Baked Chicken Taquitos

Baked chicken taquitos--a quick and easy meal or appetizer for your next party! Start by mixing the chicken, cheese and other ingredients together and fill flour tortillas and bake until crispy. These would be great for a New Year's or Super Bowl party. They can be made ahead and baked right before serving. I prefer to use a rotisserie chicken or make my chicken ahead, refrigerate, and shred before throwing it together.

I omitted the onion powder and chopped, fresh cilantro from the original recipe. Neither Mark or I care for cilantro, so I leave it out and add fresh chopped parsley for some color. I also substitute Monterey Jack cheese for Pepper Jack cheese. Occasionally I'll do a mixture of the two, but I prefer Monterey Jack. Of course, substitute with whatever cheese you like!

Baked Chicken Taquitos
from Lynda's Recipe Box

• 1/3 cup (3 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/4 cup salsa verde  
• 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped, green onions
• 2 tablespoons freshly, chopped parsley (optional)
• 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
• 2 cups shredded chicken
• 10-12 fajita size flour tortillas
• Kosher Salt
• Cooking spray

1. Preheat Oven to 425 degrees. You will need a non-stick cookie sheet; or a regular cookie sheet lined with foil and lightly coated with cooking spray.

2. In a medium size bowl, mix together the chicken, cheeses, seasonings, green onions, lime juice and salsa. Spoon 2-3 tablespoons of the mixture onto the center of a tortilla, keeping it a half inch from the edge. Roll the tortilla up tightly and line together on the cookie sheet. Make sure they are not touching so that they cook evenly. Spray the top of the taquitos with cooking spray and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt.

3. Bake for 15-20 until crisp and the edges lightly browned. Sprinkle with a little extra lime juice before serving. Serve with sour cream, salsa or guacamole, if desired.

Note: For making ahead, mix all the ingredients (minus tortillas) in a bowl and refrigerate. Once ready to bake, take ingredients out the fridge, assemble, and bake. The taquitos also reheat well in a 400 degree oven for about 10-15 minutes.

Steak Subs

A hearty lunch that's sure to please!

My husband, Mark, isn't much of a sandwich guy but he loves this steak sandwich. It's easy to prepare and very satisfying.

I made enough for two sandwiches-- I used: two tenderized sirloin steaks and one half of a green bell pepper and about one-fourth of an onion (the onion was big, so you may want more). Saute the vegetables until cooked, but where they still have a crunch.

Season the steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook them in a cast iron skillet, griddle or grill pan until well done. I grilled them on my cast iron grill pan (I love that thing...I can grill from the comfort of my own kitchen!).

Transfer the steaks to a cutting board and let rest for a few minutes, then slice the steak into small strips. Layer the steak on a sandwich roll, topped with the bell pepper and onions and slices of mozzarella (I prefer provolone but mozzarella is what I had on hand).

Steak Subs

Ingredients:

2 sirloin steaks, tenderized
Green bell pepper, thinly sliced
Yellow onion, thinly sliced
Salt
Pepper
Garlic Powder
Provolone or Mozzarella slices
Deli Rolls

Directions:

1. Slice green bell pepper and onion into thin strips. Saute in a little olive oil for 6-8 minutes until slightly softened.

2. Season steaks with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. Cook in grill pan or skillet until well done. Transfer steaks to a cutting board and allow to rest for 3-5 minutes. Slice steak into strips.

3. Assemble sandwich by layering steak, peppers, onions, and cheese between a deli roll.

Yields: 2 servings

The Holiday Handbook by Philosophy

I have to share about a cute Christmas gift I received. My mother-in-law got me this "Holiday Handbook" gift set by Philosophy. It contains three hand creams that smell delectable:

 

Each of the hand creams that have their own unique scent

 

Gingerbread Cookie

Honey Buns

Cranberry Medley

The cream feels great on and doesn't leave that greasy feeling like some hand creams do. The scents are very rich and smell good enough to eat.

I trust you all had a Merry Christmas. We had a busy one with lots of family and friends; and more yet to come!