Simple Ways to Spice Up Dinner

by Michele Cheplic | More from this Blogger

27 Jan 2009 08:09 AM

If you are looking for ways to warm up this winter without having to turn up the thermostat, consider the following recipes. These hot and spicy dishes are sure to heat up mealtime in your home, and the best part... they won't put a strain on your electric bill.

SPICY CHICKEN QUESADILLAS

Ingredients:

3 to 4 cups chicken, cooked and shredded

2 cups shredded Monterey jack cheese

1 cup shredded cheddar cheese

4 green onions, chopped

1 ripe tomato, seeded and chopped

1/2 cup fresh jalapeno peppers, seeded and chopped

2 teaspoons fresh lime juice

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

8 (10inch) flour tortillas

Softened butter

Sour cream

Salsa

Directions:

In a bowl, combine chicken, cheeses, green onion, tomatoes, cilantro, jalapeno peppers and fresh lime. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

To assemble and cook quesadilla, spread or brush the softened butter on one side of two tortillas. Place one tortilla, butter-side down in a medium heated 10-inch or larger skillet.

Spread 1/4 of the chicken mixture on the top of the tortilla and top with the remaining tortilla, butter-side up. Cook until the bottom tortilla is golden brown. Carefully turn the quesadilla over and cook until golden brown. Repeat process with remaining tortillas and chicken mixture.

Cut each quesadilla into 8 wedges and serve with sour cream and salsa.

SPICY STUFFED PEPPER BREAD

Ingredients:

2 Serrano peppers, diced

2 Poblano peppers, diced

1 habanero pepper, diced

3 jalapenos, diced

3 to 4 tomatillos, diced

1 onion, diced

3 cloves of garlic, minced

2 ounces vegetable oil

1 pound breakfast sausage

8 ounces sour cream

8 ounces cream cheese

1/4 cup Tabasco original pepper sauce

1/4 cup Tabasco jalapeno pepper sauce

2 cups shredded Cheddar cheese

2 loaves French bread

Salt and pepper

Directions:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

In a deep skillet, brown sausage. Drain. Set aside. Place back on heat. Add vegetables and saute for 5 to 7 minutes. Add sour cream, cream cheese, Tabasco sauces. Mix until ingredients are melted together.

Cut off the top of the French bread and dig out the guts of the bread making a deep pocket the length of the bread. Fill the bread with the mixture and top with sharp cheddar cheese. Place the top back on the bread. Wrap in foil and bake for one hour.

Remove from oven and let stand for 10 minutes. Cut into about 2-inch slices and serve.

Related Articles:

Mexican Menu

Comfort Food for Cold Days

Warm Up with Homemade Chowder

Learn more about Michele Cheplic

Michele Cheplic was born and raised in Hilo, Hawaii, but now lives in Wisconsin. Michele graduated from the University of Wisconsin-Madison with a degree in Journalism.

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