Espresso La Rive Gauche

ingredients

• Nonstick spray coating
• 6 6-inch corn tortillas, each cut into 6 wedges
• 2 cups cubed cooked chicken
• 1 cup loose-pack frozen whole kernel corn
• 1 16-ounce jar salsa verde
• 3 tablespoons light dairy sour cream
• 3 tablespoons snipped fresh cilantro
• 1 tablespoon all-purpose flour
• 1 cup crumbled Mexican chihuahua or farmer cheese (4 ounces)
• Light dairy sour cream (optional)
• Snipped fresh cilantro (optional)
• Chopped tomato (optional)
• Jalapeno pepper, thinly sliced (optional)

directions

1. Spray four 10- to 12-ounce baking dishes with nonstick coating. Place 5 tortilla wedges in the bottom of each dish. Place remaining tortilla pieces on a baking sheet; bake in a 350 degree F oven about 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Meanwhile, combine chicken, corn, salsa, the 3 tablespoons sour cream, cilantro, and flour. Divide mixture among dishes.
2. Bake, uncovered, in a 350 degree F oven for 20 minutes. Arrange baked tortilla pieces atop casseroles. Top with cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. If desired, garnish with additional sour cream, jalapeño slices, cilantro, and tomato. Makes 4 servings.
3. To bake frozen casseroles: Bake, covered, in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes. Uncover; bake about 20 minutes more or until heated through. Top with tortilla pieces and cheese; bake for 5 to 10 minutes more or until heated through. Garnish as above.
4. To micro-cook frozen casseroles: Cover microwave-safe casseroles with waxed paper; micro-cook on 30% power, allowing 4 minutes for 1 casserole and 5 minutes for 2 casseroles. Continue cooking, covered, on 100 percent power until heated through, allowing 2 to 4 minutes for 1 casserole or 3 to 6 minutes for 2 casseroles, rotating the dishes once. Top with baked tortilla pieces and cheese; micro-cook, uncovered, about 30 seconds more or until cheese is melted. Garnish as above. Makes 4 servings.
5. pMake-Ahead Tip: Assemble casseroles as directed above, except do not top with baked tortilla pieces; place baked pieces in a moisture- and vapor-proof plastic bag. Freeze casseroles and tortilla pieces up to 1 month.

Pineapple, grapefruit, kiwifruit, oranges, and pomegranate seeds are all included in this fruit dish. Pineapple juice, sugar, and mint are cooked together to create a mint-flavored sauce; and then the mint is removed and the sauce is poured over the fruit. This colorful fruit dish is sure to brighten up any dinner table.

ingredients

• 1 15-1/2-ounce can pineapple chunks (juice-pack)
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 2 tablespoons snipped fresh mint or 1-1/2 teaspoons dried mint, crushed
• 1 tablespoon finely slivered grapefruit peel
• 2 red grapefruit, peeled, halved, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 tablespoon finely slivered orange peel
• 2 oranges, peeled, halved, and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1 kiwifruit, peeled and sliced 1/4 inch thick
• 1/4 cup pomegranate seeds*
• Thinly sliced orange peel strips (optional)

directions

1. Drain pineapple, reserving juice; add enough water to make 1 cup.
2. Combine reserved juice mixture, sugar, and fresh or dried mint in a small saucepan. Bring just to boiling; reduce heat. Simmer, covered, for 5 minutes. Strain, discarding mint. Cool slightly.
3. Meanwhile, combine the pineapple, grapefruit peel and slices, orange peel and slices, and kiwifruit slices in a large serving bowl. Pour the strained syrup over fruit; cover and chill for 2 hours or overnight.
4. To serve, stir in pomegranate seeds; garnish with thinly sliced orange peel strips, if desired. Makes 6 (3/4-cup) servings.
5. *Note: To remove pomegranate seeds, cut the fruit in half just through the skin. Remove the peel and break the fruit into sections. Then use your fingers or a small spoon to separate the seeds from the membrane. Handle the fruit in a bowl filled with water; this allows the seeds to float to the top, and the juice won't discolor your hands. Discard the skin and membrane, and eat only the seeds.