Honey Lime Enchiladas and Sweet Rice

Good morning, friends! I hope you all had a happy and delightful Valentine's Day! It was interesting at our house, to say the least. But! We did have our Sweetheart Dinner, we did learn some fancy manners, and surprisingly, everyone cooperated, (even the teenagers) and we had an enjoyable dinner. (So, yay! Check one off for learning something new at our house!)

I did promise the recipes for our very favorite meal at our house...it's the one that gets requested the most by the most. Unfortunately, I forgot to take pics during the meal, but thought of doing it the next day with those that were left, but that fell through too. So...I borrowed this photo from Mel's Kitchen Cafe.

It was interesting as I tried to find the original source for this recipe. It appears to have been passed around the net and tweaked here and there. I first saw it on Good Things Utah prepared by Holly Hanks. She gives credit to Mel's Kitchen Cafe who gives credit to the Sister's Cafe. The buck apparently stops there, but I'm sure it's been passed around at various other places as well. As like most of us, I have tweaked the recipe to our own family's liking, so I hope you enjoy one of our faves!

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

*1/3 c. honey

*1/4 c. lime juice

*2 tsp. chili powder

*2 large cloves garlic or 1/2 tsp. garlic powder

*About 2 large chicken breasts, cooked and shredded

*10-12 flour tortillas (I prefer using the uncooked tortillas--once you try them, you'll never go back to pre-cooked tortillas!)

*2 cups shredded cheese (Mexican, cheddar, Monterrey Jack---whatever you have on hand)

*14 oz. of mild green enchilada sauce

*3/4 c. heavy cream

1. In a bowl, combine the honey, lime juice, chili powder, and garlic. Toss in the cooked and shredded chicken; cover and marinate in the refrigerator for about a half hour or so.

2. Cook the raw tortilla shells according to the directions on the package. It only takes a few seconds to brown them. Stack on a plate as they are cooked.

3. Spray a 9 x 13 baking dish with non-stick cooking spray. In another small bowl, combine the enchilada sauce and cream. Pour about 1/2 cup of this mixture in the bottom of the baking pan. Set the rest aside.

4. Remove the chicken mixture from the fridge. Spoon a large spoonful onto one tortilla, creating a line across the center of the tortilla. Top with a large pinch of cheese and roll up the tortilla. Place the enchilada seam side down in the baking pan at one end. Repeat with the remaining tortillas until the pan is full.

5. Pour remaining enchilada sauce and cream over the top of the enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 for 30 minutes until cheese is bubbly and starting to brown.

Sweet Rice

(I found this recipe at http://www.recipezaar.com/. It is a yummy side dish and also perfect for stuffing into burritos or adding to salads. Remember, it is meant to be sweet...I love it!

*2 T. vegetable oil

*1/2 white chopped onion (I even use onion flakes in a pinch)

*1 1/3 c. white rice

*3 c. chicken broth

*1/3 c. white sugar

1. Pour oil into bottom of pan, add onion and saute until translucent.

2. Add the rice cooking until it is light brown, being careful not to burn.

3. Combine the broth and sugar, letting the sugar dissolve. Stir into rice until combined and bring to a boil.

4. Cover and let cook on low until rice is done, about 25-30 minutes. Fluff with a fork before serving.

I hope you enjoy these family favorites! They are the best, I tell you!

Last-Minute Valentine Gadgets for Your Guy, and Sweetheart Dinner Plans

So...it's V-day, and I am just getting around to thinking about what I could do for my sweetheart. Not very prepared and well-thought ahead, I know, but I guess it's never really been my style (I try, Cami K! I really try!). I seem to work best under pressure. We've made a pact to not spend much, so that requires some thinking. But I am in LOVE with these manly Valentine gift ideas and graphics over at MyEyeQ. They are clever and free (well, the graphics are), and something I think my guy might actually use and not just chuck tomorrow. I just printed the graphic above and grabbed a pair of pliers at the Dollar Store (no vice grips available, but I figured the pliers would work just as well.) So, check out Sue's blog for a last minute gadget for your guy...

Other activities for the day: The Sweetheart Dinner is on target for tonight. Just hoping the hubby will actually be around, as Monday nights are his night on call for work. It's always a gamble as to whether or not he'll be home. We're keeping fingers crossed, and if not, the kids and I will go forward as planned.

Menu items include Honey-Lime Chicken Enchiladas, Sweet Rice, Green Salad, Jello, and Creamy Cheesecake for dessert. I'll share recipes later on this week...this is one of our family's fave meals!


And...I think for tonight's dinner, we'll be trying a first. With two teenage boys, and one at dating age, I'm thinking we could use a little dinner etiquette instruction!

We'll have a little mini-lesson before eating on the basics : helping to seat your date (little sisters will be proxy); waiting to eat until all have been served; which utensils to use for which food item; where to place your napkin; how to stay at the table until all are finished eating; and of course reviews of you know...no bodily noises at the table (need I say more?). We're all going to dress up in our Sunday best, and hopefully, (fingers still crossed!) we'll all have a festive, enjoyable time together.

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

The "No-Sew" Candybox Pillow--(Staples, Hot Glue, Anyone?)

I had the exciting privilege of participating once again over at Studio 5 the other morning! I demonstrated how to make the Candybox Pillow available exclusively through You Can Make This. For some added creative inspiration, click here to see how others have finished this fun and easy project!

In addition, one of the producers of the show challenged me to come up with a "No-Sew" version of this pillow to share with the viewers who might not sew, but would be interested in creating a similar look.

With the same templates and techniques found in the free download from You Can Make This, some thinking and some easy-to-get supplies, I came up with another version that was surprisingly fun to put together. (Ladies, your hubbies could even make this version for you for Valentine's Day!)

Visit Studio 5 to find out what supplies are needed (chances are you have them lying around your house) and how to create a "No-Sew Candybox Pillow"... It just might surprise you how easy it is!

Have a great weekend!

The Candybox Pillow---Free Project Available at You Can Make This!

I'm so excited to share with you my latest project (don't forget it's FREE!) that's available over at You Can Make This. It was great fun to create and put together. It really is a project that beginners and experienced sewers alike, can make successfully. It only requires some cutting of circles, and a bit of machine sewing. Sewing the flowers and tulle onto the front is not as intimidating as you might imagine---It's actually really fun to see how it all comes together!



My group of fabulous testers have been at it again---giving the project a try before it was released to the general public, just to make sure all the t's were crossed and the i's were dotted. Their feedback was very valuable, and their creations turned out so darling!! Take a quick look:

I love the contrast of this fabric and the stunning red of the heart which was created my my sweet friend, Belinda from Blue Ribbon Designs:



And how sweet and romantic is this pillow from Michelle?



I struggled with what to name this pillow, and one of my testers, Sandy, wrote to me telling me how it reminded her of a box of Valentine's candy. She suggested the name, "Candybox Pillow", and I thought it was so unique and clever. Thank you, Sandy! She decided to hand-sew her flowers into place as she liked a more fluffy appearance.



I was excited to see Christianne's pillow, as she went outside the box to create with non-traditional brown and white fabric. Isn't it chic?



And Tiffany's pillow with the red heart and black and white toile is classic and beautiful.



As you can see, there are so many possibilities, and so many options when choosing your fabric to achieve a variety of looks. Run over to You Can Make This and get your free Candybox Pillow Project, and make something sweet this month!

Peanut Butter Bliss...Two Irresistible Recipes

My sister used to have a quote in her kitchen that read, "Everyone needs to believe in something...I believe I'll have another cookie!" And, of course, I have followed in my big sister's footsteps. This should be my first clue as to why I can't seem to whittle my waistline or lose those ever-lingering 15 pounds...I'm in love with cookies and donuts and these peanut butter goodies are no exception. And can you believe, I never even tasted either of these cookies that I can remember until my neighbors introduced them to me about 8 years ago. Tragic, I know. Now they are a household staple.

My kids request either of these two recipes anytime they have the opportunity to choose a homemade goodie, and almost within hours, the entire batch has completely vanished. Of course, that's my kids' fault--I only take a small bite...or maybe two...or a few nibbles...then a few hours later, just a few more. Certainly, I am not responsible for the disappearance of these yummy goodies!

In case you need a peanut butter and chocolate fix, here are my two fave recipes. And beware....they are not for the weak and faint of heart, nor anyone not wanting a temporary clog of the arteries. (These Peanut Butter Bars require an entire jar of peanut butter for their peanut-y goodness. Yowza.) But boy are they worth it!

Peanut Butter Bars

1 c. butter, softened
1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
2 eggs
1 c. peanut butter
2 tsp. vanilla
1 tsp. baking soda
1/2 tsp. salt
2 c. flour
2 c. oatmeal

Cream together butter and sugars, add eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix dry ingredients together, and add to the butter mixture. Press into a large (10x15)
jelly roll pan or cookie sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes until lightly golden brown along the edges. Let cool.

Frost with peanut butter (this usually uses up the rest of my peanut butter jar), and then with Chocolate Frosting (recipe below).

Chocolate Frosting

6 T. butter, softened
6 T. cocoa
2 2/3 c. powdered sugar
2 tsp. vanilla
2-3 T. milk

Beat butter and cocoa until blended. Gradually add powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk.



Peanut Blossoms

1 c. sugar
1 c. brown sugar
1 c. butter
1 c. peanut butter
1 tsp. vanilla
1/4 c. milk
2 eggs
3 1/2 c. flour
1/2 tsp. salt
1 tsp. baking soda
Unwrapped Hershey's Chocolate Kisses
1/2 cup sugar set aside

Cream butters and sugars together, then add the rest of the wet ingredients. Mix in the dry ingredients. Roll into 1 1/2 inch balls, then roll in sugar. Place on cookie sheet and bake at 375 degrees for 7-9 minutes. While still warm, press a chocolate kiss in the center of each cookie and let cool.

Enjoy!!