The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Classic 70s 7-Layer Dip

Tonight is a big night for America.  Madonna is playing in the halftime show at the Superbowl!!!  I know most of you are just as excited as I am!  And if you happen to be a New England or Giants fan, then it's an even more exciting night for you!  There are a million recipes for a seven layer dip; everyone has different tastes.  And this recipe suits my tastes...and hopefully yours.  :)  (p.s. I left off the olives in my version...you can too!)

Classic 70s 7-Layer Dip

From the Kitchen of Deep South Dish 

1/4 cup of sour cream
1/4 cup of mayonnaise
1 (10 ounce) can of refried beans
1 package of taco seasoning
2 avocados
Juice of half a lime
Pinch of kosher salt
3 turns of the pepper grinder
1 cup of finely shredded cheddar cheese
1 medium tomato, cleaned, seeded and chopped
1/4 cup of sliced black olives
1 green onion top, sliced

In a small bowl, blend the sour cream and mayonnaise together; set aside. In another small microwave bowl, add the refried beans and warm for 1 minute, stir in the taco seasoning and mix well. Scoop out the avocados into another medium sized bowl, add the lime juice, salt and pepper and mash together using a potato masher.

Layer in a clear, glass pie plate as listed below, but leaving a small border around the edge for each layer, so that each layer shows on the outside. Layer in order as follows:

Layer 1 - Seasoned Refried Beans
Layer 2 - Avocado
Layer 3 - Sour Cream Mixture
Layer 4 - Finely Shredded Cheddar Cheese
Layer 5 - Chopped Fresh Tomatoes
Layer 6 - Sliced Black Olives (no thanks!)
Layer 7 - Sliced Green Onion

Serve immediately with tortilla chips.

Holiday Recipe Spectacular - Soup - Sweet Potato Jalapeno Soup

This soup has ten years history with Zac and I.  We first tasted the divine blend of sweet potato with the kick from the jalapeno at one of our first dates in San Diego at Lamont Street Grill, which according to their website closed their doors just a few weeks ago after 25 years (still available for catering and small parties).  Amazing, flavorful soup!  A few years ago I lost my recipe, but this is the one I've found to be a close replacement.  Perfect for a dinner party this month!

Sweet Potato Jalapeno Soup
5 lbs sweet potatoes
1 onion
4 slices turkey bacon (regular bacon is fine)
3 garlic cloves
12 cup butter
6 cups chicken broth
14 cup jalapeno (jarred)
2 tsps cumin
12 cup cilantro
1 cup half-and-half
4 tsps salt
1 tsp black pepper
artificial sweetener (optional)

Directions

Scrub sweet potatoes, cut into quarters, place in large stock pot, cover with water and boil until soft. When potatoes are soft, drain them and let them cool until you can handle them. Peel off the skin.

Peel and chop onion. Finely chop bacon and garlic.  In a large soup pot, melt butter. Add bacon, onion and garlic and saute until onions are translucent. Add chicken broth. Cover and bring to a boil.

Dice half the sweet potatoes and stir into boiling broth. Puree the remaining sweet potatoes with the jalapenos, cumin, cilantro and half-and-half. Stir into soup. Add salt, pepper, and sweetener (if needed). Stir well; heat through.

Buon Appetito! 
Leah

The Anti-Chicken Fingers Movement - Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

Recipe for 8/24/11 ~ Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

I just started the slow cooker an hour ago and our entire home is permeated in a fiesta of cilantro with a hint of lime.  It makes me want to grab an ice cold Corona, but alas, ‘tis only 11am.  I lift up the lid to stir the chicken breasts soaking in a tropical lagoon of salsa y taco seasonings. 

My husband has never much been a fan for slow cooked meals.  Unless maybe it is ribs or something manly like that.  But mostly he sees a slow cooker and chicken as a method of boiling and that does not sound appetizing to him in the least. 

However, I snuck this recipe in last month.  When my husband arrived home from work that evening, the first thing he did was raise a knowing eyebrow with a pleasing smile of the zesty, lustrous aroma.  The second thing he did was shoot an inquisitive glance towards the slow cooker as if he hadn’t enjoyed being welcomed home to a fine home-cooked meal.  Thirty minutes later, after the family gathered at our table, his eyes lit up after his first bite. 

“This is really great!  The lime, the cilantro!  It’s so flavorful.”  I’m almost positive he used the word flavorful.

Ah ha!  I thought!  I defeated the slow cooker skepticisms in his head.  I thought, I can use this delightful appliance and save time.  Hooray!  And the excitement didn’t end here folks!  He went back for seconds and even our pickier toddler threw down and polished off every last bite. 

It’s an easy recipe.  It’s a flavorful recipe.  It can be as healthy as you’d like.

Bon appetite!

J Leah

The creator of the recipe is my friend Ashley Wendt (wendtsbooty.blogspot.com).  Though I have to thank our mutual friend, photographer Joanna Davis for insisting I try it (http://www.photosbyjoannad.blogspot.com/). 

Slow Cooker Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

3 lb Boneless, Skinless Chicken Breasts

1 Jar (16 oz) your favorite Salsa (We like Tostitos® Restaurant Style Salsa)

1 packet Low Sodium Taco Seasoning

1 Lime (juice from 1 lime)

3 T Fresh Cilantro, chopped (muy importante!)

6 Tortillas

Directions

In a slow cooker, mix Salsa, Taco Seasoning, Lime Juice and cilantro.

Add Chicken. Cook on low for 8-10 hrs.

Remove chicken and shred.

Serve with a tortilla Add any of your favorite toppings* (lettuce, onions, peppers, black olives, sour cream, taco sauce, etc.)

*I chose to serve ours with chopped tomato, chopped onion, sliced avocado (a MUST in our home), and sour cream.  As you now know, my husband determined there is so much going on in the flavor department…so hold the taco sauce.