Recipe Swap: Tropical Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple-Avocado Salsa

I'm so sorry this is late; I've been struggling with the dates all week.  Who walks around thinking Friday is Wednesday????

Anyway, this week for the Recipe Swap I was given the blog of our hostess, Sarah!  She gave me her recipe for Tropical Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple-Avocado Salsa , which sounded delightfully tropical for the lovely spring weather we've been having here in NJ.  She modified a recipe that called for mango salsa with pineapple, which I happen to have on hand pretty much always, and I pretty much always have it spoil before I get around to cutting up the pineapple.

This was so good!  My husband loved it, my sons loved it, and I thought it was delicious too.  I never would have thought of mixing pineapple with avocado, but it made a fresh and delicious salsa to go along with the quesadilla.  The flavors were decidedly best when you had a little bit of everything on your fork.


Tropical Chicken Quesadillas with Pineapple-Avocado Salsa
Adapted from Apple a Day via Taste of Home Cooking

For the salsa:
1 1/2 cups diced pineapple, cut into bite sized pieces
Enough pineapple juice to cover the chicken
1/2 avocado, peeled and diced
1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 cup thinly sliceed red onion
Salt and pepper, to taste

For the quesadillas:
2 boneless chicken breasts
3 tablespoons dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons white sugar
2 tablespoons paprika
1 tablespoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon garlic powder
2 teaspoons ground black pepper
2 teaspoons ground ginger powder
2 teaspoons onion powder
1/2 teaspoons crushed dried rosemary
2 teaspoons oil, divided
1 onion, thinly sliced
8 medium/soft taco size tortillas
1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican or cheddar cheese
Cooking spray

To make the salsa, combine all ingredients in a nonreactive bowl. Taste and adjust seasonings. Refrigerate until ready to use.

Marinate the chicken breasts in the pineapple juice for at least 1 hour and up to 6 hours.

Combine the brown sugar through dried rosemary in a bowl. Mix well. Remove the chicken from the pineapple juice and sprinkle the dry rub on the chicken breasts, coating evenly.

Preheat oven (or toaster oven) to 350 degrees. Heat 1 teaspoon oil in a large skillet. Sauté chicken until browned on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Transfer to a baking sheet lined with tinfoil and put in the oven. Bake for 30 minutes or until cooked through. Set aside to cool slightly, about 3 minutes. Cut into a small dice or shred.

While the chicken is cooking, heat the other teaspoon of oil in a nonstick skillet. Add the onions and saute until caramelized and brown, about 15 minutes.

Lay out four tortillas and assemble quesadillas in this order - cheese, onion, chicken, cheese. Top with remaining tortillas.

Spray a large nonstick skillet with cooking spray and heat over medium heat. Lay quesadilla in the skillet and let cook until the bottom of the tortilla is golden and crispy. Flip and let cook until the other side is also golden and crispy and the cheese is melted. Repeat cooking process with remaining quesadillas. Serve immediately with salsa.

Ladybug pasta

My son is off to Kindergarten this year, and my other son is going to a new daycare.  For the first time, we have to think about packing lunches for them as well as for ourselves, so this summer, we have been trying out new ideas for lunches.  This one came up in my Facebook feed today just as I was getting ready to go to the store desperate for something other than a sandwich for lunch.  When I told my five year old about the idea, he was excited about having it, even saying he'd rather have ladybugs than peanut butter and jelly!!!

I modified the recipe ever so slightly.  The only mini bowties I could find were the Barilla Piccolini, which have tomatoes and carrots pureed into the pasta; these were also the cheapest in the store.  I also didn't want to spend the money on another jar for my pantry, so I omitted the Coconut Spread (our store only had a Peanut Butter Coconut Spread) instead using a drizzle of olive oil, a drizzle of red wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and Italian seasoning.

I really enjoyed this one!  The best part was the tomatoes I'd plucked from our plant; they were so delicious and sweet.  My sons ate it after some cajoling; the five year old claimed he no longer likes pasta but really enjoyed the fruit I put into little cups on the plate (my first pseudo attempt at Bento lunch!).

Ladybug Pasta Inspired by Bentoriffic
1/2lb shape pasta (I used mini farfalle)
two handfuls grape tomatoes, cut in half
a can of black beans, drained and rinsed
a handful of sliced black olives
salt and fresh ground pepper, to taste
a few shakes of Italian seasoning
olive oil
red wine vinegar
Grated Parmesan cheese

Prepare pasta according to package directions.  Drain.  Meanwhile, add the rest of the ingredients to a large bowl.  When the pasta is finished cooking, drain, and add to the bowl.  Toss all ingredients together.  Refrigerate to cool down (I served it after about 5 minutes in the fridge.)  Serve and enjoy!

Summer Spaghetti

Our CSA has been overloading us with squash--summer squash, zucchini, 8 ball squash, Patty Pan squash (on which I cannot comment, being that my husband passed this to his father)--and my dad passed us what I think is a Rolet squash, which means we are swimming in squash around here!  Add this to the fact that my husband does not eat anything anywhere near the squash family, and this is a big problem.

So when I was assigned The Boys Made me Do It in this week's recipe swap, I was thrilled to see this recipe, which uses a few types of squash as well as other ingredients my husband does eat.  Even better, it's fast and keeps the kitchen sort of cool and we have a winner!

I did not use broccoli as Cara suggested and really wish I had.  It would have added more heft to my husband's squash-less plate.  The trick is that you can use any fresh veg you have on hand!  Hoping to add a little more flavor, I added a splash of Pinot Grigio (ok, maybe a glug) when adding the pasta water.  I think this was a great addition and brought even more sweetness to this dish.  I used a summer squash and an 8 ball squash here.

Summer Spaghetti  Source: Better Homes and Garden Magazine, June 2012 via The Boys Made me Do It
    8 oz. spaghetti noodles
    Dry white wine
    1/4 cup olive oil
    3 cloves garlic, pressed
    Pinch of crushed red pepper
    1 1/2 cups grilled zucchini and/or other summer veggies
    1 1/2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved at the equator
    Small handful fresh basil, torn
    Salt and pepper, to taste
    1/4 cup parmesan cheese

Prepare spaghetti to al dente in a large pot of boiling water (about 9-10 minutes boiling time). Drain, reserving 1/2 cup cooking liquid.

In a large saute' pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and crushed red pepper and cook until just fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in the zucchini, tomatoes, and torn basil. Season with salt and pepper.

Reduce heat to low. Add as much wine as you'd like with reserved pasta water to make 1/2c of liquid; add liquid and spaghetti to skillet. 

Heat thoroughly, about 3-4 minutes. Sprinkle with Parmesan.


 Transfer to large serving bowl and garnish with chopped basil.

Chicken Caesar Kebabs with Grilled Corn

We had an abundance of lettuce from our CSA (like standing on the side of the road, handing out heads of lettuce abundance), so I decided to turn the Romaine into something Caesar salad, since my husband enjoys it so much.  I stumbled across this recipe on the Rachael Ray website; my husband actually ended up making it, too. 

This was an absolutely delicious meal.  My husband raved about it; it was his first time grilling corn, and while I don't think it came out as well as he'd hoped, it was delicious nonetheless!  The dressing on the chicken and the salad was the perfect balance of tart and sweet.... this from someone who is not a fan of Caesar salad!

A perfect summer meal!

Chicken Caesar Kebabs with Grilled Corn Source:  Rachael Ray

Ingredients

• 1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon anchovy paste
• 2 large cloves garlic, smashed
• Salt and pepper
• 3 large boneless chicken breast halves, cut into 1-inch pieces
• 4 ears corn, husked and halved crosswise
• 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon grated parmesan cheese
• 2 romaine lettuce hearts, cut crosswise into ribbons

Directions

1. In a medium bowl, whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, the vinegar, mustard, anchovy paste, garlic and 1/4 teaspoon each salt and pepper; transfer half of the vinaigrette to a small bowl, discarding any large pieces of garlic. Add the chicken to the remaining vinaigrette and toss to coat; cover and refrigerate for 30 minutes or up to overnight.
2. Preheat a grill to medium. Brush the corn with 1 tablespoon olive oil. Thread the chicken onto four 10-inch skewers and discard the marinade. Place the chicken kebabs and the corn on the grill, cover and cook, turning occasionally, until lightly charred and the chicken is firm, 10 to 15 minutes. Brush the corn with the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle the corn and chicken with 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese.
3. In a bowl, toss the romaine with the remaining vinaigrette and 2 tablespoons cheese. Serve the kebabs with the salad and corn.

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken

You know I love bruschetta; I've told you only about 100 times.  So when I saw this appear on "Point-less" Meals, I knew I'd be making it very soon. 

This was so fresh and summery; the bruschetta tasted so perfect, I ate it straight out of the bowl.  Of course it went well with the grilled chicken, I've seen chicken with bruschetta all over the place, and have made a few versions myself.

My husband was ill that night, so didn't eat any of this, E gobbled it up, and A wouldn't touch it. 

As suggested at Pointless Meals, I also served this with Grilled Peach and Arugula Salad.

You should try this while your basil plants are bursting and the produce stands are full of fresh, locally grown (not Florida!!) tomatoes!

Bruschetta Grilled Chicken Source:  Gina's Skinnytaste, via Pointless Meals

Grilled Bruschetta Chicken: serves 4 ( 4 oz. chicken + Bruschetta = 6 points + )

• 3 medium vine ripe tomatoes
• 2 small cloves garlic, minced
• 1/4 cup chopped red onion
• 2 tbsp fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1 tbsp extra virgin oil
• 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
• kosher salt and fresh cracked pepper to taste
• 3 oz part skim mozzarella, diced
• 1.25 lbs (8 thin sliced) chicken cutlets

Combine garlic, onion, basil, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper. Set aside and let stand. Dice  and seed tomatoes. Add to balsamic mixture. Right before serving, add mozzarella.

Sprinkle chicken with salt and pepper; grill until juices run clear. Serve chicken topped with bruschetta.

Pan Fried Chicken with Fresh Tomato and Corn Salsa

From Everyday with Rachael Ray August 2009. See original here

• 4 Servings
• 
• Prep 20 min
• 
• Cook 5 min

Ingredients:

• 1 cup breadcrumbs
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 cup buttermilk
• 1/2 cup flour
• 4 chicken breast cutlets (about 1 1/4 pounds total)
• Salt and pepper
• 5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 1/2 cups fresh corn kernels (from about 3 ears)
• 2 tomatoes, cored and chopped
• 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced

Easy does it
Stand an ear of corn upright in a large bowl and run a knife down the length of the cob to remove the kernels.

Directions:

1. In a shallow dish, stir together the breadcrumbs and 2 tablespoons basil. In a separate shallow dish, add the buttermilk; in a third dish, add the flour. Season the chicken with salt and pepper. Working with 1 piece at a time, coat the chicken in the flour, then dip into the buttermilk and coat with the breadcrumbs, shaking to remove any excess.
2. In a large skillet, heat 1/4 cup olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the chicken and cook, turning once, until golden-brown, about 5 minutes; drain on paper towels.
3. In a large bowl, stir together the corn, tomatoes, onion, the remaining 2 tablespoons basil and 1 tablespoon olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Serve over the chicken.

This was really tasty; I especially liked the corn salsa. I definitely overcooked the chicken, however, which meant we didn't ultimately like the dish, but will need to give it another try. This has all the perfect flavors of summer, and, aside from screwing up the chicken, we'll have to try this again!! Oh yeah, I made this July 23, and just never got around to blogging it. Oops. I served with couscous, as suggested by Rachael Ray!