Winter Garden Polenta

This blog is really helping me try new foods and recipes, I'm thankful for that, and thankful for all you won
derful readers out there!  I have never made Polenta, nor eaten it.  I wish I would have tried this gem earlier, because I really do like it.  I love the texture.  I wasn't sure how it would taste or if it would turn into a pile of mush which it sort of is, but definitely has a texture to it.  I want to try more recipes with it for sure.  When I first made this recipe I thought it was a "girl food" as in something men wouldn't want-thinking that way because it doesn't have any meat in it.  Men I know like meat.  Surprising enough my husband really enjoyed this meal!  I'm lucky that he will try(and most of the time like) anything I make. Thank goodness.  This is SO easy to prepare, and most of the work is done in the Crock Pot! Score!  It takes very little time, and has great flavor, give this a try!



Naked Chicken Burrito(mock Qdoba's)

I'm finally back in business! Just got my computer back today, and I hope I never get a virus again. Ugh, what a pain.  I am happy to be blogging again that's for sure!
The day is finally here to share my homemade mock Naked Chicken Burrito that I LOVE from Qdoba Mexican Grill!  My husband and I love this Naked Burrito which obviously means everything that Qdoba packs into a burrito but without the tortilla.  This is the closest I have come to their recipe, and it is so darn close it's not even funny.  I now will stick with this recipe every time, because you can't tell much of a difference.  I'm proud of myself. ;) If you have ever been to either Qdoba or Chipotle's and have fallen in love with their burritos, be sure to try this recipe at home.  It does take a little bit of time because of the few different recipes that go with it, but it is worth it, and I ate a naked burrito here at home for over a week.  I didn't get tired of it either, and I am ready to make it again.  Let me know if you try this, or any of the recipes, and let me know what you think!



My Poor Computer

I'm sad to say that my 100th post will not be a tasty recipe... I'm writing this from my cell phone because last night I tried to finish up my blog post for today when all of a sudden my internet screens were gone and a pop up showed up and said my computer had a virus that was attacking everything, and I pretty much need to get out my credit card and buy this "Win 7 Internet Security 2012" to protect my computer and my information. Ha, right. Whatever worthless individual that created that virus did a good job because it looks legitimate for the most part. Sorry to use that sort of language but when someone is trying to steal anything and everything they can from me it just doesn't go over too well. Not to mention me having to take my computer in and have it fixed which will cost me money, and this really boring post for you all to read when I was so excited about it being my 100th post. :( Anyways I don't want to ramble on but thought I would let you know I won't be posting for a few days until I get my poor computer back. I also wanted to let you know what that virus is called but the name will be different depending on what window program you have as in mine is Windows 7. If you have windows vista for example it will have that in the name. Be careful out there in the internet world because this is becoming a big problem as the computer fix-it man said. I'll be back shortly and be back in business. :)
Ashleigh

Peanut Butter Chocolate Chip Oat Bars

First off let me just say that I do not have a final picture of this recipe...BOO I know, BUT I HAD to post this recipe because these bars are to die for, enough said. PLEASE take my word for it(without a picture) and make these, they are so good.

 I like my desert at night, not all the time, but most of the time.  I had some left over chocolate chips in the refrigerator and decided to whip up a batch of these, and boy am I glad I did.  These are definitely on my top ten "cookie" bars recipes.  Amazing.  Nothing goes together like chocolate and peanut butter right?!  I searched online and ran across this amazing recipe.  I shared these with family and they were a huge hit.  I know that next time I have a sweet tooth, this is what I will make until I am sick of them, which most likely wont happen.  My hubby fell in love with them also.  They are a perfect thick, chewy, chocolate, peanut butter, bar.  OH MY, take my word for it, and make these, you will love them too!

Chipotle Pepper Marinade for Chicken

I am a spice lover all the way.  I would add spice to every dinner if my hubby wasn't the complete opposite.  He is getting better though, and is slowly making his way to the spicy side of life-so happy!  I am kinda weird, I'll admit, I like when food is so spicy it makes your mouth burn.  I just keep eating, my favorite is the HOT salsa at Mexican restaurants.  It makes me down a glass of water while I am eating it, but I can't stop.  SO GOOD.  Chipotle Peppers are HOT, and when they are in Adobo Sauce they are amazing.  Such a nice smoky flavor, it is delicious.  When I made this marinade to put over chicken, I was hoping the spice would calm down a bit for my Husband, and it did!  This is such a great marinade, I can't wait to make it again!  This is still spicy for all of you spice haters out there, so beware! Delicious though! 

OH MY GOODNESS I want more...

Simple Guacamole

Guacamole is a dip made from Avocados, and is originally from Mexico.  It is delicious, and can be made so many different ways.  You can use it as a dip, a topping, a spread(great on sandwiches) or even my mock BLT(BTA wrap) which by the way is made with an avocado cream(with sour cream) which is amazing!  A very popular way to make Guacamole is by adding tomatoes.  We don't do that around here.  When I eat Guacamole, I want a big mouthful of Avocado, and that is what I want to taste the most.  Plus my Husband has sort of sworn off tomatoes for a little while-no idea why, but that is alright with me, for NOW.  If you are looking for a great tasting, quick guacamole, try this out.  It's our favorite!

MmmMMM good!

Plus this goes into my mock version of Qboba's burrito...stay tuned!

Cilantro Lime Rice

Anyone else out there a white rice lover?? I totally am.  I just love the stuff.  I tend to eat brown rice more often though, even though white tastes so much better. :)  We have a favorite burrito place in our town called Qdoba Mexican Grill, and from what I have seen around the blog world, I think it is just like a place called Chipotle's.  I need to look online for Chipotle's, and see where the closest one is, if it isn't too far, but I am guessing it is either near California, or East.  For now I will stick with Qdoba which is pretty much amazing.  I have tried to duplicate their naked burritos at home, and haven't come close to the flavor until a couple nights ago!  I will definitely be sharing the whole recipe with you, but I have to share all the recipes that lead up to it first!  Cilantro Lime Rice being the first one.  I LOVE Qdoba's rice, I literally eat it by the spoonful.  It is perfect, and the rice I made last night came REALLY close! Read on for this delicious recipe!



Homemade Flour Tortillas

First off, HAPPY NEW YEAR!  I hope you all had a great New Years Eve, and I hope this year will be the best yet!  Let's start the new year off with a simple recipe shall we?! And a great one at that! Like I have said before my hubby loves flour tortillas, and we have always bought them at the store.  Truthfully, I've never even thought about making them at home.  I am so glad I ran across this recipe while I was browsing online.  I literally read the recipe, jumped up, and whipped them right out.  So few ingredients, and easy to make.  I didn't even know what I was going to make with them, I just knew I wanted to eat one warm right out of the pan, so you will see at the end of the recipe, what I did with my first warm tortilla!  By the way, we loved these.  Of course they have a totally different taste then store bought tortillas, and that is the best part, not to mention fewer ingredients(as to which you can pronounce).  I am determined to make these whenever I need tortillas at home.  I can't wait to stuff these full of all sorts of food!  Try them!

Don't mind the tortilla on the bottom that has pieces missing...I couldn't keep my hands away! NOM!