Sopapillas

Sopapillas are South of the Border pastries made with basic ingredients, deep fried, then coated with cinnamon and sugar. Some folks like to bite off the corner, squirt honey into the centers, and then devour them. Make a batch of sopapillas today and discover your favorite way to eat them!

• 1 ¾ cup plain flour
• 1 Tablespoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon soda
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 2/3 cup milk
• Hot vegetable oil for frying
• 1 cup sugar
• 1 Tablespoon cinnamon
• Honey – optional

Mix dry ingredients together in a medium sized bowl. Add the milk and knead for 1 minute on floured surface. Let dough set for one hour. Roll dough into large rectangle 1/8” thickness. Use a pizza cutter to cut 2” wide strips of dough, then cut strips into 2” squares, then cut squares diagonally in half.
Mix sugar and cinnamon in a shallow baking dish and set aside.
Heat 4 cups vegetable oil in deep fryer. When oil reaches 375 degrees, drop dough triangles into hot oil. They should rise to the surface, and puff, then brown on the bottom very quickly. Use tongs to quickly turn sopapillas over. When dough is golden brown on both sides, remove from oil carefully, and place on paper towels. While sopapillas are still very warm, put them in the cinnamon and sugar mixture and spoon mixture over sopapillas to thoroughly coat them.

Recipe from Tara Cooks

Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos

Creamy Baked Chicken Taquitos
adapted from Pennies on a Platter, originally from Our Best Bites

• 3 oz cream cheese, softened (reduced fat is fine)
• 1/3 cup salsa verde
• juice of 1/2 a lime
• 1 tsp chile powder
• 1/2 tsp ground cumin
• pinch cayenne pepper
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 3 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 3 Tbs chopped scallions
• 2 cups cooked and shredded chicken *
• 1/2 cup shredded extra sharp cheddar cheese
• 1/2 cup shredded Pepperjack cheese
• 8-12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
• kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
• cooking spray

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees and spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large bowl, combine the cream cheese with the salsa, lime juice, cumin, chile powder, cayenne, onion powder, garlic, cilantro, scallions, and 1/4 tsp kosher salt. Fold in the chicken and cheeses. Taste and season with additional salt and pepper if necessary.

Working 3 tortillas at a time, stack them on a microwave-safe plate and cover with plastic wrap. Cook 30 seconds, or until tortillas are soft and pliable.

Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of filling onto the lower third of each tortilla, and roll tightly. Place seam side-down on the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining tortillas and filling.

Spray the taquitos lightly with cooking spray, sprinkle with salt. Bake 15-20 minutes, or until the tortillas are crisp and golden-brown. Serve with salsa, sour cream, and/or guacamole.


*This is how I prepare my chicken if I don't have leftover chicken to use: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Spread a piece of aluminum foil across a baking sheet, and arrange chicken breasts in a single layer in the center. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and season as you wish. Fold the aluminum foil over the chicken breasts, and enclose them to form a "packet." Bake the chicken (on the baking sheet) 35-45 minutes, or until it is cooked through.


**To freeze, prepare the taquitos, but before baking, place the baking sheet in the refrigerator until the taquitos are completely cold. Wrap each taquito in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and freeze. To bake, unwrap the taquitos and cook in a 425 degree oven for 20 minutes (no need to thaw first).

Spanish Rice

1 TBS shortening

1 1/2 cups long grain rice

1/4 large onion, finely chopped

2-3 cloves garlic, finely chopped

2 whole tomatoes from 15 oz can

1/4 cup liquid from canned tomatoes

30 oz chicken broth

Open can of tomatoes and chicken broth and set aside. Heat shortening in saucepan on med-high heat. Add rice, stirring constantly. When rice is brown, immediately add the onion and garlic and stir so it is evenly mixed. Quickly add the 2 tomatoes (Squish them in your hand). Add 1/4 cup of liquid from can of tomatoes and all chicken broth. Bring to a full boil, over and reduce to med-low. Let simmer until rice is tender and most of broth has evaporated, about 20-30 minutes. Remove from heat and leave covered until ready to serve. I usually add a few frozen peas near the end.

Cafe Rio Chicken

1 small bottle Kraft Zesty Italian Dressing
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
3 cloves garlic—minced
5 lbs chicken breast

Cook all together in a crock pot for 4 hours, shred meat and cook 1 additional hour.

Cilanto Lime Rice

1 cup uncooked long-grain white rice
2 cups chicken broth
1/4 tsp salt
juice of 1/2 lime
2 TB butter
2 TB chopped cilantro
1/4 tsp ground cumin

For Rice Cooker: Combine all ingredients into the cooker. Cover, then turn on and cook until done.

Recipe comes from Kristin Clove. Thanks!! :)

Raspberry Syrup: Freeze Dried Berry Recipe

Recipe found here.

Raspberry Syrup
(makes about 2 cups)

1 1/2 C. freeze dried raspberries
2 C. water
1/2 C. sugar
1 T. lemon juice

Blend ingredients in blender. If you want it warm, make sure to transfer it to a microwave safe container and heat until warmed through.

Crockpot Chicken Alfredo

1/2 pkg. Italian Seasoning
1/4 c. water
2 chicken breasts, cubed

Cook on low for 3 hours

8 oz. cream cheese @ room temp.
1 can cream of chicken

Add to crock pot and cook for 1 more hour

Noodles

Cook your noodles and more Chicken alfredo on top.

note: 2 Chicken breasts feed my family of 4, you could add more. Also the sauce is pretty thick you could add milk to make it go farther.