Chipotle Chicken Flauta Bites

My husband and I celebrated our 15th wedding anniversary in Cancun. We toured ancient ruins, splashed in the ocean, soaked up the sun, and enjoyed Mexican cuisine. Not only did we bring home wonderful memories, but also ideas for delectable South of the border recipes including savory Chipotle Chicken Flauta Bites.

4 ounces  of Philadelphia Cream Cheese, softened

1 cup  of roasted rotisserie chicken

1/2 cup  of Kraft Sandwich Shop Chipotle Mayo

1 cup of Sweet Habanero Paradise Pepper Sauce, divided

1 cup of fresh cilantro stems

4 six inch fresh Mex flour tortillas

1 Tbsp. of canola oil

1 cup of feta cheese, crumbled

1. Spread 1 ounce of Philadelphia cream cheese over each tortilla leaving 1/2 inch around edges.
2. Spread 1 tablespoon of Kraft Chipotle Mayo over cream cheese and 3 tablespoons crumbled feta cheese for each tortilla.
3. Add 1/4 cup roasted rotisserie chicken down the center of each tortilla spread with cream cheese and chipotle mayo.
4. Starting from one end, roll each tortilla into a tube shape.
5. In a saute pan, heat 2 tablespoons oil and brown each side of flauta for 2 minutes or until golden brown (turn once.)
6. Cut each flauta in half and spread 1/2 tablespoon of sweet habanero Paradise Pepper Sauce over the top of each flauta portion followed by 1 tablespoon feta cheese.
7. For serving, squeeze some chipotle mayo on plate and set flauta on top. Serve with a sprig of fresh cilantro and a small condiment cup of sweet habanero pepper sauce for dipping.
8. Note: I purchased my pre-cooked flour tortillas from my favorite fresh Mex restaurant.

Utah State Fair 2011

I love this picture! It really encapsulates the feelings the Traveling Crepe Cake evoked from the judges. The ingredients were searched and collected from tip of the state to the bottom! Carmel really SOLD it! 

The whole spiel about my ancestors crossing the planes and starting one of the first peach orchards that is still in operation today didn't quite have the same effect. Next time, I think I will scrape the salt for my recipe off the salt flats with nothing but a spoon and my bare hands. Of course, all joking aside--we had quite a few--Carmel ROCKS!!

 The Three Finalists

 Not Your Mama's Lasagna

Traveling Utah Crepe Cake

The competition was STEEP!

 French Raspberry Macarons

 Carrot Cake and Peach Pie Frozen Yogurt

 Chicken and Dumplings

 Cherry French Toast

 Orchard Peach and Lemon Tartlet

Stuffed Breakfast Sandwich

 No, he really isn't in pain!

 Our loot!

 The fair was just like in Charlotte's Web. We wanted to ride the ferris wheel, but all of our gifts would have melted and we needed to drive home then to Logan Utah for the marathon the following day!

 We grabbed a quick lunch at a BBQ grill. This side dish gives new definition to CURLY fries!

 Kettle Corn is a weakness of mine!

Third in State

I took third place in the final cook-off of Utah's Own Ultimate Recipe Round-up! A couple days before the competition, I put on the movie, Charlotte's Web while I cooked in the kitchen. The movie brought me to tears when Fern and her family woke up early to get the fair to find that the ribbons had already been given out and Uncle took first place. I'm sure their heart sunk as they fondly eyed Wilbur in his pen. It dawned on me at that moment that I may NOT take first place, in fact, I may not place at all at the State Fair! 

Well, that little premonition actually came into fruition when I took THIRD place! But I was still thrilled to be at the fair, meet all the talented and wonderful people participating, judging, and organizing! It was a festive, FUN event at the Utah State Fair Grounds. I enjoyed this opportunity immensely. Fox 13 NEWS was covered the event live as well as radio station KODJ Oldies 94.9! Karmel took first place with her Traveling Utah Crepe Cake! She is so sweet and very deserving!

I took home some wonderful prizes including a night with my favorite guy at the Monaco Hotel, cooking classes at Gigi and an Active Fryer I intend to use SOON! It was like a crazy whirlwind setting up, being judged, eating Fair food, then home to pack for The TOP OF UTAH MARATHON. This day was also my also my oldest daughter's 18th Birthday! What a THRILL!! Joe could NOT have been more supportive in my culinary endeavors. He is MY BIGGEST FAN!

I took third, second, then first in the preliminary Ultimate Recipe Round-up competitions. I was incredibly persistent!

Thanks to Allred Orchards the wonderful peaches grown in UTAH!

This was my display!

Family Fudge--Utah Valley Magazine Contest Winner

Here is the FUDGE that made IT All happen!! For the first time in over 35 years, my dear FAMILY has consented to let me FINALLY share the RECIPE with...Utah Valley Magazine! 

This fudge recipe will be released in Utah Valley Magazine's November/December Issue. The fudge and I will be pictured there since we won the Christmas Dessert Contest. 

AND if you want a SPECIAL tutorial on how to make the world's best CHRISTMAS fudge, then I suggest you tune into GOOD THINGS UTAH on OCTOBER 27, 2011 at 10:00 a.m., because I will be a GUEST on the show.