Monthly Archives: April 2012

April 19, 2012 · 10:06 pm

Southwest Chicken Burger and Lime Corn Salad

All right, the secret is out… I was so incredibly over Winter and it’s dreariness. In fact, I’m ready to skip Spring too and head straight for Summer a.k.a. Grilling Season. Nothing excites me more than the thought of charred burgers, grilled corn on the cob and oozing fruit-filled desserts. Oh, and the mouth-watering smoky smell of barbecue…but I digress!

So, with some sunshine this past weekend, those in the Northwest do what they do best: bring out the grill! Even though this might have been a little premature (yes, I did attempt to wear a dress and found I was a little bit too ambitious… it was still cold!), I was ecstatic to get my “grill on” even if that meant wearing a light jacket and pants.

For this weekend, we decided to make Southwest Chicken Burgers with Grilled Lime Corn Salad.

The best part about this recipe? No exact sizes of ingredients needed – just some good ‘ole eyeballing and taste-testing!

Southwest Chicken Burgers

Ingredients:

Ground Chicken
Corn
Black Beans
Garlic
Green Peppers
Red Onion
Bread Crumbs
Cilantro
Pepper Jack Cheese
Salt and Pepper

Directions:

1. Mix ground chicken together with garlic, black beans, green peppers, red onion, cilantro and corn. Add salt and pepper.

2. Form ground chicken mixture into patties.

3. Put onto grill. Grill on each side for a few minutes (test to make sure that it is cooked all the way through).

4. At the last minute of grilling, add a slice of pepper jack cheese and toast buns.

5. Assemble buns and chicken patties together. Add necessary other sauces!

Grilled Lime Corn Salad

Ingredients:

Corn
Lime
Olive Oil
Green Pepper
Red Onion
Cilantro
Salt and Pepper

Instructions:

1. Grill corn

2. Add grilled corn with chopped red onion, green peppers, cilantro.

3. Mix lime juice with olive oil to taste. Add dressing to corn mixture.

4. Serve immediately (with above chicken burger of course)!

I think the key in both of these items is the use of cilantro. It’s not often that I use it; however, when I do, it feels the same way that a fashionista would utilize a statement piece.

Overall, a nice change from the usual burger and a great mix of flavors!

Cheers to Grilling Season!

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April 15, 2012 · 9:26 am

Simple Sunday Treat: Chocolate Milkshake

Every now and then I become quite nostalgic for desserts and foods that remind me of when I was young, carefree and the biggest worry I had was which item I was going to play with at the playground at recess. For me, milkshakes happen to remind me of these times and also happen to be a childhood favorite.

A few weekends ago, I was reminded of milkshakes after I saw pink and white striped straws at Troolie in Portland. After I saw these, I decided that I must have them. And, naturally, I found plenty of other neat cards and assortments of goodies – including clever recipe cards for noting one’s favorites.

So, after a successful trip, I decided that the a must-do activity for a lazy Sunday would be an old fashioned milkshake complete with a pink and white striped straw while using my new set of recipe cards for the first time!


Classic Chocolate Milkshake


Although it’s nothing fancy, sometimes something this easy dressed up with a cute arrangement is the way to go!

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April 9, 2012 · 7:35 pm

Pasta With Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce

I genuinely miss the time I spent studying abroad in Italy. Of course, one of the aspects that I miss the most is the food. However, not only did the food taste delicious, but I also fell in love with the deep aromatic smells of garlic, basil and tomatoes.

Basically, I savor any and all recipes that remind me of that summer. One of these recipes that reminds me of Italy is Pasta With Spicy Sundried Tomato Cream Sauce and has consequently become one of my absolute favorites. Sundried tomatoes pack plenty of flavor, especially when used with parmesan and basil. Plus, in addition to the amazing flavor, the wafting smells of garlic and basil while cooking this recipe makes me feel like I’m transporting myself to Italy.

I don’t normally indulge in pastas with creamy sauces; however, even though this does use calorie-laden heavy cream, the intense flavors and aromatic smells are the excuses I’ll use any day (and you should too!) to make this recipe! After all, every once in a while is completely fine in my opinion!

Step 1: Mince Garlic, Chop Basil and
Finely Cut Sundried Tomatoes


Step 2: Grate Parmesan

Step 3: Sauté Garlic, Add Cream
and Sundried Tomatoes

Step 4: Combine Cooked Pasta With Sauce

Step 5: Add Cheese and Basil to Pasta; Eat!

The pure simplicity of this recipe is what guaranteed it’s addition to the usual rotation of dinner menu items. Whether making it for the first time or the hundredth time, this recipe more than satisfies one’s appetite.

Cheers!

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