Chicken Lettuce Wraps

This is a quick meal that I don't feel guilty about eating. It is flavorful and the lettuce gives this dish a nice bit of crunch.

Chicken Lettuce Wraps

1 lb chicken breast

1 red bell pepper

1/4 red onion

1 jalapeno

2 cloves garlic

2 scallions

1 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp chili paste

1/4 cup garlic hoisin sauce

1 tbsp soy sauce

head iceberg lettuce

Bake chicken breasts in 375 degree oven for about 30 minutes.

Let chicken rest for 5 minutes, and then cut into small dice.

Dice red pepper, onion, garlic, and jalapeno and saute on medium with the red pepper flakes for about 3 minutes (leaving the vegetables still crunchy).

Add chicken and vegetable mixture to mixing bowl and add chili sauce, hoisin, and soy sauce.

Dice the scallion and add to the chicken mixture.

Stir to evenly coat with sauce.

Serve chicken in individual iceberg lettuce leaves.

Place 2 spoonfuls of chicken mixture on lettuce and wrap and eat.

Chili

Nothing sounds better to me than a warm bowl of chili on a cool night. Chili is one of my staples when the weather turns cold. It also helps get dinner on the table, since I can make a big batch of it and eat it for 2 to 3 nights. It is a great meal served with cornbread, grilled cheese, or just a peanut butter sandwich. Basically anything you can dunk into the bowl!! I like to cook my chili in the crock pot and let it simmer for a few hours.

Chili

1 lb lean ground beef

1/2 large red onion

2 green bell peppers

2 15oz cans chili beans

2 15oz cans tomatoes with green chilies

1 9oz can green chilies

3 tbsp chili powder

1 tbsp cumin

1 tsp garlic powder

1 cup water

Brown beef in skillet until cooked through.

Dice onion and pepper and saute in skillet until tender.

Add beef, onion, and pepper to crock pot.

Add beans, tomatoes, chilies, spices, and water to crock pot.

Heat on high for 3 hours.

A Great Bottle of Wine leads to Surf and Turf Night

A few years ago we purchased a 2002 Domaine Drouhin Pinot Noir from the Willamette Valley in Oregon. 2002 was considered to be one of the all time greatest vintages of Pinot in Oregon. We had been wanting to open this bottle on a special occasion, but it hasn't happened. We looked at some wine vintage charts, and people were saying that the time to drink this wine is now. We were not going to let this bottle sit, so we said any day we opened the bottle it would be a special occasion!!! I suggested filet to my husband and he said "Why don't you just get a couple lobster tails too?" I didn't argue. We had a great lobster tail with garlic butter, Gorgonzola topped filet, baked potatoes, bread, and a fall inspired spinach salad. The wine did not disappoint. It was well worth the wait. It was very balanced, with a nice smooth finish with a hint of tannins.

Fall Inspired Spinach Salad

1 bag washed baby spinach

3 pieces turkey bacon, cooked and chopped

1/2 honeycrisp apple, diced

walnuts, chopped

Gorgonzola cheese

raspberry vinaigrette, purchased

Mix spinach, bacon, apple, walnuts, and cheese in bowl.

Drizzle with vinaigrette.

Lobster Tails with Garlic Butter

2 9oz lobster tails, frozen

3 cloves garlic

1 stick butter

Place frozen lobster tails in cold water and soak for 1 hour to thaw.

Change the water every 20 minutes.

With kitchen shears, cut a large V shape (with the point on the end of the fin) and remove to expose the lobster meat.

Spread the tail open.

Place tails on a broiler pan.

Broil shell side down for 3 minutes.

Flip tails over and broil for 7 more minutes.

Melt butter in small saucepan with 3 cloves of smashed garlic.

Heat until butter melted and the garlic is fragrant.

Remove the garlic, and place the butter in a lobster butter warmed set and drizzle some on the tails.

Light the tea light candle to keep the butter warm.

Grilled Filet Mignon topped with Gorgonzola Cheese

2 10 oz filet mignon steaks

salt, pepper

Gorgonzola cheese

Preheat grill to high heat.

Sprinkle both side of the steaks with salt and pepper.

Sear the steaks for about 5 minutes per side.

Sprinkle the cheese on steaks and place in the oven on broil to melt the cheese for about 1-2 minutes.

Hot Apple Cider with Rum

This is the perfect way to end a long chilly day. A nice mug of warm apple cider with rum. Mmmm!!

Hot Apple Cider with Rum

1 oz rum

6oz apple cider

Pour into to mug.

Microwave for 90 seconds.

Enjoy!!

Open Faced Cheddar and Turkey Sandwich

I had some leftover Italian bread, lunch meat, and cheese to use up so I made this quick and satisfying lunch.

Open Faced Cheddar and Turkey Sandwich

4 thick slices of Italian bread
4 slices turkey lunch meat
4 slices cheddar
dijon mustard
mayonnaise

Heat oven to 400 degrees.
Place bread on cookie sheet.
Spear with mustard and mayonnaise.
Top with turkey and cheese.
Bake for about 4-5 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Chicken Quesadillas

Quesadillas are a quick weeknight meal that is quick, easy, and delicious. You can use whatever meat, cheese, veggies, or beans you have leftover in the fridge (corn, black beans, peppers, onion, mushrooms, etc).

Chicken Quesadillas

6 corn tortillas
1 cup shredded chicken
1 cup shredded jack cheese
sour cream, salsa, and avocado for dipping

Heat large skillet on medium.
Place 1 tortilla in a dry skillet.
Let the tortilla warm for about 5 seconds then flip the tortilla over.
Place a thin layer of cheese, chicken, and more cheese on tortilla.
Place second tortilla on cheese.
Heat until the cheese is mostly melted, and the bottom tortilla is browned slightly.
Flip the tortillas over to brown the second side.
Remove from pan and cut into wedges.
Serve with sour cream, salsa, and avocado or guacamole.

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