Chicken cordon bleu casserole

I keep forgetting to post this for everyone.  It is easy and delicious - (disclaimer - some items may not be available in Denmark. )

2 cups diced ham
3-4 cups diced cooked chicken. 
2 small cans of cream of chicken soup (i didnt use as much of this and found it to still be good)
8 oz light sour cream
1 1/2 cup grated monterrey jack cheese.  (I always substitute half of this with grated swiss)

Mix all ingredients together and bake uncovered at 350 for 40 minutes until bubbly.  Top with breadcrumbs and bake an additional 5-10 minutes.

I usually add a little more meat.  Serve this over rice or noodles.  Our family loves this!

Cafe Rio Salads

here is the recipe for the rice, chicken, and cilantro ranch.

Cilantro Lime Rice

1 cup uncooked rice
2 cloves garlic, minced
1 to 2 teaspoon lime zest ( I do at least 2 and sometimes a little more… I love zest)
1 cube chicken bullion
1 cup water
2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
3 teaspoons granulated sugar
4 tablespoons fresh chopped cilantro

Add rice, water, garlic, lime zest, and bullion to rice cooker.
Cook until it’s done… In a small bowl combine lime juice, sugar and cilantro.
Fluff your rice with a fork.  Pour lime juice mixture over hot cooked rice.

You can make this on the stove top too, but I love the convenience of the rice cooker.  :)

Cafe Rio copy cat Cilantro Ranch Dressing

1 packet TRADITIONAL Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not BUTTERMILK)

• 1 c. mayonnaise
• 1 c. buttermilk (I use regular 1% milk and it tastes just fine!)
• 2 tomatillos, remove husk, diced
• 1/2 bunch of fresh cilantro
• 1 clove garlic
• juice of 1 lime
• 1 jalapeno 
• 
  
• Instructions

• Mix all ingredients together in the blender.
•  That's it!  It is best if it is made the night or morning before you are serving it so all the flavors mix together.  

Cafe Rio Chicken

2 lbs chicken breasts

1/2 a small bottle of zesty Italian dressing 
(about a cup.  you can use lite or low fat and it tastes just as good)
1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic
1 pkt ranch dressing mix (mixed with 1/2 cup of water)
1/2 Tbsp. chili powder
1/2 Tbsp. ground cumin

Place all ingredients in a crock pot. Cook on High 5-6 hours OR on Low 8 hours.
Shred with fork and serve in salads, burritos, tacos…etc.   
I did NOT put the ranch mix in with the chicken, and I doubled the chili powder and cumin. 
 you can never have too much cumin in my opinion.  :)

You can also double or triple this to make extras for freezing.
Then simply thaw and reheat for a fast and delicious meal.

To make the salads, layer a tortilla, shredded lettuce, black beans, 
cilantro rice, chicken, tomatoes and any other toppings you wish. 
 Top with cilantro ranch dressing and a squirt of lime and you
 have a fantasticly delicious imitation of a Cafe Rio/Costa Vida salad. 
 I could eat these every day if I were aloud to.  :)