~ BBQ Chinese Chicken Lettuce Wraps~

This recipe is stolen from Rachel Ray :) 

What you need:

2 cups, 4 handfuls, fresh shiitake mushrooms (optional - my man HATES mushrooms) 1 1/3 to 1 1/2 pounds thin cut chicken breast or chicken tenders2 tablespoons light colored oil, such as vegetable oil or peanut oilCoarse salt and coarse black pepper3 cloves garlic, chopped1 inch ginger root, finely chopped or grated, optional1 orange, zested1/2 red bell pepper, diced small1 small tin, 6 to 8 ounces, sliced water chestnuts, drained and chopped3 scallions, chopped3 tablespoons hoisin, Chinese barbecue sauce, available on Asian foods aisle of market1/2 large head iceberg lettuce, core removed, head quarteredWedges of navel orange -- platter garnish

What to do: 

Remove tough stems from mushrooms and brush with damp towel to clean, Slice mushrooms. Chop chicken into small pieces.Preheat a large skillet or wok to high.Add oil to hot pan. Add chicken to the pan and sear meat by stir frying a minute or 2. Add mushrooms and cook another minute or two. Add salt and pepper to season, then garlic and ginger. Cook a minute more. Grate zest into pan, add bell pepper bits, chopped water chestnuts and scallions. Cook another minute, continuing to stir fry mixture. Add hoisin Chinese barbecue sauce and toss to coat the mixture evenly. Transfer the hot chopped barbecued chicken to serving platter and pile the quartered wedges of crisp iceberg lettuce along side. Add wedged oranges to platter to garnish. To eat, pile spoonfuls into lettuce leaves, wrapping lettuce around fillings and squeeze an orange wedge over.

~Greek-style Turkey Burgers with Tzatziki~

Time: 25 minutes
Serves: 4-6


1 pound ground turkey 
4 ounces crumbled feta 
1 cup chopped fresh or frozen spinach
sliced tomato and red onion (optional)


Preheat oven to 425° (or fire up the grill).


1. Combine turkey, spinach and feta in a bowl. Mix well, season with salt and pepper.


2. Form six patties and place on a broiler pan (or on the grill).


3. Bake on center rack for 25 minutes. If you’re grilling, cook about 7 minutes on each side.


4. Meanwhile, combine all tzatziki ingredients in a small bowl. Mix well and adjust flavors to taste.


5. When burgers are cooked through, stick ‘em on a toasted bun and top with tomato, onion, and a hearty dollop of tzatziki. Or make smaller patties and serve two on a bed of lettuce.


And that’s dinner!

Tzatziki

6 ounces plain yogurt

1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

1/4 cup minced peeled cucumber

1/4 teaspoon minced garlic

1/8 teaspoon dill 

salt and pepper

~gummy bear martini~

1 oz Dragonberry Rum

1/2 oz Grape Vodka

1/2 oz Black Cherry Rum

2 oz  Sour Mix

Pour all ingredients into a cocktail shaker.  Shake well.

Mixture should be a cloudy white color; if it is too sour, you can even it out with a splash of Sprite soda.

Pour into a chilled Martini Glass.

Garnish with Gummi Bears

!ENJOY! 

~easy guacamole salad~

what you need: 

2 avocados - peeled, pitted and diced

1 tablespoon sour cream (optional)

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon ground pepper

1 large tomato, diced

1 onion, diced

1 jalapeno pepper, chopped

1 teaspoon finely chopped fresh cilantro 

2 tablespoons fresh lime juice

1 clove crushed garlic

what to do: 

In a medium bowl, use a fork to mash the avocados and stir in salt and pepper. Mix in the sour cream, tomato, onion, jalapeno, chopped cilantro, crushed garlic and lime juice.

GREAT served with chips or cinnamon twists,  or on hamburgers, or with tacos or....