Cilantro Lime Rice

1 cup uncooked rice (long grain, white rice)

1 tsp butter

2 cloves garlic minced

1 tsp lime juice

1 can (15 oz) chicken broth

1 cup water

In a sauce pan combine all ingredients and bring to a boil. Cover and simmer on low for 15-20 min until rice is tender. While rice is cooking, in a small bowl, combine:

1 Tbsp lime juice

2 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp chopped cilantro

When rice is done stir in cilantro mixture and fluff rice.

Cafe Rio Enchilada Sauce (Medium)

I found this recipe on pinterest and it is delicious! just as good as cafe rio. This also makes a big batch so feel free to half it or make the whole batch and freeze the extra.

2-3 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 Large onion, minced (I used half a jumbo onion)

5-6 cloves of garlic

2-3 green bell peppers, chopped

1-2 jalapenos, seeded and ribs removed and chopped

1-1.5 lb tomatillos, husked and quartered

1/2 bunch fresh cilantro chopped coarsly

1 1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp black pepper

1 1/2 tsp cumin

4 cups chicken broth

2-3 Tbsp sugar

In a large pot, heat olive oil over medium heat. Saute garlic and onions until tender and fragrant.

While onions are cooking, combine tomatillos, green bell peppers, jalapenos, and cilantro in your blender. Process until smooth. You may have to blend in batches or add some chicken broth so that it's blendable.

Pour the tomatillo mixture over the onions and garlic and add the chicken broth, salt and pepper, and cumin. Simmer 15 min to 1 hour depending on the consistency you want.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

I'm sorry for the next few posts because they do not have pictures, but i will take some the next time I make this. Also, this first recipe is credited to Michelle since she is the one who gave this recipe to me.

Cafe Rio Sweet Pork

1 lb pork roast (can do up to 3 lbs with this recipe)

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup Worcestershire sauce

1 tsp dried oregano

1 tsp powdered ginger

1 tsp salt

1 tsp chili powder

1 tsp garlic powder

1 Tbsp dried minced onions

Cook all ingredients in crock pot all day. 1 hour before serving, shred pork. dump out juice and return pork to the crock pot and add:

1 cup dark brown sugar

1 cup red enchilada sauce

Norwegian Sugar Cookies

I love these cookies. These are Grandma Campbell's sugar cookies. They bring back so many memories. I don't make them very often because they are a crunchier cookie and Sterling only likes soft cookies, so I was glad when Mom made them for Amy's baby shower.

Ingredients:
1 C Sugar
1 C Shortening
1 Egg
1/2 t Cream of Tartar
1/2 t Baking Soda
1 t Vanilla
2 C Flour

Set aside one cup of sugar in a bowl for later.

Directions:
Cream sugar and shortening together. Mix in beaten egg and vanilla. Add dry ingredients. Mix. Roll into small balls then roll in the bowl of sugar. Place the ball on a cookie sheet. Dip the bottom of a mug in the sugar and press it down on the ball to flatten it. Bake at 350 degrees until they are only the tiniest bit browned on the edges. If the edges are very browned, you have gone too long.

Chicken Tortilla Soup

Okay, this might not be the best picture. I promise this soup is delicious. It's also very easy to make. Basically you are just dumping a bunch of stuff in the crockpot. It makes a ton, so you'll definitely have leftovers. This recipe came from my sister-in-law Annetter, who is an amazing cook. I can't wait until winter every year so I can make it.

Ingredients:
1 Small Onion, Chopped
4 oz. Can Diced Green Chilies
2 Cloves Garlic
2 T Olive Oil
14 oz. Can chopped Tomatoes in juice, do not drain
3 C V-8 Vegetable Juice
14 oz. Can Beef Broth
1 t Cumin
1 t Chili Powder
1 t Salt
2 t Worcestershire Sauce
1 lb. Chicken Breasts, can be frozen
14 oz. Can Corn with Juice
2-3 Cans Kidney Beans in juice
Tortilla Chips
Cheddar Chips
Sour Cream
Green Onions
Guacamole

Directions:
Saute the first 4 ingredients in a frying pan for 5 minutes. Transfer to a large crockpot.

Add the next 8 ingredients into the crockpot. Let cook on high for at least 4 hours (It will take longer if the chicken is frozen.)

Take out the chicken, shred it and return it to the crockpot. Add corn and beans and heat through.

Top with chips, cheese, sour cream, guacamole, onions, or whatever you want.

Speedy Chicken Stir Fry

This recipe came from Kraftfoods.com. I love it. It is so easy and fast. It has a little bit of spice to it, but not too much. It's one we make a lot because we usually have all the ingredients on hand.

8 oz. Angel Hair Pasta, uncooked (I use spaghetti because I prefer thicker noodles.)
2 C Broccoli Florets
1 lb. Boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut into bite sized chunks or strips
1/2 C Kraft Asian Toasted Sesame Dressing (I put in a little extra because I like it saucier.)
2 T Soy Sauce
1/4 t each: Ground Ginger, Garlic Powder, Crushed Red Pepper Flakes
1/3 C Chopped Peanuts (I don't put these in.)

Cook pasta as directed on package, adding broccoli to the boiling water for the last 3 minutes.

While the pasta is cooking, cook chicken on medium high heat. when it is cooked through, add dressing, soy sauce, ginger, garlic and crushed red pepper. Cook 1 minute, stirring occasionally.

Drain pasta and broccoli, place in a large bowl or back in the empty pot. Add the chicken mixture, and toss together with noodles.

So yummy. So easy.

Caramel Apple Spiced Cider

Last week I went to Starbucks and got some of their yummy hot chocolate. David was a little more adventurous and tried their caramel apple spiced cider and we both ended up loving it. Since then I have been craving it daily so I looked up a couple of recipes online and kind of came up with my own recipe and it turned out SO good! And luckily, since this is a seasonal drink at Starbucks I can now make it whenever I want it!

Caramel Apple Spiced Cider

Serves 2

2 cups 100% juice apple cider or juice

1 tsp caramel syrup (the drink flavor syrup, not the ice cream syrup. I found it at Smiths by the coffee)

1-2 tbsp cinnamon dolce syrup (I used cinnamon coffee creamer)

whip cream

caramel syrup (the ice cream kind)

Heat apple juice, caramel syrup, and cinnamon syrup or creamer on medium heat until hot. About 5 min. separate into two cups and scoop whip cream on top. drizzle a little of the ice cream caramel syrup on top and enjoy!