Crispy Southwest Chicken Wraps

1 rotisserie chicken, shredded to bite sizes

1 can black beans

1 bunch of fresh cilantro chopped

1/2 t. garlic powder

1 lime (about 1 T.) , Juice

1/2 T chili powder

1 t. ground cumin

2 c. cheese, shredded

1 c. sour cream

1 1/2 c. rice cooked

burrito sized tortillas

Cook Rice and set aside. Shred chicken, add to rice along with black beans, cilantro, garlic powder, lime juice, chili powder and cumin. Stir well together. Next add cheese and sour cream to the rice and chicken mixture. Stir well again. 

Spoon mixture into tortillas and fold. Heat a griddle to medium heat. Spray with some olive oil spray, and place burritos on griddle. once lightly golden brown, turn to other side and cook to desired golden brown.

Serve with Salsa, sour cream and /or favorite hot sauces. 

Basil Chicken in Coconut Curry Sauce

 1 1/2 lbs boneless, skinless chicken breasts or thighs

2 t. curry powder

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1/4 t. chili powder

1 T. olive oil

1/2 c, red onion, finely diced

1 T. dried basil

5 cloves of garlic minced

1 t. grated fresh ginger

1 14 oz. can of cocnut milk

1 T. cornstarch

Hot cooked rice for serving.

Cut chicken into 1" pieces and place in bowl. stir together curry, 1/2 t. salt, pepper and chili powder. sprinkle over chicken, tossing to coat evenly. Cover and chill for 1-2 hours.

In a large skillet, heat the oil over med. heat. add the onion, basil garlic, ginger and cook stirring often for 3-4 min. until onion is translucent and tender.

Add the chicken and remaining 1/2 t. salt and cook over med. heat for 5-6 min. until the chicken is cooked though.

Whisk together the coconut milk and cornstarch until well combined. Add the mixture to the skillet with the chicken and continue to whisk over med. heat, until the sauce simmers and thickens, 5-6 min. Serve hot , over cooked rice

Stir-Fried Pork Burritos

1 lb lean boneless pork loin

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t. oregano crumbled

1 t. ground cumin

1 t. seasoned salt

2 T. orange juice

1/2 t. hot pepper sauce, or to taste

1 T. vegetable oil

1 medium onion peeled and sliced

1 sweet green bell pepper, seeded and sliced

4 flour tortillas

Slice pork across grain into 1/4" strips. Mix together garlic, oregano, cumin, salt, orange juice, Vinegar and hot pepper sauce. Marinate pork strips in mixture for 10 min. Heat oil in heavy skillet or on griddle until hot. Stir-fry pork strips, onion and bell peppers until pork is no longer pink, about 3-5 minutes. Serve with flour tortillas and accompany with sliced green onion, shredded lettuce and salsa if desired.

Prep time 20 min.

Smoked Chicken Chowder

Makes 2 gallons

14 Chicken Breasts

20 Bacon Strips

6 T. butter

3 onions finely chopped

6 celery stalks, 1/4" pieces

12 oz. flour

12 Cups Chicken Stal

6 c. Heavy Cream

2 Bay leaves

3 lbs red potatoes

Salt and Pepper to taste

3 c. Croutons

1.    Put the chicken on the smoker and keep on the smoker until desired flavor has been achieved. If the

        chicken has not reached the internal temperature of 165.F you will need to cook in an oven until it

        is reached.

2.    Place bacon on a sheet pan with a parchment paper and place in the oven until desired crispness in

        reach.

3.    Heat the butter in a pan over med. high heat.

4.    add the onion and celery and sautee until softened, mixing often.

5.    Stir in the flour and distribute evenly. Cook for five minutes.

6.    Add the stock, cream, bay leaves, bacon and potatoes and stir to combine.

7.    Dice potatoes to 1/2 inch cubes. Place your potatoes into a steamer pan and steam for ten minutes.

8.    Bring to a simmer, stirring constantly (the mixture will thicken), then reduce the heat to Medium-          low and cook for 20 min. stirring often, until the potatoes are nice and tender.

9.    Then add chicken.

10.    Season to taste with Salt and pepper

11.    Garnish with Croutons

Fresh Tomato Soup

 The hubby came across this gem, and boy was it delish! So, let's get on with it!

4 c. fresh peeled tomatoes

2 c. chicken broth

1 onion sliced

4 cloves

Cook these ingredients together, simmering for 20 min. Remove cloves, and blend until smooth.

In pan make a rue with 2T. butter and 2T. flour. 

Add the blended ingredients, 1 t. salt, and 2 t. sugar, mix well, and then enjoy!

Mushu's MooShu

 3 T. oil

1t. ginger powder

5 c. broccoli slaw mix

1 lb. cooked, sliced pork loin

for the sauce you need:

2 T. soy sauce

1 T. peanut butter

1 t. hot sauce

1 t. sesame oil

1 t. white vinegar

1 1/2 t. brown sugar

1/8 t. black pepper

1/8 t. garlic powder

salt to taste and flour tortillas

Heat oil. Add ginger and stir for 1 minute. Add broccoli slaw to the pan and stir fry on medium-high heat for 4-5 minutes. while the broccoli slaw cooks, and between stirrings whisk together sauce ingredients. Turn heat down to medium and stir in the meat and sauce. Stir and cook 2 more minutes.

Serve in flour tortillas! it is delicious!!!

Crispix Crunch Mix

1 lg box Crispix cereal
(Oprional)
peanuts
m&m's
pretzels
kix cereal
cheerios
anything you would like really

Coating:
3/4 c. butter
1 1/2 c. brown sugar
Boil together- bring to a hard boil

Remove from heat and add:
1/3 c. light karo syrup
1/2 t. vanilla
1/4 t. baking soda
1/4 t. cream of tart

Have all the dry ingredients (except m&m's) in a large bowl mixed together. Pour the coating over the dry ingredients and mix well. Place in baking pans ab bake 6-10 minutes at 350 degrees. Stir when they come out of the oven and add the m&ms after the mix has cooled for about 5 minutes.

Salmon Pie

3 de-boned cans of salmon
1/2 onion diced
2 c. grated cheese

Place in pie crust and bake at 375 degrees for 45 min.

Make a white sauce, and frozen peas, and pour over pie slices.

This recipe belongs to one of my sister-in-laws and was a hit with my younger children. Some of them like the white sauce with out the peas.

Broccoli and Bows

Bow tie pasta
1/4 c. olive oil
diced and cooked chicken
garlic
chopped broccoli
1 t. basil
1/4 c. red wine vinegar
1/4 c. chicken broth
red pepper
salt and pepper
1 T. butter
Parmesan cheese

Fri chicken, add everything else but the cheese and cook until the broccoli is tender. Toss with cheese and serve.

This is a family favorite among our older children and younger. Maybe your family can enjoy it also!

White Chili

1 Rotisserie chicken, shredded
1 yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
2 cans of Chicken Broth
2- 4 oz.cans diced green chilis(I prefer mild)
3 cans of great northern beans, drained
1 can of corn, drained
1 bunch of fresh cilantro, chopped
1- 8 oz. pkg cream cheese
1 pt. half and half
salt, pepper, cumin, and chili powder to flavor.

Throw all of the above ingredients in the crockpot on low and let it simmer for six hours. It is delicous!

I think I would have won our chili cook off with this if they ever announced the winners...that is the rumor. It could be that all sisters heard this rumor. My family and I liked it!

Coconut Cream Pie

2 eggs
2 t. flour
1/4 t. salt
1 c. Sugar
3 T. butter
5 T. cornstarch
3 c. fresh whole milk
1 c. coconut flakes
3 T. vanilla

Cooking instructions:

Add the eggs, milk, cornstarch, sugar, salt, and flour, mix together on low heat and bring ingredients to a full boil. Boil constantly stirring until it is thick. Next add the remaining ingredients and pour into and 9"pre baked graham cracker pie crust. Transferee to fridge and then let it chill. Top with cool whip and toasted and shaved coconut.

We came across this recipe when doing the Cayman Islands for an international night. Everyone enjoyed it!

Key Lime Pie

4 8oz cream cheese
1 pt. sour cream
2 C. sugar
3-5 limes
2 t. vanilla
3 gram cracker crusts

Let cream cheese soften to room temperature.
Cream with sugar.
Blend in Sour cream.
Add limes until tangy
Add vanilla.
Mix well.
Add food coloring as desired and pour into crusts.
Bake @325 for  40 min.
Cool and enjoy!

Homemade Chicken Noodle Soup

My mom used to make this for me when I was a kid. Warm and delicious memories.

1 whole chicken
2-4 carrots chopped
2-3 celery stalks chopped
1 med onion chopped
1 chicken bouillon cube
homemade noodles

Place Chicken inside of pot. cover with water plus 1/2 inch. Add bouillon cube. Bring to boil then simmer for 1-2 hours, or until meat falls off the bone.

Remove meat from water and add noodles one at a time if they are still moist. Then shred meat and return to broth. Now slice and chop vegetables. Add to the soup and let cook for 1/2- 3/4 an hour, until veggies are soft

Homemade Noodles
3 eggs
2 c. flour
1/2 t. salt
milk

Stir eggs and salt together. Add flour bit by bit until kneading consistency, then continue to knead in remaining flour. If it feels dry add just a sprinkle of milk and knead in.

Sprinkle flour onto clean counter top. Place dough atop and begin to roll with rolling pinto desired depth (keep in mind they will expand while cooking) Now cut into rows and then strips. Repeat until all dough is used.

***For a fun treat you can use a pastry brush and brush on a light layer of butter and then sprinkle with a sugar and cinnamon sugar mixture and toast in oven for just a couple of minutes.***

Cristal's Pina Colada Jam

1 whole pineapple, blended (4. c)

1/2 bag coconut

1 t. salt

3 T lemon Juice

1 box powdered pectin

Blend all together. Add to a pan and bring to a boil. After a couple minutes...

Add 3 c. sugar. boil 1 min. add 2 T. butter. stirring all the while.

to test consistency place a glass plate int the freezer. After you have added the sugar and let it boil a minute or so dab a small amount on your plate and place back in freezer for a moment, pull out and see if you like the consistency. 

Fill jars minus 1/2". Follow instructions on pectin package and enjoy!

Cucumber Salad

2 cucumbers thinly sliced
2 T. Vinegar
2 T. Sour cream
Salt
Pepper

Place cucumber slices in bowl. In separate bowl mix remaining ingredients. Pour over cucumbers, place in fridge, chill and enjoy.

Pudim

This was one of my favorite desserts whole in Brazil!!! So excited to finally have one of the greats from Brazil!!!

1 can sweet and condensed milk
Equal part milk
4 eggs
1 t. Starch

Mix together. Bake @ 350° for 1 hour in double boiler(bring bigger pan of water to boil, then place pan with mixture in and cook for an hour.

Glaze
1 c. Sugar
Cook in small sauce pan over need heat. When it behind to caramelize add 1/3 c. Water. Pour over the pudim and enjoy.

You can also add coconut to the pudim, and your favorite juice instead of water to the glaze. I had it with passion fruit juice and that was my favorite!

Coxinas

This was a favorite recipe from Brazil. It brings back memories, these were sold on the streets, or from homeowners garages. They are divine, and I was lucky enough to have a Brazilian come show me how to make it!

4-6 chicken breasts, 

2 large onion chopped, separated

4 potatoes

4 T. minced garlic, halved

oil, 

2 chicken bouillon cubes 

salt to flavor

5 lbs of flour

bread crumbs, or crushed corn flakes 

cilantro, chopped

1 egg

Quarter chicken breasts, then place in pan with some water and cover. Cook until white and tender. While that is cooking slice and boil potatoes. When chicken has softened put broth aside. shred chicken and place in bowl. When Potatoes are soft enough, drain and mash, set aside. Saute onion and garlic in oil until golden. Add 8 cups of broth and bring to simmer along with bouillon cubes. Now slowly add flour to pan stirring constantly until you have a stiff dough. Remove dough from heat, knead on counter then flatten. Put mashed potatoes on top and fold into dough and knead until smooth. 

Saute more onion, and garlic in approx. 1/4 c. oil. When onion is golden brown, return chicken to pan. if necessary add broth or water to moisten the chicken. Add cilantro to chicken and stir until well blended. Remove from heat. 

Return to dough. Dip fingers in oil and take off approx. 1/4- 1/3 c. of dough in hand. knead and then flatten to a little less than 1/2" thick. pinch some chicken mixture into center and then bring side of dough up to surround chicken mix. Shape into tear drop. do until all dough and chicken is used.

In bowl mix 1 egg and about 2 c. of water in bowl(scramble?) In separate bowl pour box of crumbs. Dip coxinas in egg mix, then roll in crumbs. Once all are ready fry them in deep fryer approx. 4 min. Serve warm with katsup, mustard, hot sauce or what ever you may prefer. Maybe even ranch though I have yet to try it. Enjoy!

Vanessa's Chicken Chili

4 chicken breasts
2 cans corn (1 drained, 1 not drained)
2 cans black beans (1 drained, 1 not drained)
1 can rotel tomatoes
2 pkts  ranch powder
2 T. Chili powder
2 T. Cumin
1\2 onion chopped
1 blocks cream cheese on top

Cook on high 6-8 hours in crock pot. Stir 1-2 times and shreds chicken. Delish!

Grandma Grace's Chicken and Dumplings

This is a favorite recipe my grandma made for the kids and they have talked about it for ages. I am now blessed to have it.

Soup Base
1-2 lbs chicken thighs
2-3 cans chicken broth
1 qt. half and half
1 med. onion chopped
1-2 stalks of celery chopped
salt and pepper to flavor

Boil broth, celery, onions and chicken thighs until chicken is well cooked. Remove chicken and shred or dice meat. Before adding back to broth make your dumplings.

Dumplings
3 c. flour
3 t. baking powder
1/2 c. butter,
1/4 t. salt
Just enough milk to make it a little sticky

Mix flour, baking powder, and salt. Cut in butter. then add just enough milk to make it sticky. Add by spoon +/- 1/2 T. to broth mixture until all of the dumplings are in the pan. Cook 5-10 min until Dumplings are well cooked. Return Chicken to soup, then over Med. heat add half and half. If it is too creamy youcan add 1/2 c.-1 c. of milk. Add salt and pepper to flavor and enjoy.

Mom's Mexican Casserole

My mom makes this for us, and my kiddos love it! We haven't had leftovers...ever.

1 lb ground and browned hamburger(drained and rinsed)
2 cans of black beans(drained partially)
2 cans of diced tomatoes
1/2 an onion chopped
1 pkg. Taco seasoning
2 c. Cheese grated and separated
*rice

Brown meat and onion together. Add beans and tomatoes and taco seasoning. Simmer. Stir in 1/2 c. Cheese. Add rice, mix well. Pour mixture into a casserole dish, top with remaining cheese. Place in oven @ 350° for twenty minutes or until cheese is melted.

*1 c. Of rice to 1 1/2 c. Water. It will cook some more while in the oven and it taste great!