The Gift of Food - Green Chili Nachos

I love food. Who doesn't? God has created so many things in this world that are beautiful and incredible. Food is no exception. While in the earlier years of the world we haven't always had a choice of the kinds of food we could eat, in the past decade, in America particularly the choices of food we have are far beyond comparison. For the most part, anything our hearts desire are at our finger tips, ready to toss in a pot, fry, bake, poach, or however else you choose to cook it. We are so blessed! So many people in the world even today, don't have a choice. Some don't even have a meal. It is really humbling when I sit down to think about my grocery list for the week. Even with our meager budget, we have the opportunity and a quantity of food that some people will only ever dream of, and yet I still struggle with moments of discontentment and a lack of "inspiration" for dinner.

Alex and I are really determined to change our attitudes and the way we think about the things we have and the way we choose to live this year. Food and our grocery budget are one of the main areas we are working on. How do we eat and plan our meals in a way that honors God with our choices? I know it may seem to many of you that Alex and I are taking our desire to bring God glory through all these little things too literally. Maybe we are? Maybe we aren't though. We so desperately want to honor God in every area of our lives however big or small. It isn't that we necessarily believe that God is watching every little thing we d
o with a scowling, judgmental stare.  It is only that we have so little time, so little money, so little to give and do in the moment that we want to make the very most of what we do have. If changing our focus on the way we eat can effect our budget and health...maybe our hearts too, then we are willing to make a change.

Food has such a huge impact on our lives. We need food to live. Our bodies need nutrition to function. Food is yummy too. God has given us an incredible gift to be able to enjoy what we eat which in turn gives us life.

Right now we are trying to find health and inexpensive meal ideas. We are learning a lot about cooking in the process. Even the husband is getting in kitchen determined to learn how to cook and eat well. (I am so tickled to see how excited he and involved he is in the process!) 

One of our favorite new dishes is our Green Chili Chicken Nachos. Yum!

I have had an intolerance to tomatoes for quiet a while so this recipe was created with that in mind. However you can add and substitute wherever you want!
(The great thing about this recipe is how versatile it is.)

Green Chili Nachos 

1lb. Chicken Breast (Shrimp and ground beef are great substitutes as well)

Lime Zest and Juice

Pinch of Salt and Pepper

Sprinkle of dried ginger root

8oz Cream Cheese

1 Can Green Chilies

1 Can Green Enchilada Sauce

1lb Mexican Shredded Cheese

1 Can of Black Beans

1 Can of Pinto Beans

1 Bag of Tortilla Chips

*Fruit Salsa (or regular) 

Directions:

Brown chicken breast in skillet with ginger, salt and pepper, and a little lime zest and juice until cooked through, then temporarily turn off stove. Shred chicken and cube your cream cheese. Place cream cheese, Green chilies, and Enchilada sauce in skillet and bring to a slow boil, turn down heat and let simmer for 5 to 10 min. Sauce should be creamy and decently thick. On a cookie sheet, place tin foil and then layer chips and beans, spoon chicken mixture over top and cover with cheese.  Place in broiler for about 3 to 4 minutes or until top is bubbly and slightly browned. Serve immediately with *Fruit Salsa 

Fruit Salsa

Frozen fruit of your choice, thawed or fresh

*Pineapple, Mango, Papaya, Peach and Strawberry are all great options

Lime Juice

Dried Ginger root

Place desired amount of fruit into food processor with some lime and a good pinch of Ginger. Process until slightly chunky, and add lime and ginger until you get the taste you want. (You can also add fresh green chilies if you want a little spice.)

You can also top with whatever you like, such as olives, tomatoes, or green onions. Be creative, be inspired and let me know what you think! You are all welcome to use and print and revise! 

With an Earnest Love,

Leah