Tagged: Doug Week

5 May, 2012

Homemade Taco Salad Bowls

Yesterday I was clever, so I wanted to change the world. Today I am wise, so I am changing myself.

UNKNOWN

Happy Cinco de Mayo!!! I hope everyone gets the opportunity to celebrate all things Mexican like one of these…

I would have to say that I love margaritas as much as Doug loves his toys.

Even while napping, he has to keep them right by his side.

It is more a flavor of the week situation. On rare occasions, I am able to sneak them away from him, but I have to get creative with my hiding spots.

Other times he spots me and decides to take matters into his own hands.

Yes, that is my dog on the kitchen table trying to find the donut. Sometimes I want to ship him off to Mexico.

Staying in line with the holiday today, I wanted to show you how I made the shells for my Fiesta Chicken Taco Salads.

My thoughtful mother-in-law gave me these amazing pans to form taco salad shells in, which are super easy to use. You just spray the pan with a non-stick coating.

Place a corn or flour tortilla in the pan, and then bake for eight minutes at 350 degrees.

Let the shell cool for a few minutes, and then it is ready to go.

I love using this pan because I can swap in low-calorie tortillas. That way I can have a healthier option, but I still get to break off the sides to eat my salad with. Hello, dipping is the best part of the taco salad!

They also add a decorative element to the dinner! Now if I could just learn how to make homemade tortillas my life would be complete.

What is a unique kitchen gadget you have came across?

4 May, 2012

Con el Dinero Baila el Perro

There are far, far better things ahead than any we leave behind.

C.S. Lewis

I know Doug would like to break free and celebrate with us this weekend.

Too bad he hasn’t been able to figure out that all he has to do is jump.

Silly Dog!

Getting real fancy in this dress tomorrow.

Choosing this color for my mani pedi.

Trading margaritas for a cool one of these.

Dreaming of eating grilled fish tacos here in celebration of Cinco de Mayo.

It’s Doug Week, so here is the first blog post that mentioned Doug.

How are you celebrating Cinco de Mayo this weekend?

3 May, 2012

Avocado Pesto

Learning to ignore things is one of the great paths to inner peace.

UNKNOWN

One day I was sitting at work and a calendar reminder popped up that I had an appointment with Doug this week. Seeing how my regional manager’s name was Doug, I assumed it was a fairly important meeting. The problem was that I could not remember what our meeting was about.

Typically, Doug would meet with us about sales goals and other campaigns for the bank, so I was dumbfounded as to what this could be about. I went to my manager to see if she knew and she didn’t .

I thought that it was strange that the head honcho was coming to meet with just me, and no one had any clue what it was about. Could it be a promotion??? Oh no, was I in trouble for something? What could it be?

Finally, I knew I had to do something about it so I sent a simple email inquiring aboutthe details of our meeting. A quick response came back, and Doug said that he did not have a meeting with me on his calendar.

Hmm…I thought it was strange. Why did I have the reminder set on my calendar? Then it hit me. By appointment with Doug, I was reminding myself that I needed to take my dog to the vet. Dohhhh!!!

What a dumb mistake! At least I didn’t make a mistake by adding an avocado to my typical pesto recipe tonight to make…

Avocado Pesto

Ingredients:

2 cups basil

1/3 cup pine nuts

½ lemon, juiced

3 Tablespoons olive oil

1 Tablespoon garlic, minced

½ teaspoon salt

½ teaspoon pepper

1 avocado

Directions:

1. Place basil in food processor. Top with pine nuts.

2. Add lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, salt, and pepper and blend together.

3. For my basic pesto mix I would stop there, but tonight I decided to add an avocado for a creamier result. Continue mixing.

4. Enjoy!

Pesto is so versatile it can be used in anything. I like it tossed in pasta, used as a pizza base, or as dressing on a sandwich.

With the addition of avocado this would make a pasta meal so luscious and creamy.

I happen to also really love pesto because I have so much success with basil in my garden. It is one the few things I can manage to keep alive.

What do you have the most success with in your garden?

2 May, 2012

Fiesta Chicken Taco Salad

Life always offers you second chance. It’s called tomorrow.

UNKNOWN

It’s Doug Week! A week dedicated to celebrating my adopted pug’s quirky tendencies. I mentioned yesterday how he is attached to my side, at all times. This means that while my other pug is enjoying the beautiful outdoors, Doug in inside. He literally hates being outside unless I am out there with him.

What kind of dog does not like being outside? I told my husband that I think he lived in the wild before we adopted him, but he thinks that is ludicrous. I don’t know. He does always manage to find empty mayonnaise bottles to feed off of.

Doug, get out of the recycling bin!!!

The only time he enjoys being outside is in our company, especially when we are gardening or throwing him the Frisbee, obviously.

Which is straight where I went to get started with dinner, cutting off some fresh lettuce.

Nothing taste better than fresh produce, which I used to make…

Fiesta Chicken Taco Salad

Ingredients:

1 large chicken breast

1 green pepper

1 red onion

1 Tablespoon olive oil

2 taco salad shells

1 cup brown rice

1 cup cilantro, chopped

½ lime, juiced

1 cup Mexican Cheese Dip

2 cups Romaine lettuce, shredded

1 cup pineapple, cubed

Directions:

1. Brown onions and peppers in oil over medium heat.

2. Cook chicken. Stir in ½ cup cilantro and lime juice.

3. Stir remaining cilantro into rice and fill taco shells.

4. Top rice with lettuce, onion and pepper mix, and chicken.

5. Drizzle cheese on top.

6. Garnish with pineapple and enjoy!

There is something about the pineapple on top that makes this salad out of this world! Combined with the melted cheese and chicken, it is simple perfect.

Be prepared to eat every bite because there is no going back after you taste how delicious it is.

Knowing that I grew the lettuce, made this salad even better.

Have you enjoyed any vegetables from your garden this year?

1 May, 2012

Mexican Cheese Dip

When you are in Love you can’t fall asleep because reality is better than your dreams.

DR. SEUSS

It’s Doug Week here, and today I wanted to showcase a day in the life of Doug. Okay really more like a day in the life living with Doug. For those of you that don’t know him, he is a Stage Four Clinger. He follows me around all day long like a lost puppy, no pun intended. From the moment I roll out of bed, there he is.

You would think he would stay out of the bathroom. Nope, he follows me everywhere…including the shower. Seriously dude, back off!

I don’t really mind the pestering in the kitchen because I know if I drop something, I don’t have to pick it up.

The kitchen table is a whole other story. He’s quite polite, but it is just kind of strange eating with a dog keeping me company.

The worst part of Doug’s clinger tendencies is when he has to be on my lap at all times. Dude, don’t you realize it is really hot in Oklahoma and so are you! Give me some space.

Just call him Doug, my partner in crime.

Tonight Doug and I got busy in the kitchen. I wanted to try and recreate the perfectly spiced cheese dip I had at Iguana’s Mexican Grill last week. Here is what I came up with…

Mexican Cheese Dip