Ranch Tacos and a cute baby

My baby has been sleeping through the night for a few months now. It has been glorious. But last night he decided to wake up at midnight rocking some cool crib break dancing moves.

Then he wanted to stay awake for two hours. It took a lot of convincing to get him back to bed. Needless to say, today I was a wee bit tired.

(But how could you be irritated with that face?!)

So today I did no posting (other than the things other people pay me to) until now...

Chicken Ranch Tacos!!! They are so easy even I could do it in my state of near sleep.

They are really simple and require minimal effort. I make them on my George Foreman. They are tangy, creamy and I load them up with vegetables.

What you'll need:

Two chicken breasts

Four Tortillas

Some Salsa

1/2 bottle of ranch dressing

a little cilantro

sour cream

and your taco fixins'

In a bowl I combine my chicken and ranch dressing. You can cut up the chicken first, or you can put the whole breast in there. I make sure it is fully coated and then I place it on my warmed up grill. I put down the lid and I walk away.

In a small bowl I combine about a cup of sour cream and a cup of ranch dressing, a little kosher salt (because it makes everything yummy) and a little cilantro.

Once your chicken is cooked and ready (it will be a little crispy on the outside. Yum!) Put it on your tortilla with your taco fixins'. I like cucumber, salsa and cheese. Then put your ranch/sour cream mix on top. If you want to be healthy you could use Greek yogurt.

I also started some no knead bread tonight. I will bake it in my Dutch oven in the morning and report back/

Mama and Baby Cook: Chicken Tortilla Bake

Again, it is hot here in Alabama. It is hot and it is only May and the days are getting busier and the baby boy is getting cuter and cuter and I don't want to stand around in a kitchen for an hour. I want to play. 

Do you ever feel that way? Well here is a recipe that will have you darting in the kitchen for a brief minute and then gives you lots of time to play, fold clothes or sit in a closet and cry during nap time. (Just kidding on that last part.... maybe.)

This is Chicken Tortilla bake and at just $6 it is a quick, easy and cheap meal. 

What you'll need:

Two cups chopped chicken, cooked (this is great for leftovers)

1/2 bag frozen corn

8 tortillas cut in strips

1 can black beans drained and rinsed

1 jar salsa

2 cups cheese

One pan greased

Preheat your oven to 350

Place a few tortilla strips in the bottom of the pan. 

Cover in chicken, beans, corn, salsa and cheese. Mix together. Add more tortilla strips and more cheese. 

Place in oven for 30 minutes. Voila!

Chicken Tortilla bake. Just $6. This is a quick, easy and cheap meal. What you'll need:Two cups chopped chicken, cooked1/2 bag frozen corn8 tortillas cut in strips1 can black beans drained and rinsed1 jar salsa2 cups cheeseOne pan greased
Preheat your oven to 350Place a few tortilla strips in the bottom of the pan. Cover in chicken, beans, corn, salsa and cheese. Mix together. Add more tortilla strips and more cheese. Place in oven for 30 minutes. Voila!

A mini leftovers challenge: Chicken and Rice Tortilla Bowls

Friday I posted this video where I made a chicken dinner for less than $15 using a whole 5 pound bird. But for people on a really tight budget, $15 for one meal is still a lot. So, I thought I would post a follow up with a great way to handle your chicken leftovers.

Honestly, I don't have another leftovers challenge in me this week. But, here is one great recipe that will stretch a whole chicken or turkey. It's easy and very cheap.

What you'll need:

Two cups chicken cut in bite sized pieces

Four flour tortillas (I don't know if corn will work because I never tried them.)

2 cups cooked rice

1 cup favorite cheese it could be any shredded cheese

Salsa, sour cream etc.

Four LARGE coffee mugs or cereal bowls cooking spray

Preheat your oven to 350 (and slide you chicken in there to warm for a few minutes if your using leftovers)

Now here comes the fun part you will need to turn your tortilla into a taco shell bowl. You can buy these shells at the grocery store but they are around $3 for four. You can make your own for about $.40.

Lay your bowls buttoms up on a cookie sheet and spray to a fare thee well with cooking spray.

Cover the cup or bowl with the tortilla and shape the tortilla around the bowl.

Pop in the oven for 10 - 15 minutes until flakey and golden brown.

To remove the tortilla from the bowl, gently insert a knife to loosen. If the tortilla cracks a little don't fret. It will be okay.

Your bowl should look like this.

Now you will fill it with your favorite taco goodies. We used rice, chicken, cilantro, cheese, sour cream and salsa. It is delicious. If you want to pop it in the oven for about 5 minutes to melt the cheese that works great.

Apple Stuffed Roast Chicken

What you'll need:
A Chicken - About 5 pounds
One large apple
1/2 bulb of garlic
16 oz Bag of carrots
Spicy Brown Mustard
Olive Oil
Kosher Salt

Preheat your oven to 375. Sprinkle EVOO in your pan.
Remove all skin and fat from the outside of the chicken. Rinse the bird. If the chicken came with giblets you can throw them out. Line your pan with carrots.
Stuff apple, onion and garlic. If there is any leftover apple, onion or garlic, throw them in the bottom of the pan.
Rub the bird with mustard and oil. Sprinkle with salt. Cover with aluminum foil and roast for 2 hours. (That's 20 minutes per pound plus 20 minutes.)

Salad:
A bag of rinsed spinach
2 oranges
Basil
Olive Oil
Balsamic Vinegar
Gorgonzola Cheese

Throw the spinach in the bowl. Cut the peal off your oranges and squeeze any left over orange from the peal over the spinach. Add your orange segments.
Sprinkle spinach with 2 tbsp olive oil and 2 tbsp. balsamic vinegar.
Place in fridge to chill. Once you're ready to serve add your cheese.

Don't forget to hop over to Romance on a Dime for Take it On Tuesday. Betsy is the best!