Kiwi Chicken Salad

Snow, Snow, and MORE SNOW....I am sooooo over the snow!! OK I know we need the moisture for future water use. I know the ski resorts (here in Utah) and other places rely on it big time but it is almost March and the stuff just keeps coming. Yes it is beautiful to look at and fun to play in ...for A SHORT TIME!!!

I am dreaming of temperatures in the 70's spent on my back patio with a cold glass of something and my wonderful husband at the grill,holding a pair of tongs. Our dog will be laying in the cool grass and chasing the birds that dare land in his back yard (no worries...he has never caught one and no birds were harmed while writing this post)!

Are you waiting for and wishing for Spring as much as I am? Do you long for frosty glasses of lemonade and cool summer salads? Look no more!! I am a salad freak, nut, lover and just found an amazing one over at Cheeky Kitchen. She was contacted by Dole...yes the famous pineapple people and asked to come up with a recipe for them....WOW right! And after this recipe I bet they offer her a job!

Doesn't that look soooooo cool, crisp and inviting!!

I can just look at the picture and know I am going to love it. I bet you will too!!

Kiwi Chicken Salad


This simple, flavorful recipe is the perfect way to use up leftover chicken breast. The savory flavor of grilled, rotisserie, or oven-baked chicken—whatever you’ve got in the fridge!--mixed with the tartness of tropical fruits, and the subtle bite of cilantro-lime dressing is a splendid combination. The recipe can be made in minutes and stores well in the fridge up to 12 hours.

Ingredients:

1 cup cooked chicken breast, diced

4 kiwi fruit, peeled and sliced

2 starfruit, peeled and sliced

3 tablespoons red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup red cabbage, thinly sliced

Juice of 3 limes

3 tablespoons light olive oil

3 tablespoons honey

2 teaspoons chopped cilantro

Salt to taste
Directions:

Place the chicken, kiwi, starfruit, onion, and cabbage in a large bowl. In a small bowl, whisk together the lime juice, olive oil, honey and cilantro. Add a pinch of salt. Pour the dressing over the chicken mixture and carefully stir until evenly coated with the dressing. Serve & enjoy!

Decorating Dilemma!!!

Usually all my posts are about food or food related subjects but today I need some advice from some  of you that are really good at decorating. I have a decorating dilemma!!!!!!

 This was my front room (as we say here in Utah) I can't call it formal by any means but it is the front living room (as apposed to the family room which is one level down). The room you see when you ring my doorbell and I answer it...LOL

(ALL PHOTOS WILL ENLARGE WHEN CLICKED ON!)

I need curtains because those big blank white squares of mini blinds are killing me!!! But I just have not found any premade that I like and I don't sew....I know...I know...what kind of woman am I. I cook...really well in fact...but I don't sew and I no longer feel any shame in it...LOL

So...getting back to my stark white mini blinds....I wanted to do something to add a little color but not spend a lot of money. This is what I came up with (for the time being) ...I still want curtains or drapes or something pretty on the windows!

I added two of my extra dinning room chairs.....(free)

I bought two pillows for the sofa to add a little color. ($ 6.00 each at Target)

My BFF Tammy found these for me at my favorite store in the whole world "Hobby Lobby" I put one one on either side of the window, for a little more color. They were 1/2 off!!

I love my bird cage from "Home Goods"
So....the question is....does it look a little better and what more would you suggest I do (other than some color on the windows).  I'm open here ladies...give me some suggestions!!

Contest Alert!!

My new bloggy Friend Christina is having an awesome contest at her blog Christina's Adventures. Check out all the cute things she has on her Etsy site...she has loads of talent!!

We use her awesome clipboards in our store everyday and just love them.

I Love This Dressing

Do you just love that pretty green Cilantro Dressing you get on your salads at those trendy Mexican restaurants? I do...In fact I could eat the Pork Salad at Cafe Rio EVERYDAY...and it has to have that creamy green dressing!

I have tried a few of the knock off recipes and none compare to this one!

Creamy Cilantro Lime Dressing

1/2 cup Ranch dressing (I use light)


1 large jalapeno, seeded and ribs removed, and cut into 1-inch pieces

1 tomatillo, husk removed, cut into 8ths (that is the green rough tomato looking thing...LOL)

2 teaspoons lime juice

1/2 cup cilantro leaves, lightly packed

Combine everything in a blender and blend until smooth.

Makes about 3/4 cup dressing


I found this and many other wonderful recipes at "Bake Off Flunkie"

Look What I Found

What a wonderful Day!! Not only did I find an old friend Anissa whom I have not seen for years, but I also found out that she has a wonderful recipe blog Anissa's Kitchen just filled with mouth watering, yummy treats. I have been cruising it for hours just wishing I could taste each one.

Chicken Broccoli Pasta is one of my favorite things to order when dinning out and I found out Anissa had it on her blog I though I would share it with you!

Garlic Chicken and Broccoli Pasta


1 lb penne pasta

1 ½ cup broccoli

1 ½ to 2 cups cooked chicken

1 Tablespoons butter

2 cloves garlic can add extra (we did)

2 Tablespoons flour

¾ cup chicken broth

3/4 cup milk

2 Tablespoons parsley flakes Red pepper flakes (to taste)

Salt and pepper to taste

1/3 to ½ cup grated parmesan cheese (can add extra we did)

Cook pasta according to directions. Melt butter and add garlic in medium sauce pan cook over med heat for 1 min.Add flour and cook for another min stirring constantly, Stir in broth and milk and cook stirring until sauce boils and thickens, Add chicken and broccoli and stir, Add parsley, salt, pepper, pepper flakes and cheese. Stir till cheese is melted. Add pasta and toss till covered. Serve with extra parmesan on top. This was very yummy and fairly easy to make .