Chicken and Green Chili Soup

For the past week or so my mom has been raving about the new soup at Chili's. I'm pretty sure she went to Chili's specifically for the purpose twice in one week. We decided to kind of reinvent the soup. I've never had it so I had nothing to compare to, so she kind of took the lead. This is what we came up with...1 pound chicken tenders
About 5 cups chicken stock or water with chicken bouillon flavoring
1 tbsp oregano
1/2 medium white onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic salt
2 small cans chopped green chilis
3/4 tbsp chili powder (add more or less for your spicy preferences)
1 tbsp lime juice
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 1/2 cup cooked rice
2 cubed tomatoes
1 cubed avocado

Boil chicken in chicken broth, onion, garlic salt, green chilis, chili powder, lime juice, and cilantro. While the chicken boils, cook white or brown rice (brown rice takes a lot longer, but it has added nutrients like fiber and protein). Once the chicken is completely cooked through, shred with knife and fork. Taste the broth to make sure the spices are pleasant. You may have to add more water because it boils down, therefore you may need to add more spices. You may have to experiment until you feel like it's perfect. We definitely didn't get it right at first! Stir in rice, tomato, and avocado. Serve with an array of toppings: cilantro, sour cream, tortilla strips, shredded mexican blend cheese, or lime wedges.

Sorry the instructions and ingredients are a little sketchy... Just experiment and trust yourself!

America the Beautiful

Everyone has a holiday that they anticipate much more than others. Christmas? Thanksgiving? Halloween? Easter? Mine is definitely INDEPENDENCE DAY! This day always brings back so many memories of past traditions with my family.

This was a special year, since the 4th was on a Sunday. I loved celebrating it all weekend!

Saturday July 3:
My family and I went to the Stadium of Fire where Carrie Underwood rocked it! She's super classy, beautiful, NORMAL, and seems happily engaged to a professional Canadian hockey player:) The fireworks were Amazing! An all around fun night out.

Sunday July 4:
The beautiful weather called for a cook out. My mom and dad spent all day preparing these bad boys. You have to boil, bake, and grill these ribs, so they are very time consuming. Carnivores beware....

And, of course, the All-American dinner calls for fries! My sister and I made these baked steak fries. I'll share recipes later on. And next time I make them, I think I'll try sweet potatoes. More Vitamin A and more flavor! Yummm...

Jessica, my sister, made this cute red and blue Jell-O. Be sure to visit Just Sew Darn Cute for the recipe!

Kiersten, my sister-in-law, made this flag cake for dessert. Greatest frosting ever. My guilty pleasure was for sure licking the plate.... Here is a tutorial for a similar cake from Make it and Love it

The perfect patriotic plate, ready for devouring, put together by my brother, Jason. Man that boy can eat!

Mama, Jason, Kiersten, and Dallin

Grandpa Horton

Janelle aka My Mama

Addie didn't take very many naps, as you can see...

Jace spent his time by the toys, with woody, his BFF.

Monday July 5:

Started the day off with a good race. The freedom run is held annually in Provo. We all finished, but Dallin took 1st in his age division! Congrats Dal!
The parade + not too hot + my family = :)
Free hot dogs!
My beautiful friend Ashlee was cheering for Blaze in the parade.
Swimming at the Scera. Everything is better with SUNSHINE!
Another successful memory made.

Fish for the Greek Gods

Sometimes I pretend I live on a Grecian Island in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea. I say "νόστιμα!", while I eat my fresh catch, because I like to pretend I can speak a foreign language. I'm sure Zeus and Hera ate this...

Serves 4

Ingredients

• 2 cups sliced zucchini
• Cooking spray
• 4 (6-ounce) tilapia fillets
• chopped fresh or dried oregano
• chopped fresh rosemary
• 1 Tablespoon lemon juice
• Salt and black pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced red bell pepper
• 1 cup thinly sliced yellow bell pepper
• 1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
• 2 teaspoons olive oil
• crumbled feta cheese
• 8 lemon slices

Preparation

Preheat oven to 450°

Arrange zucchini slices in an 11 x 7-inch baking dish coated with cooking spray. Place fish over zucchini; sprinkle fish evenly with oregano, rosemary, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Arrange bell peppers and onion over fish; drizzle with oil. Top with cheese and lemon slices. Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until fish flakes easily when tested with a fork. Recipe inspired by: Oxmoor House

I'm getting really creative with tilapia, because 10 pounds of fish goes a LONG WAY. I have to say that I was extra pleased with how my dish turned out, I've made it 2 nights in a row!! Second time I would make a few adjustments.. Make sure to be extra generous with the feta and lemon juice. Citrus compliments the fish SO greatly and the way the cheese toasts in the oven is almost better than you know what.... S'mores.

Spinach-Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken

I volunteered to make dinner again tonight. I love cooking for my family, although sometimes we end up calling for take out! I guess that's part of the wonderful life of experimental cooking!
(I didn't take this picture but it gives you an idea of the final product. Except, my chicken was swimming in bright, delicious tomato sauce.)

Spinach-Mozzarella Stuffed Chicken
Servings: 8

Serve with rice, noodles, or, my personal favorite, sourdough bread!

Ingredients:
18 ounces packaged prewashed fresh spinach
2 1/2 cup part-skim mozzarella cheese, divided
Freshly ground black pepper
Salt
Ground nutmeg
8 (6-ounce) skinless, boneless chicken breasts
1 family-sized can garlic and herb spaghetti sauce
1 14-15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1/2 onion, chopped
1/2 cup parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 450°.

To prepare chicken, heat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat. Add spinach to pan; cook 5 minutes or until spinach begins to wilt, stirring frequently. Drain any excess liquid and finely chop spinach. Place spinach, 2 cups mozzarella cheese, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and a dash nutmeg; stir well to combine.

Place each chicken breast half between 2 sheets of heavy-duty plastic wrap; pound to 1/4-inch thickness using a meat mallet or rolling pin. Place 1/4 cup mozzarella mixture in the center of each chicken breast, fold over, and secure with 1-2 toothpicks. Place rolls in a 13 x 9-inch baking dish (I used a slightly larger dish). Sprinkle salt and pepper evenly over rolls. Combine spaghetti sause, diced tomatoes, and onion. Pour sauce over chicken and sprinkle with 1/2 cup mozzarella and 1/2 cup parmesan cheese. Bake at 450° for 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is done (gage with meat thermometer. Poultry is thoroughly cooked once the meat reaches 180° F).

Don't forget to remove toothpicks before you dig in! That would be a nasty surprise..

Fresher Fish Tacos

What to do when there is a sale on tilapia and you buy 10 pounds of fish? Have a FIESTA!

Fresher Fish Tacos:
4 servings (serving size: 2 tacos)

Fish:
1 1/2 pounds white fish (I prefer tilapia)
Cooking spray
ground cumin
smoked paprika
ground red pepper
chili powder
cajun seasoning
dash of salt and garlic powder

Lime-Cilantro Crema:
1/4 cup chopped red onion
1/4 cup chopped FRESH cilantro
4 tablespoons sour cream
1 tablespoon mayonnaise
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 garlic clove, minced

(If you're looking for a little bit lighter version, use reduced-fat sour cream and mayonnaise!)

Additional Fix-ins!:
8 (6-inch) corn tortillas
1 bag pre-shredded cabbage
Lime wedges
Avocado
Your favorite tomatoe salsa (My favorite can be found at Ridley's. Their fresh made salsa is absolutely devine!!)

Preperation:

To prepare crema, combine ingredients in a small bowl and store in fridge.

To prepare tortillas, heat a large, dry skillet over medium-high heat, toast tortillas one at a time until crisp and slightly charred on each side. Wrap in a cloth napkin to keep warm.

To prepare fish, preheat large skillet. Sprinkle both sides of fish with seasonings. (I never pre-measure the seasoning for my meat or protein, just go with my instinct. If you don't want super spicy fish, ease up on the chili powder, red pepper, and cajun seasoning. Or, make your own mixture!) Coat skillet with cooking spray. Cook fish about 4 minutes on each side until it flakes easily with a fork. Break fish into chunks and place in a bowl. Keep warm.

Top tortillas with golden fish, crunchy cabbage, a dash of crema, zesty salsa, a slice of avocado, and a spritz of lime!

Dinner tonight

What's for dinner tonight?
I finished off my day with inspiration from the "Flat Out" best things I've discovered: Flat bread made by Flat Out. You can make practically ANYTHING with them!

My gourmet panini:
Flat Out flatbread (cut in half)
Thin sliced turkey
Mustard
Fresh ground black pepper
Havarti Cheese
Sliced avocados, mushrooms, red bell peppers, and onions.
A handful of fresh spinach

Grill it on a panini press where the heat can circulate to melt the cheese, roast the turkey, wilt the spinach, and toast the bread! Customize your panini and immerse yourself in the freshness of summer!

Don't forget the chocolate milk!