Hot Artichoke Dip

One of my friends Joy, was able to publish a recipe book"Bliss" last year. I have enjoyed some of the recipes from it and this one is certain to be one you will use. I recommend you look into getting this book. She has recipes that will wow everyone. It is a book that her friends have been asking her do to for a long time so if we all wanted it I am sure you will as well.
2 8 ounce packages of light cream cheese
1 cup mayonnaise
1 14-ounce artichoke hearts
3/4 cup chopped frozen spinach
1/2 cup fresh basil leaves washed and finely chopped.
1 clove garlic, crushed
1 1/2 cups cups fresh grated Parmesan, Romano, or Asiago cheese

Preheat oven to 325 degrees. Mix the cream cheese, mayonnaise, artichoke hearts, spinach, basil, garlic, and 1 cup grated cheese, then bake in a casserole dish for 25 minutes.

Serve with bread chunks, crackers, tortilla chips, pretzels. Enjoy!

Barbecue Chicken Salad

My sister introduced me to Barbecue Chicken Salad at California Pizza Kitchen. I loved it. I love just about anything they have at CPK. I wrote down what was in the salad one of the times I had it and went home and tried to recreate it. It was okay but didn't quite test like CPK's version. I found a recipe on line and tried it out. Although I have tweaked it a little bit I do use the marinade exactly. I don't know who wrote the recipe but thanks to whomever you are.

This salad is a little extensive. I was in the kitchen a good 2 hours yesterday getting it ready. You could do it in steps so that you are not doing everything at once but plan on 2 hours start to finish. It is so yummy and well worth not skipping steps to make it turn out wonderfully.

Salad
1 head Romaine Lettuce
1 head iceberg Lettuce
1 can Black Beans rinsed and drained
1-2 cups corn
jicama
3-4 T cilantro
1 cup Monterey Jack cheese
Ranch Dressing

Toss together add:

BBQ Chicken
diced tomatoes
green onion
Corn tortilla strips


Barbecue Chicken Recipe
1 1/3 T Olive Oil
1 1/3 T minced garlic
2 tsp Soy Sauce
2 tsp Salt
1/4 c sweet and spicy BBQ sauce
5 boneless skinless chicken breast
Marinade for at least 1 hour longer is better. You can cook it on the BBQ or stove top. Make sure that you coat the chicken with the remaining sauce in the bowl while on the BBQ. If you make in a pan I recommend dicing it first.

Fried Tortilla Strips
Canola Oil
12 corn tortilla
cut 1/4 inch wide place in med-med high heated oil. Cook until crisp and barely changing color. They change fast.



Serves 8-10, ENJOY!

Best Burger Ever!

I absolutely love this recipe that I found in Martha Stewart Everyday Foods. I will have to admit I LOVE Martha. Her easy recipe magazine is one of my favorite things ever. It is actually a meatball recipe but who says you always have to follow rules. I thought it might just make a yummy burger and darn it, it is!

I have tested this on very picky eaters,"Men's men", kids, and even women. The consensus is that they all love it.
1 large egg
coarse salt and ground pepper
1 large onion, finely chopped
6 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup dried breadcrumbs or oatmeal
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
16 ounces hamburger
1 t. Italian seasoning

Mix all ingredients in a large bowl. Roll into balls big enough for a patty and flatten to about 1/2 inch thick. Grill to desired amount.

Toppings for us include green leaf lettuce, tomatoes, purple onion, ketchup, mustard, pickles, mayo(not for me). Toast the bun and enjoy!