lovey dovey

With Valentine's Day just right around the corner, it is hard to ignore the many cutesy crafts and yummy treats making their way around the web.

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Valentine's Day always seemed so pointless to me while I was growing up. But it's way more fun when you're married!

I'm already made a sweet little gift for my Valentine, but am looking forward to whipping up a few yummy treats for him too!

Happy day-o-love!
Lauren

Stir Fry Tacos

This recipe was just too good to keep to myself. I had the itch for a little something new and different for dinner last night, so I just made something up... not to brag but...|

oh.em.gee.

If I could have given myself a fist-pound, I would have.

Matt loved it and I actually ate two of these, even though I don't normally have much of an appetite at night. I am hesitant, however, to even call this a "recipe". I inherited my grandmother's keen sense of "a dash" and "a tad" and "to taste", so forgive the vague instructions!

Stir Fry Tacos

-Chicken tenderloins
-assorted "stir fry" veggies (snap peas, carrots, mushrooms, peppers, broccoli, etc)
-jasmine rice
-tortillas
-ginger
-cilantro
-soy sauce
-fresh lime
-garlic powder or salt
-red chili powder

Season chicken with lime juice, garlic (or garlic salt), ginger, and a sprinkle of chili powder. Cook on medium heat until center is no longer pink. Cut into smaller slices or pieces.

In the meantime, create "sticky rice", by bringing 1.5 cups rice and 1.75 cups water to a boil. (Do not follow the package directions; we're using less water for a reason) Once at a boil, reduce heat to lowest setting, cover, and simmer for 20 mins, stirring occasionally.

Saute veggies in soy sauce, ginger, lime juice, and fresh cilantro. Garlic to taste. My rule of thumb is to cook these veggies until the snap peas snap. (which justifies a taste test... yum!)

Wrap tortillas in moist papertowels for 25 seconds in the microwave.

Prepare by spreading a layer of "sticky rice" on the tortilla, top with sliced chicken and veggies, and drizzle with lime juice.

Enjoy! Prepare yourself for lots of mumbling "omigoshs" spoken through mouths full of food, finger-licking second helpings, and high-fives across the table.

Lauren

Linking up at Remodelaholic!

Copy Cat: Chicken and Wild Rice soup

I mentioned in my last post that we went to Demos' for lunch over the weekend, resulting in one of the most splendid dates imaginable. 


And while I've already mentioned that their sweet tea was oh.so.dreamy, their house soup was nothing short of uh-mazing. I did a little research, and with a little tweaking, made a deliciously spectacular (if I do say so myself) version of my own for a very rainy, dreary day.


Ingredients:
1 tablespoon butter
1/8 cup flour
2.5 cups chicken broth
2 chicken breasts, cooked and shredded
1 cup milk
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon white wine
2 cups long grain (or wild) rice, cooked
1 packet dry italian dressing mix
salt and pepper, to taste
garlic, to taste
parsley, to taste


Directions:
Melt butter in large pot. Mix in flour till smooth. Stir in chicken broth until no lumps remain.
Add shredded chicken, salt, pepper, garlic, and italian dressing mix.
Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer 12 minutes.
Add milk, lemon juice, wine, and parsley. Reduce heat to low. Add cooked rice.
Let simmer, pair with a slice of baguette, and enjoy! 


Delicious, I tell you. I'm actually off to have leftovers of this with hubby as we speak. 


Lauren