Chicken Fajitas and Southwestern Quinoa

I love fajitas!!! I have tried several recipes over the years, and this has to be my favorite.When I make this dish, especially when it is accompanied with the Quinoa, my husband tells me my house smells like a Chile's Restaraunt. This is a great meal. And my kids even eat the chicken, which is saying something, because they don't like anything with "spices".

Fajita Marinade

1/4 c lime juice
1/3 c water
2 TBS olive oil
3 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 t soy sauce
1 t salt
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp cayenne
1/4 tsp pepper
1/8 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp cumin


2 chicken breasts
1 onion sliced
1 bell pepper sliced in half (any color will do.)

Mix together in a bag with chicken breasts and marinate in the fridge for several hours. 30 minutes before cooking, slice the peppers in half, and slice the onion in about 4 one inch slices, but don't seperate the "rings". Place them in a bowl and pour olive oil on top, let sit for about 30 minutes. Take the chicken out of the fridge and grill it. Place the onions and peppers on the grill also. Lay the peppers with the insides facing down. Slice the chicken and serve with peppers, onions, and the other toppings you like with your fajitas.

Southwestern Quinoa

1 tsp olive oil
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped (I use minced.)
3/4 cup uncooked quinoa
1 1/2 cups chicken broth
1 tsp cumin
1/8-1/4 tsp cayenne (depends on how spicy you like it.)
salt and pepper to taste
1 c frozen corn kernels
1 can (15 oz) black beans
1/2 tsp dried cilantro

Heat oil in saucepan, add garlic and onion. Cook until translucent. Mix quino into saucepan and cover with chicken broth. Add cumin, cayenne, salt and pepper. Bring to boil. cover and turn heat to low. Cook about 20 minutes. Stir in frozen corn and continue to simmer for about 5 minutes and the mixture is heated through. Add beans and cilantro.

Suprisingly Good, Sneaky, and Healthy Macaroni and Cheese

I found a recipe for healthy macaroni and cheese over at Super Healthy Kids. I have to admit that I wasn't quite sure about this recipe, and I didn't think I could fool my kids. But I did, well, at least one of them. The secret ingredient in this recipe that makes it "healthy" is a squash puree. It took some convincing to get my oldest child to eat the two peices of macaroni that I put on his plate. He was cautious from the beginning because it wasn't orange. My second child took a bit of the portion I gave him and exclaimed "I like it!" Whew! Then he ate a good sized portion. This recipe makes a lot, so cut it in half if you want, or it is great warmed up for lunches. (My husband has been taking it to work all week and really enjoys it too.)

Healthy Macaroni and Cheese

3 cups macaroni noodles, cooked

3 TBLS Olive Oil
3 TBL flour
In sauce pan, stir olive oil and flour constantly till thickens. Then add:

12 oz can evaporated milk
1/2 cup squash puree (I used yellow squash, but if you use an a butternut or other orange fleshed squash it would make the sauce look more orange.)
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup cheese (I use medium cheddar, but I bet sharp would be even better.)

Stir all ingredients over medium heat until sauce thickens.


Combine. Let sit for 5 minutes to thicken up.

Some hints...I had a hard time getting the oil and flour to thicken but once I added the squash puree, it thickened right up. And it actually thickened up so much that once I added the milk it was lumpy. But I threw it all in the blender and it all pureed very nicely. Then I threw it all back in the pan and added the cheese.

Purely Decadent-Review

I have found an ice cream that is just heaven to me. The brand is called Purely Decadent. They have many flavors, all dairy free, gluten free, organic and vegan. They also come with about 5 grams of fiber per half cup. That is a super bonus if you ask me.

So far I have tried two flavors, Purely Vanilla and Turtle Trails. I have truly enjoyed them both. I really liked the Purely Vanilla with Marie Callendars Razzleberry pie. The Turtle Trails which has swirls of carmel and chocolate covered prailine pecans is so addicting I could eat the entire pint in one sitting. (But I know that would probably make me sick, so I have resisted.) The carmel is SO good!

They have many more flavors all of which I am tempted to try. I am very curious about the Pomegranate Chip which is made with pomegranate and chocolate chips. It is very intriguing to me. Other flavors that look appealing are Cookie Avalanche, Blueberry Cheesecake, and Snickerdoodle.

Honey Baked Chicken

Honey Baked Chicken

This is so easy and oh so good. Even my kids like it. I love this because you don't really need to measure the ingredients and it still tastes good.

1 lb chicken (I use about 2 breasts)
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp pepper
2 tsp salt
1 egg yolk
1 1/2 TB honey
4 TB melted butter/margarine

Mix the garlic powder, pepper, and salt together and rub on chicken. In a bowl mix the egg, honey, and butter together and brush onto chicken. Bake at 350 for about 45 minutes or until cooked all the way through.

My kids favorite pizza

My kids love, love "Dipping Pizza" as they call it. They eat it so well and they ask for it all the time.

Pizza Crust

1 pkg yeast ( 2 1/4 tsp.)

1/4 c warm water

Let sit together in a bowl until yeast has dissolved. 5-10 minutes.

In a large bowl:


2 1/2 c flour (I use half white and half whole wheat)
1 tsp salt
2 TB olive oil
2 TB honey
3/4 c cold water
yeast/water mixture

Mix together and knead until gluten is well developed and the bread looks smooth on the outside. This takes about 10 minutes.


Place in an oiled bowl until doubled in size.


Divide the dough into two pieces. Roll them into 2 long rectangular pieces. Place your cheese and toppings down the middle of the pizza. Then make slices on either side of the dough. Once you have done that, then you will bring a slice from each side and tie the dough together. (See the picture and you will understand.)






Place on a cookie sheet and cook at 400 degrees for 10-15 minutes. Cut into slices.

For those on a dairy-free diet like me, I don't put cheese on part of the pizza for me, and I still think it tastes okay.

Then while the pizza is cooking, start your pizza sauce for dipping. Unfortunately, I just "wing-it" with the spices, so I don't really have a recipe for it.
2 small cans of tomato sauce


Garlic powder
Onion powder
Basil
Oregano
Parsley
Pepper

I use twice as much garlic and oregano compared to everything else.


Serve the pizza with the sauce and with other finger foods like carrots and grapes. Yum!