Caribbean Chicken and Rice

from my friend, Heather K.

3 Tbs. Olive Oil

6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breasts (cut into bite sized pieces)

3 Cups Salsa

2 Tbs. Orange Marmalade

¼ Cup Brown Sugar

Juice from 3 fresh Limes

1 tsp. Allspice

Salt & Pepper to Taste

1. Heat oil in a large fry pan, on medium heat.  Add chicken.  Cook and stir until chicken is no longer pink, about 7 minutes.  

2. While chicken is cooking mix salsa, marmalade, brown sugar, and lime juice.  Mix well.

3. Add to the chicken.  Bring to boil.  Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer at least 5-10 minutes stirring occasionally.  

4. Serve over hot rice.

5. Serves: 8-10 People

Heather said, "You can cut the recipe in half and make less, we like to make the full amount because we like it for left-overs."

We did cut it in half and had plenty for our family of six.

Husband rating: 3.5

Boys say: most said thumbs up

Chocolate Caramel Chex Mix

3 c Corn Chex

3 c Rice Chex

1/2 bag (14 oz size) caramels (about 25)

2 tbsp butter

2 tbsp milk

1/4 c semisweet chocolate chips

1.  In large microwavable bowl, mix cereal.

2.  In medium microwavable bowl, microwave caramels, butter and milk uncovered on high 2 to 3 minutes, stirring after each minute, until caramels are melted and mixture is smooth.  Pour over cereals; gently stir until evenly coated.

3.  Microwave on high 3 to 4 minutes, stirring after each minute, until just beginning to brown.  Spread on waxed paper to cool.  

4.  In small microwavable bowl, microwave chocolate chips uncovered on high about 1 minute or until chocolate can be stirred smooth.  Drizzle over snack.  Refrigerate until set.  Store in airtight container.  

My only change was to double or triple the chocolate chips.  I guess I like more chocolate than the average person!

Boys say:  thumbs up

Slow Cooker Ham, Raspberry-Pear Salad

Slow Cooker Ham

INGREDIENTS:

1 (6 pound) bone-in country ham 30 whole cloves 3 cups apple cider, or as needed 1 cup brown sugar 1 cup maple syrup 2 tablespoons ground cinnamon

1 tablespoon ground nutmeg 2 teaspoons ground ginger 2 tablespoons ground cloves 1 tablespoon vanilla extract (optional) 1 orange's peel

DIRECTIONS:

1.	Press whole cloves into the ham so they are evenly distributed. You may score the ham for easier insertion if you wish. Place the ham in a slow cooker. Pour in apple cider until only about 2 inches of ham is above the surface. Pack the brown sugar on top of the ham, pressing into the cloves. This will get washed away in the next step but any that stays on is a bonus.
2.	Pour the maple syrup over the ham. Season the apple cider with cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, ground cloves and vanilla. Add the orange peel to the pot. Fill the slow cooker as full as you can with apple cider without going over the fill line. Cover and set to Low. Cook for 8 to 10 hours.

I used a dinner ham that had no bone in it.  I cut the recipe in half and did only 7-8 cloves and 1/2 tbsp cinnamon instead of 1 tbsp.  Next time I will shorten the cooking time to 4-5 hours on low.  This had a great flavor.

Raspberry-Pear Salad

spinach

pear, cut up

raspberries

poppyseed dressing (I like Brianna's)

sliced almonds (optional)

Put spinach in a bowl.  Add desired amount of dressing and toss.  Add fruit and top with almonds, if desired.

Husband rating:  4 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Gluten Free Pancakes with Strawberry Puree

I have been trying different gluten free pancake recipes.  Our family really enjoyed Bisquick's Gluten Free pancake mix.  It's expensive, but if you need to cut out the gluten this is a tasty way to go.  I pureed some strawberries in the blender for a topping.  

Husband rating:  4 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up 

Southwestern Chicken

from my friend, Heather K.

2 Cans (15-¼ oz. each) Whole Kernel Corn, drained or about 3 cups frozen corn

1 Can (15 oz.) Black Beans, rinsed and drained

1 Jar (16 oz.) Chunky Salsa, divided

6 Boneless Skinless Chicken Breast Halves

1 Cup (4 oz.) Shredded Cheddar Cheese

Combine the corn, black beans and ½ Cup of the salsa in a slow cooker.  Top with chicken; pour the remaining salsa over the chicken.  Cover and cook on high for 3-4 hours or on low for 7-8 hours or until meat juices run clear.  Sprinkle with Cheese; cover until cheese is melted about 5 minutes.  

Yield: 6 Servings

You can serve it by itself, in warm corn tortillas with a little sour cream, or with tortilla chips too.

Husband rating: 4 stars

Boys say: thumbs up

Frozen Fruit Smoothie

1/2 5.3 oz container of vanilla greek yogurt (I like the Light and Fit Brand from Dannon)

2 c frozen fruit mix (most stores have this in their freezer section-pick your favorite fruits and give it a try)

about 2 c skim milk (adjust depending on how thick you like your shake)

1/2 banana

Combine all ingredients in a blender.

Husband rating:  3.5 stars

Boys say:  thumbs up

Breakfast Burritos

This is a good meal to feed a crowd.  Here is what we use and you can always substitute sausage for the ham or leave out the cheese, all depending on your preferences and dietary needs.

Flour tortillas, warmed up
frozen hash browns, the southern or cubed kind with peppers is what I like to use, cooked
cooked ham, chopped
eggs, scrambled
shredded cheese
ketchup or salsa
salt and pepper to taste

You'll have to make the decision on how much or how little you use for your meal.

Husband Rating:  4 stars
Boys say:  thumbs up