Monday, January 24, 2011

CRUNCHY GREEN BEANS



2 TBSP olive oil
3 green onions, chopped
1 lb of green beans, washed and trimmed
2 TBSP balsamic vinegar
1 TBSP Dijon mustard
2 TBSP sesame seeds, toasted (place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 until golden-watch carefully they will burn fast)

In skillet, saute onions in olive oil over medium heat. Add green beans and saute until tender-crisp, about 5-7 minutes. Whisk together Balsamic vinegar and mustard in small bowl. Add to green beans and gently toss to coat. Remove from heat, place in serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Serve immediately.

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos and Mexican Dressing (Cafe Rio Dressing)

Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos
1/3 C (3 Oz) Cream Cheese
1/4 C Green Salsa
1 T lime juice
1/2 t cumin
1 t chili powder
1/2 t onion powder
1/4 t garlic powder
3 T chopped cilantro
2 T sliced green onions
2 C shredded cooked chicken
1 C grated pepperjack cheese

small corn tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat at 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray.

Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20 -30 seconds so it is soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder, and garlic powder. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add chicken and cheese and combine well.

You can prepare up to this spot ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.

Work with a few tortillas at a time and heat in the microwave until they are soft enough to roll without cracking. It helps to place them between damp paper towels. Usually 20-30 seconds will do it. If you find yours are cracking when you roll them or come unrolled right away, just try heating them longer and try the paper towel thing.



Place 2-3 T of chicken mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edge.

Then roll in up as tight as you can.

Place seam side down on the baking sheet(I cover my paking sheet with tin foil to make an easy clean up). lay all of the taquitos on the baking sheet and make sure they are not toughing each other. Spray the tops lightly with cooking spray or an oil mister and sprinkle some kosher salt on the top.

Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown.

Dip them in salsa or this dressing...

3/4 C sour cream
3/4 C mayo
4 oz green salsa
3 tomatios
1 jalapeno
2 T cilantro
1/4 tsp garlic
1 packet of buttermilk ranch dressing mix

Blend in blender, and chill in refrigerator.

MMMMM-This recipe makes about 6 taquitos...I would plan on 1 per kid, at least 2-3 per adult if making a meal out of it. We eat ours with chips and salsa and a mexican salad.