Chicken Taquitos

We tried these easy Chicken Taquitos last night and were impressed by how yummy yet simple they were to make.  I served them with sour cream, guacamole, and salsa for dipping and rice and beans on the side.  It was very filling. Even the kids enjoyed it.

2 cups shredded chicken
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 cup of Mexican blend cheese
12 corn tortillas

Heat oven to 400 degrees.  Mix together first 5 ingredients.  Heat tortillas 2 at a time in the microwave in between damp paper towels for 20 seconds.  Fill each tortilla with some of the chicken mixture and roll up.  Place seam side down on a baking sheet coated in non-stick cooking spray.  When all wraps are on the baking sheet, spray the top with a little more cooking spray.  Bake for 25 minutes.  Serve warm.

Wool Dryer Balls

In my search for sustainable living and economic options to save money, I came across wool dryer balls.  Use them in place of dryer sheets or liquid softener to help free your household of chemicals.  Because they last for years and decrease drying time, they will help save money and as the balls bounce around in the dryer, they will also fluff up your towels.  They can be purchased online, but they are actually very east to make.

 

Buy a few reams of all wool yarn.  I usually wait until I see a 50% off coupon to buy the reams.  The reams should NOT state they are machine washable.  You want the yarn to felt so it must be all wool.  I used Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn to make each of my softball size balls.  You will want 4 to 8 balls for the best results.

 

Find the end of the ream and start making a few short folds in the yarn.  They start to wrap the folds with yard to form a small ball.  Continue to wrap the yarn into a ball until your yarn ball is baseball to softball size.  Use a yarn needle or a crochet hook to pull the end of the yarn through the ball to secure it.

 

Place one ball at a time into the leg of a nylon stocking.  Use a piece of cotton string or cotton yard to tie a not between each ball to keep them in place.  Tie another piece of string at the top of the leg to keep them from popping out.  Wash the balls in hot water in your washing machine and dry them in the dryer.  Do this about 3 times or until the individual yarn strands cannot be moved with your finger.  This is called wool felting.  Take the balls out of the stocking and use in your drying to dry your laundry.

 

Keep the balls in your dryer or place them in a basket to display in your laundry room as they are very pretty!  For some good pictures of the steps, check out DIY Natural.

 

 

Strawberry Preserves

I had so many strawberries at $0.63 per pound, that I decided to make some preserves before they got too soft.  It's a good use of a lemon or two as well.  This recipe is easy and tasty.

2 quarts of firm, ripe strawberries, sliced
1 package of pectin
1/4 cup lemon finely chopped (about 1 medium)
1/4 cup water
6 1/2 cups sugar

Smash strawberries in single layers and place in a large sauce pan or medium stock pot.  Add pectin, lemon, and water. Bring to a boil stirring occasionally.  Add sugar and stir until dissolved.  Bring to a boiling stirring frequently. Boil for 1 minute while stirring.

Remove from heat and fill hot pint or half pint jars leaving 1/4 head space.  Fit two piece lids onto jars.  I use a little water and my finger to make sure the jar rims are free of the jam so that the lid will seal.  Process using the boiling water method for 15 minutes.  Make about 8 half-pint jars.

I highly recommend using a jar lifter and funnel when canning such as the Progressive 3-Piece Canning Set.  It will save time and keep you from getting burned so easily.

Enjoy on toast, bagels, muffins, waffles, ice cream, etc.  Mmmmmm.

Lemon and Strawberry Tart

I needed a recipe to use up some of the lemons and strawberries from my post yesterday!  This was a winner.  :)

1 9" pie crust
1 cup sugar
2 tablespoons cornstarch
2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 1/2 cups water
3 egg yolks, beaten
1 tablespoon grated lemon peel
1/3 cup lemon juice
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups fresh strawberries, sliced

Bake pie crust as directed for 1-9" pie using a 9" pie plate or 9" tart pan with removable bottom.  Cool on cooling rack for at least 15 minutes.

In 2-quart saucepan,  mix sugar, cornstarch and flour. Gradually stir in water, stirring until smooth.  Heat to boiling over medium heat; cook and stir 1 minute longer.  Remove from heat. Quickly stir about 1/2 cup hot mixture into beaten egg yolks; mix well.  Gradually stir egg mixture back into hot mixture.  Stir in lemon peel and lemon juice.  Cook over medium heat about 5 minutes, stirring constantly.  Remove from heat.  Add butter; stir until melted.  Let stand 10 minutes.

Carefully pour hot lemon filling in crust.  Cool 2 hours; top with strawberry slices.  Refrigerate until serving time.  Remove side of pan.  Cover and refrigerate any remaining tart.

Coconut Curry Chicken

I have to admit that I have tasted very little Thai food, and I have always wanted to try a curry dish so I decided to make my own.  It turned out very tasty, even the kids ate it.  Use your slow cooker or speed it up on the stove.

4 4oz. chicken breasts
2 medium potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 small onion, chopped
1 can light coconut milk
4 teaspoons curry powder
1 garlic clove, minced
1 tsp chicken bouillon granules or 1/2 chicken stock cube
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 cup sliced green onions
raisins, flaked coconut, cilantro, or peanuts for topping (optional)
Hot cooked rice

Put potatoes and onions in bottom of slow cooker.  In a non-stick skillet, brown sides of chicken.  Use a little non-stick cooking spray if you would like.  Then place in slow cooker on top of potatoes.

Mix remaining ingredients except for green onions and toppings in a medium bowl.  Pour over chicken and cook in slow cooker for 5-6 hours.

When ready to eat, serve over rice and topped with green onions and other topping of your choice.  We tried it with cilantro and it was delicious. Serves about 4.  Enjoy!