healthy spring rolls with vietnamese chicken

Hall of Fame!  THIS is what we're having for dinner tonight and I am so excited.  Our family spent a few nights at the coast a few weeks ago and I ordered shrimp rolls. They were so delicious I have been wanting more ever since (a sure sign of a great meal).  I have to say these are just as good if not better!  For starters, the Vietnamese chicken is outstanding by itself.  Wrap it up with some veggies and dip the entire thing in peanut sauce and you've got heaven on earth.  My husband said reminded him of something we'd get at Magenta, his favorite restaurant.  Success.

healthy spring rolls with vietnamese chicken (slightly adapted from Half Baked Harvest)
1 pound boneless, skinless chicken breast
4 tablespoon soy sauce
2 teaspoons brown sugar (I used 1 tablespoon Splenda)
2 teaspoons sesame oil
3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon curry powder
1/2 teaspoon ginger powder
2 cloves garlic, minced

filling
1 1/2 cups cooked whole wheat vermicelli noodles
julienne cut carrots, a handful or two
1 red bell pepper, sliced into small sticks
spinach leaves
fresh basil leaves
12 or so rice paper wrappers

In a medium size bowl, combine the soy sauce, brown sugar, sesame oil, lime juice, curry, ginger and garlic.  Add the chicken.  Grill chicken. (Original recipe says you can brown the chicken on the stove top.)  Allow to cool then slice into strips.
Create an assembly line of filling ingredients.  Fill a shallow dish with war water.  Add a rice paper sheet, one at a time for 5 to 10 seconds.  Remove and place on a flat surface.  Towards one end of the rice wrapper, layer the 2 to 3 leaves of basil, spinach, noodles, chicken, carrots and red pepper.  Fold both ends to the center and roll the sheet as tightly as you can without ripping.  Continue with remaining sheets of rice wrappers and filling.  Serve with a peanut sauce.  You can make your own however I used store bought.  It was delicious!!

party idea- cars 2

We had a family party and invited a best friend to keep it simple- it turned out GREAT!  I highly recommend simple.  : )

layered dirt dessert

My future race car driver requested this dessert.  I decided to replace my old dirt dessert recipe with this one because it was a hit, especially with the kids.  This recipe makes A LOT so be sure you have a lot of friends with sweet tooths (or should I say sweet teeth?) ready with spoons or forks...or you'll be eating this for days.  On your mark, get set, GO!

layered dirt dessert (adapted from Brown Eyed Baker)
1 package (about 15 ounces Oreo Cookies)
2 (3.9 ounces) packages instant chocolate pudding
4 cups milk
8 ounces cream cheese, at room temperature
1/4 cup butter, at room temperature
1 cup powdered sugar
8 ounces Cool Whip
1 small (20 ounce) chocolate cake ( I used a double chocolate cake with chocolate chips)
cars or gummy worms

Crush the Oreos into fine crumbs using a food processor or place the cookies in a resealable plastic bag and crush with a rolling pin; set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together both boxes of the instant pudding with the milk for about 2 minutes.  Let sit for 5 minutes.
Meanwhile, beat together the cream cheese and butter on medium speed until light and fluffy; about 3 minutes.  Reduce the speed to low, add the powdered sugar, then gradually increase the speed back to medium until a fluffy texture is reached.
Using a rubber spatula, fold the cream cheese mixture into the chocolate pudding, then fold in the Cool Whip until completely combined.
Cube the chocolate cake and add to the cream cheese/pudding mixture.
Assemble the dessert by layering the layers of crushed Oreos and pudding mixture, beginning and ending with the crushed Oreos.
Refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight before serving.  Decorate the top with cars or gummy worms.