Easiest Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas...

....ever!

Whenever I need a go to comfort food that's still healthy, this is the dish.

My mom has been making these for years and I continued making them once I moved out on my own.

They are great on a cold night or for unexpected company and require few ingredients and very little time.

What could possibly be better?! Ok maybe bacon....or a cupcake....or a Chanel bag....but besides that,yup they're delicious :)

Easiest Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas
Makes 8


2 c. cubed chicken (either 2 chicken breasts or 2 12.5 oz cans)
1 package of fat free cream cheese
3/4 c. salsa (any variety)
1 1/2 c. grated Cheddar cheese (I use low fat)
1/4 c. milk (I use fat free)
8 whole wheat tortillas

In a medium saucepan combine the chicken, cream cheese and salsa and cook over low heat, stirring until combined.

Place about 1/3 cup of the mixture in each shell, roll up and then place in a greased 9"x13" pan.

In a smaller saucepan combine the milk and cheese and cook over low heat, mixing until melted.

Pour the sauce over the enchiladas and bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden brown and bubbling.

Man Meals-Part 1

These recipes are so simple...even a man can do it :)

I know it's hard to believe,but trust me on this one guys. If you can turn on the stove, you are golden.

For the first 'Man Meals' I chose things that are classics and that absolutely everyone will love (or at least everyone better!).

These recipes are ones I turn to whenever I am in need of a quick meal. Nothing can beat the ease, the taste or the basic list of ingredients.

Chicken Nuggets and Mac n' Cheese remind me of being a kid, but somehow no matter how old I get these  dishes don't get old.

Chicken Nuggets
From my Mom


1/2 c. bread crumbs (I prefer the Italian seasoned ones)
1 tbsp. Parmesan
1 tbsp. parsley or thyme, chopped (Ok to use dried)
Salt and pepper
4 tbsp. butter, melted
4 chicken breasts, cut into cubes

Combine first four ingredients. Take the chicken cubes and dip them first in the butter then the bread crumb mixture. Lay the cubes on a foil lined baking sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for about 15 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Mac 'n Cheese
From Macaroni and Cheesecake

2 c. pasta
2 c. milk (I use fat free)
1 c. shredded cheddar cheese
1 tsp. salt
1 tsp. Dijon mustard (I prefer it w/o)

In a small saucepan, add pasta and milk.  Bring to simmer, then reduce heat to low and cook for 20 minutes, until pasta is soft, stirring frequently and ensuring milk does not boil.

Turn heat off, add cheese, salt (and mustard if you're using it) and stir to melt the cheese and combine. If not creamy enough, add milk a little at a time, and gently stir.

*This recipe can easily be doubled*

Easy and Elegant

   Sometimes I get these mega bursts of energy that fills my head with crazy ideas...

you know the ones where you decide you are going to run a massive company, run for president, run the world,

or just run the kitchen....wait, I already do that.

Anyways, sometimes during these mega burst of energy (what I like to call drinking 5 cups of coffee) I also decide things like "I want to make a 10 course meal"....at 5 PM.

This was one of those days.

Luckily, I came to my senses and only made 3 courses.

And lucky for you I decided to be nice and share.

Because it looks so pretty and tastes so yummy and it only took 40 minutes to make, it would be plain wrong to keep this to myself.

Brie Stuffed Chicken

4 chicken breasts, pounded out

4 slices of Brie cheese

2 tsps. of Dijon mustard

Spinach

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

1/2 c. sliced onions

On a foil lined baking sheet lay out chicken breasts. Spread each breast with 1/2 tsp. of mustard. Layer on a handful of spinach and then top with a piece of cheese on one end of the chicken. Fold over the other side of the chicken and hold down by inserting a toothpick. Sprinkle the top with olive oil, salt and pepper. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes, or until meat is no longer pink on the inside. While the chicken is baking, saute the onions in olive oil with a little salt and pepper. Serve the chicken with the onions placed on top.

*The great thing with this recipe is that it can easily be adjusted for as few or as many people as you would like*

Baked Tomato Gratin

5 plum tomatoes

2 tbsp. dried basil

1/4 c. grated Parmesan cheese

1/4 c. bread crumbs

Salt and Pepper

Olive oil spray

Slice the tomatoes. Spray the bottom of a 9" pie pan or square baking dish and layer the tomatoes. Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs first, next the Parmesan cheese, then finally the basil and salt and pepper. Bake at 400 degrees about 20 minutes, or until tomatoes start to start crinkle and the cheese is melted.

**To go along with these dishes I made Baked Rice Pilaf. It was so delicious and so easy! This really is the perfect easy entertaining meal, as everything can be prepped ahead and then all baked around the same time.**