Taquitos, Baja Bonanza Cilantro Chicken

From my hubby and 52 Weeks p. 12 by Jill McKenzie
Makes plenty of chicken. We usually fry up about 6-8 taquitos.

Baja Bonanza Cilantro Chicken  (I usually make half this much and still have leftovers)
2 pounds frozen chicken breasts
2 14-ounce cans chicken broth (or about 4 cups water with bouillon)
1 lime, cut into wedges
1 handful chopped, fresh cilantro (or a squeeze or two from my refrigerated Gourmet Garden cilantro)
1 TBSP chopped garlic
1 teas. dry mustard (or a squirt of prepared)
1 teas. ground cumin
1 teas. chili powder
2 teas. seasoned salt

Place the frozen chicken and chicken broth in the bottom of your crock pot. Squeeze lime over chicken, and add two of the wedges with the chicken. Add remaining ingredients and stir. Cook on low for about 8 hours. Shred chicken with two forks.
This can be used for many a wonderful purpose... burritos, tacos, salads, enchiladas, or chicken sandwiches. We divide it up into corn tortillas (handmade style are the best!) and fry them up in the frying pan to make taquitos. They are soo good!

Chicken Vegetable Pasta with Alfredo Sauce

From Karen McLeod
Makes 8 servings

1. Marinate 6 chicken breast halves for at least one hour in Grill Mates Garlic Herb & Wine marinade mix according to package directions. Fry or grill chicken; then dice it.

2. Saute 1/2 chopped red pepper, 1/2 chopped green pepper, 1/2 chopped yellow pepper and 8 oz. sliced fresh mushrooms together in a non-stick pan sprayed with oil until slightly softened, but not soggy. Cook 16 oz. penne pasta according to the package directions. Mix the pasta, the vegetables and the chicken together in a large bowl.

3.Slice 1/2 cup butter into a saucepan and melt over medium heat. Cut 8 oz. cream cheese into cubes and add, with 1 clove minced garlic, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Whisk in 2 cups milk very gradually. Stir in 6 oz. shredded Parmesan cheese and 1/8 teas. pepper. Cook, stirring constantly, until the desired consistency. (If sauce thickens too much, whisk in a little more milk). Pour the sauce over the pasta mixture and toss together. Garnish each serving with a little parsley and sprinkle lightly with paprika.

*This is super tasty. Sometimes I just make the alfredo sauce and put it over pasta without the veggies or chicken. Super easy.

Favorite Dill Pickles

From Grandma Beverly
Makes about 4 quarts

Wash & chill cucumbers in ice water - use 3 - 4"cucumbers - about a 4-5 qt ice cream bucket full
Put in clean jars: (start with 4 wide mouth quarts)
1/4 tsp celery seed
1 tsp dill seed
2 bay leaves
1 bud garlic
pinch alum - abt 1/8 tsp
dried or fresh dill weed - cover bottom of jar at least

Brine - Mix in saucepan & bring to a boil: This brine is usually enough for 4 qts of pickles
6 cups water
1 ½ cup white or cider vinegar - 5% acidity
½ cup salt (plain, not iodized)

Fill jars with cucumbers - pack them in tight; fill spaces with small ones or spears.
Pour in boiling brine up to within ½ “ of top; put on boiled flats, tighten rings.
Process in boiling water bath about 5 minutes - just enough to seal jars.
They are ready to eat in about 2-3 weeks.

Bread & Butter Pickles

From Grandma Beverly
Makes about 7 pints

4 qts. washed, sliced cucumbers (abt 1 gallon ice cream bkt of fresh cucumbers)
6 medium onions or 3 large
3 whole cloves garlic
1/3 cup pure, coarse salt (I use Kosher salt)
Put in large bowl - Thinly Sliced washed, unpeeled cucumbers-4 qts; onions peeled & thinly sliced ; chopped garlic. (I layer the cucumbers, onions, garlic)
Sprinkle salt over top and cover with ice. Let set on counter for 3 hours. Drain well.
Boil one minute: 3 cups vinegar, 5 cups sugar, 1 ½ tsp turmeric, 1 ½ tsp celery seed, 2 Tbls mustard seed.
Add drained cucumber mixture to boiling brine and cook for 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, put in jars, pour brine to within ½” of top of jar, put on boiled flats & rings, tightening and process in hot water bath that covers jars for 10 minutes.

Arroz Blanco

From Mexican Fiesta p. 314
Makes 6 servings

1 TBS margarine
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 cup uncooked rice (I use long grain white)
2 cups chicken broth

Melt margarine in 2- to 3-quart saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook until onion is tender. Add rice and broth. Bring to a boil; stir. Reduce heat; cover and simmer 15 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Fluff with fork.

Microwave instructions: Combine margarine, onion, and garlic in deep 2- to 3-quart microproof baking dish. Cover and cook on HIGH 2 minutes. Stir in rice and broth; cover and cook on HIGH 5 minutes. Reduce setting to MEDIUM (50% power) and cook 15 minutes or until rice is tender and liquid is absorbed. Let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with fork.

*This is one of our favorite rice dishes. It has such a nice flavor.

Fiesta Beef Enchiladas

From Mexican Fiesta
Makes 4 servings

8 ounces lean ground beef (or turkey)
1/2 cup sliced green onions
2 teas. fresh minced or bottled garlic
1 cup cold cooked white or brown rice
1 1/2 cups chopped tomato, divided
3/4 cup frozen corn, thawed
1 cup (4 ounces) shredded reduced-fat Mexican cheese blend or Cheddar cheese, divided
1/2 cup salsa or picante sauce
12 (6-7 inch) corn tortillas
1 can (10 ounces) mild or hot enchilada sauce
1 cup sliced romaine lettuce leaves

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Spray a 13x9" baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. Cook ground beef/turkey in medium nonstick skillet over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Add green onions and garlic; cook and stir 2 minutes.
2. Combine meat mixture, rice, 1 cup tomato, corn, 1/2 cup cheese, and salsa; mix well. Spoon mixture down center of tortillas. Roll up; place seam side down in prepared pan. Spoon enchilada sauce evenly over enchiladas.
3. Cover with foil; bake for 20 minutes or until hot. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese; bake 5 minutes or until cheese melts. Top with lettuce and remaining 1/2 cup tomato.

Zesty Taco Salad

From Mexican Fiesta p. 78
Makes 4 servings

2 TBS vegetable oil
1 clove garlic
3/4 pound ground turkey
1 3/4 teas. chili powder
1/4 teas. ground cumin
3 cups washed and torn lettuce
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) Mexican-style diced tomatoes, drained
1 cup rinsed and drained canned chick-peas or pinto beans
2/3 cup chopped, peeled cucumber (not in my salad!)
1/3 cup frozen corn, thawed
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1 to 2 jalapeno peppers, seeded and finely chopped (or canned)
1 TBS red wine vinegar
12 nonfat tortilla chips
fresh cilantro (optional)

1. Combine oil and garlic in small bowl; let stand one hour at room temperature.
2. Combine turkey, chili powder, and cumin in large nonstick skillet. Cook over medium heat 5 minutes or until turkey is no longer pink, stirring to crumble.
3. Combine turkey, lettuce, tomatoes, chick-peas, cucumber, corn, onion, and jalepeno pepper in a large bowl. Remove garlic from oil; discard garlic. Add vinegar to oil. Drizzle over salad; toss to coat. Serve on tortilla chips and garnish with cilantro if desired.

Velveeta Spicy Southwest Corn Cheese Soup

From Mexican Fiesta p. 44
Makes 4 cups

1 package (10 ounces) frozen sweet corn, thawed, drained
1 clove garlic
1 TBS butter or margarine
3/4 pound (12 ounces) Velveeta Pasteurized Prepared Cheese Product, cut up
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
3/4 cup chicken broth
3/4 cup milk
2 TBS chopped fresh cilantro

1. Cook and stir corn and garlic in butter in large saucepan on medium-high heat until tender. Reduce heat to medium.
2. Stir in remaining ingredients; cook until Velveeta is melted and soup is thoroughly heated. Top each serving with crushed tortilla chips, if desired.

*I used homemade freezer creamed corn and didn't use milk or butter... it was very tasty. I also didn't put in the green chilies, but think it would be good with them.

Spicy Vegetable Quesadillas

From Mexican Fiesta p. 246
Makes 8 servings

1 small zucchini, chopped
1/2 cup chopped green bell pepper
1/2 cup chopped onion
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 teas. chili powder
1/2 teas. ground cumin
8 (6-in.) flour tortillas
1 cup shredded reduced-fat cheddar cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1. Spray large nonstick skillet with cooking spray. Heat over medium heat until hot. Add zucchini, pepper, onion, garlic, chili powder, and cumin; cook and stir 3 to 4 minutes or until vegetables are crisp-tender. Remove veggies and set aside; wipe skillet clean.
2. Spoon vegetable mixture evenly over half of each tortilla. Sprinkle evenly with cheese and cilantro. Fold each tortilla in half.
3. Spray same skillet with cooking spray. Add tortillas and heat 1 to 2 minutes per side over medium heat or until lightly browned. Cut into thirds before serving.

*I just make a small amount and make 1 or 2 quesas for lunch... yum. I don't use cilantro unless I happen to have it on hand. This is perfect for a few little leftover veggies.