Salsa Chicken!

Once upon a time ago, my mom and I were running wild in the kitchen and came up with salsa chicken creation. It was so delicious........... but we never made it again.
The other night, I was on pinterest (when I should have been studying) and saw a recipe for Salsa Chicken - it brought back the memory of the flavours... I had to make my own! Here's how I did salsa Chicken "à la Glo":

2 Frozen Bnls Sknls Chicken Breasts

1 Can of Black Beans 

1 Can of whatever other beans you have (I used a can of mixed beans)

1 Can of corn (not sweet corn) 

1 Can of diced tomatoes with juice... Or 2 Tomatoes, diced 

1 Jar of Salsa 

-

1 Chicken Bouillon Cube 

3 Garlic  Cloves  

(.. It tastes better than it looks... I took this photo at 7AM so I had no nice light... DON'T KNOCK IT BEFORE YOU TRY IT)

Basically you put all your ingredients in the crock pot. I sprinkled chicken bouillon on the top and placed the garlic cloves on top (removed them in the morning so I didn't risk taking a bite of a garlic clove thinking it was chicken!!!) 

I left this in the crock pot on LOW of 11 Hours.... I put it in at night and woke up to the smell of yummmyyy salsa. Now my chicken went in frozen. If the chicken is thawed then it probably only needs 7. Just enough so that when you mix it up, the chicken just pulls apart... yum. 

This was delicious, and it made.. A LOT. I have stored 2 Tupperware containers in the freezer for another weeks lunch! 

This was very filling and flavourful! Loved it! 

Enjoy 

Coconut Chocolate Cookies!

Lately I have been craving CHOCOLATE. But I can't justify buying a chocolate bar

SO to feed my craving I got a little fancy in the kitchen.  

I came up with these, Chocolate Coconut Energy cookies. They are, SO good. 

3/4 Cup Spelt Flour 

1/4 Cup Cocoa 

1/4 Cup Wheat Germ 

1/4 Cup Unsweetened Coconut Flakes

3 Tbsp Chia Seeds 

1 1/2 Tsp Baking Powder 

-

1/2 Cup Unsweetened Apple Sauce 

2 Eggs 

1/3 Cup Honey 

1 Tsp Vanilla 

-

1/2 Cup Semi Sweet Chocolate Chips 

I have so nicely divided the wet/dry ingredients for you, so I don't think you need a step by step. 

Once all the ingredients are mixed, used to small spoons and dropped the dough onto the baking sheet! EZ PZ. 

Bake at 350F for 10 Minutes. 

This made 18 soft cookies. 

I keep mine stored in the freezer so that they stay fresh longer! A frozen cookie also stops me from a binge, I would have to wait for it to thaw, or thaw it myself in the microwave... And usually I'm not hungry enough to go through the trouble... ;) 

Crock Pot Chicken Parm

(Instagram Photo, duh.)

So this very appetizing photo may look like it was difficult to pull off... BUT It really only took me 20 minutes (maybe less) to prepare. 

The first time I made it, I made two portions, using 2 chicken breasts. The second time I used 3 with the same amount of marinara and such and it turned out just as good. 

Here is what I used for my crock pot chicken Parm: 

2-4 Chicken Breasts  

1 Tbs of Olive Oil 

1 Egg 

1/2 Cup Bread Crumbs 

1/2 Cup Grated Parmesan Cheese 

Mozzarella Cheese 

1 Jar of Marinara Sauce 

4 Cloves of Garlic 

Salt to taste

Here is the How-To: 

1. Line the bottom of the crock pot with the olive oil 
2. Scramble your egg, and roll the chicken in the egg, and then in the bread crumbs. 
• I should add that it is easier to use thawed chicken breast, but it does work with frozen if you are in a pinch! (Like I was the second time I made it ;)) 
3.  Place the chicken in the crock pot, and cover it in the parmesan cheese. 
4. Slice or grate as much mozzarella cheese as you would like. 
• The second time I made this with Montery Jack Cheese (its all I had) and it worked fabulously. Also cut a couple calories....... :) 
5. Next, peel the garlic cloves and toss those into the crock pot 
6. Then open up your jar of marinara and pour it on top 
7. Let that sit in the crock pot on low for 5-7 hours  

I probably could have gotten fancy and made my own marinara sauce, but I've really just been too busy. I took a short cut and bought a jar of Classico. 

It seems I am always rushing and always have something to do, or something on the go - I am learning it is okay to take shortcuts sometimes! 

Enjoy! 

What to do with Spaghetti Squash??

Spaghetti Squash Stir Fry

So I did something adventurous and picked up a spaghetti squash - without even knowing what I would do with it.... I should also add that spaghetti squash is like super economical.... 1 squash was $.79, and this will easily give me at least 8 meals!
I could probably say that all together this meal costs about 8$ or less?
Squash $1.00
Asparagus $4.00
Onion $1.50
Garlic $1.50
So for those of us on a food-budget - buying a squash is awesome.

OH and for those who are watching the calories! I did a little research that told me a half cup of spaghetti squash is something like 10 calories and 4grams of carbs!!!  WHAT THE HECK,  so sweet. (compare that to your box of spaghetti....)

I wouldn't say the taste is as neutral as just plain pasta, but it is really nice paired with veggies.. Personally I wouldn't put a meat sauce on it... Maybe mic in some chicken or something but I wouldn't serve it with meatballs.

SO - I goggled a bunch of different ways to cook it. A lot of recipes said to cook it in butter! I am glad I didn't use butter because I found the spaghetti squash had a buttery taste already.

Here's what I used to make my dinner!

2 Tbsp of Olive Oil

1 1/2 Cups Chopped Asparagus 

1 Cup Chopped Onion (about 1/2 an onion) 

2 Cloves of Garlic 

1/2 Cooked Spaghetti Squash (Baked in oven @350 for 30ish mins: make sure that it is soft enough to scrape out the spaghetti stands) 

1 Tbsp Parmesan Cheese 

Italian Seasoning 

Salt to taste 

So first you want to brown the garlic in the olive oil,

Then you can add the onions and asparagus, 

[BTW I found the asparagus and the Squash complimented each other very nicely!] 

Sautée veggies until the asparagus is bright green and the onions are starting to caramelize (about 15 minutes on medium heat) 

Then throw in your Spaghetti strands 

I used Parmesan and Club House Italian seasoning for extra flavoring 

Sautee for about 10-15 mins to allow the flavors to blend 

Et Voilà! 

** This probably made something like 4-5 servings... a small portion was very filling so I was glad that i had forgotten to defrost chicken that day... 

You can get a lot out 1/2 a spaghetti squash! I know I'll be eating it for the next 3/4 days.. and I still have another half in the fridge.. stay tuned for part two lol.

Five Minute Salad

Quinoa Chickpea Salad

Today for lunch I made this delicious quinoa chickpea salad. It probably took me 5mins TOP to whip up. This made probably 2-3 portions (So I have lunch for tomorrow as well!)

So for starters, you will definitely need cooked quinoa. I tend to make a large batch of plain quinoa (cooked with a clove or garlic) at the beginning of the week, and it will last me almost 7 days. Its really great to have on hand when you're on the go all the time. Its nice to just throw a couple spoonfuls into a salad, or stir fry or omelette or even in a Tupperware for a mid day snack at school.

1/2 Can of Chickpeas (drain and rinse)

1 tsp Olive Oil 

1/2 Cup Cooked Quinoa 

1/2 Tomato, Avocado and Lemon 

Salt to taste 

1/2 tsp finely chopped parsley

1. Combine quinoa and chickpeas in a bowl 
2. Mix in the olive oil 
3. Dice up your tomato and avocado - mix them in with the quinoa and chickpeas 
4. Depending how much "sourness" you can handle, you may want to use a little less than half a lemon or a little more to the salad. The lemon really does give it a good quick. 
5. Finally, add parsley and salt to taste

Happy Friday! 

The Kitchen Diva... An Introduction

Where to begin??? 

For starters, I am a second year nursing student, studying at the University of Ottawa. Thus far, I am loving my program! My current address is in Ottawa, but I would not consider this beautiful city my home... Home is where the  heart is! And that is back in the boons of Petersburg, ON. where one would find my beautiful mother, step dad, super cool grandpa, step brothers, step sister, biological brothers, and biological sister... You could say we are a family farm... Oh did I mention we have 21 chickens? OH and 1 miniature schnauzer... AND 5 birds. Yeah, OK, you could definitely call us a family farm. 

I also have to add that for the last ~17 months, I have had the privilage to be dating the most incredible guy ever. Seriously, be jealous of my super-boyfriend, Ryan. I am crazy madly deeply in love with him :). Unfortunately we do not attend the same school :(. He is studying engineering at McMaster, in Hamilton, ON - which happens to be like, 5 hours from here. BOOO 

So here I am, taking on this big city alone... Whats a girl to do? 

I love running! I really think that the way to a good life, is through a healthy lifestyle! Running just makes me feel good! It gives me energy, it gives me a challenge, and most importantly - it helps me keep my head on right. I love exploring Ottawa when I run! Whether it be along the canal, or along the Ottawa river, OR even the little residential parts - they're just so cute. 

PLEASE NOTE: Running isn't the only thing I love to do while I'm up here on my own - I also like to cook/bake (duh.. Kitchen - Diva). I am only cooking for ONE (since I live alone) so it makes it kind of easy for me. I like to prepare good meals, and snacks for my week that's coming - because sometimes with school and work, you just don't have time to do the necessary preparations that are required in order to eat well. Eating well does have its challenges sometimes - because its obviously easier to make a box of KD vs chicken stir fry with quinoa - BUT it's something I consider a priority while I'm in school because I want to reap the benefits of what healthy foods can offer :). 

SO! This blog is kind of my connection to my family back home/random blog creepers that like good food. I plan to post pictures and recipes of the meals I make! I have a tendency to alter recipes I find online (**cough** Pinterest) to make them either, more to my liking, or healthier :).... Enjoy! 

Kitchen Diva Apron <3