Spicy Chicken Baked Tacos

Shopping List

1 pound cooked and shredded chicken breast (click here to see how I get my chicken)

1 jalapeno, chopped (remove the seeds for less heat)

1 package taco seasoning

1 box frozen spinach, defrosted and squeezed of all the excess water

2 cups salsa (I used medium...you can use mild or hot as well)

2 cups Pepper Jack cheese, shredded

5 taco shells (I used the "stand and stuff" ones...but regular will work)

Extra virgin olive oil (EVOO)

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

In a large skillet over medium-high heat, add in your cooked chicken, jalapeno, taco seasoning, spinach and salsa in a tablespoon or so of EVOO.  Reduce the heat to low and simmer about 5 minutes.

Meanwhile, in an 8x8 inch baking dish sprayed with cooking spray, line your 5 taco shells up.  Divide the chicken mixture between all 5 shells.  Top tacos with cheese and pop dish in the oven.  Bake about 10 minutes or until the cheese is bubbly and brown.

Frosted Banana Cake

Luci's Frosted Banana Cake from melskitchencafe.com
½ cup butter, softened
1 ½ cups white sugar
2 eggs
1 cup sour cream (I use reduced fat)
1 tsp vanilla
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp baking soda
¼ tsp salt
1 cup mashed ripe bananas (I use three ripe bananas)

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Grease a large jelly roll pan. In a large bowl, cream together the butter and sugar until smooth. Beat in the eggs, one at a time, then stir in the sour cream and vanilla. Combine the flour, baking soda and salt in a medium bowl; stir into the batter. Finally, mix in the mashed banana. Spread evenly into the prepared pan(s). Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, until a toothpick inserted into the center comes out clean. Allow bars to cool completely before frosting.

Whipped Cream Cheese Frosting
2 cups heavy whipping cream - beat until still peaks form
add 1/8 t salt
add 1/2 C powdered sugar beat then set aside and chill

2 oz package cream cheese, softened to room temperature
about 1/2 cup powdered sugar - taste test :)
1 tsp vanilla
In a large bowl combine cream cheese, sugar and vanilla. Beat until light and fluffy. Set aside. Fold whipped cream into cream cheese mixture. Chill for 10-15 min then frost to your heart’s delight! Refrigerate frosted banana bars until ready to serve.

Loaded Baked Potato Soup

Rouge sauce: melt 1/2 C butter in saucepan, whisk in 1/2 C flour and 1 t sea salt
slowly add 4 C milk, 1 C water and 1 T chicken bouillon

Add: 3 lg. peeled, smashed and cubed baked potatoes
1 C grated cheddar cheese
2-4 T diced sweet onion
crumbled bacon (or add later)
salt and pepper to taste

Remove from heat and add sour cream and stir in just before serving.

Add additional: crumbled bacon, cheddar cheese and sour cream to individual bowls before serving if desired

Braided White Bread in Bosch

2 1/4 C. warm water
3 T. olive oil
2 t. salt
6 2/3 C. white flour
1 T. sugar
2 1/2 t. yeast

Place ingredients in Bosch in order listed. Knead on 3 for 6 min. Let rise in Bosch bowl 1 1/2 - 2 hours until about doubled. Use for 2 large pizza crusts or for 2 large braided breads.
For the braided bread divide into 6 parts, roll out like snakes on counter drizzled with olive oil and braid then place on jelly roll baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Let rise 1/2 -1 hr after twisted. Bake at 375 for 15 min. Remove from oven, let cool a few minutes before brushing with butter. Then transfer to wire rack to cool a little more before slicing.
For the pizza crusts roll out on floured surface. Transfer to pizza pan then prick all over with fork. Top as desired and bake at 400 for 15 min or until done.
*Half the recipe for one pizza

chicken marinade

1/2 c. Olive Oil
1/3 c. Soy Sauce
a few swirls of Honey 
1 1/2 t. Cumin, 
1 t. Oregano, 
1/2 Lemon {freshly squeezed}, 
1/2 t. Kosher Salt, 
Pepper {to taste},
2 cloves Garlic {pressed}.

Potato Soup

http://pearls-handcuffs-happyhour.blogspot.com/2011/03/outback-aint-got-nothin-on-me.html

Must try!

1 30oz. bag of frozen, shredded hash browns {I used Ore Ida}

3 14oz. cans of chicken broth

1 can of cream of chicken soup

1/2 cup onion, chopped

1/4 tsp. ground pepper

1 pkg. cream cheese {don’t use fat free.  It WON’T melt!!!}

In a crockpot, combine everything EXCEPT for the cream cheese.  Cook for 6-8 hours on low heat.  About 1 hour before serving, add cream cheese and keep heated until thoroughly melted.  Serve with cheese, sour cream, bacon bits, green onions, or whatever else you think would be good!!

cream cheese monkey bread

Cream Cheese Filled Cinnamon Roll Monkey Bread

Ingredients

• 3 cans Cinnamon Rolls (12.4 oz, containing 8 rolls in each)
• 1, 8 oz block cold cream cheese
• 1 cup brown sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, cut into cubes

How to Make

1. Preheat oven to 350°
2. Spray a bundt or tube pan lightly with cooking spray.
3. Cut your block of cream cheese into 24 small squares.
4. Flatten each cinnamon roll with your fingers and place one square of cream cheese in the center of the flattened roll. Fold the roll around the cream cheese and pinch to seal. Place in prepared pan. Repeat with remaining rolls and cream cheese.
5. In microwave safe bowl combine butter and brown sugar. Heat for approximately 1 minute until butter is melted. Stir together and pour over the cinnamon rolls.
6. Bake 35-40 minutes until top is golden brown.
7. Let cool in pan for 5 minutes and then flip pan onto a cake plate or platter.
8. Drizzle with the frosting that came in the cinnamon roll cans, if desired.
9. Serve warm