Chipotle Chicken Sweet Potato Skins

Chipotle Chicken 

Sweet Potato Skins

My wonderful mother-in-law always posts delicious looking recipes on her refrigerator and every time I try one, it is on point. Spencer and I downed these so quickly and wished I had made more! Give them a try and you'll know what I mean.

Serves 6 as a side, or 3 as a main dish
Ingredients:
3 medium sweet potatoes
2 cups shredded chicken (about 2 chicken breasts or 5 tenderloins, grilled and shredded)
4-5 cups spinach, steamed or sauteed 
3 tablespoons olive oil
juice from 1 lime
2 garlic clove, minced
3 whole chipotle peppers, finely chopped (I used the kind canned in Adobo sauce)
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 heaping teaspoon cumin
1 teaspoon chili powder
dash of salt
1/2 cup sharp white cheddar cheese, grated
chopped cilantro, for garnish
plain greek yogurt, for garnish

Instructions:
1. Bake sweet potatoes (see below).
2. Preheat oven to Broil on High
3. Combine olive oil, lime juice, garlic, chipotle peppers, oregano, cumin, chili powder, and salt.
4. Scrape the sweet potato flesh out of the peel (reserve for another recipe), leaving a medium layer so the peels stand up on their own. Brush skins with a little bit of the chipotle mixture and place side by side in baking dish. Broil 4-5 minutes (on middle rack) until beginning to crisp.
5. While skins are in oven, combine cooked spinach, chicken, and remaining chipotle mixture. Remove skins from oven and stuff them, top with cheddar cheese and place under broiler again for another 4-5 minutes. KEEP AN EYE ON THEM!
6. Serve with greek yogurt and chopped cilantro.

SWEET POTATOES {can be done up to 24 hours ahead of time}

Wash sweet potatoes and prick all over with a fork and cook in oven or microwave until fork tender >>Oven: preheat oven to 350 degrees, place on middle rack for 50-60 minutes. 

>>Microwave: wrap potatoes in clean dish towels, completely covered, and microwave on high 7-8 minutes. When sweet potatoes are fully cooked, either place in fridge (if this is done ahead of time) or cut in half and let cool before continuing because they will be HOT!

Feta-Cilantro Turkey Burgers

Feta-Cilantro Turkey Burgers

Turkey burgers have a bad reputation for being dry, flavorless, hockey pucks, but in my opinion ground turkey is practically designed for adding unique flavorful herbs, spices, seasonings, and flavors. With a little creativity you can transform your regular burger into a delicious surprise wrapped up in a toasty bun:)

Makes 2 burgers

Ingredients:

1/2 lb lean ground turkey

1/4 cup feta cheese crumbles

3 Tbsp fresh cilantro, chopped

1 tsp worcestershire sauce

1/4 tsp salt

dash of black pepper

2 whole-wheat hamburger buns, toasted

desired toppings (tomato, avocado, lettuce, cheese, onion, sprouts, condiments, etc.)

Instructions:

1. Gently mix together turkey, feta, cilantro, worcestershire sauce, salt, and pepper with fingertips. Try not to overwork the meat, just distribute all ingredients evenly. Shape into 2 patties (not too thick or they will take forever to cook!).

2. Heat grill or stove-top griddle over medium heat, add patties and cook for about 3-5 minutes each side. Use meat thermometer to test the internal temperature of each burger (you want them to reach 165 degrees to be fully cooked). If you find the burgers are browning too much before the interior is fully cooked, put a lid over the pan.

3. Pile up your burgers with toppings onto your buns and serve with broiled sweet potato fries!

Quick and easy egg drop soup

EGG DROP SOUP

<<< PERFECT COLD REMEDY >>>

4 servings
Ingredients:

5 cups chicken broth (preferably low-sodium)
1/4 tsp ground ginger
1/2 tsp ground curry powder
2-3 Tbsp soy sauce or tamari
1/2 tsp fish sauce
5-10 drops hot sauce to taste (sriracha or favorite)
4-5 cups fresh spinach
2 eggs + 2 egg whites, well beaten
2 cups fresh or frozen sweet peas
salt and pepper, to taste

Optional garnishes:
Scallions, chopped
Crispy wonton strips

1. Combine broth, ginger, curry, soy, fish, and hot sauce in sauce pan over medium-high heat. 
2. Bring to a boil, then stir in spinach and cook until spinach begins to wilt.
3. Stir soup fast with one had and slowly pour in eggs with the other hand. The eggs will cook on contact with hot broth.
3. Add peas and let them warm for a few minutes, add any salt or pepper if needed, then serve!

It is easy to adapt this soup to ingredients you have on hand. Soba or rice noodles, mushrooms, cabbage, and other veggies would be delicious additions!

Tummy warming goodness...