Mexican Rice in the Rice Cooker

I found this recipe on food.com  I had to tweek the chicken broth amount to suit my rice cooker and you may have to do the same.  The first time I made the recipe the rice was too al dente for my taste.  After I upped the chicken broth to 3 cups the second time I made it the rice was just right.

1 cup rice (I like to rinse my rice in cold water before I cook it)

3 cups low sodium chicken broth (the original recipe asked for 2 1/4 cups)

3 ounces tomato paste (half a small can)

2 T butter, cut in pieces

1/2 cup onion, diced

2 garlic cloves, minced (or 2 t. minced garlic)

2 ounces diced green chilies (half of a 4 ounce can)

dash of pepper

dash of crushed red pepper flakes

fresh cilantro or parsley, for garnish, optional

Combine all the ingredients in the rice cooker except the cilantro or parsley, if using.

Cook according to the manufacturer instructions.

Let the finished rice sit uncovered for 3 minutes or so to allow it to thicken.  Then stir, garnish if desired and serve.

Easy Crock Pot Salsa Verde Chicken Tostadas

I am always looking for new crockpot recipes. This one was simple, easy, and healthy to boot. The recipe is from skinnytaste.com

Ingredients:1 1/2 lbs raw skinless chicken tenders (I used chicken breasts)
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/8 tsp oregano (we were out so I used parsley)
1/8 tsp ground cumin
salt, to taste (I used just a sprinkle of season salt)
16 oz roasted salsa verde

Tostada shells or corn tortillas
Sour cream
Salsa
Broccoli slaw
Cheese

Season the chicken with the garlic powder, oregano, cumin and salt and place them in the crock pot. Pour the salsa verde over the top and cover and cook HIGH 2 hours (I cooked mine for 6 hours on LOW.)After the chicken is cooked through, remove it from the crock pot and shred it with 2 forks. Remove 2/3 cup of the cooking liquid from the slow cooker, and discard (unless you want it over rice). Place the shredded chicken back into the crock pot and stir it with the remaining salsa. You can adjust the seasonings at this point if desired.

This recipes makes about 3 cups.

We served our chicken on tostada shells and corn tortillas (the healthier option) topped with sour cream, salsa, broccoli slaw and cheese. You can visit skinnytaste.com for the exact nutrition information on this recipe.

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Honey Jalapeno Chicken

I love finding new blogs or sites with easy and yummy recipes!  Thanks Skinny Mom for two new recipes this week.  I really liked the honey jalapeno chicken.  It came together quick and was full of flavor!

 Serves 6 to 8 

• ¼ cup honey


• 3 tablespoons soy sauce


• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil


• 4 garlic cloves, minced


• 6 jalapeño peppers, finely chopped


• 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest


• 2 teaspoons kosher salt


• ¾ teaspoon black pepper


• 3 pounds chicken tenders


• ½ cup chopped fresh cilantro


• Sour cream for serving

Caramel Popcorn

This is my sister in law's caramel popcorn recipe and we LOVE it. I'm finally posting it here so we don't have to text them every time we want to make it. I don't know why we can't remember it because the recipe is really very simple and it makes yummy ooey gooey caramel popcorn. And it is made in the microwave! Super easy.

1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup karo syrup
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/2 cup sweetened condensed milk

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 cup popcorn kernels

Pop the popcorn kernels in an air popper or whirly pop. Be sure and remove any old maids.

Combine the first five ingredients in a microwave safe bowl. Cook it in the microwave for five minutes, stirring it all together half way through at 2 1/2 minutes. After it has cooked for five minutes remove it and add the baking soda (it will get nice and bubbley).

Pour the microwave caramel over the popcorn and carefully stir it all together. All done. Then try not to eat the whole thing yourself.

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Snowman doughnuts

Powdered doughnuts
Frosting (both white and chocolate; I put mine in sandwich bags with one corner snipped so I could have better control for decorating)
Candy corn

Each powdered doughnuts gets a little white frosting in its center to hold the candy corn nose in place (I'll definitely use a lot less next time.  It really needs just a little but I was in a rush.)

Then use the chocolate frosting to make eyes and the mouth.  Super easy for a classroom party or special breakfast.

Crock pot pizza dip

Ingredients

• 1 package (8 oz) cream cheese, softened
• 1 tsp Italian Seasoning
• 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¾ cup grated Parmesan cheese
• 1 jar (8 oz) pizza sauce
• ¼ cup cut up pepperoni pieces

I've made this different ways too!  I've added sausage, olives, etc.  Really any of your favorite pizza toppings will work!  

Instructions

1. Put all ingredients in crock pot and cook on high for about 1 hour
2. Turn to low once melted

Jalapeno Cranberry Dip

INGREDIENTS:


12 ounces fresh cranberries

4-5 green onions, chopped

1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro

1 jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely diced

1 cup sugar (more or less to taste)

1/2 teaspoon cumin

2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (from about 1 large lemon)

1/8 teaspoon salt

2 (8 ounces each) packages cream cheese, light or regular, softened

Crackers, for serving

DIRECTIONS:

Pulse the cranberries in a food processor or blender until coarsely chopped (alternately, you can do this task by hand). Add the green onions, cilantro, jalapeno, sugar, cumin, lemon juice and salt and pulse until the ingredients are well combined and finely chopped. Transfer the mixture to a covered bowl or tupperware and refrigerate for 4 hours (or up to overnight) so the flavors have time to develop and the cranberries lose a bit of their tartness. I do overnight the flavors get much better!



When ready to serve, spread the cream cheese in an even layer on a serving plate or 9-inch pie dish. Top with the cranberry-jalapeno mixture, spreading evenly over the top of the cream cheese.



Refrigerate for up to an hour before serving. Serve with crackers or tortilla chips.