Posts in Recipes
weeknight dinner | thai chicken wraps
Ali Hedin | Thai Chicken Wraps

This is the time of year when my attempt at healthy eating has evaporated.  I usually start out great in the morning with granola and coconut milk.  I plan a lunch to take with me that's generally filled with vegetables.  But after that, it takes a nose dive.  The remaining Halloween candy beckons me.  Then a cocktail.  Then tacos.

This week I'm reigning it back in with a version of tacos that's way healthier.  Here's why

- I swapped out ground beef for ground chicken.

- Instead of traditional taco shells, I used lettuce.

- Eliminated cheese and added more vegetables 

my photographer hates photos of raw meat, so I use them a lot.

my photographer hates photos of raw meat, so I use them a lot.

The great thing with these wraps is that they are generally family friendly.  My kids eat them.  The youngest still prefers a traditional tortilla instead of the lettuce, but everyone else is on board with the lettuce thing.  I've been known to add rice to this dinner too in the event my kids seem like they need extra carbs.  They are all so athletic, they need carbs way more often than I do.  

Ali Hedin | Thai Chicken Tacos

 

Thai Chicken Wraps

serves 4

2 lb ground chicken

1 tbs sriracha

1 lime – zested and juiced

1 tbs rice vinegar

1 clove garlic

1 tbs ginger

2 tbs soy

1 carrot

1 bell pepper

1 cucumber

1 cup basil

1 head butter lettuce

½ cup mayo

1 tsp sriracha

1 tsp cilantro

1 tsp honey

STEP 1

Mix the chicken with 1 tbs sriracha, the juice of ½ lime and the lime zest, rice vinegar, garlic, ginger, and soy sauce. Let it sit for a few minutes.  (5 mins)

 

STEP 2

Mix together mayo, 1 tsp sriracha, 1 tsp chopped cilantro, 1 tsp honey, the juice of ½ lime.  (5 mins)

 

STEP 3

Cook the meat over high heat until browned.  (10 mins)

 

STEP 4

Serve in butter lettuce cups with vegetables on top + dressing on the side.

 

Ali Hedin | Thai Chicken Wraps
Weeknight Party Girl :: Cinnamon Roll Popcorn Bars

One of the hidden bonuses of working with Pop Secret popcorn is that they sent boxes and boxes of popcorn to make sure I had enough for the Oscar Party Photo shoot.  We used tons of the popcorn for the shoot and we still ended up with tons left over.  What to do, what to do?

I made popcorn bars.  But these aren't just any popcorn bars because I used Pop Secret's Cinnamon Roll Popcorn in the bars.  Epic.

How to cook the perfect turkey

Ironically, cooking a giant turkey is a lot easier than cooking almost anything else.  But the fear of a Clark Griswold style experience is real.  All too real.  The trick is to do the math right on figuring out how long to cook it {here it is (pounds x 15) / 60 } and then keeping it basted.  Which does mean you have to be in the kitchen while it's cooking - figure baste it once every 45 minutes - or every time you refill your cocktail.  Which ever comes first.  

Cheers!

National Apple Month :: Apple Cider Waffles

National Apple Month is like homecoming and a wedding reception and New Year's Eve all rolled into one when you live in Washington State.  We are apple central people.  It also means that fresh apple cider is at the farmer's market and that stuff is dreamy.  When I was a little girl we used to press apples from my grandparents farm with a vintage apple press of my uncle.  

Recently, my dad found the exact same cider press - only a new one - and we brought it home to the beach cabin.  I love that we get to press cider with my children the same way I used to press cider with my grandparents.  

The only trick with making your own cider is that you end up with BUCKETS of cider.  B.U.C.K.E.T.S.  I've found ways to use it up {and it freezes well} but these waffles may be my very very favorite.  They perfectly capture the flavors of fall and are amazing topped with whipped cream, maple syrup and freshly chopped Honeycrisp apples.

1 cup flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 tablespoon sugar

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon nutmeg

1 egg

½ cup reduced cider

½ cup butter milk

2 tablespoons melted butter

In a bowl combine flour, baking powder, sugar and spices.  Set aside.  In a separate bowl, combine everything else and beat until a little fluffy.  Quickly stir in dry ingredients - batter will be a little lumpy.  Scoop batter onto hot waffle iron and bake.

Serve with fresh whipped cream, maple syrup, and sliced apples.