Friday, June 5, 2009

Super- Quick Recipes

There's only one time out of the year that I love spending hours in the kitchen -- that's on Thanksgiving Day. The other 364 days of the year, I'm happy to throw some chicken in the oven and call it done. I'm always on the lookout for super quick, super easy recipes that pack the flavor and get me out of a cooking rut. Here's one of my favorite easy recipes for tasty "Southwestern Chicken."

Ingredients:
You need: (feeds family of 4)
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
l jar salsa (I like mild, but if you prefer hot and spicy, go for it)
l small can kernel corn (drained)
1 small can black beans (drained and rinsed)
1/2 cup shredded cheese (any kind is good - cheddar, pepperjack, whatever you have on hand or prefer)
seasoning for the chicken breasts (I usually season with salt, pepper, garlic powder and onion powder)

Cooking Directions:
l. Arrange chicken breasts in baking dish (use non-stick spray)
2. Season to taste - bake chicken breasts as usual at 400 degrees until almost done; remove from oven and top each chicken breast with salsa; mix the beans and corn together and spoon on top of salsa; top with cheese. Put back in oven and continue cooking until topping is warmed through and chicken in done. (approx. 10-15 minutes more)

Serve with yellow rice and a green salad.

Dessert:
Strawberries and "cheesecake" dip

You need:
1 pint fresh strawberries
4 ounces lowfat cream cheese (softened)
1 (approx. 4-6 oz size) container lowfat vanilla yogurt
1/4 tsp. almond extract
crushed graham cracker crumbs

Directions:
Mix softened cream cheese, vanilla yogurt, and almond extract until smooth. Put graham cracker crumbs in small serving bowl, and cream cheese mixture in a separate serving bowl. Dip strawberry in cream cheese mixture first, then in graham cracker crumbs. Enjoy!

2 comments:

Julie at Outlandish Dreaming said...

Sounds good! I've been doing Weight Watchers since March 1st and swear by their recipes. They are delish and easy as anything - we've never eaten better, and I've lost over 20 lbs making them! I too love to make an easy meal. I'm adding yours to my recipe box, with low fat cheese on the chicken recipe, it's sounds like it would be very Weight Watcherish legal! The strawberries sound great too!

Joanne said...

20 pounds! I'm envious! Weight Watchers is the point system? I'll look them up and check out some of their recipes.

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On a Highland Shore
A Light on the Veranda
Entwined
The Queen's Vow: A Novel Of Isabella Of Castile
The Edwardians
Maisie Dobbs
Howards End
Lady's Maid
Instruments Of Darkness
When Maidens Mourn
Where Shadows Dance
What Remains of Heaven
Where Serpents Sleep
Why Mermaids Sing
When Gods Die
Shadowfever
Before Ever After
The Sugar Queen
Garden Spells
After the Night


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