Recipe(tried): Chicken Divan, Aromatic Rice, Sliced Tomatoes and Watercress Salad (with travel photos)

Hello Everyone!

I have been back from Costa Rica since Sunday but my week was one for the books. First off, I came back sick on the plane and did not fully recover until Tuesday. On Tuesday, I had enough energy to do the laundry and put away all the stuff one needs to do after a trip in addition to planning a HomeOwner's Association Meeting and light refreshments for a Wednesday Meeting. On Wednesday, I made the signs for the meeting, went to Publix for the supplies for the refreshments, made up 3 fresh plant arrangements in baskets to welcome 3 new neighbors, made 2 arrangements for a sick neighbor and baked cookies and brownies and made a cream cheese with chutney plate to serve with crackers.

Today, I spent the day on the pool figuring out the new Phantom pool cleaner...thank God a DVD came with the box to help me do it! It's a whiz, in and out of the water, up the sides swallowing debris! I love it!!

Friday morning I plan to mow the lawn and give it a nice edging. Then in the afternoon decide what goes into the garage sale for Saturday.

Let me tell you a little bit about Costa Rica...a beautiful country with an incredible lush, tropical setting. The only thing I did not like was the weather...supremely hot, and I do mean hot! The resort we stayed on was fabulous and so was the food. Next year's trip if we qualify for it will be in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. I am looking forward to that.

Here is a beautiful picture of the grounds of the resort by our room.



This is a picture of the resident Agouti who roams around happily digging for its food in the ground. It had a long marvelous tail.



And this is a picture of Iggy the Iguana. He loved it when I put small bits of fruit out for him to eat.



The following recipes are courtesy of Publix Apron Recipes which are so easy to put together as well as tasty. I especially enjoyed the Watercress Salad with the lemony cilantro dressing, very refreshing and different!

I'm off to shower and rest for the night, I am so tired!

Hugs, Gina

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CHICKEN DIVAN
Serves: 4
source: Publix Apron's Recipes

2 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
large zip-top bag
1 1/2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts
1 tablespoon butter
3 cups frozen broccoli florets
1 (10-ounce) container refrigerated light Alfredo sauce
1/4 cup white cooking wine
2 tablespoons shredded Parmesan cheese, optional

Place flour and seasoned salt in large zip-top bag. Cut chicken into bite-size pieces and place in bag. Wash hands.

Preheat large saut pan on medium-high 2-3 minutes. Seal bag and shake to coat chicken. Add butter to pan and swirl to coat. Pour chicken, with flour, into pan and cook 4-5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until chicken begins to brown.

Add broccoli to pan. Cover and cook 3 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in Alfredo sauce and wine; reduce heat to low. Cover and simmer 2-3 minutes until broccoli is tender. Serve topped with Parmesan cheese.

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AROMATIC RICE
Source: Publix Apron Recipes

4-6 fresh chives
2 (8.8-ounce) pouches pre-cooked roasted chicken-flavor rice
1 tablespoon butter

Chop (rinsed) chives finely. Place all ingredients in microwave-safe bowl and cover.

Microwave on HIGH 3 minutes. Stir and serve.

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WATERCRESS SALAD
Serves: 4
Source: Publix Apron's Recipes

juice of 1/2 lemon
2 teaspoons cilantro herb paste
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch watercress
1 (14-ounce) can salad-cut hearts of palm (drained)
3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese
1 1/2 cups seedless red grapes (rinsed)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper

Cut (rinsed) lemon in half; squeeze juice of one half into salad bowl (about 1 tablespoon). Stir in herb paste and olive oil until blended.

Trim stems of watercress. To do this easily, hold bunch together (with ends aligned) and cut about 2 inches off stem end. Rinse watercress and cut into bite-size pieces (about 3 cups); add to salad bowl.

Add remaining ingredients; toss well to mix. Serve.

I served the Chicken Divan and Rice alongside sliced fresh tomatoes.