Mexican Haystacks

I got the basic idea for this meal from the Ivory Family Favorites cookbook. I changed a lot of ingredients to tailor the meal to my family's taste buds.

2 pounds boneless skinless chicken
1 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, diced
2 cans diced tomatoes
1 can black beans, drained and rinsed
1 can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
1 tablespoon cumin
1/3 cup lime juice

Put all ingredients except lime juice in a crockpot. Cook on high 4-6 hours or until chicken is done. Add lime juice just before serving.

Serve with: rice, chopped tomatoes, shredded cheese, sliced olives, sliced green peppers, sliced yellow peppers, salsa, sour cream, crushed tortilla chips, etc.

Cheesy Enchiladas

This is a tasty meatless enchilada.

1-1/2 cups cottage cheese
2 cups shredded cheese
3 small tomatoes, chopped (1-1/2 cups)
6 medium green onions sliced
1 teaspoon taco seasoning or chili powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
2 small garlic gloves, finely chopped
12 corn tortillas (6-inch diameter)
1 can green enchilada sauce

• Heat oven to 375. Spray an 9x13 baking dish with cooking spray.
• Mix cottage cheese, 1 cup cheese, the tomatoes, onions, taco seasoning, salt and garlic. Spread the cheese mixture on the tortillas (about 1/3 cup per tortilla). Roll up tortillas; place seam side down. Spoon enchilada sauce over tortillas.
• Sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake uncovered 15-20 minutes or until hot and cheese is melted.

Almost Homemade Tortilla Chips

I've made tortilla chips from scratch before and they were horrible. These are easier than making your chips, but are more fun than buying them from the store. And they are a cinch to make.

2 tablespoons butter, melted
1/2 teaspoon taco seasoning
8 corn tortillas

• Heat oven to 400.
• Stir taco seasoning and butter together. Brush one side of each tortilla. Cut each tortilla into wedges (I used a pizza cutter).
  
• Place on ungreased cookie sheet.
• Bake 8-10 minutes or until crisp and golden brown.
• Cool.
  

Easy Chicken and Broccoli

I have been trying to find meals that Merrick can eat easily along with the family. This one fits the bill. It's definitely not gourmet, but the kids polish it off. It sticks to baby spoons/forks so little ones can feed themselves. That makes Merrick very happy.

1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts, cut into chunks
3 cups frozen broccoli (I use the broccoli cuts instead of the florets so that it is easier for Merrick to eat)
1 can (10oz) cream of mushroom soup
1 soup can water
1-1/2 cups instant white rice, uncooked
1 cup shredded cheese

• Spray large skillet with cooking spray. Add chicken chunks and cook until chicken is done.
• Add broccoli, soup and water. Bring to a boil.
• Stir in rice. Sprinkle with cheese; cover. Reduce heat to low and cook for 5 minutes.
  

Cleaning Tip: Removing Food Coloring from Skin

Today I made playdough with my boys. Unfortunately I didn't have any gloves and I mixed food coloring into the dough by hand. My hands looked awful afterwards - kind of like a kindergartner got into a bunch a markers. I tried various methods of removing the food coloring, but nothing worked. I even bathed and scrubbed my hands in salt and vinegar. That made my hands extremely smooth, but they remained rainbow colored. As a last resort I picked up a new Magic Eraser from my cleaning supplies and started scrubbing my hands. It worked like a charm! So if you ever get food coloring on your hands use a Magic Eraser to get them clean again.