Cilantro Chicken

Just imagine the sauce from Cafe Rio!!

The marinade for this is the exact same, I promise.

Marinade for chicken:
1 cup buttermilk
3/4 cup mayo
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped fine
1 pkg ranch dressing mix
4 Tbs salsa verde (green salsa)
2 cloves garlic pressed
1/2 t Tobasco sauce
juice of one lime
put in a blender (I used my cuisinart small blender)

reserve some for dipping!

Pour marinade over chicken, 3-4 breasts
I used chicken tenders.
In heavy skillet add 1 Tbs oil and saute until cooked.
Shred the chicken on cutting board and place back in skillet.

Lime Rice
1 Cup uncooked rice
1 t butter
2 cloves garlic, pressed
zest of half a lime
juice of half a lime
1 T chopped cilantro (if desired)
2 Cups chicken broth

Boil broth with all ingredients, then add rice when boiling.
Reduce to simmer and cook 15-20 minutes.

You MUST use the uncooked tortillas, they are the absolute best.
Just place in medium skillet and cook on both sides. They are chewy and delicious.
you will feel like you are eating @ Cafe Rio.
Then with left over tortillas put butter and cinnamon sugar for dessert!

Best thing I have made in a LONG time. So good I made it two nights apart.

Chicken Cordon Bleu

4-6 chicken breasts, pounded thin

ham slices

swiss cheese
bread crumbs
thyme
S&P
8 oz sour cream
1 can cream of chicken
extra swiss chese

lay out your chicken and sprinkle with dried thyme and S&P. Lay a slice of ham, then swiss cheese on top. Roll up and tooth pick together, then roll in bread crumbs. Line all in baking dish. Combine sour cream, cream of chicken and break up swiss cheese into pieces, microwave this slightly to melt cheese. Pour over top. The sauce is what makes this dish!
Like what they serve @ Chef's Table. YUMMY! And so easy.
Bake at 350 for an hour.

Spinach Artichoke Dip

1 and 1/2 8 oz bricks of cream cheese
1 small jar marinated artichoke hearts, drained
1 pkg creamed spinach, thawed
shredded mozzarella cheese
shredded parmesan cheese
a dash of salt
fresh cracked pepper

spread in baking dish, sprinkle with more parmesan cheese and bake
@ 350 40 minutes

Spring Pasta Salad with Asparagus

asparagus stems, peeled if tough, and ends trimmed 4 cups penne pasta 1 cup mozzarella cheese, cut into small cubes 1 large bunch (around 12) spring onions, sliced into thin rounds 24 ripe cherry tomatoes, cut in half and drained for 20 minutes in a colander to remove excess liquid 4 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil zest and juice of 1 lemon 2 tbsp toasted pine nuts 1 large handful fresh basil leaves, lightly chopped salt and freshly ground black pepper

Cheese Ball

For some reason I always bring this to Thanksgiving, not sure why but now it is expected. Yet another easy one.

1 8oz cream cheese
1-2 cups shredded cheese
1/2 C. chopped green onions
chopped pecans

Combine cream cheese, cheese and green onions. Form into a ball and roll in the pecans

Famous Cheese Dip

This seriously is a MUST to every event I attend. Everyone requests it, and I look like a rockstar and it is soooo easy!

1 8oz cream cheese
2 cups shredded cheese
1/4 C. hot salsa
1/2 C. sour cream

combine all and bake @ 375 30 min, or put in bread bowl and bake in that.