Monday, February 22, 2010

Lightened Up and Layered

Hello all!

Sorry posts have been sparse, but lately the weather has been seeming more like spring and less like winter, so I try to take advantage of it while I can. It’s not often Minnesota winters treat us nicely! It seems as soon as the holiday hoorah slows down, I get into spring cleaning mode. Thursday my grandma came down to visit and helped tackle my apartment from top to bottom. We ended the day with a sparkling clean result an a definite appetite. Lately I’ve been really enjoying one of Applebee’s new menu items. I’m sure you’ve maybe saw the commercials for the new “Meals Under 550”—this is one of them and I would’ve never guessed that such a rich, flavorful and filling restaurant meal would clock in at that low of calories. It was a good surprise! Have you tried any of Applebee’s new “Under 550 Calorie” menu items? Raves/reviews?

I got the Grilled Dijon Chicken and Portabellas

“Marinated chicken breast grilled and topped with roasted red peppers, onions, portobello mushrooms, Dijon sauce, and aged cheddar cheese. Served with steamed herb potatoes and seasonal vegetables.”

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  • Overall, this was a great meal for $9.99 and under 550 calories—I would highly suggest you try it!

I also did the weekly grocery shopping and was pleasantly surprised that Wal-Mart had their giant bags of frozen chicken breasts on sale for half the price that they normally are—score! At around $3 for that big of a bag, I just couldn’t pass it up even though my freezer is really overloaded full. That is one of the reasons I really like Wal-Mart; their occasional sales can be a steal! However, Wal-Mart does have it’s pros and cons in my book.

Pros:

  • They carry a wide variety of products.
  • Offer all departments needed for a single trip—no multiple stops.
  • Great Value brand offers similar products to name-brand at a cheaper price.
  • When they have sales they are worth the trip.
  • I really enjoy their self checkouts so I can bag things how I like them.
  • They are really good about accepting local sales ads and matching the lowest price.
  • Their bakery clearance can be a real deal for low-priced and fresh-baked breads/pastries.

Cons

  • Way too busy—it takes a lot of effort to get in and out of the one in my town unless of course you go at 6 am or 10 pm.
  • Sometimes the produce can be a bit on the low quality side.
  • Sometimes customer service can take forever to get through.

What are your Wal-Mart pros and cons?

So thanks to Wal-Mart, this delish recipe was born—the sauce makes a double batch so you can store it in the refrigerator for up to a week. You can use it to make another batch of this recipe, as a pizza sauce, a dip, or whatever else you can come up with. This is one of those recipes I could make numerous times a month—and even better is that it’s healthy!

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

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--Makes 4 large enchiladas—can be doubled without doubling the sauce--

Ingredients:

  • 2 c chopped cooked chicken breast
  • 1 c green pepper
  • 3/4 c chunky mild salsa
  • 1 c shredded cheddar cheese (I used fat free)
  • 1 c diced green pepper
  • 4 oz fat free block cream cheese
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • 1 tsp garlic powder
  • 1 tsp cumin
  • 4- 10 inch tortillas (preferably light and whole wheat)
  • 1 c fat free sour cream
  • 1 (1o 3/4 oz) can of fat free condensed cream of chicken soup
  • 1/2 c skim milk
  • 1 can green chilies
  • 1/4 c diced yellow onion

Directions:

  • Preheat oven to 350 F and lightly spray 8 x 8 baking pan.
  • Beat cream cheese, water, seasonings, 1/2 c salsa and chicken together in mixing bowl.
  • Lay out 4 tortillas, place 1/4 c chicken mixture down the middle . Roll up and place seam side down next to each other in pan.
  • In large bowl, mix soup, sour cream, milk, 1/4 c salsa, chilies, and onion—pour half over enchiladas—reserve remaining for other use.

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  • Bake 30 min. Sprinkle with cheese evenly and return to oven for 5 more minutes.

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14 comments:

Krista said...

The enchiladas look amazing! My fam loves that kind of meal.

Our WalMart insn't a super store....yet. ;)

Meghan said...

I agree with your pro/con list of Walmart. My biggest complaint is how busy the one near us is - it makes it not even worth it when you leave the store with a headache!

I love chicken enchiladas and these look fabulous! Love all those ingredients, and it's a bonus that they're healthy too!

Sook said...

Oh yum! Love the enchiladas. Enjoy the nice weather as much as you can! It's been raining here all week and they said it will rain until Thursday... :(

Stacey said...

I don't go to Walmart very often, but I do agree that they have good prices on most things. I stock up on PB&Co peanut butter whenever I'm there! I hate how busy it can be though.
The enchiladas sound like they would be good. I love Mexican food! I'm going to pass this recipe to my mom; I think she would really like it!

Nicole, RD said...

Everyone at work loved the truffles, too! :)

And those enchiladas look delicious, as well!

Sook said...

CaSaundra,

You have won the cookbook competition on my blog! Congrats! Please contact me with your address. :)

Kim said...

Glad to hear you have been having wonderful weather! Congrats on winning the Cooking Thin book over at Sook's site:D I know you'll like that one.
Both the chicken enchiladas and the chicken dish look terrific!

I'm in spring cleaning mode too!

sophia said...

I don't care for Applebee's so much..but your enchiladas? Bring it on, baby!

Erica said...

I need to get motivated to get some major spring cleaning done! I'm hoping to tackle the windows on our house! And maybe power wash the house as well. Fun fun! I've heard the commercials for applebees new meals but haven't tried any. Glad you found one you like thats filing- fabulous! The enchiladas look just perfect. I may need to make these for Josh (and a veggie version for me!). I hate to say it but I can't stand Walmart...I will only go there at really off hours if I have to

brandi said...

those enchiladas look AMAZING :)

Natalie said...

thanks for the tip re: that salsa at walmart...never seen that but I'm going to check it out...and I now need to go there and look for the cheap chicken :)

Camilla said...

What a great blog CaSaundraLeigh!!! I am crazy about chicken enchiladas, these look so yummy... :) I love that you are a fitness-cookng person, too. It makes perfect sense!

Shannon, Tropical Eats said...

oh wallyworld :) gotta love em! This is my most favorite websites: http://www.peopleofwalmart.com/

PS your enchiladas are rockin!

Laura said...

Heeeey girlie! Im back in the blog world and I wanted to let you know since i left MIA before (its Laura from Pineapplegurl) Anywho I hope all has been well and I can't wait to get back in touch :)