Margarita Chicken

Ingredients
zest from one lime
1/3 cup fresh lime juice, from about 4 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
2 tablespoons tequila, optional
2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
2 cloves garlic, mashed
1 teaspoon chile powder
pinch salt and pepper
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breast halves, 6-8
Directions
Place all ingredients, except for the chicken, in a gallon-sized zip top plastic bag. Squish to combine. Add chicken, seal bag, and turn to coat. Refrigerate for one hour or overnight. Coat grill pan (or grill) with cooking spray. Heat pan (or grill) to medium-high. Cook chicken for 4-5 minutes on each side, turning breast a quarter turn after two minutes if cross hatch marks are desired. Serve immediately.

Homemade Root Beer

Ingredients

6 cups white sugar
3 1/3 gallons cold water
1 (2 ounce) bottle root beer extract
4 pounds dry ice

Directions

In a large cooler, mix together the sugar and water, stirring to dissolve sugar completely. Stir in the root beer extract. Carefully place the dry ice into the cooler, and cover loosely with the lid. Do not secure the lid, as pressure may build up.

Let the mixture brew for about an hour before serving. Leftover root beer can be stored in one gallon milk jugs.

Serves 64

Here is another recipe from my sister-in-law!

Macaroni & Chick Pea Salad

Ingredients
Dressing:
1/2 cup (4 ounces) 1/3-less-fat cream cheese
1/4 cup chopped shallots
1/4 cup reduced-fat mayonnaise
4 teaspoons Dijon mustard
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

Salad:
8 ounces uncooked large elbow macaroni
2/3 cup fresh green peas
2/3 cup finely diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup thinly sliced green onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
4 lower-sodium bacon slices or turkey bacon, cooked and crumbled



Directions
To prepare dressing, combine all the dressing ingredients in a food processor, and process until smooth. Cover and chill.

To prepare salad, cook pasta according to package directions, omitting salt and fat; add peas during the last 3 minutes of cooking time. Drain; rinse with cold water. Drain. Combine the dressing, pasta and the remaining salad ingredients. Cover and chill until ready to serve.

Chicken Stuffed with Golden Onions & Fontina

Ingredients
4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil , divided
1 1/2 cups thinly sliced red onion
2 teaspoons minced fresh rosemary , divided
1/8 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper to taste
2/3 cup shredded fontina cheese , preferably aged
(I think I will use mozzarella cheese)4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts (about 1 pound), trimmed of fat
1/2 cup white wine
1 cup reduced-sodium chicken broth
4 teaspoons all-purpose flour


Recipe Directions
Heat 2 teaspoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add onion and 1 teaspoon rosemary; cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is golden brown, 6 to 7 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Let cool; stir in fontina.
Meanwhile, cut a horizontal slit along the thin, long edge of each chicken breast half, nearly through to the opposite side. Stuff each breast with 1/4 cup of the onion-cheese mixture.
Heat the remaining 2 teaspoons oil in the same skillet over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook until golden, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and cover with foil to keep warm.
Add wine and the remaining 1 teaspoon rosemary to the pan. Cook over medium-high heat for 2 minutes. Whisk broth and flour in a bowl until smooth; add to the pan, reduce heat to low and whisk until the sauce thickens, about 1 minute. Return the chicken to the pan and coat with the sauce. Cook, covered, until the chicken is just cooked through, 2 to 4 minutes. Serve the chicken topped with the sauce.

Wok-Seared Chicken Tenders with Asparagus & Pistachios

Ingredients
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 1/2 pounds fresh asparagus , tough ends trimmed, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 pound chicken tenders (see Ingredient Note), cut into bite-size pieces
4 scallions , trimmed and cut into 1-inch pieces
2 tablespoons minced fresh ginger
1 tablespoon oyster-flavored sauce
1 teaspoon chile-garlic sauce (see Ingredient Note)
1/4 cup shelled salted pistachios , coarsely chopped

Directions
Heat oil in a wok or large skillet over high heat. Add asparagus; cook, stirring, for 2 minutes. Add chicken; cook, stirring, for 4 minutes. Stir in scallions, ginger, oyster sauce and chile-garlic sauce; cook, stirring, until the chicken is juicy and just cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes more. Stir in pistachios and serve immediately.

Sweet and Sour Chicken

Ingredients1
(8 ounce) can pineapple chunks, drained (juice reserved)
1/4 cup cornstarch
1 3/4 cups water, divided
3/4 cup white sugar
1/2 cup distilled white vinegar
2 drops orange food color
8 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves - cut into 1 inch cubes
2 1/4 cups self-rising flour
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 tablespoons cornstarch
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
1 egg
1 1/2 cups water
1 quart vegetable oil for frying
2 green bell pepper, cut into 1 inch pieces

Directions

1.In a saucepan, combine 1 1/2 cups water, sugar, vinegar, reserved pineapple juice, and orange food coloring. Heat to boiling. Turn off heat. Combine 1/4 cup cornstarch and 1/4 cup water; slowly stir into saucepan. Continue stirring until mixture thickens.

2.Combine flour, 2 tablespoons oil, 2 tablespoons cornstarch, salt, white pepper, and egg. Add 1 1/2 cups water gradually to make a thick batter. Stir to blend thoroughly. Add chicken pieces, and stir until chicken is well coated.

3.Heat oil in skillet or wok to 360 degrees F (180 degrees C). Fry chicken pieces in hot oil 10 minutes, or until golden. Remove chicken, and drain on paper towels.

4.When ready to serve, layer green peppers, pineapple chunks, and cooked chicken pieces on a platter. Pour hot sweet and sour sauce over top.

Strawberry and Pineapple Salsa

Ingredients

2 slices fresh pineapple, each 1/2 inch thick, patted dry
1 cup whole strawberries (about 5 ounces), diced
1/4 cup finely chopped red onion
3 to 4 tablespoons chopped fresh mint leaves
1 to 2 teaspoons sugar
1/8 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
1 medium lemon


Try over Chicken!!

Raspberry Pretzel Dessert

RASPBERRY PRETZEL DESSERT

2 c. crushed pretzels
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tbsp. melted butter
1 2/3 c. Cool Whip
1 c. sugar
1 (8 oz.) pkg. cream cheese
2 (3 oz.) pkgs. raspberry gelatin
2 c. pineapple juice, heated
16 oz. pkg. frozen raspberries

Mix pretzels, 1 tablespoon sugar and butter. Press into greased 13"x9" pan. Bake at 400 degrees for 7 to 10 minutes. Cool.
Mix Cool Whip, sugar and cream cheese. Spread mixture over pretzel mix. Chill until firm.
Dissolve gelatin in hot juice. Add raspberries. Pour gelatin mixture over cream cheese layer. Chill.

Greek Salad

Ingredients
1 head Romaine Lettuce, Chopped
4 whole Ripe Tomatoes, Cut Into Six Wedges Each, Then Each Wedge Cut In Half
1 whole (large) Cucumber, Peeled, Cut Into Fourths Lengthwise, And Diced Into Large Chunks
½ whole Red Onion, Sliced Very Thin
30 whole Pitted Kalamata Olives, Cut In Half Lengthwise
6 ounces, weight Crumbled Feta Cheese
Fresh Parsley, Roughly Chopped
¼ cups Olive Oil
2 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
1 teaspoon Sugar (more To Taste)
1 clove Garlic, Minced
6 whole Kalamata Olives (extra), Chopped Fine
¼ teaspoons Salt
Freshly Ground Black Pepper
1 whole Lemon, For Squeezing

Preparation Instructions
Add chopped lettuce, tomato wedges, cucumber chunks, onion slices, halved Kalamata olives, half the feta, and parsley to a large bowl.
Combine olive oil, vinegar, sugar, garlic, salt, pepper, and chopped olives in a bowl. Whisk together until combined. Taste and adjust seasonings (I almost always add a little sugar.)
Pour dressing over salad ingredients, then add salt and pepper. Toss with tongs or clean hands. Just before serving, top with additional feta and squeeze a little lemon juice over the top.

Layered Salad

Ingredients
SALAD:
2 heads Iceberg Lettuce, Chopped
8 ounces, fluid Baby Spinach, Washed And Dried
Salt And Pepper, to taste
8 whole Hard Boiled Eggs, Chopped
16 ounces, weight Bacon, Cooked And Chopped
4 whole Tomatoes, Chopped
1 bunch Green Onions, Thinly Sliced
8 ounces, weight Cheddar Cheese, Grated
1 bag (10 Ounce) Frozen Peas, Partially Thawed
FOR THE DRESSING:
½ cups (Real) Mayonnaise
½ cups Sour Cream
1 Tablespoon Sugar (more To Taste)

http://thepioneerwoman.com/cooking/2010/10/big-steak-salad/

2 whole Rib-eye Or Strip Steaks, Extra Fat Trimmed
_____
FOR THE DRESSING/MARINADE:
¾ cups Canola Oil
3 Tablespoons Red Wine Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Balsamic Vinegar
1 Tablespoon Worcestershire Sauce
2 Tablespoons Soy Sauce
1 teaspoon (additional) Soy Sauce
2 Tablespoons Lime Juice
2 Tablespoons Sugar
3 cloves Garlic, Peeled
1 Tablespoon Minced Fresh Ginger
½ teaspoons Hot Chili Oil
1 teaspoon Kosher Salt
Lots Of Freshly Ground Black Pepper
_____
FOR THE ONION STRINGS:
2 whole Onions, Sliced As Thin As Possible
2 cups Buttermilk
2 cups Flour
1 Tablespoon Salt
½ teaspoons Cayenne Pepper
1 quart Canola Oil
Black Pepper To Taste
_____
FOR THE CANDIED PECAN BITS:
½ cups Pecans, Chopped
1 cup Sugar
2 Tablespoons Water
_____
FOR THE SALAD:
Lettuce Mix: Romaine, Arugula, Watercress, Raddiccio, Etc.
Small Grape Tomatoes
¾ cups Crumbled Blue Cheese
Preparation Instructions
To make the dressing/marinade, combine all ingredients in a mason jar with the lid. Shake vigorously to combine; taste and adjust seasonings to taste.
Place steak in a plastic zipper bag. Pour in half the marinade and seal. Refrigerate and marinate for at least two hours.
Prepare the onion strings: Slice onion very thin. Place in a baking dish and cover with buttermilk and soak for at least an hour.
Make the candied pecans: Spread pecans on a baking mat or sheet of waxed paper. Add sugar and water to a small saucepan or skillet over medium heat. Cook to 280 degrees, or until dark and clear amber in color, about 5 to 6 minutes. Pour mixture over pecans (may not need all of mixture) and quickly stir/poke with a fork to evenly distribute mixture all over pecans. Allow to cool completely.

Make the onion strings: Combine dry ingredients and set aside. Heat oil to 375 degrees. Grab a handful of onions, throw into the flour mixture, tap to shake off excess, and PLUNGE into hot oil. Fry for a few minutes and remove to a paper towel-lined plate as soon as they are golden brown. Repeat until onions are gone.
Grill (or sautee) the steak over medium-high heat until medium rare, about 2 minutes on each side. Remove from heat and allow to rest. Slice steak against the grain in thin slices.
In a large bowl, add lettuce mix, blue cheese, and cherry tomatoes. Add a little dressing and toss to combine. Add more if needed. Add candied pecans at the end and toss to combine.
Heap salad on a plate, making sure to get plenty of blue cheese, tomatoes, and pecans on each plate. Add half a steak to the top of each plate, then top the steak with onion strings.
Serve immediately. Yum!

Quick Chicken with Asparagus and Provolone

Ingredients
4 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
5 tablespoons olive oil
2 eggs, beaten
1 cup Italian-style dry bread crumbs
1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
1 (10 ounce) can asparagus, drained
4 slices provolone cheese

Directions
Heat oil in a large 2-inch deep skillet. Dip chicken in egg beat, then coat in bread crumbs. Brown in skillet on both sides.
When chicken is browned, add broth and place asparagus evenly over chicken. Lay a slice of cheese over each chicken piece.
Cover skillet and cook over medium heat for 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through and no longer pink inside.

Chicken with Asparagus and Roasted Red Peppers

Ingredients
1/2 cup chicken broth
1 pound boned and skinned chicken breast halves
salt and pepper to taste
1/2 pound fresh asparagus, trimmed and cut into 2 inch pieces
1 (7 ounce) jar roasted red peppers, drained and chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1/2 cup chopped roma (plum) tomatoes
1 teaspoon balsamic vinegar, or to taste
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese

Directions
Heat the broth in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Season chicken with salt and pepper, and place in the skillet.
Cook 15 minutes, until chicken is almost done.
Place asparagus, red peppers and garlic in skillet.
Continue cooking 10 minutes, or until chicken juices run clear and asparagus is tender.
Place tomatoes in skillet during last 2 minutes of cook time.
Sprinkle with vinegar.
Top with mozzarella cheese to serve.

Asparagus and Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken Breasts

Ingredients
2 large skinless, boneless chicken breast halves
salt and black pepper to taste
8 asparagus spears, trimmed - divided
1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/4 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

Directions
Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
Place each chicken breast between two sheets of heavy plastic (resealable freezer bags work well) on a solid, level surface.
Firmly pound the chicken with the smooth side of a meat mallet to an even thickness of about 1/4 inch. Sprinkle each side with salt and pepper.
Place 4 spears of asparagus down the center of a chicken breast, and spread about 1/4 cup of mozzarella cheese over the asparagus.
Repeat with the other chicken breast, and roll the chicken around the asparagus and cheese to make a tidy, compact roll.
Place the rolls seam sides down in the prepared baking dish, and sprinkle each with about 2 tablespoons of bread crumbs.
Bake in the preheated oven until the juices run clear when pricked with a fork, about 25 minutes. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C).

Nutella Mug Cake

Oh this is good, easy and FAST!!

4 tablespoons self rising flour
4 tablespoons white granulated sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons cocoa powder
3 tablespoons Nutella
3 tablespoons milk
3 tablespoons olive or vegetable oil

Combine all ingredients in a large coffee mug. Whisk well with a fork until smooth. Microwave on high for 1 1/2 – 3 minutes. (Time depends on microwave wattage. Mine took 2 1/2 minutes.) Top with whipped cream and a little chocolate sauce if desired. (we were out of whipped cream so we drizzled caramel over it!!)

Top with whipped cream and chocolate syrup. Enjoy!

Note: Depending on the wattage of your microwave, you may have to increase cooking time.

Makes 1 very large serving.

This is where I found the picture and recipe! Enjoy!! :)