Where is everyone???

Hey, I am the only one posting and reading my own posts? Don't you guys cook anymore?

Southwest Chicken Salad

I was craving applbs chicken salad and this is what I came up with. It was delicious!!!

1/2 C ranch dressing
3/4 C salsa
Mix and set aside.
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, marinated in Southwest marinade (I had this on hand from "The Truck" from mom) and grilled.
1 head lettuce
2 large tomatoes
1 small can of corn (or 1/2 or so of cooked)
1 C black beans
1/2 C chopped onion
1 avacado, chopped in small pieces
1 C cheese (or more would be good)
1/2 C chopped cilantro
1 lime
tortilla chips
Put the chicken on the grill. While it is cooking, assemble the salad in layers - everything except the lime and chips. When the chicken is done, slice it in strips and put on top of the salad. Serve with the ranch mixture and tortilla chips.

Chickpea Burgers

Process in blender:
2 C chickpeas, drained
2 eggs
Transfer to bowl and add:
3/4 C grated cheddar cheese
1/2 C pecans or nuts of your choice, finely ground
1/2 C bread crumbs
1/2 C grated carrots
2-3 chopped green onions
1 Tbsp soy sauce
salt and pepper to taste
1 1/2 tsp corriander
Chill for 2 hours (you and the mixture)
Bake at 350*for 20 min or fry until golden. I fried these and we ate them on buns like hamburgers, with tomato, onions, etc. Very good - just don't try and pretend they're hamburgers or you will be disappointed.

Pouffy Dessert

(with credit to Anna-Christina for naming it and Mom for changing my recipe into this)

1 9x13" cake, white, heavy and preferably from scratch
2 pkg cream cheese, softened
1 container Cool Whip, thawed
1 1/2 C icing sugar
Thickened fruit or pie filling of your choice (about the same amount as you would use for 1 pie).

Beat the cream cheese, Cool Whip and icing sugar. Cut the cake into 1" pieces and fold into cream cheese. Put into a 9x13" pan and top with fruit topping. Chill until ready to serve. It gets nice and firm and you can cut it into squares.
This is also very easy to cut in half. The original recipe said to use angel food cake but we thought the plain cake was awesome.

Souvlaki

1 1/2 lb chicken breast or pork, cut into 2" chunks
1/4 C olive oil (don't substitute unless you have to)
2 Tbsp lemon juice (fresh is best)
1 tsp oregano
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp ground corriander
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1/4 tsp hot pepper flakes
2 cloves minced garlic

Mix all ingredients. Pour over raw meat and marinade several hours. Put on skewers, with vegetables if desired. Grill or bake until juices run clear.
This is very good served with rice.