Inside Out Chinese Spring Roll Salad

Servings: 4             Prep Time: 30 min            Cook Time: 2 min          Total Time: 35 min

Ingredients

2 oz Bean Thread, mung bean noodles

3 cups shredded napa cabbage

1 cup torn watercress

1 carrot, cut into matchstick thin strips

1/2 cup seedless cucumber, cut into matchstick thin strips

1/2 cup red bell pepper, cut into matchstick thin strips

1 green onion, minced

1 cup chopped baby corn

2 Tbs snipped cilantro

2 Tbs snipped mint

Dressing

1 Tbs sesame oil

2 Tbs sweet chili sauce

2 Tbs lime juice

1 tsp soy sauce

1 tsp minced ginger root

1 large clove garlic, crushed

1/2 tsp lime zest

garnish with black sesame seeds

Preparation

soak the bean threads in warm water covered for 10 min or till pliable.  Drain, then cook in boiling water till the noodles expand and appear glasslike, 1-2 min.  Drain, rinse with cold water and drain again.  Cut into 4" lengths.  Place in a large bowl along with the rest of the salad ingredients.  In a small bowl whisk together the ingredients for the dressing till well combined; toss with the salad to evenly coat.  Garnish with sesame seeds

*helpful tip: adding 2 oz of cooked small salad shrimp or flaked crab meat, turns this side dish into a main dish salad.

Chipotle Pork and Avocado Wrap

Ingredients

1/2 cup mashed peeled avocado

1 1/2 Tbs low-fat Mayonnaise

1 tsp fresh lime juice

2 tsp chopped canned chipotle chiles in adobo sauce

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp dried oregano

4 (8") tortillas

1 1/2 cups slices of roasted pork (I use shredded chicken) (abt 8 oz)

1 cup shredded lettuce

1/4 cup salsa

Preparation

Combine the first 7 ingredients, stir well. 

Warm tortillas according to package directions.  Spread about 2 Tbs avocado mixture over each tortilla, leaving 1" border.  Arrange pork/chicken down the center of the tortillas.  Top each tortilla with 1/4 cup shredded lettuce and 1 Tbs salsa, and roll up.

Buttermilk Chocolate Cake

Cake

In a small sauce pan bring to a boil:

2 sticks butter

1 cup water

1/4 cup cocoa powder

Sift into a mixing bowl:

2 cups flour

2 cups sugar

1 tsp baking soda

1/2 tsp salt

Once the above mixture has come to a boil stir into dry ingredients.  Add:

1/2 cup buttermilk

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

Pour into greased and floured pan(s) (9x13 or 2-9" rounds) and bake at 350*F for 25-30 min

Frosting

1 stick of butter

1/3 of an 8oz pkg of cream cheese

about 2 cups of powdered sugar (taste for desired degree of richness)

2-3 Tbs of cocoa powder

1-2 tsp of vanilla

Cream butter and cream cheese together until smooth.  Add powdered sugar and taste for desired degree of richness.  Add cocoa powder,  again taste for desired degree of chocolate flavor.  Add vanilla and frost cake.

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Prep:30 min            Bake: 30 min
Yield: 2 casseroles (5 servings each)

Ingredients:
1 rotisserie chicken (I normally use 2-3 largish chicken breasts and simmer them in water, and then shred them)
2 cans (14-1/2 oz. each) diced tomatoes with mild green chilies, undrained
2 cans (10-3/4 oz each) condensed cream of chicken soup
1 can (10-3/4 oz) condensed cheddar cheese soup
1/4 cup milk
1 Tbs ground cumin
1 Tbs chili powder
2 tsp garlic powder
2 tsp dried oregano                                                                                   1 pkg (8oz) cream cheese, cubed
20 flour tortillas (8in), warmed
4 cups Mexican cheese blend

Method:
Shred the chicken set aside.  In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, soups, milk and seasonings.  Transfer 3 cups to another bowl; add the chicken and cream cheese to the remaining sauce.
Place 1/3 cup of chicken mixture down the center of each tortilla.  Roll up and place seam side down in greased baking dishes.  Pour soup mixture over the tops and sprinkle with cheese.
Bake one casserole, uncovered, at 350* for 30-35 min or until heated through and cheese is melted.
**This casserole can be frozen for up to 3 months.  To use frozen thaw in fridge overnight. Cover and bake at 350* for 45 min.  Uncover and bake for 5-10 min longer or until heated through and cheese is melted