Alcoholic Substitutions

If you're like me you don't have a wide array of alcohol sitting around the house! LOL. So I thought that this list of substitutions would be a good thing to post.

• For 2 TBS Amaretto, substitute 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. almond extract

• For 2 TBS of sherry or bourbon, substitute 1 to 2 tsp. of vanilla extract

• For 2 TBS Kahlua, coffee, or chocolate-flavored liqueur, substitute 1/2 to 1 tsp chocolate extract plus 1/2 to 1 tsp instant coffee in 2 TBS water.
• For 1/4 cup or more white wine, substitute an equal measure of white grape juice or apple juice.
• For a 1/4 cup or more of red wine, substitute and equal amount of red grape juice or cranberry juice.

Have a blessed day!

Homemade BBQ Sauce

I'm a label reader and I don't like what I see on the BBQ sauce labels. High Frutose Corn Syrup is usually first in line. So here is a more healthy alternative. That is if you use organic ketchup that doesn't have High Frutose Corn syrup in it. If you don't then don't bother! LOL.

Ingredients:
1 cup Organic Ketchup
2 TBS. Sucanat or sugar
2 TBS. Molasses
1 TBS. Soy Sauce
1 tsp . Liquid Smoke

If you want to make a honey bbq sauce substitute the honey for the molasses!

Directions:
Combine all ingredients together and use immediately. Well in other words don't store it. Make only what you are going to use. You can adjust things to your liking. Like maybe adding more molasses or less sugar. It's just trial and error but this is a great base BBQ Sauce.
ENJOY!!

Black Bean and Chicken Quesadillas

It's no secret that I LOVE Mexican food. So here is yet another addition to my Mexican food list of favorites. I made these yesterday and they were sooooo good and easy to make!

Ingredients:
4-5 boneless skinless chicken breasts
1 onion, chopped
1 can of organic black beans, rinsed
1/2 c. salsa
1 TBS of Mrs. Dash Southwest Chipotle Seasoning
2 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese
10 flour tortillas (the large ones)

Directions:
Cook chicken breasts until done. Chop into bite size chunks and saute' with onion about 5 mins.
In a blender add your black beans, salsa and seasoning. Blend until smooth.
Distribute the bean mixture evenly over 5 tortillas that have been placed on sprayed cookie sheets. I used 3 cookie sheets for these.
Distribute cooked chicken and onions over the beans and then sprinkle with cheese.
Place remaining tortillas over the other 5 and bake in a 350 degree oven for 15-20 mins. or until the tops and edges are slightly brown.
Remove from oven and cut each tortilla into 6ths with a pizza cutter.
Have extra salsa, sour cream, guacamole on hand to eat with your quesadillas.
Serve with a salad and you have a delicious meal!
Enjoy.
I know you will love these.