Chicken Chile Verde

I got this idea from my brother's friend. The same friend who inspired me to start my food blog. It takes a while to make, but it's so worth it. The picture is a bit ghetto because my camera broke so I had to take it with my phone.

3 pounds skinless boneless chicken- You can get this a few ways, Personally, I like to buy it already cooked. Trader Joe's has packages of cooked chicken and they also have whole roasted chickens. Or you can buy it raw and cook it yourself. Whatever you prefer.
olive oil
3 cups chopped onions- To make it easier, I like to buy the already chopped onions from the store. I hate chopping onions and its definitely a time saver.
3 tablespoons chopped garlic
5 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
6 cups canned low-salt chicken broth
1 jar Trader Joe's salsa verde
2 4oz cans of fire roasted diced green chiles
2 tablespoons chopped fresh oregano or 1 tablespoon dried
2 tablespoons chili powder
1 tablespoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon paprika
2 cinnamon sticks
corn tortillas

Saute the onions and garlic in a large skillet with about 2 tbs of olive oil. Once it is done, transfer to a big pot and add the chopped or shredded chicken, corn, oregano, chili powder, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, chile verde salsa and chicken broth. After the concoction comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low, cover and let simmer for about 2 hours or until thick. As with any recipe, you can add or remove any ingredients you want. If you don't like cumin, don't add it. If you like cayenne pepper, throw it on in there. Be your own boss with this one folks.
Once the verde is done, spoon as much as you want onto corn tortillas and enjoy! You can throw some shredded cheese on there to doll it up but it's just as delicious without.

Moist and Delicious Pumpkin Chocolate Chip Cake

Did I get your attention with the word "moist?" Here's a tasty fall dessert that people will be asking you to make year round. The good thing about this recipe is you can do pretty much anything you want with the batter... make a bundt cake, a normal cake, cupcakes, a BLT- hahaha tricked you with that one.

2 cups sugar
1 cup oil
4 eggs
2 cups flour
1 cup chocolate chips
16 oz. canned pumpkin
2 tsp baking soda
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp salt

Preheat oven to 350. Mix together the sugar and oil. Add eggs (beaten). Add flour, baking soda, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, pumpkin and chocolate chips. Spray a cake pan or put cupcake liners in a cupcake tin and filler up. For cakes, it should bake about an hour (keep an eye on it) and for cupcakes it will take about 25-30 minutes. Once done, take out the goodness and let cool completely. I frosted the cupcakes with chocolate frosting, but you can frost them with the flavor of your choice or leave them plain. You will want to poke your own eyes out after you take your first bite, that's how good it is.

Chili Chili Bang Bang

I always thought chili was something that took hours to make, but a coworker of mine gave me a delicious chili recipe that took maybe 20 minutes and it tastes fantastic.

1 can of kidney beans (red or white- I used white)
1 can of diced tomatoes
1 can of pinto beans
1 chopped onion
1 tsp cayenne pepper
1 tsp red chile pepper
1 can fire-roasted diced green chiles
1 package of ground beef
1 packet of chili seasoning

Brown ground beef and onions in a skillet (drain fat).
In a large pot, combine remaining ingredients (including the liquid in the tomatoes and beans). Add beef and onions to mixture and let simmer on low heat til warmed through. Scoop yourself a heaping bowl, top with raw onions and cheese and enjoy! And also, maybe sleep alone that evening.

Caramel Chocolate Chip Oatmeal Bars With Coconut and Walnuts

Here's a sweet lil treat that I can't get enough of. The picture doesn't do this gooey deliciousness justice.

3/4 cup butter melted
1 cup all-purpose flour
1 cup rolled oats
3/4 cup packed brown sugar
1/2 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt
1 cup chocolate chips
1 jar of caramel sauce/topping
1 cup chopped walnuts
1 cup shredded coconut.

Preheat oven to 350.
In a large bowl, combine flour, oats, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, butter, 1/2 cup choc. chips, 1/2 cup shredded coconut, 1/2 cup walnuts.
Press the mixture into a greased 11x17 inch pan.
Pour the jar of caramel sauce over the mixture (you may want to warm it up Kris first so it's easy to pour) and sprinkle the remaining nuts, coconut and chocolate chips on top.
You can also put half the mixture on the bottom, add the caramel, remaining nuts, coconut and chocolate chips and then put the other half of the mixture on top to make the bars a bit thicker.
Bake for 20 mins, let cool completely and enjoy.

No need to thank me, just pay it forward.