Slow Cooker Meal: Borracho Chicken

Do you have a slow cooker?

I must say they are handy little items that really save time in the kitchen.  You can prepare a meal in the morning (or the night before) and set it to cook all day and when you get home, voila! dinner is done.

Sometimes, though, you have to do a lot of prep work to even get the food in the slow cooker.  This meal today is all about simple slow cooker meals.  You can cook anything from breakfast to dessert in a slow cooker.  I love that!

The other day I knew we would be out running around for most of the afternoon and most likely to tired to cook dinner so i was looking for a nice meal that would be done in about 4 hours (the time we were gone).  I came across and interesting Latin chicken dish called Borracho Chicken.  I've heard of Borracho Beans and maybe you have too, but never Borracho Chicken. You see Borracho means 'drunken' in Spanish.  I was definitely game when I found out that Tequila was added to the chicken.

This couldn't be more simple to make.  Using canned beans and tomatoes (I used Rotel) made this simple to put together.  The chicken doesn't need browning.  You just put it in and it will braise in the sauce made by the beans and tomatoes.  It came out moist, tender and flavorful.  The perfect dinner that I served with a green salad and a side of rice to help soak up all those yummy juices.  Can't get much easier than this unless you eat out! 

Enjoy!

Borracho Chicken

Serves 4

Time: 3-4 hours

2 cans 14.5 oz pinto beans, undrained

4 boneless skinless chicken breasts

Salt and pepper

2 cans (10oz) Mexican diced tomatoes with chilies

¼ c tequila

1 T Mexican or fajita seasoning (such as salt free Mrs. Dash)

Place pinto beans in the bottom of a 5 quart slow cooker.  Season chicken breasts with salt and pepper.  Place in the slow cooker on top of the pinto beans.  In a medium bowl stir together diced tomatoes, tequila, and seasoning.  Pour over chicken.  Cover and cook on low heat for 3 to 4 hours.  Serve chicken with beans, tomatoes and sauce.

source:  Sandra Lee Semi-Homemade Fast-Fix Family Favorites

Beet Salad

 A quick salad is always a treat.

Especially during the warmer months when we have plenty of fresh vegetables and a lighter meal is in order.
I like to try various combination with my salads.  Changing up the greens or the vegetables I use.  Add some protein and possibly some fruit and you have one heck of a salad.  The combinations are endless!

Today's salad is a Beet Salad.  Beets, raspberry vinaigrette, and apples make this salad the perfect answer to a sweet craving.  

This is a fantastic salad!  I love the flavor combination of the beets.  If you don't have fresh ones take some help and buy them packaged.  Trader Joe's has delicious baby beets packaged and ready to go.  Also as a quick tip, some grocery store salad bars have sliced beets, and may carry hard boiled eggs and artichokes.  It's easy to pick up just a few so that you don't have to buy in quantity.  So easy!

Hope you enjoy a new, fresh salad!


Beet Salad

Serves 1

4 cups mixed greens
1 crumbled hard-boiled egg
3 sliced baby beets
1/2 cup apple slices
2 artichoke heart quarters
1 tablespoon sliced almonds

2 tablespoons bottled fat-free raspberry balsamic vinaigrette
fresh ground black pepper  
2 graham cracker squares

In a bowl combine all ingredients from the mixed greens to the almonds.  Drizzle with vinaigrette and fresh ground black pepper.  Toss to combine.  Serve with graham crackers.

How to Build a Balanced Breakfast

I know I've posted a lot of yummy breakfast dishes over the past several years.   Sinful ones, and healthier ones.  But those sinful breakfasts are usually saved for special occasions or a nice weekend meal.  

So what do you eat every day?  Me?  I'm always on the run getting ready for work and usually end up taking breakfast to work.  A grab and go breakfast is perfect for me, and I bet a lot of you too!

So I was browsing recipes on the internet and came across this wonderful formula for making a balanced breakfast.  Easy to put together and even easier to take along with you.  How perfect is that?

I thought this was a perfect post for today since I'm running out the door and don't have time for much of a breakfast myself.  So my breakfast of today consists of:

Whole grain toast
2 T low sugar blackberry jam
Smoothie (recipe coming soon!)

When compiling your first meal of the day, remember this simple formula:

Whole grain + dairy/protein + fruit = healthy breakfast

     

Include whole grains for the starch portion of your meal. This will be your main carbohydrate source. The dairy/protein digests more slowly than carbohydrate, helping you feel satisfied. And fruit is rich in essential vitamins, minerals, and fiber -- plus it's a healthy carbohydrate source.

Here are 6 healthy breakfast ideas.  All low in calories, carbs, and a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins.

 

Healthy Breakfast #1: Sausage and Cheese English Muffin

Whole Grain:
--Whole wheat English muffin
--1 teaspoon light vegetable oil spread
Dairy/Protein:
--Morningstar Farms Original vegetable sausage patty
--3/4 ounce reduced-fat cheese
Fruit:
--3/4 cup blueberries

    

Healthy Breakfast #2: Cereal and Milk

Whole Grain:
--1 cup Kashi GoLean cereal
Dairy/Protein:
--3/4 cup fat-free milk
Fruit:
--1/2 cup strawberries, sliced

   

Healthy Breakfast #3: Blueberry Muffin

Whole Grain:
--Fiber One frozen blueberry muffin, thawed
Dairy/Protein:
--Hard-cooked egg
Fruit:
--1 cup cantaloupe cubes

  

Healthy Breakfast #4: Apple and Cheese

Whole Grain:
--Amy's Apple Toaster Pop, toasted
Dairy/Protein:
--Light string-cheese stick
Fruit:
--Small apple

   

Healthy Breakfast #5: Bagel with Peanut Butter

Whole Grain:
--Thomas' 100% Whole Wheat Mini Bagel
Dairy/Protein:
--1 tablespoon Smucker's Natural Creamy Peanut Butter
Fruit:
--1 large orange

  

Healthy Breakfast #6: Cinnamon Swirl Bread and Spread

Whole Grain:
--2 slices Pepperidge Farm 100% Whole Wheat Cinnamon with Raisins Swirl Bread, toasted
Dairy/Protein:
--2 tablespoons reduced-fat cream cheese
--1 teaspoon honey
Fruit:
--1 kiwifruit

 

Here's to a healthier breakfast, and one's that grab 'n go!!!

Enjoy!

Pictures and recipes courtesy of DiabeticLivingOnline.com