Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw

Our family loves "slaw".  Its crunchy and a change from eating salads.  This slaw is good as a side or used on BBQ beef sandwiches.  I also have used it with fish tacos and regular tacos.  Super delicious, and when I make this, my boys go back fro seconds.  The dressing made enough for 2 separate meals.  I just put it in the fridge and used it later during the week.

Creamy Lime Cilantro Slaw

1/2 head of cabbage, shredded
2-3 green onion, sliced thinly
1/3 c cilantro, chopped

Dressing:
1/2 c mayo
1/2 c sour cream
4-5 tbs lime juice
1 tsp lime zest (optional)
1 small garlic clove, minced
1 tsp sugar
salt and pepper to taste

Combine dressing ingredients, test for flavor.  Combine slaw ingredients, and add dressing right before serving.  Add enough dressing to make it flavorful.  Refrigerate any leftovers.

White Chicken Chili

I made this recipe around Halloween time.  I made it several times after that.  I love this recipe the day i make it and the leftovers.  It is creamy because of the added cream cheese and full of flavor from the delicious spices. I save time with the chicken by using a Costco rotisserie chicken.  When I buy a chicken, I pick the meat off and divide it into two freezer bags.  This is the perfect portion for a soup or a meal for our family.  If you don't have a rotisserie chicken you can use 2 pounds of chicken breast, shredded.

White Chicken Chili

1/2 rotisserie chicken from Costco, Shredded 
1 small yellow onion, diced
1 tbsp olive oil 
2 cloves garlic, finely minced
2 (14.5 oz) cans chicken broth
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies
1 1/2 tsp cumin
3/4 tsp paprika 
1/2 tsp dried oregano
1/2 tsp ground coriander
1/4 tsp cayenne pepper
salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 (8 oz) pkg Neufchatel cheese, cut into 12 slices (aka light cream cheese) 
1 1/4 cup fresh corn (frozen works too)
1 Tbsp fresh lime juice
3 (15 oz) cans White beans, drained and rinsed 

In a large pot, saute onion in olive oil for a couple of minutes.  Add garlic and green chilies.  Cook for a couple of minutes.  Add spices and cook for 1 minute more.  Add chicken broth, and bring to a simmer for 15 minutes.  Add cream cheese, whisking to incorporate until it is melted.  Add corn, beans and lastly chicken. Stir to incorporate. Salt and pepper to taste.  Add lime juice. Serve with extra cheese, cilantro, and chips if desired.

Recipe adapted from and picture from here                                                                                                                                                                                                               

Soy Mahi Mahi with Nectarine Salsa

I got some frozen mahi mahi the other day from Costco.  People think that just because I live in Hawaii, I can cast my fishing pole in the ocean right by where I live and a Mahi Mahi fish will be caught.  WRONG.  I wish I could do that.  I will settle for the frozen packages kind at Costco, much easier.  This recipe is very fresh, light, fast, and tastes amazing.  All the flavors are there, salty, sweet, and tangy.  You could really use any stone fruit to make this salsa.  The nice thing is that you don't have to worry about the fruit being perfectly ripe either.

Soy Mahi Mahi with Nectarine Salsa

3-4 Mahi Mahi Fillets
Marinade:
1/4 c soy sauce
2 tbs lime juice
1 tbs honey
1 tbs grated ginger

Salsa:
1-2 nectarines
1/2 c cilantro, chopped
1 jalapeno, seeds removed, chopped finely
1/2 bell pepper, any color, chopped finely
2-3 green onion, sliced thinly
1 small clove garlic, minced
1-2 tbs lime juice
salt and pepper to taste

Combine marinade ingredients in a large ziplick bag.  Add Mahi Mahi fillets and marinade for 30 minutes to an hour.  Combine ingredients for the salsa, and season to taste.  Heat 1 tbs of oil in a large skillet on high.  Remove Mahi Mahi from the marinade and add to the pan.  Sear for 4 minutes on medium high for both sides.  Serve on top of white rice and black beans.  Top fish with nectarine salsa.

Southwest Quinoa Salad

I have the most delicious salad for you!  I was skeptical.  I haven't jumped on the whole quinoa bandwagon.  But, I have some baby weight to lose, and I have been looking for healthy alternative to eating carbs.  This recipe doesn't taste like "diet food".  I love all the fresh flavors in this salad, it does not lack any flavor.  Try it, you will love it!  If you don't know how to cook quinoa, here is an fabulous website that tell you how:
http://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-cook-quinoa-63344
 

Southwest Quinoa Salad

1 c quinoa, cooked according to package directions (cooked in chicken broth)
1 can black beans, rinsed
1 cup of frozen corn, defrosted or 1 can of corn, drained
4 green onions, sliced thinly
1/2-1 c cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 c cilantro, chopped

Lime Vinaigrette:
1/3 c olive oil
juice from a large lime
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1 tsp cumin
1 jalapeno pepper, seeded, deveined and chopped finely

Cook quinoa, and let cool for 15 minutes.  Mix all ingredients for the vinaigrette.  Combine all ingredients for the salad, and then toss with the vinaigrette.  Let the salad sit in the fridge for at least an hour before serving.

Southwest Baked Egg Rolls

I made this recipe a couple of Sundays ago, and they turned out super yummy. I didn't even realize I was eating a vegetarian dish.  (Not that I'm opposed to eating vegetarian).  Make sure that you don't fill these too full, divide the mixture evenly amongst the 24 egg rolls.  These turned out super crispy baked in the oven, and were awesome with guacamole, sour cream and salsa on the side.

Southwest Baked Egg Rolls

2 cups frozen corn, thawed 1 

(15 oz) can black beans, drained and rinsed 

2 cups shredded cheese  

1 (10 oz) package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry  

4 scallions (green onions), chopped  

1 (4 oz) can of green chiles, drained  

1/2 t ground cumin  

1/4 t chili powder  

1 t salt  

½ t black pepper  

¼ t cayenne pepper 

 24 egg roll wrappers (1 package)

Preheat the oven to 425. Lightly mist two baking sheets with cooking spray and set aside.
In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients except the egg roll wrappers and stir to thoroughly combine.
Pour some water into a small dish and set aside. On a flat surface, place an egg roll wrapper, corner facing toward you (like a diamond) and put ¼ cup of the mixture from the bowl on the center of the wrapper. Spread the mixture in a horizontal line from the left corner to the right corner of the wonton wrapper, leaving ½ inch or so of space on each side. Fold the bottom corner closest to you up over the ingredients. Fold the side corners in and tuck them. Dip your finger in the dish or reserved water and lightly wet the edges of the remaining top corner of the wrapper. Finish rolling the filled egg roll over the wet corner so that it adheres. Place wrapped egg roll onto the prepared baking sheet, seam side down. Repeat with remaining ingredients.
When all of the egg rolls are wrapped and on the baking sheets, lightly mist the tops with cooking spray. Bake for 14-15 minutes, flipping once halfway through, until the wrappers are golden brown. 
Recipe comes from here. 
 

Simple Red Enchilades

Everything I have tried from the Pioneer Woman, I have loved.  This recipe comes from her, and they were absolutely delicious.  We love anything Mexican at our house, and these really past the test in my book.  Alot of times I shy away from enchiladas using the sauce out of the can, because its all I can taste in the dish.  I loved the method of combining the store bought sauce with chicken broth to mellow it out.  I made this recipe with store bought corn tortillas and I ran out, so I made up some homemade ones.  The store bought were delicious, but the homemade tortillas were to die for.  Of course you don't need to go to the trouble to make your own.  However, if you live near a Mexican market or some other place that sells fresh tortillas, they are amazing.  I modified this recipe only in the fact that I didn't fry the tortillas before hand.  I sprayed each tortilla with cooking spray, and put them on my pancake griddle so that they would toughen up and not break when I roll each enchilada up.  I also added more cilantro to my sauce, didn't use olives in the filling, and cut the green chilies down to just one can instead of two.  Play around with this one, according to what you like!

Simple Red Enchiladas

For the sauce:
1 tbs canola oil
1 tbs flour
1 (28 oz.) can red enchilada sauce (I used mild)
2 c chicken broth
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
4 tbs chopped cilantro

For the Meat:
1 pound of ground beef
1 medium onion, finely diced
1 can diced green chilies
1 tsp salt or seasoned salt

To Assemble:
3 c of grated cheese
1 c chopped green onions
1/2 c chopped cilantro (to sprinkle on top at the end)
10-15 corn tortillas

To make the sauce,in a medium sauce pan combine the oil and the flour and whisk together to make a paste, cook for one minute.  Pour in red sauce, chicken broth, cilantro, salt and pepper.  Bring to boil, and reduce heat to a simmer for 30-45 minutes
Brown meat with onions in a skillet.  Add green chilies, and salt. Set aside.
Spray each corn tortilla with cooking spray.  Place on griddle and let crisp up just a little.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pour 1/2 c red sauce into the bottom of a 9x13 pan.  Dip each tortilla into red sauce, then spoon meat mixture, some cheese, and some green onion into the center.  Roll up and place seam side down in the pan.  Repeat until everything is used up. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over top, and sprinkle with remaining cheese.  Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and cheese has melted.  Sprinkle cilantro all over the enchiladas when they come out of the oven.

Healthy Mexi-Bowls

As I have said in recent posts, my family LOVES Mexican food.  I made these healthy Mexi-bowls last night for dinner, not because I planned it really.  Two nights ago I had made tacos for dinner, and with those tacos I had made some Pico De Gallo (minus the avocado).  I had some left over.  And while I was at the beach with my kids, I of course was thinking about what I was going to throw together for dinner.  I had leftover grilled chicken from tacos, leftover Pico De Gallo, Crock Pot pinto beans in the freezer....my mind started to put all these things together.  I made some white rice with a little bit of toasted orzo in it,  and cooked it with chicken broth.  Then when the rice was done, I fluffed the rice while incorporating the Pico De Gallo.  So really, that was only thing I actually cooked.....rice.  This is a great, healthy, well balanced meal that does wonders for leftovers. If your kids are picky...just serve them rice by itself, beans by itself and chicken by itself.  Then you can please both kids and adults. All recipes for this meal are highlighted here for your convenience.

Healthy Mexi-Bowls

1 c white rice
1/2 c orzo (if you don't have orzo, just use another 1/2 c rice)
1 tbs olive oil
2 c chicken broth
1 c pico de gallo
2 c whole pinto beans (or 1 can pinto beans, heated)
2 chicken breasts, cubed, shredded or sliced (cooked however)
2 c lettuce, finely shredded

Garnishes:
salsa (optional)
avocado (optional)
sour cream (optional)
cheese (optional)

For the rice, heat olive oil in a medium pot, add orzo and stir over medium heat until orzo is golden.  Add white rice, and stir around for about a minute.  Add chicken broth, and bring to a boil.  Cover and let simmer on low for 17 minutes.  Fluff rice with fork and drain any juice on the pico de gallo and add pico de gallo to the hot cooked rice. 
To assemble the mexi-bowls:
In a bowl start with rice, then beans, then chicken, then lettuce, then any garnishes you would like.

Pico De Gallo con Avocado

Do you like my Spanish? Look at me whipping it out...We eat Mexican a ton here in good old Hawaii.  Not alot of Mexican restaurants to choose from here, so I get my fix several times a week at home.  I love the fresh element that pico de gallo adds to tacos, burritos, tostadas, salads or even quesadillas.  The question is why make separate guacamole and pico de gallo?  Why not combine the two and save some time?  Plus, since avocados are so expensive, you actually don't need as much avocado as you would if you were making a full side of guacamole.  If you don't have the jarred salsa, add a few dashes of any kind of hot sauce, but make sure you season really well with salt and pepper. Love this!

 Pico De Gallo con Avocado

1/4 c. onion, minced
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 avocado, chopped
1/3 c or 1/3 bunch of cilantro, chopped
Juice of half of a lemon
1/4 c jarred salsa (like Pace Picante)
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together well.  Check for seasoning, and season with salt according to your liking.

Flour Tortillas (Gorditas)

It's been awhile, I know. Life has not been abnormally busy, but I just needed to take a break from recipe experimentation. But, I'm back and have some new recipes coming your way! I'm thinking about publishing all the recipes on this blog into one cookbook, including some bonus recipes. However, I wanted to know from my followers/friends if this is something worth putting time into. Answer the poll question to your left! Thanks!
I have another flour tortilla recipe on this blog, but it has alot more shortening in it. While it's good, this recipe is awesome! The tortilla has body to it, kind of like a gordita that you would get at Taco Bell. These tortillas are super good for wraps, tacos, and a replacement for pita bread or any flat bread. They are super flavorful, soft, and make any meal TDF! They store very well in the fridge, you just need to reheat them in a dry skillet on high until warmed. Don't worry if you can't roll out a perfect circle. My tortillas are not perfectly round, they are much more rustic looking.
You could try substituting one cup of whole wheat flour to these a little more healthy. However, I like white and not wheat....and can't we all agree white tastes better anyways?

Flour Tortillas (Gorditas)

2 c. flour
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/4 tsp salt
2 tsp oil
3/4 c lukewarm milk (2 percent is fine)
2 tbs shortening

In a medium bowl, combine flour, baking powder, salt, and shortening. With your hands, mix the ingredients, incorporating the shortening into the flour. Stir in milk and oil until combined. Pour mixture onto the countertop (it will be dry and crumbly at first, but after kneading, it will come together) and knead until smooth and elastic (about 4 minutes). Return kneaded dough to bowl, cover and let sit for 30 minutes (this is to let the gluten relax, the dough will NOT rise). Using a knife or kitchen scissors, cut large dough ball into 8-10 pieces. Preheat a pancake griddle or a large skillet to medium high heat. Roll out small dough balls until very, very, thin and at least 8-10 inch wide. (the dough will shrink once placed on the griddle). Cook for 1-2 minutes on each side or until done.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

We had some corn on the co leftover from Memorial Day, and I decided to make a corn salsa with it. This is super simple, and you don't have to use fresh corn. You can buy frozen petite white corn, and it will taste super fresh as well. I served this with my fish tacos recipe found here. This would be good as an appetizer with chips or on top a salad with grilled chicken. You could use pinto beans instead of black beans, and you could also use lemon juice instead of lime juice. I used whatever I had on hand. There are so many versions out there, but this is the one I made. I decided against adding any heat, so that my kids could eat it. But, adding 1/2 a jalapeno would make this really good and spicy. The key to a good corn salsa: acidity and salt.

Corn and Black Bean Salsa

2 ears of corn (already cooked) or 1 c frozen white corn, defrosted
1 large tomato, diced
1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
1/4 c cilantro, minced
1/4 c onion, minced
1/2 tsp garlic salt
juice of one lime
salt and pepper to taste

Mix ingredients all together. Salt and pepper to taste. Let sit in the refrigerator for 15 minutes. Stir before serving.