Napa Almond Chicken Salad (copycat of Panera Breads)

I absolutely love Panera's Napa almond chicken salad. I have always wondered how to make it. So I thought I would give it a shot. With a little guess work and a little internet research here is my version...

4 cans cubed chicken
2-3 stalks celery, chopped
1 whole onion, diced (I used a whole package of the predicted onions the grocery store offers)
2 cups grapes, halved
1 small apple, diced
4 tbsp mayonnaise
3 tbsp sour cream

4-5 large shakes of dill
1/2 cup slivered almonds (they do not have to be Napa.)
2 tbsp brown sugar
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all ingredients together in a large bowl. Serve cold on bread as a sandwich or with crackers!

Cornbeef & Cabbage, Delish!

Cornbeef and Cabbage, Delish!

Using this pot from “From My Kitchen” I cut out <pot> in light green at 3" and then cut <pot-s> in black at 3”.

Using this clover from “Designer’s Calendar” I cut out <Clover> in dark green at 1”. I used the clover to cover up the star that is in the pot. I used a pop dot to make it raised.

 Using this button from “Wild Cards” I cut out two <Icon Button>, one at 14” and one at 12” in light green. I also used pop dots on them.(I knew I wanted buttons but I didn't have any actual buttons. I thought well I can cut them out. But then I as faced with what cartridge has a button on it and do I own it. Instead of searching though all my book I went to the website http://mycutsearch.com/ where you can type in any keyword and it will show you all of those found on all the different cartridges. It’s a definite time saver.)

Using this stamp set and this punch I first stamped the sentiment “Cornbeef & Cabbage, delish!” and embossed it in white. Then using the punch I punched out the design so the sentiment was centered. I also used pop dots on this.

The stamp set can be purchased here…

http://shop.my-creative-time.com/I-Believe-in-Leprechauns-Stamp-Set-MCT-002.htm?categoryId=-1

The punch can be purchased here…

http://www.stampinup.com/ECWeb/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=120907

My dark green strip is cut at 1” wide.

The result: A very cute invitation for my St. Patrick’s Day Party. 

Chicken & Cheese Enchilada Cassarole with Green Chili & Sour Cream Sauce

I made this for dinner tonight and loved it and just had to share the recipe. I made it as a casserole which the directions describe but you could make it as rolled enchiladas as well. I used whole wheat flour tortillas. Delish!

8-10 soft taco shells (smaller flour tortillas)
2 cups cooked, shredded or cubed chicken
2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese
3 Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
2 cups chicken broth
1 cup sour cream
1 (4 oz) can diced green chilies

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease a 9×13 pan. Place a layer of tortillas on bottom of pan. Add ½ of the chicken and ½ of the cheese on top of tortillas. Add another layer of tortillas. Add the remainder of the chicken and cheese. Add one last layer of tortillas. In a sauce pan, melt butter, stir in flour and cook 1 minute. Add broth and whisk until smooth. Heat over medium heat until thick and bubbly. Stir in sour cream and chilies. Do not bring to boil, you don’t want curdled sour cream. Pour over enchiladas and top with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake 22 min. 

Valentine's Card 2014

Cut white card stock to 8 1/2 x 4 1/2. Fold left side in 3". Cut three pieces of light pink card stock. One at 5 1/4 x 4 1/4, glue to inside large part of card and two at 2 3/4 x 4 1/4, glue one on inside of fold and one on outside of fold. Cut one piece of patterned paper at 4 x 2 1/2, glue on outside of fold. Cut one piece of dark pink card stock at 4 x 2 1/2 and use Cuttlebug "Love" folder on piece, glue on inside of fold. Cut one 3" heart in dark pink from sweethearts cartridge and glue in the out of the fold do that half of the hear is on the fold and half is on the other part of the card. Cut one 3" shadow heart in patterned paper from sweethearts cartridge and glue onto card so that it shadows the dark pink heart. Embellish card with Valentines day stamps. And don't forget to mark the back so people know you made it. :)

For my stamps I used My Creative Time's "You Had Me At Chocolate" and Stampin' Up's "Four Frames" with matching punch.    

Mike Wazowski Die Cut

Mike Wazowski cut out from Mini Monsters Cricut Cartridge 

Using this monster I cut out the body in green at 3 1/2" and then cut the two outside legs off. Then I cut out the hornsin tan at 3 1/2". I used the large eyeand cut out one in white at 7", one in blue at 5", and one in black at 3" and layered them together. 

Then using this monster I cut out the mouth in black at 3". I also cut out three sets of the teethin white at 3". I put five teeth on the top and four teeth on the bottom.
The result: Mike Wazowski from Monsters, Inc.