Chicken and Chayote Casserole

From Basket Recipes 4 You
Serves 6-8

1 pound chicken, cut into bite-sized pieces
1/2 pound potatoes, chopped
3 chayotes squashes, peeled and chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 green pepper, finely chopped
2 tomatoes, chopped
1 1/2 t salt
3 garlic cloves, minced
1 t ground black pepper
1/4 C oil
1/4 C fresh parsley, chopped

Heat oil in large skillet over medium-high heat, add in onion, pepper, garlic, salt an dblack pepper. Saute 1-2 minutes or until fragrant. Add in chicken. Cook 1-2 minutes on each side. Add in potatoes and squash. Stir together and cover. Reduce heat to medium. Stir occasionally until potatoes are soft and chicken is cooked through, about 8-10 minutes. Stir in parsley and tomatoes. Cook another 2-3 minutes until tomatoes are heated through.

**Notes from Em**
I ended up cooking this with halibut instead of chicken and it was actually really good. It would also be really good vegetarian, or with some tofu. I also threw in some freshly grated parmesan, maybe about 1/4 cup, added a nice subtle flavor. You could throw just about any vegetable in with this and it would be good. Nice way to use up those extra veggies that never seem to get eaten.

Frosted Key Lime Pie (Protein smoothie)

12 oz cold water
1 serving vanilla protein powder
3 T frozen limeade concentrate
6 ice cubes

Pour cold water in blender, then add protein powder and blend on medium speed for 15 seconds.

Add frozen limeade concentrate; blend for 30 more seconds. Add ice cubes and blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 more seconds.

Pour into a tall glass, serve and enjoy.

Sparkling Orange (Protein Smoothie)

From Eating for Life
Makes 1 smoothie

12/ oz diet orange soda
6 oz light, fat-free orange-flavored yogurt
1 scoop vanilla protein powder
1/2 orange, peeled
6 ice cubes

Pour orange soda in blender. Then add yogurt and protein powder; blend on medium speed for 15 seconds.

Add peeled orange and blend for 30 more seconds. Add ice cubes and blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 more seconds.

Pour into a tall glass, serve and enjoy.

Pina Colada (Protein Shake)

From Eating for Life
Makes 1 smoothie

12 oz cold water
1 serving vanilla protein powder
1/2 C unsweetened pineapple chunks
1/4 t coconut extract
6 ice cubes

Pour cold water in blender. Then add protein powder and blend on medium speed for 15 seconds.

Add pineapple chunks and coconut extract; blend for 30 more seconds. Add ice cubes and blend on high speed until smooth, about 30 more seconds.

Pour into a tall glass, serve and enjoy!

Pao de Queijo

These are like the little bread/cheese roll things that you can find at the Brazilian restaurants in the area like Tucanos and Rodizio Grill. They're amazing, and once you start eating them, you'll keep eating!

From Our Best Bites
Makes 22-24 mini muffin sized

1 large egg
1/2 C milk
1/4 C canola oil
1 C tapioca flour (no substitutions!!!)
1/2 t kosher salt
1/4 C grated cheddar cheese
1/4 C grated parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place egg, milk, oil, tapioca flour, and salt in blender an dblend until smooth. Add the cheese and pulse 2 times. The batter will be VERY runny. Immediately pour batter into a mini muffin tin, filling each well about 3/4 full, or just slightly less.

Bake for 15-20 minutes until puffed and golden. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes before removing rolls from pan. Serve warm as they do not reheat well.
**Notes from Em**
Tapioca flour was kind of a pain for me to find. I looked at all the grocery stores, and eventually found it at a natural foods type store. (Good Earth for those in the area) You CANNOT use any other kind of flour. It won't turn out right at all.