Time at home has been full of cooking- trying some new recipes, but also making many of my favorites for my family. So they are new to them :) Mom has been more than happy to turn the kitchen over to me while she gets ready to start back to school, trying to get my cooking fill before I leave!

I have two recipes to share today, and maybe one or two more cooking posts, then.... Less than two weeks! Grandparents are visiting this week, and a visit with the college roomies, then it's really go time!

Got a few more things to grab at the store today and then round 1 of packing tonight. Dad thinks I will have trouble fitting everything into my one bag, we shall see :)

But that's not super interesting. These recipes, however, are. At least I think so.

Chicken Taquitos

- 3 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1/3 C salsa verde
- juice of 1/2 a lime
- 1 tsp chili powder
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 2 C cooked chicken
- 1/2 C sharp cheddar, shredded
- 1/2 C pepper jack, shredded
- pinch of cayenne pepper
- 1/2 tsp onion powder
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 3 Tbs chopped scallions
- 1/4 C fresh cilantro, chopped
- salt and pepper
- 8-12 corn tortillas (6 inch work best)

1. Combine cream cheese, salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, cayenne, onion powder, garlic, cilantro, scallions, and 1/4 tsp salt.

2. Fold in chicken and cheeses. Season with salt and pepper.

3. Spoon 2-3 Tbs filling into each tortilla and roll tightly. Place seam side down in a greased baking dish.

4. Spray tortillas lightly with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt.

5. Bake at 425* for 15-20 minutes- until tortillas are crisp and golden brown.

To freeze: Prepare taquitos and refrigerate (instead of baking) on a baking sheet until completely cold. wrap each in plastic wrap or foil and freeze. To bake, just unwrap and cook at 425* for 20 minutes, no need to thaw!

I served this meal to Dad and Perry. Dad says, "This is good, even if..." Perry replies, "Chicken is for girls." ?? Apparently that's a catch phrase around here.

So the next night, we have steak sandwiches. Even if I am a girl. They are a version of Pioneer Woman's Marlboro Man Sandwich. And they were a hit, with the girls and boys :)

Steak Sandwiches

- 1 onion, sliced

- butter

- 1-2lbs cube steak

- Lawry's Seasoned Salt

- 1/2 cup-ish steak sauce (PW calls for Worcestershire, but we were out)

- hot sauce, to taste

- French deli rolls

1. Slice onions and cook in a couple tablespoons of butter until soft and starting to brown. Remove and set aside.

2. Slice cube steak against the grain. Season with Lawry's. Add more butter to skillet (use your discretion, PW loves butter almost as much as Paula Deen!) over high heat until melted and beginning to brown.