Salute to small STL Businesses!

Salute to small STL business's! Finally went to Straubs for the first time today and found these chips. I have to admit my draw to them was the cute little prim kraft paper bag. The cashier told me that the $.99 sample size I bought would be gone before I made it out of the parking lot (had to make a left on a 4 lane road!) and that I should go buy the family size. He was right! These chips were the yummiest kettle chips I've ever had. Reminded me of the King's Taters that you get at the fair. The bag claims no presevatives, no trans fats, no MSG & gluten free. Next up to try the spicy ones!http://billygoatstl.com/

Leftover Jalapeno Popper Dip

http://www.bigredkitchen.com/2008/10/jalapeo-popper-dip.html

Made this dip for New Year's Eve and it was a really good replacement for Buffalo Chicken Dip and for me who gets heartburn easily I didn't feel it was a heartburn inducing.  You can control how hot this dip gets by what jalapenos and green chilies you buy.  I was a little worried about the mayo separating, but even with keeping it on a warming plate for most of the night and reheating in the microwave since I haven't had a problem yet.  

Today I used some of the leftover dip to make Jacket Potato's for lunch and it was yummy.  Jacket potatoes are red potatoes that have been cooked, cut an x shaped in the potato but not all the way down and filling the v with a mixture of sour cream, spices, and Cheddar cheese.  I used my microwave potato pocket from Hawaii (I think you can get them at most craft shows no days) and microwaved 4 potatoes for 3 minutes.  Then cut the V and filled with the popper dip!  It was delicious and cut down on a little of the spice.

Take Two: Avocado Chicken Salad

http://becomingbetty.blogspot.com/2011/09/avocado-chicken-salad.html

The first time I made this I used canned Chicken and it was awful.  Today I made it with fresh chicken and it was wonderful.  I could eat this everyday!  I do LOVE avocado!  I'm beginning to think that this is going to be the year of cilantro and green onions.  I keep finding myself pulling out the food processor to chop the two ingredients.  

Cilantro Lime Chicken Tacos

http://www.pipandebby.com/pip-ebby/2011/11/18/slow-cooker-cilantro-lime-chicken.html

This was very good, stayed nice and moist when it was finished .  I have to say I didn't really follow the recipe I just used the mere suggestion of it after reading it.  I had some leftover homemade salsa from last week.  Since the majority of the ingredients in the chicken recipe were already in the salsa I just added the taco seasoning packet and a little bit more cilantro and lime since I had already used quit a bit in the original salsa recipe.  When done we heated up some corn tortillas (wrap in wet paper towel and heat in the micro for 45 seconds per 4 tortillas), added some Mexican cheddar cheese, a little lettuce, and some sour cream, the chicken and chowed down. Used 6 chicken breasts and still had plenty of leftovers, which is not usually the case in our house after eating dinner and boxing up two lunches for the next day.  

http://www.dana-made-it.com/2010/12/day-14.html