Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip

For DAP this year, there really wasn't any question of what I was going to make.  Once I found this recipe for Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip, I was sold.  I mean, a dip made out of one of my favorite meals?? Count me in.  Unfortunately, the morning of the Superbowl the server went down for How Sweet Eats, so I had to kind of wing it with just throwing everything into a bowl, popping it in the oven, and hoping for the best.  Luckily, it turned out pretty great {3rd place!} and since I kept going back for more, I'm making this one for my next get together ASAP :)

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Dip

Ingredients
12 oz cream cheese, softened
16 oz shredded Mexican blend cheese
1 cup cooked and shredded chicken
1 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
2 garlic cloves, minced
4 oz can diced green chiles
1/2 cup enchilada sauce
1 cup shredded lettuce
chopped tomatoes
cilantro
4 green onions, sliced
Tortilla chips, for serving

Instructions
1. Preheat oven to 400.  Spray baking dish with nonstick spray.
2. In bowl, mix together cream cheese and cheese until creamy and combined.  Stir in chicken, paprika, cumin, chili powder, salt, and pepper.  Once combined, stir in green chiles, garlic, and enchilada sauce until mixed.
3. Spread dip in baking dish, top with more cheese if desired, and bake 25 to 30 minutes, or until top is gold and bubbly.
4. Remove dip from oven and cover with lettuce, tomatoes, cilantro, and green onions.  Serve with tortilla chips.

adapted from How Sweet Eats

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Cutest

I dare you not to tear up watching this cutest Superbowl commercial from last weekend :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Dip-A-Palooza XI

While everyone is still talking about that epic fail of a play on Sunday {seriously - I'm watching Fashion Police on E! right now and they're talking about it!}, it's time that we let it rest, move on, and focus on the real meaning of Superbowl Sunday - dips.   Dip-A-Palooza XI was a quality year for dips - lots of cheesy goodness, which is always a plus in my book.  While I managed to slide into third place for my 8th appearance at this prestigious event, it was Holden who went home with the title of DAP XI champ with a queso dip {not very original, but pretty tasty}.  When the play clock ended and the Patriots took home the trophy {gross}, I've never seen such disbelief and shock in this group - it was heartbreaking!  It was a quiet and sad ending to a really great day {and season!} but I know that we will be back next year stronger than ever and ready to win.  And with even better dips :)

 my date made me a seahawks crown :)

 dips

 the sweetest, softest puppy {just like sammy 2 years ago}

 the top two!

 and holden walks away with the victory yet again!

 while we were still smiling

 sydney tried to stretch out on as many laps as possible

wait......what just happened??

Until next year Hawks - we still love you!

xoxo,
stephanie marie

No Words

The rainy morning says it all...... :(

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Blue Friday {NFC Champs & we're going to the Superbowl!!}

This is the best {and most important} Blue Friday - the Seahawks are headed to the Superbowl!!!  The excitement in this city is palpable - after that NFC Championship game, it's pretty amazing that we are once again going to the big game.  It gives me goosebumps just thinking about it :)  We spent the afternoon watching that nail-biter of a game 2 weeks ago at Brian's place downtown, where we celebrated the barely-squeaking-by victory with lots of cheers, car horns, and screams out the balcony to the passers by coming back from the game.  Let's hope this Sunday brings the same kind of celebrating :)

 this is what nervous looks like

 the lone packers fan across the street at the hard rock

 pompoms and noise makers

GO HAWKS!!!!!  This whole city loves you!! :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl

A few weeks ago, in honor of the season premier of The Bachelor {are you watching?  how much crazy can one show have?!?}, I decided to make a new recipe that I found on one of my favorite blogs, How Sweet Eats.  These Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowls were so quick to put together {I cooked the chicken the night before} and the flavors were insanely delicious - this seriously may be one of the best things I've ever made.  I plan on making the sauce to put over pretty much everything {veggies, salads, chicken}, and when I make this again, I'm definitely doubling the recipe, as I could down that whole thing in one sitting :)  Please do me a favor and make this one ASAP.  And invite me over for dinner :)

Thai Chicken Quinoa Bowl

Ingredients
1/2 cup uncooked quinoa, rinsed
1 chicken breast, cooked and shredded
1/3 cup chopped carrots
1/3 cup shelled edamame
1/3 cup chopped green onions
1/4 cup chopped peanuts
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
Sauce
2 tblsp sweet chili sauce
1 tblsp rice vinegar
1 tblsp canned coconut milk
1/2 tblsp brown sugar
1 tsp creamy peanut butter, melted in the microwave
1 garlic clove
1/2 lime, juiced
1/8 tsp ground ginger

Instructions
1. Prepare quinoa as directed, using 1 cup of liquid.
2. While cooking, combine all sauce ingredients in a bowl and whisk well to combine.  In a bowl, combine chicken, carrots, edamame, and green onions.  Add cooked quinoa and toss all with the sauce to cover.  Season with salt and pepper if needed.  Toss in half peanuts and cilantro then serve in large bowl with remaining peanuts and cilantro.

Serves 2

Adapted from How Sweet Eats

xoxo,
stephanie marie

Discovery Park

This past Sunday was the most gorgeous January day I can remember {it was in the 60's!} so Brian and I headed out to Discovery Park {along with half of Seattle} to hike around and get our much needed dose of vitamin d.  While the place was crawling with people, there are so many trails and paths to take that we didn't feel crowded at all {which I heard was the opposite at Greenlake}.  We walked down to the beach where we poked around the lighthouse, picked out some favorite rocks, and just sat on a fallen log, taking in the gorgeous views.  It feels pretty great to walk around in January without a coat or sweatshirt - if that's what the rest of winter is like, I'll take it :)

xoxo,
stephanie marie