Pimento Cheese Spread

Pimento Cheese Spread

Makes 1-1/2 cups.

This was a great dip... and so easy to throw together! Add it to a meat and cheese tray and your friends and family will be even more impressed.

Slightly adapted from: Martha Stewart Living cookbook

1 (8-oz.) block cream cheese, softened

2 oz. grated cheddar cheese (3/4 cup)

1 (2-oz.) jar pimentos

1/8 t. Tabasco sauce

Coarse salt and freshly ground black pepper

Crackers, for serving

Combine all ingredients (except crackers) and mix until well-combined. Transfer to a serving bowl; cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

Spunky Spinach Dip

Spunky Spinach Dip

Now I know what the "spunky" means... the salsa gives it quite a kick!

Source: Gooseberry Patch cookbook

2 c. salsa

2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

8-oz. cream cheese, softened

10 oz. frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed of excess liquid

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Mix ingredients together and place in a baking dish. Bake, covered, for 25-30 minutes.

Serve with tortilla chips or your favorite dipper.

A Note From The Little Lady: I halved the recipe, so keep that in mind when checking out my pictures.

Father of the Rain

Father of the Rain by Lily King

This book got great reviews, but it didn't do much for me. I was interested half the time and wanting to skim pages the other half. I think if it was the same story in half the pages, it would be a better book. But obviously I'm in the minority, so it might be worth your time.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

Whiting Award–winner King (The English Teacher) captures with easy strokes the bold and dangerous personalities lurking inside the mundane frame of domestic drama. Her third novel, narrated by the clear-eyed daughter of an alcoholic father, follows their evolving relationship. The opening scene-- with 11-year-old Daley and her father wreaking delirious havoc by streaking naked at a martini-fueled pool party in the sleepy Boston suburbs-- brims with Daley's love for her father and desire for connection with him, but is also tinged with the repercussions of a charismatic man divorced from the role of parenthood, unlike Daley's socially responsible mother. Daley watches her father's continued degradation, but after years of self-imposed cultural and emotional distance from him--she flourishes at Berkeley and builds a loving, stable relationship with an African-American man she knows her Waspish father will despise--she eventually returns to her father's side after he is no longer capable of living alone. While Daley's perfect romance with her strapping, intelligent suitor is simplistic though sensual, King's latest is original and deftly drawn, the work of a master psychological portraitist.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Pierogi and Kielbasa Bake

Pierogi and Kielbasa Bake

Serves 4-6.

This definitely falls in the "comfort food" category. It's rich and satisfying and delicious... and pretty heavy in your stomach too!

Source: Lemons and Love

2 lbs. pierogies (homemade or store-bought)

2 garlic cloves, minced

8 oz. cream cheese

1 lb. kielbasa, cut into small pieces

1 c. chicken broth

1 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1 can diced tomatoes, drained

1/2 t. freshly ground black pepper

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Arrange the pierogies in a 13x9 baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray. Scatter kielbasa evenly overtop.

Warm cream cheese, garlic, and pepper in a saucepan, and cook for one minute, or until cream cheese begins to melt, stirring frequently. Gradually add chicken broth to pan, stirring with a whisk until smooth. Stir in tomatoes. Pour the cream cheese mixture overtop pierogies and kielbasa. Top with shredded cheddar. Bake for 20 minutes or until bubbly and heated through.

Tortilla Crusted Fish Filets

Tortilla Crusted Fish Fillets

Serves 2.

I used cod, but next time, I'll use a thinner white fish, such as tilapia.

Slightly adapted from: Better Homes and Gardens cookbook

2 tilapia fish filets (about 1/2 lb.)

1 beaten egg

1/2 c. crushed tortilla chips

1/8 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 t. salt

Dash black pepper

Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Lightly grease a baking sheet with nonstick spray.

Thaw fish, if frozen. Rinse fish and pat dry with paper towels. Cut into 2 serving-size pieces, if necessary. In a shallow dish, combine beaten egg and 1 tablespoon water. In another shallow dish, combine crushed tortilla chips, Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper. Dip fish into egg mixture; coat fish with tortilla mixture. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake, uncovered, for 4-6 minutes per 1/2" thickness or until fish flakes easily with a fork.

The Pact

The Pact by Jodi Picoult

I couldn't put this book down! And for a few reasons... 1) Right from the beginning, you're thrown in. There are no drawn out introductions to characters or lengthy plot developments that leave you wondering, "When will I feel hooked?" 2) The book switches back and forth from present day to flash-backs, which totally keeps my interest, and 3) There's the main story, but a few underlying stories that keep you from ever feeling bored. Nice work, Jodi Picoult.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

Teenage suicide is the provocative topic that Picoult plumbs, with mixed results, in her fifth novel. Popular high-school swimming star Chris Harte and talented artist Em Gold bonded as infants; their parents have been next-door neighbors and best friends for 18 years. When they fall in love, everyone is ecstatic. Everyone, it turns out, except for Em, who finds that sex with Chris feels almost incestuous. Her emotional turmoil, compounded by pregnancy, which she keeps secret, leads to depression, despair and a desire for suicide, and she insists that Chris prove his love by pulling the trigger. The gun is fired in the first paragraph, and so the book opens with a jolt of adrenaline. But Picoult stumbles in delineating both sets of parents' responses to the tragedy. Unconvincing behavior and dialogue inappropriate to the situation (plus, most importantly, the fact that the parents fail to discuss crucial topics) never touch the essence of bereavement and thus destroy credibility. Picoult redeems herself in flashbacks that reveal the two marital relationships and the personalities of both couples; and she sensitively explores the question of how well parents can ever know their children. After Chris is accused of murder and jailed, the narrative acquires impressive authenticity and suspense, with even the minor characters evoked with Picoult's keen eye for telling detail. The courtroom scenes (reminiscent of Picoult's 1996 novel, Mercy), are taut and well paced. Readers may remain unconvinced, however, that an intelligent young man like Chris would not have sought some help rather than respond to his lover's desperate request. Literary Guild and Doubleday Book Club selections; foreign rights sold in Germany, France, Poland and Norway.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Colossal Cookie

Makes 1 (12") cookie.

Posting after 7pm on Valentines Day... Better late than never right?

Here's a great big cookie for your sweetheart!

Source: Current, Inc.

1-1/2 c. all-purpose flour

3/4 t. baking soda

1/2 t. salt

1/2 c. butter or margarine, softened

3/4 c. packed light brown sugar

2 T. light corn syrup

1 T. sugar

1 large egg

1-1/2 t. vanilla extract

1 c. semisweet chocolate chips

In a small bowl, mix flour, baking soda, and salt; set aside.

In a large mixing bowl at medium speed, beat butter, brown sugar, corn syrup, and sugar until creamy. Beat in egg and vanilla. At low speed, gradually beat in flour mixture until well blended. Stir in chocolate chips.

Grease a 12" round pizza pan. Place dough in center of pan and press evenly to within 1/2" of edge.

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until edges are firm and center feels slightly firm.

When cool, decorate with frosting.

I use the buttercream frosting posted here.

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip

Easy Slow Cooker French Dip

Makes 6 sandwiches.

Everyone should make this... except those vegetarians out there, but I'm doubtful I have many of those readers. This is EASY, this TASTES GREAT, this TAKES 5 MINUTES TO PREPARE (although 7 hours to cook), and this is something YOUR FAMILY WILL LOVE. Do it, do it now.

Slightly adapted from: AllRecipes.com

4-lb. sirloin tip roast

1 (12-oz.) bottle of beer

1 (10.5-oz.) can beef broth

1 (10.5-oz.) can condensed French onion soup

garlic salt

6 French rolls

6 slices Provolone or Muenster cheese

butter

Trim excess fat from sirloin tip roast; place in slow cooker. Season roast with garlic salt, and then add the beer, beef broth, and French onion soup. Cook on low for 7 hours.

Shred meat using two forks (it will pull apart super easily) and let sit in sauce while you prepare rolls.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Split French rolls; spread with butter and top one side with a slice of cheese. With rolls open (buttered sides up, obviously), bake for 5-10 minutes, until cheese is melted and rolls are heated through. Top with meat and serve with sauce for dipping.

The Solitude of Prime Numbers

The Solitude of Prime Numbers by Paolo Giordano

Your heart will ache for the characters, but you'll be compelled to read chapter after chapter.

Booklist review from Amazon.com:

Giordano’s deeply touching debut novel immediately thrusts the reader into the lives of two individuals, at the moment when each of their young lives takes a sharp turn toward painful solitude: Alice has been crippled in a childhood skiing accident, Mattia is consumed by guilt after playing an unintended but key role in his twin sister’s disappearance. Upon meeting in their early teens, they develop a frequently uncomfortable yet enveloping friendship. What follows is a beautiful and affecting account of the ways in which seemingly inconsequential decisions reverberate so intensely as to change a life forever. Translated from the Italian, this is a book about communication: in lacking a facility for self-expression, our stunted protagonists exist almost solely, and safely, in their own minds. Despite its heavy subject matter, it reads easily, due in part to the almost seamless translation. A quietly explosive ending completes the novel in just the fashion it was started, as an intimate psychological portrait of two “prime numbers”—together alone and alone together. --Annie Bostrom

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Roasted Fingerling Potatoes

Serves 3.

A simply roasted, yet flavorful, potato side dish.

Source: Everyday Food magazine

1 lb. fingerling potatoes

2 sprigs oregano

1-2 t. extra-virgin olive oil

coarse salt and ground pepper

2 t. fresh lemon juice, if desired

Toss potatoes with oregano and olive oil. Season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, and roast until potatoes are tender when pierced with a knife, about 30 minutes. Toss halfway through. Transfer to a serving dish, and toss with lemon juice, if desired.

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Slow-Cooker Buffalo Chicken Sandwiches

Makes about 5 sandwiches.

These didn't have a strong buffalo flavor, which isn't a bad thing, necessarily, but I think it's worth pointing out. I was expecting a stronger buffalo flavor, reminiscent of buffalo chicken dip, but this was much more subdued, and the crushed tomatoes in the recipe tamed it and gave it a new taste altogether. Don't shy away from the recipe if you're a buffalo fan, but know that you may need to increase the hot-pepper sauce and decrease the crushed tomatoes to reach your desired flavor.

Slightly adapted from: Everyday Food magazine

1 t. extra-virgin olive oil

1 small yellow onion, diced small

2 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1 small red bell pepper, seeded and diced small

1 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breasts

coarse salt and ground pepper

1/2 can (7 oz.) crushed tomatoes

1/8 c. hot-pepper sauce, such as Frank's

2 T. Worcestershire sauce

1 T. yellow mustard

1 t. unsulfured molasses

5 hamburger buns

Sliced cheese, such as provolone, if desired

Place chicken breasts in slow cooker.

In a large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion, garlic, and bell pepper and cook, stirring constantly, until onion is translucent, 6 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to slow cooker.

To slow cooker, add crushed tomatoes, hot-pepper sauce, Worcestershire sauce, mustard, and molasses; stir to combine. Cover and cook on high until chicken is very tender, 4 hours. (You could also cook on low for 7 hours.) Shred chicken and season to taste with salt and pepper.

Serve on buns with sliced cheese, if desired. Oh, and Ranch dressing is great on these sandwiches, as well!

Not My Daughter

Not My Daughter by Barbara Delinsky

Probably the best Barbara Delinsky book I've read so far (the other two were: Coast Road and While My Sister Sleeps). With teen pregnancy on the rise, this was an interesting modern day read. There's a large focus on mother-daughter relationships, and if you're a knitter, you'll enjoy those references as well.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

Delinsky proves once again why she's a perennial bestseller with this thought-provoking tale of three smart, popular teenage girls who make a pact to become pregnant and raise their babies together. Lily, Mary Kate, and Jess also happen to be the daughters of best friends Susan, Kate, and Sunny, and the mothers are thrown into a tailspin by this unexpected news. Susan, the principal of the town's high school, has the most to lose, when the schools superintendent and editor of the local newspaper question her abilities as a leader and mother, and other parents prove quick to blame her—a single mother herself who got pregnant as a teenager—as a poor role model. But all three women must come to grips with where they failed as mothers, how the dreams they had for their daughters are disappearing, and scathing smalltown judgment. Timely, fresh, and true-to-life, this novel explores multiple layers of motherhood and tackles tough questions. (Jan.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.

Roasted Chicken with Herb Rub

Roasted Chicken with Herb Rub

Serves 4.

I think this was the first time I've cooked with whole chicken pieces. We aren't usually huge fans of eating meat off the bone (besides ribs and chicken wings of course!) but this turned out great. The herb rub smelled delicious as I was putting it together.

Source: Everyfood Food magazine

1 whole chicken (3-1/2 to 4 lbs.), cut into 10 pieces

coarse salt and ground pepper

Herb Rub:

3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped

1" piece fresh ginger, peeled and roughly chopped

1 jalapeno, seeded and roughly chopped

1 T. finely grated orange zest

2 T. fresh orange juice

1 medium bunch cilantro, stems removed

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

Preheat oven to 450 degrees.

In a food processor, combine garlic cloves, fresh ginger, jalapeno, orange zest and orange juice, and process until finely chopped. Add cilantro and olive oil; process until finely chopped, about 2 minutes. Scrape down sides as needed.

Arrange chicken pieces in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet and coat all over with herb rub. Season with salt and pepper. Roast, skin side up, until chicken is cooked through, about 35-45 minutes.

Brown Bean Chowder

Brown Bean Chowder

Serves 3.

Very similar to chili, but with fewer beans and no chunky tomatoes. Like chili, top with sour cream and shredded cheddar.

Adapted from: AllRecipes.com

1 lb. ground beef

1 t. minced garlic

1 small onion, chopped

1 T. chili powder

1 t. salt

1/2 t. pepper

1-1/2 c. tomato puree

1/2 c. vegetable broth

1 can pinto beans, drained and rinsed

Brown ground beef in a saucepan. When about halfway cooked through, drain any excess fat and add chopped onion and minced garlic. Continue cooking until ground beef is fully cooked and onions are tender and garlic is fragrant.

Add chili powder, salt, and pepper; mix to combine. Add tomato puree and vegetable broth; stir. Add pinto beans; stir.

Bring to a low boil, then reduce to a simmer. The longer the soup simmers, the more the flavors will combine.

Spinach Manicotti

Spinach Manicotti

Serves 4-5.

Don't you love it when healthy food tastes awesome??? The original recipe says to use 8 manicotti shells, but I found the filling went further than expected.

Source: Everyday Food magazine

coarse salt and ground pepper

10 manicotti shells (from an 8-oz. package)

1 t. extra-virgin olive oil

1 container (15 oz.) part-skim ricotta cheese

1 c. finely grated Parmesan cheese (2 oz.)

1 t. finely grated lemon zest

1 pkg. (10 oz.) frozen spinach, thawed and squeezed dry

2 c. prepared marinara sauce

1/4 t. dried oregano

2 T. heavy cream

Preheat oven to 375 degrees.

In a large pot of boiling salted water, cook pasta shells according to package directions. Drain well and arrange in a single layer on an oiled rimmed baking sheet.

Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, combine ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan, and lemon zest. Stir in spinach and season filling with salt and pepper.

Transfer filling to a large zip-top plastic bag. Twist and squeeze bag so filling is in one corner. With scissors, snip a 3/4" opening in corner. Pipe filling into both ends of each pasta shell. Arrange stuffed shells in an 8" square baking dish.

In a medium bowl, whisk together marinara sauce, oregano, and cream. Pour sauce evenly over stuffed shells and top with 1/2 cup Parmesan. Bake until sauce in center of dish is bubbling and Parmesan is browned in spots, about 30 minutes. Let sit 5 minutes before serving.

A Note From The Little Lady: If dish has been made ahead of time and refrigerated, increase baking time to 50-60 minutes.

And Then There Were None

And Then There Were None by Agatha Christie

A classic mystery novel that's been around for years. It's undergone name changes and has even been developed into a video game. Who's the murderer? Can you solve the mystery?

Amazon.com review:

Considered the best mystery novel ever written by many readers, And Then There Were None is the story of 10 strangers, each lured to Indian Island by a mysterious host. Once his guests have arrived, the host accuses each person of murder. Unable to leave the island, the guests begin to share their darkest secrets--until they begin to die.

Chicken and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

Chicken and Black Bean Tortilla Casserole

Serves 2.

A meal we both loved!

Adapted From: Everyday Food magazine

1 t. extra-virgin olive oil

1/3 lb. boneless, skinless chicken breast (about 1 breast), cut into small pieces

1/2 t. minced garlic

1/8 t. cayenne powder

coarse salt and black pepper

1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained

4 corn tortillas, warmed and halved

1 c. salsa

3/4 c. shredded cheese, such as cheddar, Monterey Jack, or Mexican blend

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add chicken and cook, stirring often, until cooked through. Add garlic and cayenne; season with salt and pepper. Add black beans and stir to combine. Cook until beans are warmed through, 2 minutes. Remove from heat.

Arrange 3 tortilla halves in a baking dish. Top with half the bean mixture and 1/4 cup salsa, then sprinkle with one-third of the cheese. Repeat with another layer of tortilla halves, bean mixture, salsa, and cheese. Top with remaining tortilla halves, salsa, and cheese. Cover with foil and bake until center is hot and cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Uncover and bake until cheese is bubbling, 5 minutes.

Two Notes From The Little Lady:

1. The original recipe is for mushroom (not chicken) and black bean tortilla casserole. Create that by subbing 1/3 lb. cremini or button mushrooms, trimmed and quartered, for the chicken.

2. I don't think I followed the layering instructions perfectly. As long as you make layers of tortillas with the bean mixture, cheese, and salsa in between, you'll be golden. If nothing else, make sure you have shredded cheese as the final top layer.

Fresh Pasta Sauce for One

Fresh Pasta Sauce for One

Serves 1.

You've got tomatoes and a few veggies to use up. You don't have anything planned for dinner. It's just you. Try making this.

1 t. extra virgin olive oil

1/4 c. diced onion

1/2 t. minced garlic

2 vine-ripened tomatoes, diced

3 miniature carrots, diced

1/4 c. diced cauliflower

3 oz. uncooked linguine

Heat olive oil over medium heat in a small saucepan. Add onion and garlic; heat until fragrant and the onions are tender. Toss in tomatoes, carrots, and cauliflower; bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer. Simmer until flavors combine and vegetables are tender, about 15-25 minutes.

Meanwhile, cook linguine according to package directions. Serve sauce over cooked pasta.

Take 5: Easy Breakfasts

I know you've heard it before, but breakfast is such an important meal of the day! Few of us have time to cook up a full-fledged breakfast, but there are plenty options out there that give you energy and nutrients without requiring much of your time.

1. Peanut Butter and Banana Wrap

This is my ultimate go-to. I have it at least once a week, every week.

On a whole wheat wrap, spread peanut butter (creamy or crunchy, your choice!) and then top with sliced banana (you'll only need 1/3-1/2 of a banana). Roll up and enjoy!

2. Cottage Cheese with (Homemade) Preserves and (Fresh) Fruit

Cottage cheese has tons of protein, did you know that? I was wary of it for a while. It looks funny, it's called cheese, but you mix it with fruit? Once I got over my hesitations, though, I realized it's a great addition to my line-up!

Top 1 cup of cottage cheese with fruit preserves and/or chopped fresh fruit. We are lucky enough to get homemade preserves from The Mr.'s grandmother, but Smucker's works just as well.

3. Bacon, Egg, and Cheese Sammies

A diner classic. A prefect addition to your weekly line-up.

Scramble two eggs. Top with a slice of cheese and allow to melt. Transfer to a toasted sandwich bun (or croissant, English muffin, or bagel) and top with one crisp bacon slice, halved into two pieces. If your mornings are typically rushed, make this in the evening, refrigerate over night, and pop in the microwave in the morning. It's not quite as good, but it works!

4. Frozen Yoplait Smoothies

These are new on the market. Just blend the frozen chunks of smoothie, fruity goodness with milk and you've got yourself a fresh-tasting smoothie. Here's the Yoplait description. What's pictured is the Mixed Berry flavor.

5. PB & Banana on Toasted English Muffin

I, for one, can't get enough of the peanut butter and banana combination. And before you claim that this is a copy-cat of #1, please note that it's not! First of all, a toasted English muffin offers a slight crunch, and the fact that it's piping hot when you spread the peanut butter makes for an extra creamy, warm delight. And, with this breakfast, you kinda get two for the price of one. :)

Toast an English muffin; spread with peanut butter, and top with sliced banana (about 1/2 of one regular banana).

Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Bean and Cheese Enchiladas

Serves 2.

I was surprised how well the cottage cheese worked in this recipe. And when you consider all the ingredients, this is a protein-packed, good-for-you meal!

Slightly adapted from: Everyday Food magazine

1 c. low-fat (1%) cottage cheese

1/2 can black beans, rinsed and drained

coarse salt and ground pepper

3 flour tortillas, fajita size

nonstick cooking spray

1 T. extra-virgin olive oil

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

1 small white onion, diced small (1/4 c. reserved for serving)

2 t. chili powder

1 T. white vinegar

1/2 can (7.5 oz.) tomato puree

1 c. vegetable broth

fresh cilantro leaves, for serving

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a food processor, process cottage cheese until smooth. Transfer to a medium bowl and stir in black beans. Season with salt and pepper.

Working with one tortilla at a time, lightly spray both sides with cooking spray, and place 1/3 of bean and cheese mixture down center of each. Roll tortilla around filling and place, seam side down, in a baking dish. Bake tortillas until heated through, about 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add garlic and onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until onion softens, 5 minutes. Add chili powder and cook until fragrant, 1 minute. Whisk in vinegar, tomato puree, and broth; bring to a simmer and cook 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer mixture to a blender and puree until smooth (use caution when blending hot liquids).

To serve, divide enchiladas among two plates. Top with sauce, and sprinkle with onion and fresh cilantro.

The Art of Racing in the Rain

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein

What a great little read. The whole story is written from the mindset of a dog, and he, Enzo, takes you through his life. Starting from the time he was a puppy through the struggles of his aging body, he reflects on the life he witnessed and all that has impacted him. If you have a dog, or once had a dog, you should pick this up.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

If you've ever wondered what your dog is thinking, Stein's third novel offers an answer. Enzo is a lab terrier mix plucked from a farm outside Seattle to ride shotgun with race car driver Denny Swift as he pursues success on the track and off. Denny meets and marries Eve, has a daughter, Zoë, and risks his savings and his life to make it on the professional racing circuit. Enzo, frustrated by his inability to speak and his lack of opposable thumbs, watches Denny's old racing videos, coins koanlike aphorisms that apply to both driving and life, and hopes for the day when his life as a dog will be over and he can be reborn a man. When Denny hits an extended rough patch, Enzo remains his most steadfast if silent supporter. Enzo is a reliable companion and a likable enough narrator, though the string of Denny's bad luck stories strains believability. Much like Denny, however, Stein is able to salvage some dignity from the over-the-top drama. (May)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Chicken Fajita Wrap

Chicken Fajita Roll-Up

Makes 2 wraps.

Looking to use up your leftover chicken after fajita night? Make this scrumptious wrap -- it makes a great packed lunch or an easy dinner.

Inspired by: Kraft Foods

2 flour tortillas

1 c. leftover fajita chicken

1/2 c. shredded cheddar cheese

1/2 c. shredded lettuce

1/8 c. Ranch dressing

1/8 c. salsa

Prepare tortillas by spreading equal amounts of Ranch dressing and salsa on each. Top each equally with leftover chicken, shredded cheddar, and shredded lettuce. Cut in half and serve.

Cheeseburger Soup: Revisited

Cheeseburger Soup: Revisited

Serves 6-8.

I made this a while back, but at the time, felt it was lacking something. Well, I've figured it out and now I think it's fantastic! Bacon, bacon, bacon!
Here's the original recipe, but look below for the new and updated version.

1/2 lb. ground beef
3/4 c. chopped onion
1 t. dried basil
1 t. dried parsley
3 T. butter
3 c. chicken broth
4 c. peeled, cubed potatoes
1/4 c. all-purpose flour
2 c. shredded (or cubed) cheddar cheese
1-1/2 c. milk
1/4 c. sour cream
7 strips bacon, chopped

In a large pot, cook bacon over medium-high heat until just beginning to crisp. Remove bacon from pot, but leave bacon drippings. Add ground beef and onion to pot and cook until beef is cooked through and onions are tender and fragrant. Stir in basil and parsley. Add broth and potatoes. Bring to boil, and then simmer until potatoes are tender, about 10-12 minutes.

Melt the butter in a separate bowl and stir in flour. Add the milk, stirring until smooth.

Gradually add milk mixture to soup pot, stirring constantly. Bring to a boil and reduce heat to a simmer. Stir in cheese and bacon. When cheese is melted, stir in sour cream. Heat through, but do not boil

Fajita Seasoning Mix

Fajita Seasoning Mix

Makes the equivalent of one store-bought packet.

This is a great thing to have on hand. I eliminated a few ingredients that I didn't have -- and that you might not either? -- such as crushed chicken bouillon cube.

Looking for taco seasoning? Click here!

Adapted from: BusyCooks.About.com

1 T. cornstarch

2 t. chili powder

1 t. salt

1 t. paprika

1 t. sugar

1/2 t. onion powder

1/8 t. ground cumin

dash crushed red pepper flakes

1/2 c. water

1 to 1-1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast, cut into strips

1 T. olive oil

Combine all ingredients, except for water, chicken, and olive oil, to create seasoning.

In a large skillet over medium heat, cook chicken strips in olive oil, until cooked through. Add seasoning to skillet and toss to coat. Add water, a little bit at a time (you may not need an entire 1/2 cup), to combine flavors.

Serve with all your favorite fajita fixings!

A Note From The Little Lady: When the chicken was just about cooked, I added in 1 cup of sliced onions before seasoning. It proved to be a great addition! You could also add green/red sliced peppers at this point too.

Handle With Care

Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult

I love Jodi Picoult's novels. I can't read them back-t0-back as I feel they are often similar, no matter how different their storylines. But spaced out, they are perfect. I always find myself engrossed in the story, and I usually learn a lot too. I wouldn't say this is Picoult's best work, but it's still a great read.

Publishers Weekly review from Amazon.com:

Starred Review. Perennial bestseller Picoult (Change of Heart) delivers another engrossing family drama, spiced with her trademark blend of medicine, law and love. Charlotte and Sean O'Keefe's daughter, Willow, was born with brittle bone disease, a condition that requires Charlotte to act as full-time caregiver and has strained their emotional and financial limits. Willow's teenaged half-sister, Amelia, suffers as well, overshadowed by Willow's needs and lost in her own adolescent turmoil. When Charlotte decides to sue for wrongful birth in order to obtain a settlement to ensure Willow's future, the already strained family begins to implode. Not only is the defendant Charlotte's longtime friend, but the case requires Charlotte and Sean to claim that had they known of Willow's condition, they would have terminated the pregnancy, a statement that strikes at the core of their faith and family. Picoult individualizes the alternating voices of the narrators more believably than she has previously, and weaves in subplots to underscore the themes of hope, regret, identity and family, leading up to her signature closing twists. (Mar.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc.