Coconut Lime Chicken

Delish.  I served the Serrano peppers separately - they're hotter than jalapenos so a little goes a long way.

Coconut Lime Chicken

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, trimmed

3 Tbsp canola oil

Zest and juice of 1 large lime

1 tsp cumin

2 Tbsp soy sauce

1 – 1 ½ tsp kosher salt

3 Tbsp brown sugar

2 tsp curry powder

1 can coconut milk

¼ C. chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish

Optional – 1 serrano pepper, finely minced or cut into fine slivers

Place the chicken in a gallon zip top bag and flatten them uniformly with a meat mallet.

In a bowl, add all of the marinade ingredients together: oil, lime juice/zest, cumin, soy sauce, salt, sugar, curry powder, coconut milk, lime juice, cilantro and serrano pepper, if using. 

Pour the marinade over the chicken in the zip top bag, squeeze the air out and allow to marinade at least 30 minutes, or preferably up to 2 hours in the fridge. 

After marinating, remove the chicken and set aside the remaining marinade.  Grill the chicken over medium high heat until no longer pink inside.

While cooking the meat, add the marinade to a small saucepan and bring to a full boil for at least 2-3 minutes, stirring frequently. 

Serve the chicken with additional sauce, as well as fresh cilantro and fresh lime wedges, if desired.

Recipe altered slightly from http://menumusings.blogspot.com/2013/02/coconut-lime-chicken.html

SOFT MAPLE SUGAR COOKIES

Probably not a good idea to make these if you're trying to lose weight.  Or if you don't want to gain weight.  I ate more than I care to admit!  I have a feeling these would be Mom approved as well. ;)

SOFT MAPLE SUGAR COOKIES

INGREDIENTS:

·         1/2 cup butter, softened

·         1/2 cup shortening

·         1 1/2 cups granulated sugar

·         1/4 cup packed brown sugar

·         1/4 cup pure maple syrup

·         1 tsp. baking soda

·         1 tsp. cream of tartar

·         1/8 tsp. salt

·         3 egg yolks

·         1/2 tsp. vanilla

·         1 3/4 cups all purpose flour

Maple icing

·         1/4 cup heavy cream or milk

·         1/4 cup butter, melted

·         3 tbs. pure maple syrup

·         2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar.

DIRECTIONS:

1.      Preheat oven to 300 degrees.

2.     In a large bowl beat butter and shortening with a mixer on medium for 30 seconds. Add the next 6 ingredients (through the salt). Beat on medium for 2 minutes, scraping bowl as needed. Beat in egg yolks and vanilla. Beat in flour.

3.     Shape dough into 1 1/2 inch balls. Place 3 inches apart on an ungreased cookie sheet. Bake 12 to 14 minutes or until edges are lightly browned (tops will still look slightly soft).

4.     Cool on cookie sheet for 2 minutes. Remove; cool on a wire rack. Centers will dip as cookies cool. Drizzle with maple icing.

Maple Icing

1.     Stir together 1/4 cup heavy cream or milk with 1/4 cup melted butter and 3 tablespoons of pure maple syrup. Whisk in 2 to 2 1/2 cups powdered sugar to make icing drizzling consistency.

Recipe from BETTER HOMES AND GARDENS.

Mediterranean Power Salad

I found this recipe at ourbestbites.com... I left out the quinoa/brown rice, but I was brave and left the onion in.  I don't usually do raw onion, but Jeremy loves it and I was pleasantly surprised because it wasn't overwhelming and it all tasted so good together.  I actually didn't add chicken this time either, but I wouldn't be opposed to it in the future.

Mediterranean Power Salad

Prep Time:10 Min

Serves 1

Ingredients

·         3 ounces chicken breast (optional)

·         2 tablespoons Great Northern Beans

·         2-3 slices red onion, finely diced

·         2 tablespoons crumbled feta

·         1 small handful grape or cherry tomatoes

·         4-ish cups crunchy greens (or something like romaine mixed with spinach)

·         2 tablespoons hummus (Sabra roasted garlic flavor)

·         2 tablespoons light balsamic vinaigrette (Kraft olive oil balsamic vinaigrette is great)

Instructions

** I just eyeball the ingredients since this is for a single serving salad!

Mix all ingredients in bowl until hummus is well spread throughout.  Top with dressing.