Monday, May 18, 2015

Chopped Picked Chicken Cheese-Chile Tacos, Cilantro Couscous, and Cheesy Bacon Beans

Chicken Cheese-Chile Tacos, Cilantro Couscous, and Cheesy Bacon Beans

Yield: 4 servings (as pictured)
Prep: 10 min
Cook: 30 min
Total Time: 40 min (30 min if you prep/chop while you cook)




Ingredients
2 lbs chicken tenders, quartered, cut along nerve, then cut width-wise, remove as much nerve as possible
4 cups (1 pound) shredded Mexican Cheese
4 chiles poblanos, washed and dried
12 corn tortillas
2 cans 15.5 oz cans of pinto beans, drained , and rinsed (or 4 cups of homemade cooked pinto beans)
8 slices of premium thick cut bacon
1 ½ cups couscous
½ cup cilantro, chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
½ Tbsp. fresh lime juice
16-oz jar of mild salsa
4 cloves of garlic, chopped
¼ cup red onion, finely chopped
½ cup mango, cubed into pea sized pieces
2 avocados
1 cup crema mexicana
1 cup cabbage, chopped
2 Tbsp. butter
4 Tbsp. vegetable oil
Salt

Directions
  1. Take out 3 large skillets. Heat 1 Tbsp. oil in one skillet over medium-high heat. Add chiles poblanos. Put bacon in cold skillet, turn on a low-medium heat. Heat 3 Tbsp. oil in final skillet over medium-high heat. Add chicken, garlic and ½ tsp. salt. Periodically, turn all these things as you do step 2.
    (After chicken is browned, take out, place in a container and cover. Keep chicken drippings in skillet on stove, with no heat. After chiles are blackened, take them out and put in plastic bag and close. Turn off empty chile skillet, but keep on stove. After bacon has rendered, place pieces on top of plate covered with a paper towel; keep grease in skillet on warm.)
  2. Meanwhile, pour salsa in a large serving bowl. Stir in mango, red onion, lime juice, ½ tsp. of salt and ¼ c. of cilantro. Taste, add more salt if desired. Set aside. In a blender puree avocado, ½ c. crema, ¼ tsp salt and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Taste, add more salt if desired. Place mixture in a squeeze bottle with small opening. In another squeeze bottle place ½ c. crema. (If you don't have bottles, you can use a zip lock bag with a corner cut or use serving bowls.)
  3. In chicken drippings place butter, ½ tsp. salt and 2 cups water. Bring to a boil. Add couscous. Turn off heat. Cover for 5 minutes. Fluff. Add ¼ c. cilantro and 1 Tbsp. lemon juice. Taste, add more salt if desired. Cover and keep on warm.
  4. Increase heat on skillet with bacon grease to medium-high, pour beans into this hot skillet. Stir for 2 minutes. With immersion blender, puree beans. Once beans are smooth, turn heat to warm and stir in 2 cups of cheese. Set aside 2 slices of bacon and cut in half width-wise. Crumble the rest and put them in beans. Stir. Taste, add salt if desired. Cover and keep on warm.
  5. Return the empty chile skillet to a medium heat. Peel skin off chiles. Cut off tops. Open with one slit and take out seeds. Place flattened chiles on heated skillet. Put ½ cup cheese in the middle of each one. After cheese has melted, turn over. Once cheese is slightly browned, place chiles on plate cheese side up. Cut each chile in thirds length-wise.
  6. Heat tortillas. (Slightly blackening over flame, if you'd like). Place tortillas in tortilla warmer or inside a clean kitchen towel. Place 4 or 5 pieces of chicken inside tortilla, place a cheese chile slice on top, add cabbage, salsa, avocado puree, and crema. Serve with beans topped with bacon half and couscous. Enjoy!

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Indeed, It was a Happy 2010! En espanol tambien

A Very Blessed 2010

Winter
I returned to the US after a wonderful trip to Europe. I visited my family on my dad’s side and family in the Lord, some of whom I had never met.
My family celebrated the Lord’s birth with my sister, who lives outside Washington, DC.
The Washington Monument with my siblings and mom.
In January David picked me up in the LA airport with flowers and a big hug. We missed each other soo much.
For Valentine’s Day he took me 7 hours south of Yuma to visit his family and show me the town he wanted to go for our honey moon--beautiful!

Spring
March 27 I became Mrs. De Anda. Our first kiss was hard to wait for at times, but worth it.


Our parents.




The maid of honor (my sis) and her family. The best man and his wife, my brother, and my stepsons. Daniel, the youngest, helped my niece Mikaela, and Andy, the oldest, was the ring bearer.

Summer
It was wonderful starting a home with David. While David went to work I would stay and organize the house. There were some days that I struggled being his second wife, but the Lord reminded me of 2 things:
1) How many people/things did I put in God’s place before I finally put God in His rightful place, above all.
2) I am David’s loved wife.
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
~Isaiah 9:6. How true! The Lord is the Wonderful Counselor!

Fall
I began teaching7th and 8th graders math. It’s been a ride! Lucy came to visit. We had some very sweet times. Mika is getting sooo big. David and I went to New Mexico to visit his uncle and got to go horse riding. J We also began to look for a home…

2011... So far so good. The Lord is GOOD. Always. He provided for us to be able to buy our first home, and has given us peace in starting to try to have a baby.
May you draw close to the Lord this 2011 and always. For He is Good, He is Worthy.


Un 2010 muy bendecido

Invierno
Llegue a los Estados Unidos de Europa despues de un vieaje muy lindo, visitando a familia de parte de mi papa y mi familia en Cristo, algunos que nunca avi conocido. La familia estuvo unida en casa de Lucy para celebrar el Nacimiento de Jesucristo. Fue un muy Feliz Natividad.David me recogio del aeropuerto con flores y un abrazo muy grande. Como nos extraniamos! Para el dia de San Valentin me llevo a Mexico para conocer parte de su familia y ensenarme la cuidad en donde pasiarimos nuesta luna de miel.

Primavera
El 27 de marzo me converti en la Senora De Anda. Ariba estan las fotos de nuestroprimer beso (fue un poco dificil esperar)y otra con los papas de los novios. La ultima foto de la boda estamos todos la madrina (mi hermana) y su familia, el padrino con su esposa, Miguel Angel (mi hermano), y mis entenados. Daniel el mas pequeno le ayudo a Mika venir al frente de la iglesia, Andy, el mayor fue en de los anillos.

Verano
Fue bonito empezar un hogar con David. Mientras David iba al trabajo yo me quedaba organized la casa. Algunos dias fueron dificiles por que me atromentaba ser la segunda esposa de David. El Senor me recordo dos cosas:
1) Cuantas personas/cosas puse en el lugar de Dios antes de poner lo a El
2) Soy la amada esposa de David.
Que cierto es Isaias: "Porque un niño nos es nacido, hijo nos es dado, y el principado sobre su hombro; y se llamará su nombre Admirable, Consejero, Dios Fuerte, Padre Eterno, Príncipe de Paz." Isaias 9:6 El es el mejor Consejoro!

Otono
Empeze de maestra de matematicas para ninos enre 12-16. Me la e pasado bien! Lucy vino a Yuma el septiembre. Nos la pasamos muy bien. Mika esta creciendo mucho! David y yo empezamos la buscueda para compra una casa.

Que todos nos acercemos al Senor este 2011. El es tan merecedor de nuestra adoracion.

Friday, January 01, 2010

Happy 2010!

2009: The Best Year of My Life

Winter
January 1, 2009, was a good indicator of what 2009 would be like: refreshing.
*Last New Year´s Day, Stella (a sweet friend of mine) and I had a wonderful three hour conversation about God, His justice, holiness, and love. She e-mailed me this later: “Since January 1, 2009, at around 12pm, I have felt the Holy Spirit come into me and make me a different person… I am more joyful, more hopeful, more passionate again and I look forward to moments where I can read my Bible and pray and think on the goodness of our Creator.” To see a busy medical school student take the time to seek the Lord wholeheartedly, find Him, and recognize Him for who He is, blessed me so much. She said something so important, so simply: pray (talk to God) and read the Bible (listen to God). That is how you get to know one another and form a relationship. That is what God wants: a relationship, one that no one can take.
*January 7-I met David De Anda for the first time. Little did I know, he would capture my heart.

Spring
*May 10- David gives me a letter saying he will miss “such a bright light” if I leave to Spain, but is praying for God’s will to be done.
*Mid-May-The school year ends and I confirm what I told the principal at the beginning of the year, I will be going to Spain. He understands and tells me to let him know as soon as I come back because he was pleased with my work and the school needs teachers that have passed the math exam. I passed that doozie of test with the help of God—He is sooo good!

Summer
David gets very involved in helping me with the youth at church. I realize I am in love with him, but very confused because I feel I am supposed to go to Spain. I pray that the Lord would guide me. He shows me David has the seven qualities I asked for in a husband.
*July 24- David tells me he wants to be my husband. I tell him I am waiting on the Lord for a final sign.
*August 7-The Lord shows me that sign. We both know we are to be married. :)
*September 8- I left to Spain after a beautiful road trip with my beloved David.

Fall
December 22-Fall ended and my stay in Europe did as well. I missed David a lot while in Europe, but I was reminded of my True Love. Jesus is the only who will always be there. At one point during my time in Europe, David and I were not able to speak to each other for some time. Before I started to get too upset about it, God brought this to my mind: “David will not always be able to listen to you, but I will.” David sent me a song not too long ago, “Belle,” by Al Greene. It says, “It’s you that I want, but it’s Him that I need.” That says it all. We want a lot of things, but we need God.

May this year be a refreshing one for you: "Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord."
Acts 3:19

Tuesday, September 29, 2009

Dating for Two Weeks, Then Engaged :)

David and I took some time to take out our journals and compare what was going on in each of our lives during the time before our engagement. It brought us a smile to look back at all the events and has blessed others we have told. I hope it does you as well.

Jan 04, 2009
David moves to Yuma from Los Angeles as God confirms to him that this is where he is to go.

Jan 07, 2009
David first attends church in Yuma. We meet for the first time. A man from church asks David, "Are you married? Have you met Luz?" (He might be the one who officiates our wedding. :)

February
David goes to church in Algodones, MX for the first time. I really notice him.

Next week
Feb/March
David is hanging out with my brother Miguel, as Miguel’s phone rings, David feels his heart tug...it’s me calling my brother. I offer David tickets to a comedy show. He takes them.

Before March 14
Next week
David gives me a journal as a “thank you” for the tickets. I give him a hug.
Sometime before April 1.
David asks Miguel to pray for him, as The Lord might be showing him a potential wife in Yuma.
Miguel assumes it is me and tells me that David has found a wife in Yuma.

Sometime Later
I ask David to pray for me to pass the Arizona Educator’s Proficiency Test (AEP), so that I can continue to teach in Arizona in the future.

Sometime Later
David finds out that I will be leaving to Spain and begins to be saddened...but trusts that God is still in control and that if it is His will for us to be together, that I will return.

Sometime Later
David goes to church expecting to hear something from God. He doesn't get anything during the teaching. Disappointed David wonders why God didn't show him anything. Then I approach him and ask him to pray for me because the door has closed to Spain and feel like the door to stay in Arizona to teach has opened. I found out I passed the AEP test the same day that the pastor of the church I was going to serve in has moved to Brazil. So God spoke to David: there is still time.

April 1, 2009
Miguel tells me I shouldn't spend too much time with my friend Jeremy, because someone in Yuma likes me...I think it may be David.

April 11, 2009
I am disappointed that I was not invited to David's birthday party.
David invited Miguel, hoping that he would take me.
I prayed: Give me a Godly attraction to who You want me to be with. Please, above all help me be in Your will.

April 24, 2009
I watched a movie called, "Love Comes Softly" Having never really thought that love could grow slowly, this was a new, pleasant thought.

April 30, 2009
David has a dream that he and I are sitting around a table teaching children the Word of God and rubbed noses. :) He told Miguel about the dream. Miguel told David, "I'd be a hundred percent sure that she is to be your wife."

Sometime later
David prays that God would get me out of his mind while at work. On the way home from work, David turns his head while at a stop and sees me. I don't see him.

May 10, 2009
David gave me a letter that said he will miss "such a bright light" if I left to Spain, but prays that God's will be done.
I prayed: I want to be in Your perfect will. Guide my steps, especially, now with David.
I find this out later:
David is ushering during today's Mother's Day service at church...and as he passes by me, the pastor says to not worry about being noticed by someone, simply serve God and He will bring the right person to you. As all the mothers pass to the front to receive roses for Mother's Day, David is thinking as he looks at me “one day she will be mother of my children”

May 15, 2009
David prayed at a little chapel that God would confirm to him if that dream he had April 30 was from the Lord. As I was driving home, I see a car at an intersection where I don't think I had ever seen a car coming the other direction. Well today there was a car there....it was David.:) We pull over and David gives me a beautiful bracelet. He is shaking as he puts it on my wrist (I didn't even notice). David got home and thanked The Lord for the encounter and asked him to guide him and direct him to do His will.
I pray: God, You're so good to me, putting loving men in my life that want to build up. Lord, help us guard our hearts. I was very excited to see David; he is attractive to me, his outside and inside light.

May 16, 2009
David gives me a beautiful poem saying he's waiting for the "one".
Someone tells David that he has a lovely wife...me.
I pray: Is that Your will? Please show me what your will is for my life.
The Lord tells David that He has opened a door that no one can close (our relationship), and closed a door that no one can open (David’s previous marriage)
David is afraid of getting hurt again, but trusts that if I am the wife God has for him, everything will be fine.

May 28, 2009
The last teaching at Gila Ridge High School.
I pray: Please guard my heart as I see it unraveled with David.

May 29, 2009
David sent me a text message saying,
"I pray your future husband encourage, nurture, protect, uplift, build, appreciate, and love you.”
I respond "Thank you, though I may never marry."

June 8, 2009
David took a group of 10 kids with me to a Christian concert in Huntington Beach, church in Oceanside, (where God willing David and I will be married May 15), and surfing.
I was sad when David left Sunday morning to LA instead of staying with me and the kids.

June 15, 2009
I pray: I am constantly thinking about David. I'm going to Spain... Help me know if it's him.

June 29, 2009
My birthday. David gave me a lovely shirt last night. Lord, show me if you want David to be more than a friend--I see qualities of a husband in him and I am attracted to him. Please guide me.
Here are the things I asked for in a husband, that he would:
Love God above everyone and everything
Serve with passion in a Christian church
Wouldn’t kiss me on the lips until the pastor says, “You may kiss the bride”
Be romantic
Like to dance
Play an instrument (he plays the bass)
Know how to cook
God is so good in giving me everything, from the little to big things, that I wanted in a husband. David has is all these things and much much more.

Sometime in July
David prays "Lord I know that you have called me to be her husband...but she is not sure whether she is to be my wife. In my mind I already see her as my wife. I see us married and am convinced that this is Your will. But just to make sure, just to seal the deal, God please show me in your Word...King David and his wife...as a sign that this is your will"
David opens the Word of God at a random page and out of 800 hundred plus pages he opens to the very page that relates the story of King David asking for Abigail to be his wife...now there is no doubt in my David’s heart.

July 9, 2009
We took another group of teens to the church in Oceanside and surfing. We gave each other a real, big hug yesterday for the first time. It was sweet. He picked me up off the ground.
Lord, help David and I treat one another like brother a sister please. That is what we are and only that until you will, if you will. May Your will be done.

August 7, 2009 (This day is written by David from my point of view--it blessed me to read what he thought)
This is the last weekend that I can go to L.A. before leaving to Europe. David wants me to meet his mom before I leave, his dad has already approved and so has his brother Bobby. We plan a day at a Dodger game. David is wondering what sign I am waiting for from God...besides the obvious ones. Although beginning to become impatient, David trusts that The Lord is in control. I believe that God will show me in Europe or after. David believes it will be before I leave.
David wants to spend time with his sons and with me, so we go to their swim lessons. I meet David’s ex-wife and David is proud at how gracefully I handle this awkward situation...this further confirms to David that this is God’s will. After swim lessons, David takes the boys and me to the Rose Garden at USC. David tells me about how he used to walk here and wonder if he would ever have someone to walk with here (hand in hand)...now he does.
As we make our way to the car, Andy, his oldest son, wants to go for a hike/climb (David doesn't realize that this is the sign I have been waiting for). David suggests that we shouldn't go, because I am wearing white pants, so this might be disastrous. Andy however goes ahead and Daniel follows him, but soon Daniel slips and comes down to the bottom. I go and comfort him, this shows David that I am going to be a good mother to his kids--our kids. David asks Daniel whether he wants to climb and meet Andy, who is now at the top of the hill. Daniel signals that he prefers the stairs, hesitates and then points up to the hill. David asks me whether I want to climb or not, then upon seeing my willingness he says that we should climb; we do, all the way to the top. Upon reaching the top, I smile and tell David that this was the sign that I had been waiting for, that The Lord with this, confirmed to me that I am to marry him. David embraces me then gets down on his knees and thanks God and prays for our future marriage.

August 9, 2009
David and I go to the chapel he prayed at on May 15. David asks me when I would like to get married. I had said summer, now I say summer or spring, hoping more for spring. I had been reading the Song of Solomon and these verses had popped out at me:
My beloved spoke, and said to me: "Rise up, my love, my fair one, And come away.
For lo, the winter is past, The rain is over and gone. The flowers appear on the earth; The time of singing has come Song of Solomon 2:10-12
David tells me he has been reading something in Song of Solomon, the very same thing. We talk about how spring comes right after winter. We check to see if May 15 falls on a Saturday; it does. We pray asking God if that is a good day to get married.

August 10, 2009
David asks me if I'd like to get married May 15. I tell him it doesn't really matter. He asks me to read Proverbs 5:15. The title of chapter 5 is The Peril of Adultery. David's ex-wife had been unfaithful to him; not the most promising chapter of the Bible to open for confirmation about marriage, but verse 15 says: Drink water from your own cistern, flowing water from your own well. As soon as I finish reading it David says, "May 15 it is."

August 14, 2009
God, You are so awesome--You do abundantly more than I could ever ask or imagine. Help me live a life worthy of your calling. David is able to accompany me to DC on a cross country road trip.

August 16, 2009
David and I have our first argument due to lack of communication. It was quickly addressed in a marriage class we attend at church that the evening. :) We learn that one should express to one another our thoughts, feelings and desires, in order to be understood, not to try to convince the other. The other should try to understand. We do so and make up. :)
As we have been doing this and seek to honor God first and foremost, He has blessed us with a beautiful relationship.

Other firsts, much sweeter:

First date: Air hockey

First meal out: Mickey D's
Luz orders the food while David goes to the restroom. David eats all his food without complaining.

First nice meal: Red Lobster
I'm glad I chose it. We had sweet time sitting in a cozy booth the same side of the table. :)

Saturday, September 12, 2009

Cross Country Road Trip with my Beloved

From Yuma, AZ to Washington, DC in 3 days.

We left Yuma at 5 am a bit sleepy, after a bit of a delay with lost keys. :/

I was planning to dance in every state. Here's AZ
I started off well, but only took dancing pics in 4 states. :/ :)
I finally realized I had the camera in black and white mode.

I think he won in bubble blowing.



Dancing in Cali. Yes, that is what is ALL about. Eating clouds. Blowing clouds
Our buddy (okay, my buddy), Pete. :)
Utah

Dancing in Utah.
My Preacher. This was a really nice rest stop. :)
David and I prayed for the Mormons as we drove through Utah. :) A sandwich with only bread, pan. :) Beautiful formations by a Beautiful God.
We finally broke our fast. My belly was full. :) We got into Colorado pretty late.
We stayed with a lovely Christian woman. She invited me to her bed and breakfast the last time I was in Aspen. I took her up on the offer. She gave David and I each a beautiful room for free. Hanging out in Aspen... on the coolest couch ever. David pulled over on our way out of Aspen to take these pics. I'm glad he did. :)

The Majestic Rocky Mountains.
We knelt down on the side of the road and praised God.

The Top of the Rockies. :)
It was cold.
On the way down
Leadville
Fort Morgan, CO. My favorite "pit" stop ever. :)

We stopped at Wonderful House restaurant--great Chinese food.
The best part was meeting a sweet brother in the Lord from Bali;
Peter wants to be a missionary to his people. I was trying to take a pic of Yuma, CO, but only got the messy back seat.
12 hours later we arrived in Chicago. Here's Buckingham Fountain. We walked around the park and stopped to listen to different musicians play in a Jazz festival. The best part was simply sitting against this tree and talking about the future.

We got to stay with my lovely college roommate Jessica in Evanston.

Little did I know David would propose to me in lovely Shakepeare Garden.Of course, I said yes.
:) We prayed on this bench.
On the road the next day. My baby drove all 12 hours.

Dancing in Ohio.
Here I met a lovely 18 year old girl, Rebecca, who had never read the Bible.
I gave her the Gospel of John.
Pray this young Catholic girl choose to trust and obey Jesus.
The first state sign I was able to capture. The last one I could.


This looks a lot like Nebraska and Iowa. :)

Pittsburgh

We finally got to DC.
Where the $'s at (in that building) :) Old Ebbit Grill. Nice meal. :)
Even nicer company. :)
My baby with his other baby, a Huey helicopter, next to the Washington Memorial.
Lincoln Memorial, in the distance.
David's got junk.
I apparently have clutter. A short break from the rain.
"Babe where do you want to go?" I ask. "The Air and Space Musuem." David responds.
His Huey engine. :)

Natural History Musuem.
Ant exhibit--so cool.

Good night DC.
A nice dinner in Baltimore closes our trip. :)


The next day David flies to Yuma and I fly to London.
God willing, we will see each other in 2010.
Until then, may God's will be done in our lives.