Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Dinner Tonight!

Being at home with a 4 year old who is getting to that SUPER picky stage has me struggling for healthy, yummy dinners that we can all enjoy. Not only is my 4 year old picky, my husband is too (super junk and fast food junkie!)! I guess this might be the reason I am a "little overweight" and they are thin!!! So, I have a few chosen meals that are go-to dinners, that I know they will both eat without fuss! So, I am always trying new ways to twist those dinners into something a "little" different! Not so different that they will fuss, but different enough that it feels like a whole new meal!

On the menu for tonight -- Chicken Tacos! I am putting a little spin on our normal hard or soft shell tacos with the fixin's. Tonight's inspiration comes from a Nacho appetizer we recently enjoyed during a birthday dinner for my twin brothers at TGI Fridays. So here is my spin:

Chicken Broken Taco's

1 lbs Ground Chicken (cooked shredded chicken will work too)
6 Hard Taco Shells
Taco Season
1/2 Diced Onion
2 Diced Tomatoes
Shredded Lettuce
Sliced Jalapeno Peppers (optional)
1-2 Cups Shredded Mexican Cheese
Low Fat Sour Cream and Salsa for dipping!

Brown your Ground Chicken with a little salt and pepper (because I love kitchen gadgets, and am a semi-shopaholic, I actually did mine in the microwave in the Tupperware Tupperwave Stack Cooker) http://order.tupperware.com/pls/htprod_www/tup_show_item.show_item_detail?fv_item_category_code=4000&fv_item_number=P10059121000

Once brown, add your taco seasoning (tonight's seasoning brought to you by Ortega! But you can make your own too! Recipe will be posted below!) with about 1/2 cup of hot water, place back in microwave or on heat for about 2 min or until liquid is absorbed.

Now, onto the taco shells! Take your taco shells and break them in half carefully not to crack them in other places (casualties can be used another day in a taco salad!). I actually held mine, and ran a sharp knife right now the middle. Place your taco shells on a sheet pan (I like to use a baking stone to crisp up the shells nicely). Top your taco shells with your chicken, onions, jalapenos and of course CHEESE!

Bake in a 35o oven for about 5-7 or until cheese is melted and bubbly!

Remove from oven, top with tomatoes, lettuce, salsa and sour cream! Enjoy!!!!

Taco Seasoning (adapted from a recipe on allrecipes.com)

  • 1 tablespoon chili powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
  • 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1/2 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon sea salt
  • 1 teaspoon black pepper

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix together chili powder, garlic powder, onion powder, red pepper flakes, oregano, paprika, cumin, salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container.