinner and they were a hit. This is a new take on Mom's burritos, which are the best on the face of the earth! Just for something a little different and healthier, Joe and I came up with this:

1 lb diced chicken breast
taco seasoning (I prefer Taco Bell brand)
1 can refried black beans
handful of chopped cilantro
lime juice
rice
garlic salt
chopped tomato
chopped red onion
1 small can sliced black olives
cheese (once again, I use 2% milk cheese)
sour cream
shredded lettuce
salsa (I prefer El Fenix brand)
burrito-size tortillas

To make cilantro-lime rice:
Cook rice according to package, I prefer to use a rice cooker. Once rice is cooked, add lime juice, garlic salt and cilantro (save a pinch of cilantro for the meat and bean mixture). I can't really tell you how much to add because it should be per your taste. We like ours very flavorful so we probably add 2-3 tablespoons lime juice, 1-2 tablespoons garlic salt and 1/3 cup cilantro to 4 cups of (cooked) rice. We like to put it in our burritos as well have have some on the side. We're rice people! LOL

To make burritos:
Cook chicken and season it with taco seasoning just like you would hamburger meat, add black beans and a pinch of cilantro and stir. Heat tortillas. To each tortilla add meat/bean mixture, rice, and all other toppings to your satisfaction. If you are fortunate enough to have leftovers, go ahead and make the burritos up and store them in a Ziploc bag. You can put them in the fridge or freeze them. I learned this from Mom. They are EVEN BETTER heated up!

These burritos were a hit, but they're still not as good as Mom's. But even when I follow her recipe exactly, mine never turn out as good as hers (just like the sausage biscuits and gravy). Moms just have that special touch, I guess!

***FUNNY SIDE NOTE:
I actually tried to post this entry the other night after we had this for dinner. I typed it all up and hit "publish," only to find that I posted it on the wrong blog! LOL Out of frustration I just deleted it.