Food: Favorite Recipes for April

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Author's Note: I'm a big fan of food. I also believe in the power of weekly meal planning. I think it saves money and time when you're crazy busy. In general, I'm not much of a recipe repeater unless something is truly fabulous. Our weekly menu usually includes 2-3 new recipes from around the internet. Once a month, I'll create a compilation of recipes we've tried that are worth repeating. Bon Appétit!

April Favorites

Kung Pao Chicken Tacos (Cooking Light)
At first I thought Asian tacos sounded a little strange, but we gave these a whirl anyway and they were delicious. The only modification we made was using our favorite tortillas. We like them because they're more flavorful (and sturdier) than regular corn tortillas.

Cake Batter Protein Shake (Dashing Dish)
I found Dashing Dish last month and pinned lots of recipes. I tried this protein shake right away and although it took a couple trips to the store to find the ingredients (quick tip: xanthan gum is available at Whole Foods) the result was worth the effort. It's delicious, creamy, and (almost) better than a milkshake.

Barbecue Chicken Pasta (Eat, Live, Run)
This dish is easy, colorful and full of flavor. It got rave reviews from my girlfriends when I hosted them for dinner last month. We rounded out the meal with stuffed mushrooms, tossed salad, and chocolate torte.

Cheesy Jalapeño Popper Baked Stuffed Chicken (Skinnytaste)
My husband referred to this as "crack chicken." We made it with cilantro lime rice and black beans. My only suggestion is to make sure you find chicken cutlets. I tried to pound chicken breast and it took much longer to prepare.

No Bake Chocolate Chip Cookies (Food Network)
These cookies remind me of my childhood. We typically had them at Easter (shaped like nests and filled with jelly beans!) so it felt appropriate to try them this month. This recipe is delicious and very simple - even if you're not a baker!