Spinach Chicken & Pasta Salad with Teriyaki Vinaigrette

YUM! I tried a salad that looks very similar to this at a baby shower awhile back so I'm dieing to try this recipe and see if its the same!

Dressing:
1 cup canola oil
1/3 – 2/3 cup bottled teriyaki sauce (I used 1/3 cup but you may want to add more depending on your taste)
1/3 cup rice vinegar
1/3 cup cider vinegar
6 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Salad:
16 oz. bow tie pasta, cooked al dente, drained and cooled
1 bag fresh spinach (9 – 10 oz)
6 oz. craisins
2 (11 oz.) cans mandarin oranges, drained
1 (8 oz.) can water chestnuts, drained and slivered
1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley
4 green onions, thinly sliced (white and green parts)
1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted
6 oz. honey roasted peanuts
2 cups cooked chicken, tossed with 2-3 tablespoons teriyaki sauce

In a blender, combine all the dressing ingredients and blend until well combined and smooth. Mix about 1 cup of the dressing with the cooked pasta in a large bowl and marinate for at least one hour. Combine the remaining salad ingredients in a large bowl. Just before serving, add pasta and toss. Add dressing to taste and toss. Serve immediately.
As seen HERE

Chicken Lime Tacos

Chicken Lime Tacos
Ingredients:

*
1 1/2 lbs. boneless, skinless chicken breast - cubed
*
1/8 cup red wine vinegar
*
1/2 lime, juiced
*
1 t. white sugar
*
1/2 t. salt
*
1/4 t. pepper
*
2 green onions, chopped
*
2 cloves garlic, minced
*
1 t. dried oregano

Directions: Saute chicken in medium sauce pan over medium high heat until no longer pink(I poached mine and then shredded it). Add vinegar, lime juice, sugar, salt, pepper, green onion, garlic, and oregano. Simmer for 10 minutes.

Place in tortillas, top with lettuce, tomato, cheese, and salsa. I like to squeeze a little more lime juice into my taco.

cupcakes

peanut butter and chocolate together is a sin
and I feel like committing one today
who's with me?

As seen HERE

today.

THIS blanket has been eying me for a few weeks. I have seen it on everyone's blogs! So colorful, soft, and comfmy looking wouldn't you agree?
It's dark, cool, and overcast today and I frankly just want to wrap myself in this soft blanket and eat THIS. Has anyone ever tried salt with chocolate? I heard its a dangerous combination. i.e salt in chocolate milk supposedly it brings out the flavor!

Chocolate Glazed Baked Doughnut Cupcakes

my mouth is watering as we speak...I want to dip my fingers in a bowl of that chocolate right about not!

As seen HERE

I Must Make

Maybe by the time I'm 50 I'll have enough time to try and make this delicious recipe! yum! Homemade chocolate ice cream! This looks like its to die for!

As seen HERE

I Must Make

Caramel Apple Cheesecake Bars
Crust:
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup (2 sticks) butter, softened

Cheesecake Filling:
3 (8-ounce) packages cream cheese, softened
3/4 cup sugar, plus 2 tablespoons, divided
3 large eggs
1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Apples:
3 Granny Smith apples, peeled, cored and finely chopped
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

Streusel topping, recipe follows
1/2 cup caramel topping

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
In a medium bowl, combine flour and brown sugar. Cut in butter with a pastry blender (or 2 forks) until mixture is crumbly. Press evenly into a 9x13 baking pan lined with heavy-duty aluminum foil. Bake 15 minutes or until lightly browned.

In a large bowl, beat cream cheese with 3/4 cup sugar in an electric mixer at medium speed until smooth. Then add eggs, 1 at a time, and vanilla. Stir to combine. Pour over warm crust.

In a small bowl, stir together chopped apples, remaining 2 tablespoons sugar, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Spoon evenly over cream cheese mixture. Sprinkle evenly with Streusel topping. Bake 40-45 minutes, or until filling is set. Drizzle with caramel topping and let cool. Serve cold and enjoy!

Streusel Topping:
1 cup firmly packed brown sugar
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup quick cooking oats
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter, softened

In a small bowl, combine all ingredients. I like to really combine it by using my clean hands to thoroughly combine the butter into the mixture

As seen HERE