summer eats

All this warm weather has me ready for summer! Isn't it funny how during winter we want stews and baked potatoes and casseroles and the moment the weather turns warm, the whole menu is different? I have been trying to eat more protein and fiber lately and decided to make up a new dish tonight. Not only did I work at home today, I found time to do the sink full of dishes, two loads of laundry and make up a new recipe. And I swear I didn't take any adderall. Not even a little bit. But not really sure how much caffeine I had today.

In the interest of full disclosure, I based this recipe on my one of my favorite dishes, Arizona Chicken at Top Of The Hill. You could add black beans, chopped green onions and tortilla strips to make it exactly like the real dish. I like to go crazy and mix it up. I'm cool like that. And I just didn't buy any at the store yesterday. Hope you enjoy some new summer-y dishes with your family this week. Feel free to post your favorites in the comments!

Arizona Chicken

Rotini pasta (we used whole wheat)

Chicken breasts

Can of Mexican Rotel

Shredded Mexican cheese

Sour cream

Sliced avocado

Boil pasta with no salt. Cook chicken breasts in olive oil, seasoned with salt and pepper. When chicken is barely cooked through, add a can of Rotel to the pan and let simmer for a few more minutes. After draining the pasta, add the chicken and Rotel to the top of the pasta. Melt cheese over the pasta, add sour cream and avocado and enjoy!

Reprinted from my column at Southern Mommas