Cilantro-Lime Chicken with Avocado-Tomato Salsa

Ingredients

• 2 avocados
• 2 lb chicken thighs, boneless skinless
• 1 small bunch cilantro
• 4 cloves garlic
• 1 pint grape tomatoes
• 2 limes
• 1 medium red onion
• black pepper
• extra virgin olive oil
• salt

Directions

1. Wash and dry the fresh produce

- 1 pint grape tomatoes 2 avocados 2 limes 1 small bunch cilantro

2. Pat the chicken dry with paper towels and place in a medium bowl.
- 2 lb chicken thighs, boneless skinless

3. Juice the limes; add half of the juice to the bowl with the chicken and the other half to a separate medium salad bowl.

4. Using a knife, shave the cilantro leaves off the stems at a downward angle, working away from your body; discard the stems and finely chop the leaves. Add half to each bowl.

5. Trim off and discard the root end of the garlic; peel and mince or press the garlic. Add to the bowl with the chicken and 4 cloves garlic.

6. To the bowl with the chicken, add olive oil, salt, and pepper. Turn the chicken until well coated with the marinade. Set aside for 5 minutes. Add the 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1 tsp salt ½ tsp black pepper

7. Preheat a grill pan or regular skillet over medium-high heat.

8. While the chicken marinates, halve the grape tomatoes crosswise. Add to the salad bowl.

9. Once the grill pan / skillet is hot, add the chicken and cook until it is golden brown and cooked through, 3 to 5 minutes per side.

10. Halve the avocados lengthwise and twist the halves to separate, then remove the pit with a knife or spoon; scoop out and small dice the flesh. Add to the salad bowl.

11. Trim off and discard the ends of the onion and remove the outer layer; small dice the onion (cut into 1/4 inch pieces). Add to the salad bowl.1 medium red onion

12. Add olive oil, salt, and pepper to the salad bowl; toss to combine.
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil 1/2 tsp salt 1/4 tsp black pepper

13. To serve, divide the chicken between plates and top with the salsa. Enjoy!


Original recipe found at:

• https://www.mealime.com/recipes/cilantro-lime-chicken-thighs-avocado-tomato-salsa/3892

Chicken Vietnamese Bowls

Chicken Vietnamese Bowls

Ingredients

4 Cloves Garlic 

2 Persian cucumber, diced

Cilantro, chopped

2 Limes, halved

1-2 Chili pepper, diced

8 oz Shredded carrots 

1 cup Jasmine rice 

1-1/2 lb Chicken Breast or thighs 

4 Tbsp Soy Sauce 

2 tsp Sriracha 

4 Tbsp Mayonnaise 

Directions

1. Wash and dry all produce. Mince garlic. Trim and halve cucumber lengthwise. Roughly chop cilantro. Zest and halve limes. Thinly slice chili pepper, removing seeds for less heat.
2. In a medium bowl, combine cucumber, carrots, lime juice, cilantro, and juice from one lime half. Season with plenty of salt and pepper. Set aside. In a small pot, combine rice, water, and a big pinch of salt. Bring to a boil then cover and reduce heat to a low simmer. Cook until rice is tender, 15 to 18 minutes. Keep covered off heat until ready to serve.
3. While rice cooks, pat chicken dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat a drizzle of oil in a large pan over medium to high heat. Add chicken and cook until browned and cooked through 3 to 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a cutting board to rest. 
4. Make sauce. Heat a drizzle of oil in the same pan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low and stir in the soy sauce, half the Sriracha, 1-1/2 tablespoon of sugar, and juice from remaining lime. Simmer, stirring, until thickened in syrupy, about one minute. Turn off heat.
5. In a small bowl, combine mayonnaise and remaining Sriracha. Add water 1 teaspoon at a time until mixture reaches a drizzle and consistency. Season with salt and pepper.
6. Finished and serve. Fluff rice with fork, stir in lime zest, butter and season with salt and pepper. Divide between bowls. Thinly slice chicken. Topper rice with chicken and carrot salad. Drizzle chicken with sauce. Garnish with Sriracha mayo, remaining cilantro and chili to taste.

Bulgogi (Korean Beef)

Ingredients

• 1/2 onion
• 3 green onions/scallions
• 4 inch carrot
• 1-1/2 lb thinly sliced beef (chuck or rib eye) (can also use tenderloin, top sirloin) 
• 1 Tbsp sesame oil
• Sesame seeds

Bulgogi Marinade

• 4 Tbsp Korean soy sauce
• 2 Tbsp sesame oil
• 3 Tbsp brown sugar
• 8 cloves garlic
• 1/2 Asian pear 
• Freshly ground black pepper

Instructions

1. To make the bulgogi marinade, add 4 Tbsp soy sauce, 2 Tbsp sesame oil, and 3 Tbsp brown sugar, and crush 8 cloves garlic (or minced garlic) in a large bowl.
2. Grate 1/2 of an Asian pear (I used an apple).
3. Add freshly ground black pepper and mix all together.
4. Cut the onion into thin slices and cut the green onion into 2 inch pieces and then cut in half lengthwise.
5. Using a peeler, peel some carrot (or slice thinly). Add the onion, green onions, carrot in the marinade and mix all together.
6. Add the meat in the marinade, separating each slices. Mix all together to coat with the marinade. 

7. Set aside for at least 30 minutes or best if overnight.

8. In a large skillet , heat 1 Tbsp sesame oil over medium high heat.
9. Cook the marinated meat in a single layer until cooked through, about 5 minutes. Transfer the meat to the plate and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
   
   
   Original from https://www.justonecookbook.com/wprm_print/61293

Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken

This Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken is an easy low carb and gluten free meal perfect for any night of the week. Serve with some roasted veggies and rice for a complete meal!

Course: Main 

Cuisine: Mexican 

Servings: 4 servings

Calories: 320 kcal

Original Author: Isabel Eats

Ingredients

• 4 6-ounce boneless skinless chicken breasts
• 1 teaspoon coarse sea salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 cup diced yellow onions
• 1 4-ounce can diced green chiles
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic
• 1 cup chicken broth
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1/4 teaspoon oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/3 cup heavy cream
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro, plus more for garnish

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Use a meat tenderizer to pound out the breasts until they're all the same thickness. Season chicken with salt and pepper.

2. In a large oven-safe skillet over medium-high heat, add olive oil. Place chicken breasts in skillet and cook for 5 minutes on each side, or until both sides are browned.

3. Place skillet in oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, until chicken is fully cooked through and the internal temperature has reached 165 degrees F.

4. Remove the skillet from the oven and transfer the cooked chicken to a large plate. Cover with foil to keep warm.

5. Place the same hot skillet over medium heat and add the onions. Cook for 2 minutes, scraping the bottom of the skillet to get the brown bits off the pan. The skillet should still be very hot so be careful.

6. Add the green chiles and garlic. Cook for 2 minutes. Add the chicken broth, lime juice, cumin, oregano and coriander.

7. Mix together and bring to a gentle boil for 10 minutes or until liquid has greatly reduced.

8. Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the cream and cilantro. Place the cooked chicken in the sauce and serve.

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Nutrition Facts

Creamy Cilantro Lime Chicken

Amount Per Serving (1 /4th of recipe)

Calories 320Calories from Fat 162

% Daily Value*

Total Fat 18g28%

Saturated Fat 6g30%

Polyunsaturated Fat 1g

Monounsaturated Fat 8g

Cholesterol 112mg37%

Potassium 370mg11%

Total Carbohydrates 4g1%

Sugars 2g

Protein 35g70%

Vitamin A9%

Vitamin C15%

Calcium5%

Iron9%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Grilled Corn Salad with Avocado

YIELD: 6 servings (about 6 cups total)

PREP TIME: 15 minutes

COOK TIME: 7 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

Ingredients:

FOR THE GRILLED CORN SALAD:

• 1 bag frozen corn or 5 corn cobs 
• 1-1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 teaspoons kosher salt
• 3/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 pint halved cherry tomatoes (about 2 cups)
• 1 medium avocado, peeled, pitted, and diced
• 1 small red bell pepper, cored and finely chopped
• 4 green onions, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 2 cups packed arugula (Optional)

FOR THE DRESSING:

• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice (from about 2 limes)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon honey
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon onion powder

Directions:

1. Option 1) Brush olive oil on corn cobs and grill. Carefully, slice corn kernels off cob and into bowl. Option 2) Preheat an iron skillet with olive oil. Toss corn with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill the corn for 7 minutes, turning every few minutes, until ears are lightly browned. Remove from the pan and let cool.
2. Tansfer corn to a large mixing bowl. Add the cherry tomatoes, arugula, avocado, bell pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
3. In a small bowl, stir together the lime juice, olive oil, honey, paprika, salt, pepper, and onion powder. Pour over the salad and toss to combine. Serve at room temperature.

Original recipe from wellplated.com

Skillet Street Corn

Ingredients

• - one can of corn, drained 
• - 1/2 clove of minced garlic (or powder)
• - 1 tablespoons vegetable oil
• - 1 tablespoon mayonnaise ( full fat and quality - no miracle whip )
• - ½ cup green onions, thinly sliced
• - 1/2 jalapeño, roasted and diced
• - 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
• - ½ cup cilantro leaves, roughly chopped
• - 1-2 ounces cotija (or feta) cheese, crumbled
• - ½ teaspoon chili powder
• - salt

Directions

1. To roast jalapeño, turn boiler on high and place oven rack on top shelf. Place a piece of tinfoil on rack. Slice jalapeño in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Place jalapeño cut side down onto tinfoil. Broil until jalapeño skin starts to blacken (about 5 minutes). Remove from oven and let cool. Once cool, remove skins and finely dice. Set aside.
2. Heat a large skillet over medium high heat, add vegetable oil to coat bottom. Add corn, garlic and a pinch of salt. Cook corn until browning on one side and then toss. Continue to cook until corn is browned well and charred in spots- about 5 to 7 minutes. If corn begins to pop or darken too much, reduce heat.
3. Once cooked, remove from heat. Stir in mayonnaise, green onions, jalapeño, and lime juice. Taste and season with salt to your liking.
4. Evenly sprinkle chopped cilantro leaves, crumbled cotija cheese, and chili powder over corn.
5. Serve warm.

Adapted from http://forkvsspoon.com/skillet-mexican-street-corn/

Curried Chickpea Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (15.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 green pepper, chopped (or 1 stalk celery)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons yogurt (or mayo)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl combine chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, green pepper, onion, yogurt, lemon juice, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.

Black Bean Sesame Noodles with Edamame & Chicken

Ingredients:

• 3-4 ounces Organic Black Bean Spaghetti Noodles from Explore Asian
• ¼ cup all natural peanut butter
• 1/2 tbsp. fresh grated ginger
• 1 clove crushed garlic
• ¼ cup low sodium soy sauce
• 1/2 tbsp. toasted sesame oil
• 1 tbsp. rice vinegar
• 1/2 tbsp. honey
• 1 bell pepper, sliced thinly
• 1 cup cooked, organic edamame
• 1-2 scallions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh chopped cilantro

Optional: sesame seeds + red hot chili flakes

Directions:

Bring a large pot of water to a boil and cook noodles according to instructions.

In a large bowl combine peanut butter, ginger, garlic, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice wine vinegar, and honey. Toss warm noodles into the sauce and top with the peppers, edamame, chopped up scallions, and cilantro. Gently toss everything together until well combined and all the noodles are lightly coated in the sauce.

Top with sesame seeds and red hot chili flakes.

Makes 3 servings

Pineapple Cucumber Salsa

My kids and I eat at Moe's Southwest restaurant often and I was hesitant to try this salsa. I do not like cucumbers at all. Something told me to try it and I fell in love with it. I ran home and picked the cucumbers from my garden and made my first batch. 

I recommend using fresh pineapple but it's super important to be sure that it's ripe. It has the most flavor but the can will do just fine if you don't have the time to cut and core a pineapple. 


Ingredients
1-1/2 Cups finely chopped fresh pineapple
1 Cup finely chopped seedless cucumber
1/4 Cup lime juice

1/4 Cup finely chopped red onion

2 Tablespoons minced fresh cilantro

4-1/2 Teaspoons chopped seeded jalapeno pepper

1 Garlic clove, minced

1 Teaspoon grated lime peel

1/4 Teaspoon salt

Directions
Mix all ingredients together and refrigerate for at least 2 hours

Adapted from: http://www.tasteofhome.com/recipes/pineapple-cucumber-salsa#ixzz38tEqyU51

Black Bean Lentil Salad with Cumin-Lime Dressing

Ingredients

1 cup dry lentils (green or brown) ($1.19/bag)
15 oz. can black beans, rinsed and drained (Wild Harvest Organic $1.18)
1 red bell pepper ($1.00)
1/2 small red onion ($.50)
1-2 roma tomatoes ($2.00)
Large bunch cilantro, stems removed ($.99)
Optional: green onion

For the Dressing

Juice of 1 lime ($1.50)

2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. dijon mustard
1-2 cloves garlic, minced
1 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. oregano
1/8 tsp. salt
Optional: chipotle powder, chili powder, pepper, hot sauce, other seasonings, etc.

Directions

1) Cook lentils according to package directions, leaving firm not mushy. Drain.
2) While lentils are cooking, make the dressing: place all ingredients in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Set aside.
3) Finely dice the bell pepper, onion, and tomatoes. Roughly chop the cilantro.
4) In a large bowl, place the black beans, bell pepper, onion, tomatoes, and lentils. Add the dressing and toss to combine. Add cilantro, and lightly toss.
5) Serve immediately or chill covered in the fridge for at least an hour to let the flavors combine.

Vegan, gluten-free. From thegardengrazer.com

Moroccan Chickpea Soup (Harira)

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 45 minutes

The recipe yields about 2 quarts of soup. Leftovers keep for a few days in the refrigerator. Or they can be frozen for up to six months. Find the original recipe here: http://www.kitchenriffs.com/2014/01/moroccan-chickpea-soup-harira.html

Ingredients

• 3/4 lb boneless, skinless chicken thighs (I used a cooked whole chicken) ($5.99)
• 1 medium red onion ($.90)
• 1 rib celery ($1.00/Bunch)
• 2 tablespoons olive oil (may substitute butter/Ghee; see Notes)
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped ($.89)
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped ($.89)
• 2 cans Organic chickpeas, drained and rinsed ($2.50)
• 3/4 cup dried lentils, rinsed ($1.19)
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/4 teaspoon dried ginger
• Pinch of saffron ($4.99 from World Market)
• 6+ cups water (I used water and Organic Chicken Broth I had leftover)
• 1 15-ounce can diced tomatoes ($.88)
• 1/2 cup small soup pasta (I used Divinci Orzo ($2.19/bag))
• Squirt of Sriracha sauce for garnish (optional)

Directions

1. Dice the chicken thighs and onions into 1/2 inch cubes. Wash the celery and peel off the strings, then chop the celery into pieces a bit smaller than 1/2 inch.
2. Heat a 4-quart soup kettle or Dutch oven on medium heat. When hot, add the oil and let it warm about 15 seconds. Add the diced chicken and season with salt. Sauté for a few minutes until it begins to brown.
3. Add the chopped onion and celery. Cook until the onion is soft but not cooked through (about 5 minutes).
4. Wash the parsley and cilantro, and chop the leaves until you have 2 tablespoons of each. Set aside.
5. Drain the chickpeas into a colander and rinse. Set aside.
6. Sort through the lentils, looking for dirt or pebbles. Rinse and set aside.
7. By this point, the onion should be soft. Add the cinnamon, turmeric, dried ginger, and saffron (if using) to the chicken and onion mixture. Stir briefly to incorporate.
8. Add the water and the diced tomatoes. Add the chickpeas and lentils. Bring the mixture to a simmer, then set a timer for 30 minutes.
9. At the 30-minute mark, taste the soup and add salt if necessary. Take a look at the liquid level, and add a bit if necessary. Add the pasta, stir, and simmer for another 15 minutes. Stir from time to time so the pasta doesn’t settle on the bottom and stick.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley and/or cilantro, if desired. Garnish with Sriracha sauce for a bit of heat.

Notes from the website:

• If you were making this soup in Morocco, you’d probably use a fermented butter called smen for browning the meat, onions, and celery in Steps 2 and 3. Smen is somewhat similar to Indian ghee (which you could use as a substitute ingredient). But olive oil is also widely used in Moroccan cooking—and easier for cooks in the West to obtain.
• BTW, smen develops more flavor as it ages (like some wines). If people can afford to, they often allow it to age for years before using it.
• Although there’s meat in this dish, it’s more a seasoning than a significant ingredient. Recipes for Harira most often feature lamb, though chicken and beef are often used too.
• How much water to use in this dish is a bit of a judgment call. It depends in part on how thick you want the soup to be. As written, the recipe produces soup with a fairly thick consistency, so you may want to dilute it. Of course, your yield amount for this recipe will depend on how much liquid you end up using.
• Real saffron is ideal for this dish (though in much of Morocco, people commonly use the artificial stuff). You can leave this ingredient out if you wish, though it does add a nice undertone.
• Traditionally, Harira is thickened with a mixture of flour and water (used instead of, or in addition to, dried pasta). If you’d like to try this, just mix 2 or 3 tablespoons of flour with 3 to 4 tablespoons of water. Then add this mixture to the soup about 5 minutes before serving.
• In parts of Morocco, the flour-and-water thickener is mixed a day ahead of time. This allows the mixture to acquire an interesting flavor that’s almost yeast-like. In fact, I suspect that some wild airborne yeast cells do settle on the mixture and begin fermenting.
• Some cooks like to add an egg or two to Harira shortly before serving it (the eggs cook to the consistency of those found in Hot and Sour Soup or Egg Drop soup).
• Some recipes also call for adding lemon juice right at the end. This provides a nice sharp note, and is worth experimenting with.
• Sriracha sauce would not be used in Morocco. Instead, people would use harissa—a flavorful sauce made from hot chiles. You can buy commercially prepared harissa (or make your own). But since Sriracha is a pretty common pantry staple these days, that’s what I specify for this dish. Its flavor is different from that of harissa, but it works well.
• Although Harira commonly is served as a starter dish, it’s hearty enough for a main course. Just add a salad and/or some bread, and you’re good to go.