I’m always on the look out for new grilling recipes. These Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts are easy to make and perfect for the summer season. Serve with black beans, and a salad dressed with Southwestern Vinaigrette. Enjoy!

Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts
-recipe from Sunset Magazine

Even within the same variety, chiles can vary greatly in heat. If you like yours mild, pull out the inner membrane when seeding them; that’s where a lot of the heat-producing capsaicin is concentrated.

2 tablespoons vegetable oil, divided
4 Anaheim or poblano chiles
4 boned, skinned chicken breast halves (about 8 oz. each)
2 teaspoons ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon cayenne
1 teaspoon kosher salt
Lime wedges
1 avocado, peeled, pitted, and sliced
1 cup shredded jack cheese

Prepare a grill for high heat (450° to 550°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 2 to 4 seconds). Rub 1 tbsp. oil over chiles. Cook chiles, turning often, until skins are browned. Put chiles in a bowl, cover, and let cool. Seed chiles and rub off skins.

Meanwhile, rub remaining 1 tbsp. oil over chicken. Combine cumin, cayenne, and salt and sprinkle evenly over each breast. Grill chicken, turning once, until browned and cooked through, about 10 minutes total.

Squeeze a little lime over chicken, then top each breast with a few avocado slices, a reserved chile, and about 1/4 cup cheese. Grill, covered, until cheese melts, about 4 minutes.

Tags: Anaheim chiles, Anaheim pepper, avocado, Chicken, grilling, jack cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, poblano chiles, poblano peppers, Southwest, Southwest Grilled Chicken and Avocado Melts

Who said real men don’t eat quiche? Husband can inhale 2 manly-sized pieces of this delicious Bacon and Green Chili Quiche in one sitting. The combination of bacon, green chiles and cheese is a definite winner! It’s also great for brunch or lunch entertaining because it can be made ahead and cooled (completely), then wrapped in plastic wrap and refrigerated. To serve, simply remove the plastic wrap and reheat the quiche in a 350°F oven for 15 minutes or until it’s heated through. Serve warm or at room temperature.

I followed the recipe except for substituting  pepperjack cheese for regular jack cheese. I forgot to drain the green chiles so the custard wasn’t quite as firm as I would’ve liked but it was still very, very tasty. Next time, I’ll try using only 1 cup of half & half to see if that makes for a firmer quiche, too (if reducing liquid, reduce the salt). After baking, let the quiche rest for 20 minutes or so (5 minutes wasn’t quite long enough).  Enjoy!

I’m linking this recipe to these blog parties: Finer Things Friday, Foodie Friday

Bacon and Green Chile Quiche
-recipe from Bon Appétit Magazine

1 refrigerated pie crust (half of 15-ounce package), room temperature

8 strips bacon
1 4-ounce can diced green chiles, drained
4 green onions, chopped
1 cup shredded Monterey Jack cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese (about 4 ounces)
1 1/4 cups half and half
4 eggs
1/2 teaspoon salt

Preheat oven to 425°F. Unfold crust. Using wet fingertips, press together any tears. Press crust into 9-inch deep dish pie plate. Press foil over crust to hold shape. Bake 5 minutes. Remove from oven; remove foil. Reduce temperature to 400°F.

Cook bacon in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat until brown and crisp. Transfer to paper towels and drain. Crumble bacon. Sprinkle bacon, then chilies and green onion over crust. Combine Monterey Jack cheese and cheddar cheese and sprinkle over. Beat half and half, eggs and salt in medium bowl to blend. Pour half and half mixture into crust.

Bake quiche until knife inserted into center comes out clean, about 45 minutes. Let quiche stand 5 minutes. Cut quiche into wedges and serve.

Tags: bacon, brunch, cheddar cheese, Eggs, green chiles, jack cheese, pie crust, quiche