Lime Cilantro Rice

Lime Cilantro Rice:

2-4 Tbsp butter
2 green onions, peeled and minced
2 cups jasmine rice or long grain rice
grated zest of 2 limes
2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, washed
4 cups hot chicken stock/broth
kosher salt and pepper to taste

Saute green onion in butter then add to all the other things in a 9x13 pan. Cover with foil. Cook at 400 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until all liquid is gone and rice is soft.

This rice is AMAZING! We converted this recipe and just make it in the rice cooker too! Just add the appropriate amount of broth to rice for your cooker and then other ingredients can stay the same. YUMMY!

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

I love to make Mexican food at home since Aaron isn't too keen on going out to Mexican restaraunts. I was looking for a vegetarian meal, and this would be quite delicious without the chicken. It was so yummy on warm tortillas!

Creamy Black Bean Salsa Chicken

2 to 4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 cup chicken broth
1 cup salsa
1 can (15 oz) corn, drained
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, drained
1 package taco seasoning
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup grated cheddar cheese

Place chicken in greased 3 1/2 - 5 quart slow cooker. Pour broth, salsa, corn, beans, and taco seasoning over chicken. Cover and cook on low heat 6-8 hours or on high heat 3-4 hours. Remove chicken with slotted spoon and place on serving dish. Stir sour cream and cheese into sauce in slow cooker, then pour over chicken. Makes 3-5 servings. Serve with warm flour tortillas and Cilantro lime rice!

Italian Breadsticks

Italian Breadsticks

1 1⁄2 cup warm water
1 T. yeast
2 T. sugar
3 1⁄2 c. flour
1⁄2 tsp. salt
2–3 T. butter, margarine, melted, or extra-virgin olive oil
Garlic powder/salt
Parmesan cheese

Add the yeast to the warm water and stir. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until bubbly.
Mix sugar, flour, and salt together. Add the yeast mixture and stir to mix well.
Knead for a few minutes until smooth. Let stand 10 minutes.
Pour melted butter/margarine or olive oil in a 9”x13” baking dish.
Press the dough into the dish, spreading it out to fill it completely.
Cut the dough into strips in the baking dish and sprinkle with garlic and/or Parmesan cheese as desired. (I usually add some extra melted butter or olive oil on top too, but I’m overindulgent like that. You really don’t need to.)
Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
Bake 20 minutes in a preheated 375 degree oven until golden brown.

http://stolenmomentscooking.com/italian-breadsticks/ from http://fivejs.com/

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownie Cups

These were a disaapointment, I will probably just stick with black bottom cupcakes from now on. I was sad that weren't yummy!

Chocolate Chip Cheesecake Brownie Cups

Cheesecake Filling

1 pkg. (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
1 egg
1/3 c. sugar
1/2 t. vanilla
1/8 t. salt
1/2 - 1 c. chocolate chips

Brownie Batter

1 c. water
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 T. vinegar
1 t. vanilla
1 1/2 c. flour
1 c. sugar
1/4 c. baking cocoa
1 t. baking soda
1 t. salt

1. Beat together the cream cheese, egg, sugar and salt until smooth. Stir in chocolate chips and set aside.

2. In a seperate bowl, stir together the water, oil, vinegar and vanilla. Combine remaining ingredients and stir in to the liquid. Whisk together until smooth, or mix on medium speed for 2 minutes. Batter will be thin.

3. Grease two muffin tins, or use paper liners, and fill each with a 1/4 c. batter. Put about one tablespoon of the cheesecake mixture in the center of each cup.

4. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes. Cool completely before eating. Store in the refrigerator.
One of the best things about these cups is that they freeze really well and are perfect to grab for a quick treat. Thaw either in the refrigerator for a few hours or on defrost in the microwave for about 30 seconds.

http://stolenmomentscooking.com/chocolate-chip-cheesecake-brownie-cups/

These sound just as delicious as Black Bottom Cupcakes - can't wait to try them!

Blackened Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

This was a huge hit! Try it for yourself to see!

Blackened Chicken Caesar Sandwiches

1 T. olive oil
1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 T. blackening seasoning
1/4 c. Caesar dressing
Monterrey Jack or Munster cheese slices, optional
Lettuce & tomatoes
Rolls

1. Heat olive oil in a large skillet. Cover both sides of chicken with blackening seasoning. Place in skillet and cook about 5-8 minutes per side, until chicken is fully cooked. (You may need to increase cook time if your chicken breasts are very thick.)

2. Cut the cooked chicken into slices. Pile onto buns, top with Caesar dressing, cheese (if desired) and lettuce and tomatoes. Super simple!

I didn't have blackening seasoning, so I made this:

Blackened Seasoning
INGREDIENTS:
1 heaping tablespoon paprika
2 teaspoons salt
1 heaping teaspoon garlic powder
1 heaping teaspoon onion powder
1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
1/2 teaspoon leaf thyme
1/2 teaspoon leaf oregano

PREPARATION:Mix the ingredients well and funnel into a shaker. Seal well and store in a cool dry place.

http://stolenmomentscooking.com/