Juniper & Tacos

Well hello there! This is the first time I've had a chance to log in and post anything to our fabulous blog that Lynse has been working so hard on. AND I pray that by doing this I'm not screwing up any of her hard work. More than likely I am, so Lyns... I'm sorry. We are very new to this blogging business so you people are just gonna have to bare with us while we figure all this nonsense out.

So if you haven't figured it out yet... I'm Jessica, the Juniper to Jellybeans & Juniper. Why Juniper?
 Cuz it sounded good people! I do love the way it smells if that helps. But I'm also known as Momma Jess to many of my friends. I'm not really sure where that name generated from, but it could be that I always have enough food for an army when I cook. Also, I have a tendency to want to take care of everyone but myself. Thus Momma Jess.

So you're probably wondering why Jellybeans & Juniper was created? A couple of reasons really. We LOVE to do crafts. We have done door wreaths, diaper cakes, wood letters, personalized glass blocks, hair bows, door hangers for babies... I could go on and on. However, my absolute favorite thing in the whole world (other than being with my family, friends or doggies)... is cooking. I have spent hours in my kitchen and I know that cooking at home doesn't have to be complicated and stressful. I truly believe that you can throw something together at home faster than you can get you and your kids in the car and head to the local drive through. It's true! I want people to know that healthy cooking doesn't have to taste bad! Healthy food is yummy! Don't get me wrong not everything I make is healthy. I mean really, I'm a southern girl... every once in a while I'm gonna have to chicken fry something!

So lets see what you think about healthy food. Here's my first and one of my favorite recipes.

Spicy Chicken Tacos

What to buy:

1 rotisserie Chicken

1 can diced tomatoes

1 medium onion

1 bunch cilantro

1 jalapeno

1 bundle fresh garlic

1 lrg red bell pepper

1 pkg McCormick Chicken Taco Seasoning

1 stick of butter (if you don't already have)

sea salt (if you don't already have)

Black pepper (if you don't already have)

Shredded cheese (fat free or low fat)

Whole Wheat or Low Carb Tortillas (small fajita size)

Lemon Juice

Put in a skillet on medium heat:

Canned tomatoes (undrained)

1/2 diced onion

2 cloves minced garlic

Cook these on medium heat until juices reduce down. While that is cooking take 1/2 of the chicken and peel the meat off the bones and pull it apart so the chicken is shredded. Set aside.

Place in food processor:

2 garlic cloves

1 jalapeno, seeded

1/2 red bell pepper (i've used the whole thing and it's fine)

large hand full of cilantro

dash of sea salt

dash of pepper

and the tomato mixture from the skillet

Place all of this in the food processor until it's all blended up to kinda look like salsa.

In the skillet:

Melt 2 tbsp of butter. Once melted dump in the salsa mix and cook for about a minute. Then mix in chicken with 2 tbsp chicken taco seasoning and a couple of pours of lemon juice. continue to saute until it's all mixed well and hot.Serve shredded chicken on warm tortillas with cheese and toppings of your choice. should make about 10 tacos. These are sooo yummy! Enjoy!

Let me know what you think!

~ Jessica