Rio Chicken Salad

This. Is. Amazing. I know I say that about a lot of our recipes, but seriously! Okay, I must remember what is in this, because there is gobs of things. We actually made most of it to eat with some friends, and this is what we did with the leftovers.

We don't eat much meat anymore, I need to say that up front. Maybe...maybe once a month. Maybe. But this dish was definitely worth eating with meat. Mmmmmm!!!!

K. Here we go.

Chicken
Put 5 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts in crockpot.
Whisk/blend together the following:
1/3 c agave
1/3 c olive oil
1/3 c balsamic vinegar (or raw apple cider)
1/3 bunch parsley (leaves only)
4 cloves garlic (minced, or the whole clove if you are blending with a strong blender)
1/2 t fresh ground pepper
1 T fresh basil
1 T parmesan cheese
1 T chili powder
1 T cumin
Pour over the chicken and cook on high for 5-7 hours. Shred chicken and leave in juices to keep moist

Lime Rice
2 T coconut oil
1 yellow onion, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
Saute in large pan.
Add the following and bring to a boil:
6 2/3 c water
4 t vegetable broth powder
1/2 bunch cilantro, chopped
2 t cumin
3 T fresh lime juice
1/2 t sea salt
3 c brown rice
Reduce heat and simmer until the water is gone (about an hour, but check at 45 minutes)

You need a batch of Tomatillo Dressing.

Rinse and spin 2-3 large romaine hearts. Tear into bite sized pieces. Assemble your salad: lettuce, chicken & rice, shredded cheese (opt), pico de gallo, fresh chopped cilantro, avocado slices, freshly snipped chives and lime wedges. Top salad with tomatillo dressing or just squeeze fresh lime juice over the salad.

You can also do this in a burrito, if you'd like, but we (I mean, allllllll of us, age 1-35) loooooved the salad more then the burrito.

Fresh Vegetable Salad

This was magnificent! Definitely make it in advance so that the flavors can blend. We served with a big green salad and we were all very satisfied when the meal was finished.

Fresh Vegetable Salad
2 cups sliced celery
2-3 cups thinly sliced cauliflower
2 cups halved cherry tomatoes
2 cups thinly sliced carrots
2 cups sliced cucumber
1 medium onion, thinly sliced and separated into rings 
(You can pretty much cut up whatever is in your fridge.)

Dressing

3/4 cup olive oil
1/2 cup minced fresh parsley
3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground mustard
1/8 teaspoon pepper
opt: fresh cilantro

In a large serving bowl, combine the vegetables. In a small bowl, whisk the dressing ingredients, or blend in blender until smooth. Pour over vegetables; gently toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 2 hours or overnight. Serve with a slotted spoon.

 

*for more of a vinegar taste, reduce oil to 1/2 c and add 1/4 c raw apple cider vinegar. 

Avo Eggrolls with Sweet Cilantro Sauce

1 word: Yum!

The mix of flavors is absolutely amazing!!! Thanks to Pinterest for the initial idea, and to my husband for adding to and making it ours!

Avocado Filling
4-5 avocados, diced
1/4 c red onions, diced
1/4 c sundried tomatoes, diced
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 c chopped cilantro (can include stem)
1-2 t sea salt (to taste)
juice from 1/2 lime

Saute onions, tomatoes and garlic in a dab of coconut oil until fragrant. Combine remaining ingredients and fill eggroll wrappers, using water to seal edges. Fry in coconut oil.

Cilantro Dipping Sauce
1 c cilantro
1/2 c sweetener (agave, maple syrup, honey, combination of the 3)

1 T sucanut
1 t cumin
1/2  pepper
4 t raw apple cider vinegar
1 t balsamic vinegar
2 T olive oil
optional: small handful of raw cashews (will make the sauce creamy), clove of garlic, squeeze of lime, pinch saffron
Blend in blender until smooth.

Serve eggrolls with dipping sauce and close your eyes to pick out all the amazing flavors!