Yummy Yummy Appetizers!

If you know me, then you know that I just love Pampered Chef! I am such a sucker for their products! Well, obviously if they're going to sell cooking products, then you know that they'll provide recipes! In their Winter 2008 catalog, they featured an appetizer recipe that has since been my favorite snack! Chipotle Chicken Cornbread Cups! YUM! They are best served using mini muffin pans. If you want to use regular muffin cups, you can have them as a light meal instead! Next time you don't know what to bring to a party or even what to serve at your own party, these are a hit! And they really are so easy to make...don't be intimidated by the list of ingredients!

* I'll include a link to all the products that can be used in this recipe. They aren't necessary, but they do make it fun and quick!
** I'll also include my subtitutions under the recipe. The substitutions make it easier!

Chipotle Chicken Cornbread Cups

1 c (4 oz) grated cheddar cheese
1 pkg (7.5-8.5 oz) corn muffin mix
1 c (8 oz) sour cream, divided
1/4 c all purpose flour
2 tbsp Chipotle Rub, divided
1 small red bell pepper
1-2 green onions with tops (about 1/3 c thinly sliced)
1 1/2 c finely diced cooked chicken
Additional sour cream (optional)
Snipped fresh cliantro (optional)

* You can use half a bag of the 8 oz cheese from the store. For the Chipotle Rub, just get chipotle seasoning. Don't forget to cook the chicken prior to using because otherwise it will make the process much longer.

1.Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Grate cheese using Rotary Grater. In Classic Batter Bowl, combine cheese, muffin mix, 3/4 c sour cream, flour, and tbsp of the rub; mix to form a thick batter using the Mix 'N Scraper.
2. Spray wells of Deluze Mini- Muffin Pan with nonstick cooking spray. Divide batter evenly among wells using Stainless Small Scoop. Bake 14-16 minutes or until golden brown.
3. Meanwhile, on Large Grooved Cutting Board, finely dice bell pepper and thinly sliced green onions using Chef's Knife. Place bell pepper into (8in.) Saute Pan; cook over medium-high hate 2-3 minutes or until pepper begins to soften. Add chicken and remaining 1 tbsp rub to pan; cook and stir 2-3 minutes or until heated through. Remove pan from heat. Combine chicken mixture, green onions and remaining 1/4 c sour cream in Small Batter Bowl. Mix Well.
4. Remove muffins from oven to Stackable Cooling Rack. Immediately presstops of muffins with Mini-Tart Shaper to form cups. Cool in pan 3 minutes. Carefully remove cups to serving platter. Divide chicken mixture evenly among cups. Top with additional sour cream and sprinkle with cilantro, if desired.

*If you get the bag of cheese, there won't be a need for the grater. Use whatever bowls you have on hand. Instead of the Mix 'N Scraper, just use a wooden spoon or a rubber spatula. Use a spoon in place of the Scoop. Use whatever cutting board, knife, and pan that you want. You dont have to use the cooling rack, I just put it on the stove to cool. Instead of the Mini-Tart Shaper, just use the rounded part of a teaspoon measurement.

Yield: 24 servings

Cal 100, Fat 4.5 g, Sat. Fat 2.5 g, Cholest. 20 mg, Carb 8 g, Protein 5 g, Sod. 180 mg, Fiber 0 g

Spring Lunch!

Spring is here and I am in the mood to make some yummy spring lunches! Yesterday, I made a Lemon Pasta with Chicken and some roasted asparagus! Then for dessert I made a fruit dip for strawberries! It's from Sandra Lee's Semi-Homemade Magazine! Yummy!

Lemon Pasta with Chicken
Ingredients:

1 lb dried penne (or use any pasta you want! I used farfalle!)
2 chicken breast tenders
3 cloves garlic, sliced
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
3 tbsp olive oil
3 tbsp roughly chopped parsley, for garnish
2 lemons, juiced
1/2 c grated parmesean (I prefer shredded, but use what you like!)

Directions:

Cook the pasta in a large pot of boiling salted water, until al dente. Drain well.

Season chicken with salt and pepper. Heat a large grill pan over medium high and add chicken.

Grill until golden and completely cooked. Remove to a plate and slice.

Add the garlic and red pepper flakes to a saute pan with 3 tablespoons of olive oil and saute until fragrant. Add the cooked pasta and turn heat off. Mix all together.

Remove pasta to a large bowl. Add chicken to the warm pasta and season with salt and pepper.

Sprinkle in chopped parsley. Add the juice of 2 lemons and mix. Before serving top with Parmesan.

Lemon Sour Cream Fruit Dip
Ingredients:

1 c (8 oz.) sour cream
1/4 c brown sugar
zest of 1 lemon
juice of 1 lemon

Directions:

Mix all ingredients. Serve with fruit! Yum!

Yummy Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ok so I found this Chocolate Chip cookie recipe on Yahoo and I am in love with it. I've totally messed with it and made it my own depending on my mood. I've added peanut butter to it several times. Most of the time I add cinnamon sugar to the top of the cookie before baking it. Its a super yummy. And I make them thick and small and they turn out so gooey in the center...YUM! They make perfect cookies to package and send. They don't spread into a random shape like other cookies do. Try it!

Ingredients:

3/4 cup rolled oats
1 cup whole-wheat flour
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup butter, softened
1/4 cup canola oil
1/3 cup granulated sugar
1/3 cup brown sugar
1 large egg
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Coat 2 baking sheets with cooking spray.

Grind oats in a blender or food processor. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in flour, baking soda and salt. Beat butter in a large bowl with an electric mixer until fluffy. Add oil, granulated sugar, brown sugar, egg and vanilla; beat until smooth and creamy. With the mixer running, add the dry ingredients, beating on low speed until just combined. Stir in chocolate chips.

Drop the dough by heaping teaspoonfuls, at least 1 inch apart, onto the prepared baking sheets. Bake cookies, 1 sheet at a time, until firm around the edges and golden on top, about 15 minutes. Cool the cookies for 2 minutes on the baking sheets, then transfer to wire racks to cool completely.

Summer Cooking Goals

So I have 3 friends coming home from missions this June. I would like to learn this summer how to make foods from the places they served. I think it would be pretty cool to do so since I love cooking anyways. It'll be a fun opportunity to learn foods from other cultures. I'll try to learn Indonesian, Estonian, and food from the good ole Salt Lake! If you find any let me know. When I can find some, I'll post them on here :)