Guacamole

I am OBSESSED with Guacamole! I keep the ingredients around and make it every other day or so. It is best with Tostitos chips with a hint of lime (in my opinion) ha!

I don't have a specific recipe because I'm not good about measuring (which is why I don't bake) - but since everyone has been asking me - this is how I make it.

Ingredients:

Roma tomatos

Avacados

One onion

Fresh cilantro

Jalepenos (optional)

Limes

I just slice up maybe one or two tomatos and maybe a half or less of an onion. Add several dashes of cilantro and salt. (just taste). If you like it hot - cut up a jalepeno - I prefer no!

Use one or two avacoados (usually one per person) and smash it up and mix all ingredients together. I usually squeeze 2 limes on this because I like mine with a lot of lime taste! Just add more or less of the ingredients you like.

Chicken Stuffed with Prosciutto and Fontina

I made this for dinner last night. (Another Paula Deen recipe - I can't help it I love that woman). I couldn't find fontina cheese so I just used mozzarella cheese sticks. It was good - we had rissoto and salad with it.

Ingredients

• 2 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
• 1 (4-ounce) piece imported Italian fontina cheese
• 2 slices imported prosciutto
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 1 cup sliced portobello mushrooms
• 1/2 cup dry white wine
• 3 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 bunch baby arugula
• 1/2 fresh lemon, juiced

Directions

Place each piece of chicken between 2 sheets of waxed paper and pound them thin with a mallet, the flat of a large knife, or a rolling pin. Trim the rind from the cheese and cut it into 2 thick sticks.

Wrap each stick with a slice of prosciutto and place in the center of each flattened chicken breast. Roll the chicken breast around the prosciutto and cheese to make a sausage shape and secure with toothpicks or butcher's twine. Season the rolls with salt and pepper.

Heat 2 tablespoons of the butter and 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a heavy skillet. Quickly brown the chicken rolls over medium-high heat, reduce the heat to low, and scatter the mushrooms into the pan, sprinkle with wine and rosemary. Cook, turning the chicken rolls frequently, 10 to 15 minutes.

When the first bit of cheese begins to seep out, the chicken is done. Remove it from the pan to a cutting board at once. Cut each of the rolls at an angle into 6 slices. Cover to keep warm. Reheat the pan juices, swirl in the remaining 2 tablespoons butter, and season, to taste, with salt and pepper.

To serve arrange the chicken and mushrooms on a bed of arugula leaves tossed with olive oil and seasoned with salt and pepper. Warm the pan juices and strain them over the chicken.

Cheese and Pesto layer dip

I found this recipe by Paula Deen and used it at Harper's birthday party. I thought it was really good.

Cheese and Pesto Layer Dip

2 8oz cream cheese
1/2 cup butter
16 oz smoked provolone shredded (I used mozzarella instead)
1 5oz parm cheese
1 cup Pesto
1 cup toasted pine nuts

Beat cream cheese and butter together until creamy. Add cheeses and beat until combined.

Line a 9x5 loaf pan with heavy plastic wrap allowing edges to extend over sides of pan. Spoon 1/3 of cheese mixture into pan. Spoon 1/4 of pesto on top and repeat layers twice.

Cover and freeze for 4 hrs & up to 2 wks.

Before serving - unmold onto a platter, remove plastic and let stand for one hour. Press pine nuts on side (this takes a lot of work and I got lazy and just did a row instead of covering the whole thing).
Top with remaining pesto.
Serve with crackers