Green Chili Chicken Enchiladas

Have you fallen in love yet?  I have.  I don’t think I’ll ever look at another enchilada as long as I live.  This is what true love does to a girl.  It will ruin her.

Can I share a little tip when it comes to getting the perfect shredded chicken?  Use that kitchen aid mixer you’ve got predominately displayed on that counter.  It isn’t just for bakin’ my friends.  Put on that paddle attachment and let it go to town.  Cut the cooked chicken breasts in half and throw into mixer while they are still hot.  They will come out finely shredded.  It doesn’t get easier than that.  See..

Ingredients

• 2 whole Chicken Breasts, Cooked And Shredded
• 2 Tablespoons Olive Oil
• ½ cups Onion, Diced
• 6 cloves Garlic, Minced
• 1 whole Jalapeno Pepper, Chopped
• 1 whole Red Bell Pepper, chopped
• 1 can 4 Oz Diced Green Chilis
• 2 Tablespoons Cumin
• 1 Tablespoon Smoked Paprika
• 1 teaspoon Black Pepper
• ½ teaspoons Sea Salt
• ½ teaspoons Garlic Powder
• ½ cups Nonfat Greek Yogurt
• 1 package Whole Wheat And Corn Tortillas (Trader Joe’s)
• 1 jar (14 Oz) Salsa Verde
• ¼ cups Beer
• 1 cup Pepper Jack Cheese, Shredded
• ½ cups Sharp Cheddar Cheese, Shredded
• ½ cans (14 Oz) Black Olives
• ½ cups Cojita Cheese
• ½ cups Cilantro, Chopped
• ½ bunches Green Onion (chopped)

Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray 9 x 13 baking dish with cooking spray.

Over medium high heat in large skillet add oil, onion, garlic, and jalapeno pepper. Saute for 2 minutes. Add red pepper, cumin, smoked paprika, pepper, salt, and garlic powder. Let this mixture cook for 2-3 minutes. Once onion and peppers are caramelized remove from heat.

Meanwhile pour salsa Verde and beer into small saucepan and gently simmer over low heat.

Add chicken breasts and pepper mixture into large bowl. Mix in diced green chilis and yogurt. Give it all a good stir. If mixture looks a little dry add in a little more yogurt. Add 1/2 cup pepper jack cheese to mixture.

Lay out a tortilla and spoon 1 tablespoon of salsa Verde into tortilla. Add 2 Tablespoons chicken mixture. Roll Enchilada and place into prepared dish seam side down. Continue with remaining tortillas until mixture is gone. Cover enchiladas with salsa Verde. Top with 1/2 cup each pepper jack and cheddar cheese. Top with olives.

Bake, covered with foil for 45 minutes. Uncover and broil another 5 minutes so cheese and edges of tortillas get crispy.

Once done remove from oven. Garnish with Cojita cheese, cilantro, and green onions. Serve with the Perfect pico de gallo and guac.

Whole Wheat & Oat Power Pancakes

Healthy pancakes with maple yogurt drizzle, whhhaaaat?  I knowwaa.

I look forward to weekend breakfast all week long.  Leasuriely waking up, getting a good workout in, and getting something super yummy in my tummy.  I find myself going to bed thinking, what am I going to have for breakfast?  Yes, I can admit that I pretty much have food on the brain twenty two hours a day.  When I’m not thinking about my next feeding, I’m probably dreaming about it.

These little cakes are packed with healthy ingredients so they will keep you full all morning long.  Where ever your weekend takes you, these will keep your belly happy.

Fresh Blueberry Pie

There is something amazing and indulgent about sitting down to relax with a piece homemade pie.

Can you believe it’s almost May?  Summertime here we come.  In lieu of summer I thought I needed to talk about fresh pie today folks.  Being a pie goddess and connoisseur of the P.I.E.  I’ve got a few good ones to share.  I hope you love this pie as much as my little  heart does.

Perfect Pico De Gallo

This recipe is so simple and easy to make.  I think sauteing the garlic and jalapeno beforehand really locks in the flavor and kicks this pico de gallo up a notch.

In the words of my father it is, “P.D.G”.  Translation: Pretty Darn Good, for those of you who don’t speak Stanley.  And it is, pinky swear.

Make this please.   Your face will thank you later.

Oatmeal White Chocolate Strawberry Cookies

Haaay-Yo.  Look at what we’ve got goin’ over here.  Yes, I dare you to try and eat just one.

I, myself, being of sound body and mind have total and utter self control.  Yeah, we’ll go with that.

Quinoa & Chicken Sausage Stuffed Peppers

Stuffed pepps.  Quite a delight in my opinion.  Chalk full of healthy and flavorful ingredients.

The day I made these little babies, things were a little touch and go.  The dog gets sick, the husband gets mad, I feel completely emotional for no reason, and I just missed my mommies.  Yes, plural- Mama (real mombo) lives in Nevada; and my Mom (Mother-in-law) has been on a hiatus in Mexico.  What’s a girl to do when it’s been two weeks plus without seeing a Mom? Melt down for no reason-that’s what this girl did.

These stuffed peppers made all those emotions float away.  I felt immediately better eating my feelings for dinner.

My Favorite Summertime Dressing

How much do you love mason jars?  I have a pretty serious relationship with them.  I like to drink out of them, can in them, mix dressings in them, make little mini pudding pies in them, and store BBQ sauce in them.  Plus, they are the definition of simplicity.

This dressing is so light and fresh.  Made with simple wholesome ingredients.

I first had this dressing at our families big Easter gathering.  It was brought by a friend, who was sweet enough to share this recipe that I loved so much!

Chicken & Brown Basmati Rice Risotto

Here is a lovely and light summertime dinner.  The flavors and fresh veggies all compliment each other so well.  It is definately going into my arsenal of recipes.  This one is a keeper…

Whole Wheat Banana Apple Muffins

Oh sweet little muffins.  I adore you.

I took these over to Granda’s house for brunch the other morning.  They were perfect with a big plate of fruit and fig butter.  I ate 1 at home while they were still hot.  I then ate another 2 at Grandma’s.  But hey, whatevs- there is nothing bad in these little babies…

Just another Saturday in the life…

Country living.  There is something to be said about a place in which one can ride their horse right up to the local saloon.  I guess we should consider ourselves lucky.  We have just  that place in our little corner of the world.

This is what our Saturday consisted of: taking a six mile ride to our nearest little town to have lunch.  A town that has no stoplights or grocery stores.  But it does have the little historic bar and grill.  For your viewing pleasure let me introduce you to Carbonado.

Here are the ponies all tied up across the street from the little, but legendary Carbonado saloon.

Here is the cowboy himself, enjoying an ice cold beverage at the saloon.

It’s the simple things.