Pina Colada Popsicles

I don't know if it's hot where you live, but it's dang hot where we live.  Time to bust out the popsicles.  I don't get overly excited about a popsicle, but when I saw this recipe on Pinterest, I knew I had to check it out.  Pina Colada in any form is guaranteed to be a winner with me. We will definitely be making these all Summer long. 

1 can pineapple chunks, in juice
1 banana
1 can coconut milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla

*Blend in blender until smooth and then pour into popsicle molds and add sticks before freezing.

(We didn't have coconut milk so we used a cup of 2% milk and add a few drops of coconut extract.  Still tasted amazing).

Crockpot Chicken Taco Filling

You're going to have to trust me on this one.  My horrible picture does not do justice to how yummy this taco filling was.  And I know I have talked trash about cream-of-whatever soups in the past, but I used the cream of chicken soup in this recipe and it was delicious, so there you go.  

I found the recipe on 365 Days of Slow Cooking, which is an awesome recipe blog.  Who doesn't love a good crockpot recipe?  Especially in the Summer when you would do anything to avoid turning on the oven.  We loved these tacos and it was such a quick and easy dinner on a busy end-of-school-crazy night.

6 chicken thighs (I used about 12 frozen chicken tenders)
1 (10 3/4 oz.) can cream of chicken soup
1 cup Picante sauce or salsa
1 (4 oz.) can diced green chilies
2 Tbs. taco seasoning
salt/pepper

*Put chicken in crockpot.  Pour the rest of ingredients on top.  Cook for 5-6 hours on low.  Serve in corn tortillas as tacos or in a flour tortilla as a burrito.  Garnish with cheese, lettuce, tomato, cilantro, sour cream or whatever floats your boat.

Strawberry cheesecake dessert

My in-laws were in town last weekend which is always a treat. My mother in law is a great cook and always whips something up when they are here. She is an expert at cinnamon rolls and orange rolls amongst many other yummy things. On Sunday she made us this delicious strawberry cheesecake dessert. Its very similar to cheesecake but creamier and lighter. Its easy and definitely a crowd pleaser! This is the recipe straight from her...

Pre-made graham cracker pie crust.

Mix until smooth:

3 oz cream cheese (that is the small one, but if I can't find a small one I just cut a large one in half, which is a little more than 3 oz but works)

1 C. powdered sugar

2 tsp vanilla

In another bowl whip 1 cup whipping cream  (only whip a little because when you mix with cream cheese mixture it will mix more)

then mix with cream cheese mixture and whip until stiff and smooth.

Spoon white mixture into the pie shell  (higher around edges to make a bowl)

Cut strawberries and put in strawberry jell and spoon into pie cream. The jell I use is usually found near the strawberries in the produce.  Marie's is a good brand.  Spoon strawberries and jell onto the pie.

Enjoy!

*She didn't say how many strawberries to use. Obviously you can use according to your preference.  I prefer less than is pictured because I like to taste the yumminess of the cream cheese filling.

Puppy Chow

Either this picture grosses you out, or it takes you back to 7th grade home-ec where you learned how to make friends by making treats.

I was so excited when my daughter told me she wanted to make puppy chow.  She is 13, and is just now starting to be interested in what goes on in the kitchen.  A little Betty in the making.  I love having her there to help with meals, and treats are even more fun to make together.

Puppy chow is a hit with everyone in our family and this big bowl disappeared pretty quick.  A perfect Sunday snack.

6 cups Crispix cereal
1/2 cup peanut butter
1 cup chocolate chips
1/4 cup butter
2 cups powdered sugar

*Pour cereal into a large bowl and set aside.  Melt butter, chocolate chips and peanut butter in a separate bowl in the microwave.  Stir well until all chips are melted.  Very carefully fold the chocolate mixture into the cereal.  Stir until all the pieces are coated, trying not to crunch them up.  Put the powdered sugar into a brown, paper grocery bag.  Carefully dump in cereal mixture and fold the bag securely.  Shake gently until all the cereal is covered in powdered sugar.  Turn out onto a cookie sheet to cool and then eat up!

ROTISSERIE CHICKEN IN CROCKPOT

I think the Pioneer Woman posted a recipe similar to this quite a while back, so credit for the idea goes to her. She does have some delicious and easy recipes that have never disappointed me. I love this one when it starts to get hot and you DEFINITELY don't want to turn on your oven for ANY reason.  There are endless seasonings you can use according to what flavors you like too.

1 whole fryer chicken, rinsed and patted dry

Take 3 generous pieces of aluminum foil and make them into a ball. Place these in the bottom of your crockpot. You will place the chicken on top of the foil so the chicken can roast and not cook in its own juices.

Season the outside of the chicken with any of the following, or think up your own. I used a mixture of Lemon Pepper with salt and some Italian Seasoning.  You could use Cajun or BBQ salt also. Get creative.  I used some minced garlic and put it between the skin and the meat of the chicken.  Place the chicken breast side up on top of the foil.  Tuck the legs up as good as you can so they have airflow under them.  Turn the crock pot on low and cook for 7-8 hours.  The chicken will be so tender, it will almost fall apart.  Use it any number of ways for any dish that needs chicken.  Or serve it sliced with a nice salad and some good crusty bread!

Chicken with life-changing sauce

I saw this recipe on The Girl Who Ate Everything and I almost died just looking at the picture.  I had never seen a sauce that looked or sounded so divine.  I am a sauce-loving kind of person...if it's the right kind of sauce. Well let me tell you something, this chicken, covered in this sauce is one of the best things I've ever tasted and I am not exaggerating.  I made it for my family and everyone (except my non-eater) loved it.  Clickety-click your way on over to her blog and make this dish asap.  You are so welcome.

Guacamole

 My avocados finally softened so I was able to make guacamole.  My husband and I couldn't stop eating it!  Nothing new around here.  When it comes to mexican food or ice cream we have no self-control.  I didn't use any recipe as a reference, just added ingredients that I like.  And like I said, we couldn't stop eating it.

Gaucamole

3 avocados
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped finely
4 roma tomatoes, diced
1 juice of lime
1 jalapeno or serrano chili, diced (optional)
1/2 tsp. salt, taste then add more if needed

Mash avocados then add rest of ingredients.  Serve with tortilla chips.

Carne Asada Tacos

Like I've said before, Albany doesn't have a lot of mexican restaurants to choose from.  With Cinco de Mayo being last Saturday, I was craving tacos and guacamole.  I fulfilled my taco craving but I'm still waiting for my avocados to soften to make the guac.  I found this recipe on allrecipes.  The marinade is full of flavor and spices.  It satisfied my craving for good tacos and made my husband happy.  He loves steak.  Muy bueno!

Carne Asada

• 3 pounds flank steak
• 1/3 cup white vinegar
• 1/2 cup soy sauce
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 limes, juiced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground white pepper
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika

Place steak in a shallow dish or ziploc bag.  Mix all ingredients then pour over steak.  Marinate for 4 to 8 hours or overnight.  Cook on grill or grill pan.  Cut into thin slices.  Serve as tacos with pico de gallo, cheese and guacamole.

Ham Strata

I made this yummy breakfast casserole for a baby shower.  I put it together last night and baked it this morning.  Everyone at the shower loved it!  I will definitely be making this again.  

Ham Strata

3 cups shredded hash browns
3/4 cup grated cheese
1 cup cooked diced ham or bacon
1/4 cup green onions, chopped
4 beaten eggs
1 can evaporated milk (12oz)
1/4 tsp. pepper
1/8 tsp. salt

Grease a quart square baking dish or casserole dish.  Layer hash browns evenly on bottom. Sprinkle with cheese, ham and green onions.  In a bowl, combine eggs, milk, salt and pepper.  Pour over potato mixture.  Bake at 350 degrees for 40 minutes or until center is set.

*Can be chilled or refrigerated overnight.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

I haven't posted a recipe in months!  I feel like such a slacker.  But I've made a goal to do better so here's hoping I stick to it!  We were in Arizona for a few weeks and loved every second of it!  It was warm and sunny everyday!  Now we are back in Albany and it feels like winter.  Not really, but close.  Also, I came home to a kitchen with new counter tops, sink and painted walls.  Yep, my husband surprised me and I couldn't be happier about it!  I walk into my kitchen and just smile because I love it so much.

Anyways, about the recipe.  I make tortilla soup a lot and planned to make it yesterday.  I didn't have all the ingredients for the recipe I usually use so I did some googling and came up with this one.  It was easy and tasted so good!  

Chicken Tortilla Soup

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 32oz box low sodium chicken broth
1 can diced tomatoes
1 can corn
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 can green chiles (optional)
1/2 onion, chopped
3 Tbs. tomato paste
3 cloves garlic, minced
2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. salt
2 to 4 corn tortillas, cut into small strips

Put all ingredients, except tortilla strips, in crockpot.  Cook on low all day or high for 4 to 6 hours.  When chicken is done, take out of crockpot and shred.  Add back into soup.  Add tortilla strips 30 minutes before serving.  Serve with grated cheese, sour cream and chips.