Absentee Blogger! Dad’s Salsa

Hello! I am sorry I’ve been fully MIA for the last two weeks. It’s been a busy month at work with a shoot going out, lots to organize there, and then at home I had to organize and host all the people coming over for the Spring Sprint! Speaking of the Spring Sprint, it was a wonderful success! About 300 people came out, our team made up 20 of them, and the weather held. We raised about $5000 and the entire Vancouver event raised about $98,000 which is absolutely incredible! So, thanks to those who supported us and thanks to you folks who kept coming back despite no new posts for so long!

As summer closes in on Vancouver it is still snowing in parts of the rest of the country. I am so happy to have some sunshine, nice breezes, and potential for sandals! I do really need to get a new pair of sandals, my current options are a little big/stretched out and very worn in.

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Tequila Lime Chicken (or shrimp) with Fennel and Fresh Salsa Quinoa Salad

This is a recipe I came up with a couple years ago when I wanted to do something awesome with shrimp. I also wanted to try fennel because it scares me. Well this is a fresh recipe that is easy to jazz up with your favourite raw salad veggies. It was great with shrimp two years ago and was pretty great with chicken as well. Tequila is the great flavour booster, without overwhelming the freshness.

Tequila Lime Marinaded Chicken or Shrimp

Ingredients

  • 2 tbsp lime juice
  • 2 tbsp gold tequila
  • 3 tbsp olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp minced garlic (1-2 cloves)
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp cumin
  • 1/4 tsp cayenne
  • 1/4 tsp black pepper
  • 2 large chicken breasts (or try it with 1 pound large peeled shrimp)

Directions

  1. Whisk together all ingredients and pour into a large ziplock.
  2. Score the chicken breasts and drop into the marinade, smoosh around to properly coat. Place the ziplock in a bowl. Refrigerate 1 to 4 hours before grilling and try to re-smoosh halfway through the marinating time.
  3. Heat grill (I used my George Foreman). Drain and discard marinade from the chicken.
  4. Cook, over medium-high heat until done. Depending on your grill, it will take from 8-15 minutes. Cook until the juices run clear, or until the meat is white throughout, turning once. For shrimp, turn once and cook for 5 to 7 minutes until pink.
  5. Serve over Fennel and Fresh Salsa Quinoa Salad with a squeeze of lime.

Marinade prep

Fennel and Fresh Salsa Quinoa Salad

Ingredients

  • 1 fennel bulb
  • 2 large tomatoes
  • 1 red onion
  • 1 can black beans
  • 1 lime
  • a large bunch of cilantro
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • pinch of cumin
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2 cups water

Directions

  1. Cook quinoa with water according to directions on package. Let it cool after fluffing.
  2. Chop onion and place in a bowl with some ice water and lime to mellow the bite.
  3. Slice fennel, chop tomatoes, rinse black beans, and chop cilantro. Combine all the ingredients for the salad and taste, adjust spices as needed.
  4. Serve as side or as an awesome combo for the main.

So fresh and tasty. I definitely forgot to add the black beans to the salad, but we added them after the picture. Definitely use them, so good!

Black Bean and Salsa Chicken on rice

This is another recipe from my mom. It’s easy and tasty and can be spiced up or down, which is great for the wary. Top it with some plain yogurt and you are good to go.

 

Black Bean and Salsa Chicken

Ingredients

  • 2-3 chicken breasts, cubed
  • olive oil
  • 1 large jar of salsa, your choice of spice level
  • 1 large can of black beans (or cook up a cup of dried beans)
  • 2-3 jalapeños
  • salt and pepper to taste
  • 1 cup shredded cheddar
  • plain greek yogurt or sour cream for topping

Directions

  1. In a large skillet, over medium-high, cook up the chicken with a drizzle of olive oil. When the chicken is browned and cooked through, remove from pan and set aside.
  2. Back in the pan mix up the salsa, drained black beans, and the diced jalapeños. Stir in the chicken and let it all cook down for 15 minutes over medium heat. Taste and add salt and pepper as needed.
  3. Stir in 3/4 cup of the shredded cheddar and cook for 5 minutes.
  4. Serve over rice, top with a sprinkle of cheese and a dollop of yogurt.