King Ranch Chicken Casserole

In our family, homemade pimiento cheese and ginger ale punch are part of the Christmas Eve tradition. Aunt Grace started that, declaring that it was rich, but not too filling; "save those calories for Christmas Day Dinner."
But, we loved this  Texas Monthly story about the King Ranch casserole (thank you, Sara Ivey) and wanted to share this on our blog.
http://www.texasmonthly.com/story/king-ranch-casserole#.Uq0r0alOEj5.facebook
The King Ranch Casserole didn't originate on the King Ranch; more likely, according to this article, it was a Junior League take on Chicken A La King.
Aunt Grace also had a wonderful Chicken A La King recipe, which we'll share soon.
In the meantime, this could become our new Christmas Eve dish.  Thanks, Sara.

King Ranch Casserole

Grace Alice Boyd

Nigella's Chocolate Cherry Trifle -- Great Downton Abbey Dessert for a Holiday Party or Ice Party

After four days of being ice-bound, we're ready to reembrace our healthy eating.  But, there was one last gasp yesterday as we created a chocolate cherry trifle.  We couldn't find our trifle bowl, so we improvised.  Husband Steve Moffett (@SteveMoffett) put this together twice yesterday -- once for our friend Christine and her family for so generously hosting our son during this ice-mageddon and once for a family dinner last night with Aunt Barbara Anne and Uncle Doug who braved their way through the ice and snow all the way from next door.

We've made this dessert several times for parties and it's always a palate-pleaser and an eye-catcher (especially if you can find the trifle bowl.)  There's about 15 minutes of prep, a half-hour execution -- but the secret is to let it chill for several hours, even overnight, before serving.

As for calories, don't ask.  With apologies to Pamela Foster, whose Twitter account I follow (@Downton Cooks,) this dessert is -- in my American perception, at least - definitely "Downton Abbey Edwardian" in richness and presentation. Plan to eat fruit and Tracy's Tacos for several days afterward in order to compenstate.

Here's a link to Nigella's original recipe.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/nigella-feasts/chocolate-cherry-trifle-recipe/index.html

Tracy's Table -- Low-Cal Taco Salad

My sister Tracy -- through healthy eating and sensible exercise -- has improved her health immeasurably in the past year. 

She's also "invented" a number of wonderful recipes that are tasty as well as healthy.  I've been so impressed with her cooking I asked if I could share a few of her recipes.

Here is 

Tracy's Table Taco Salad

You'll need

3-4 cloves fresh garlic
1 large onion
Bell peppers
coconut spray or organic coconut oil
1 lb ground chicken
taco powder seasoning
1 can Rotel tomatoes
Fresh chopped lettuce
Salt and pepper to taste

Chop fresh garlic, onions and bell peppers and saute in skillet, using coconut spray or 1-2 Tb of organic coconut oil (we use Spectrum brand, but there are several fine products.)
As onions become "glassy," add
1 lb ground chicken and cook very well.
Then, add taco powder seasoning -- as much as 1/4 cup -- thoroughly incorporating the powder and making sure all ingredients are "chopped" finely.
Finally, add one can of Rotel tomatoes.
Arrange meat dish over plate of finely-shredded lettuce and serve.

You can store/refrigerate this mixture in one-cup containers and reheat (for approximately 1 minute) in the microwave.

Each serving is approximately 230-245 calories.

Legendary White House correspondent Helen Thomas Dies at 92

Pioneering journalist Helen Thomas has died.  This Associated Press obituary shares the highlights of a persistent nature that tormented presidents -- and delighted the rest of us.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/national/pioneering-journalist-helen-thomas-dies-was-an-irrepressible-white-house-correspondent/2013/07/20/80f2dce8-f146-11e2-b2e0-0ecd9d3227c0_story_1.html