Pinbuster: Copycat Chipotle Recipes

Who hasn't lost hours upon hours on the lovely addiction we like to call Pinterest? At its heart (does Pinterest have a heart?--hmmm--discuss amongst yourselves for a minute) Pinterest is a wonderful space to house your interests and loves. However, jokes ABOUND about how many things we pin and actually never look at, try, or do EVER.....

Well--Holly and I decided to put our Pinterest boards to the ultimate test! We each will choose something we have pinned and "intended" to do for awhile and we will actually DO IT. We are calling it PINBUSTER! (Like Mythbusters ya know!) We are stepping a bit away from the fashion on this one---Holly's up first with her Chipotle recipe!

While looking through some Pinterest recipes I came across this link for copy cat Chipotle Chicken burritos. I LOVE Chipotle! I had to try it! I was a little skeptical at first because Chipotle burritos are the perfect combo of sweet and spicy. YUM!! I double dog dare you to try it!

I just pasted the information from the linked site. My extra comments (time savers I found or substitutes that I used) are in RED.

source

 

I got all the recipes online from other fellow chipotle fans as myself, since I don’t have a clue when it comes to Mexican cooking.

I still managed to tweak the recipes to the ingredients I had, and it still turned out delicious! I give them 5 stars for being as close to chipotle as I can ever get, without leaving the house..

Enough with the chitchat and on to the recipes…

Chipotle’s grilled chicken marinade:

The original method of cooking the chicken is to marinate it overnight and grill it flat (lay a brick wrapped in foil on it).. Since it was a last minute decision (see: cravings above) it was already 3pm when I took the chicken breast out of the freezer, so I needed a plan B.

I made the marinade, added water. And threw it in a crock pot on high for 5 hours..

Let me just say I wish you were here to smell how good it was …..

If I'm in a pinch, I shred up some chicken breasts (or I have been known to use it from a can if I'm desperate) and just simmer it in the marinade while I put everything else together. It ends up being about 30ish minutes and the taste is still excellent!  I added extra cumin for a little more kick, too.  ~Holly

Ingredients: original recipe link

My tweaked version:

- 1 7oz can of chipotle pepper in adobo sauce. Remove the peppers and keep the sauce. (I left in one pepper)

- 6-7 dried red chili peppers

- 1 small onion

- 2 tsp cumin

- 2 tbsp dried oregano (all I had on hand)

- 2.5 tsp salt

- 1 tsp black pepper

- 6 chicken breasts, cut into bite size pieces

- 1/4 cup canola oil

- 2 cups water

Throw everything in food processor, blend and cover chicken, throw in crock pot, check on it 5 hours later.

Since my chicken was still kinda frozen when I put it in, it took longer than I anticipated, so when Maghrib was approaching I moved everything to a pot and cooked it on the stove on medium heat for around 20 mins to give it a boost and make it really soft. 

Again, feel free to check the original recipe here and follow their directions as well. (I used recipe #1)





Corn Salsa:

This was super good and easy to make, and wouldn’t be a real chipotle dish without it .. 

Ingredients: original recipe
My tweaked version:

1 lb bag of frozen corn, cooked
1/3 bunch of cilantro, chopped finely
2 green jalapenos, finely diced
1/2 red onion, diced finely
Juice of one lime
Salt pepper to taste
1  pablano pepper, roasted in the oven, diced finely 
(I was too scared it would be spicy since I’ve never used it before, and it’s huge!! Let me just say the jalepenos were spicier…)

Chop chop chop, and mix all together. and your done

One time when I made this I didn't have lime juice on hand, so I used a lemon and it was fine. Lime is better, but lemon worked as well.
I also used a regular green pepper instead of the pablano pepper.   ~Holly

 

Pico de gallo : (original recipe found in the comments)

What I used:
6 ripe Roma tomatoes, finely diced..
2 tbsp chopped cilantro
1/2 red onion, diced finely
1/2 tsp salt
Juice of half a lemon
1/2 jalepeno, finely diced


Dice everything and combine.. And enjoy

Don't mess with this recipe! It is amazing just the way it is! ~Holly

You will also need shredded lettuce as a topping. So cut some up and put it in a separate bowl.

 

Cilantro lime rice: original (used recipe #2 and doubled it)

2 cup basmati rice
4 cups water
Bay leaf
1 tsp salt
Juice of a lime
2 tbsp cilantro, minced

2 tbsp oil

 

Saute the rice in oil until almost translucent.  Add bay leaf and water, bring to a boil.
As soon as the water begins to boil, turn the heat down low.
Simmer, covered for 15-20 minutes, or until all water is absorbed.
Turn off heat.  Leave covered for 30 minutes. This is the “steaming” part, this is what makes the rice fluffy.

Once done, It may be helpful to transfer rice into a mixing bowl for the next step.
Mix salt and juice of lime together until salt is dissolved.
remove bay leaf, pour it over rice, fluff with a fork.
Sprinkle in cilantro, and toss well to evenly coat with cilantro and lime mixture. And you’re done!

Again, I used a lemon and it was good...And I skipped the bay leaf, I couldn't tell the difference.  ~Holly

Sour cream sauce:

Just get sour cream, add some water to make it a smooth consistency, and mix well. thats it!

We used just regular sour cream to save time as well, but this is super easy.   ~Holly

Here is another recipe that was at the bottom of the burritos' recipe. It sounds delish, but I have not tried it yet. Let me know if you try it.    ~Holly

Espinaca (spinach and cheese dip) similar to Jose peppers… 

 

Ingredients:
16 oz 1/3 fat cream cheese
8 oz hot pepper cheese (not same as pepper jack) 
4 oz frozen spinach
1 onion, chopped
1 10 oz can rotel, drained
1 cup heavy cream
1/2 cup milk
2 Maggie cubes (equivalent to 4 small bouillon cubes) 

Add all in crock pot (or on stovetop on the lowest heat) until melted and combined (around at least 30 mins)  Stir and serve hot with chips.

 

 Just for fun i put it in a chocolate fondue bowl, to keep it from getting cold.

And that was our Mexican Chipotle dinner for that night.. hope you enjoyed it as much as i did!

HAPPY COOKING!!

~Holly 

OOTD: Ready for Fall!

Despite my often professed love of all things NEON colored this summer, I am ready to pack the neon away and bust out some rich, fall colors. I long for a little mustard, olive yellow, and wine outfit pieces. I paired this coral top with this olive green cardigan and it satisfied my need perfectly. I adore my AE skinny jeans so that just made the outfit that much better. My new Jennifer Dahl necklace has become a staple accessory and people ask me about it All. The. Time. I had wanted one forever but I finally purchased one when she was doing an amazing service to a local family who had lost a child in house fire. For a whole week (or more) all of her sales went to help this family. I ended up purchasing one and then putting the charms on a longer necklace I already had. Are you ready for fall colors? Join us!

Top: LC for Kohl's (similar)

Cardigan: Cotton On

Jeans: American Eagle

Necklace: Jennifer Dahl Designs

Shoes: Kohl's (similar)

Six Ways to Style: {A Green Blazer}

This time of year is all about layering your outfits to match the weather. A perfect way to add an outer layer to your outfit is with a blazer. I could not resist styling this green one I picked up at Macy's for ELEVEN DOLLARS! Hollah! The color and weight of this blazer are ideal for the fall season. Total money! (green=money...no?....fine)

Want a green blazer?  Forever 21/ Target / Limited

1. Prints on Me!
I chose this great scarf to go with the green. There is a little green in it but the blue compliments the green, so it wouldn't have to have green in the actual print. A navy shirt layered under gives a little more detail than just a white T. Skinny jeans follow my line because the jacket doesn't totally flatter my shape. (See How to Styling Your Shape for more tips on that.) Another print on my shoe to finish it off.

Shirt: Target (similar)
Scarf: NY & Co. (similar)
Jeans: Herberger's
Shoes: Target (similar)

2. Animal Print Envy!
I saw a similar outfit to this in a magazine a few months back and distinctly remember wishing I had a green blazer to recreate it with. Well--here we are. The green blazer adds a perfect pop to the dark shades of the shirt and pants. Throw on a sassy shoe and anything is possible.

Blazer: Macy's
Top: Gap (similar)
Pant: Limited (similar)
Shoes: Target (similar)
Necklace: Jennifer Dahl Designs

3. Turquoise Treat
I found this inspiration on Pinterest a while back and have been dying to try it. It's a chambray shirt with a turquoise necklace  under the green blazer. I could  have chose white pants to dress up the look, but I chose to stay casual with the jeans. Leopard print flats for a little attitude. Viola!

Shirt: Charlotte Russe (similar)
Jeans: Herberger's
Necklace: Groopdealz
Shoes: Target (same)

4. White Hot Anchor
I am undeniably in love with this anchor tee from the Limited. I have always loved anchors and their spiritual symbolism. The big anchor trend in fashion lately is perfectly fine with me. Green and navy blue always manage to look stunning together. The white pant is a perfect balance to the bold green blazer.

Top: Limited (same--only XS left!)
Pant: Ann Taylor Loft (hard to find white pants this time of year!)
Shoe: Target (similar)

5. Dress? Yes!
This is a sweater dress that is SUPER comfy! It has a little detailing down the front, so it doesn't much for accessories. I chose to throw on brown boots to dress it down a little, and a mint necklace for another color.

Dress: Burlington Coat Factory (similar)
Necklace: Groopdealz
Boots: Macy's (similar)

6. Bubble Your Fun
A tiny part of me resists pairing yellow with green for two reasons: (1) I DO NOT want to be mistaken for a Packer fan, and (2) People might think I have a thing for John Deere. These reasons may not bother you at all but they always make me think twice about this color combo. However, I figured a little yellow bubble necklace won't hurt me. The colors do play well together so maybe the issue is all mine. My green reptile print flats give the whole outfit a little edge.

Tee: Target (same)
Necklace: GroopDealz
Pants: American Eagle (same)
Shoe: Old Navy (similar)

Trend Watch: Tribal Print!

Tribal print is a very up and coming trend right now. At first I didn't know how much I liked it, but then I found a couple of cute pieces! Now I'm in love with it! I started with a pair of shorts at Old Navy, then found a great flowy shirt at Marshalls. If your not sold on the print, but would like to try it in small doses. I would suggest a scarf or a tank to layer over.  I found that this was a perfect way to add some pattern to my wardrobe. Here are some other pieces I found to give you an idea of what I'm thinking of. Check it out!

$23 newlook.com

Parisian Black and Brown

$16 rarelondon.com

Rare London Tribal Print Tunic

$34 rarelondon.com

Rare London Tribal Print Top

 

$20 newlook.com

Purple and Red Aztec Print

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Don't be afraid to try something new! You never know what your going to love. Go out on a limb.. At least find something with a great tribal pattern and try it on in the fitting room. Let us know what you find.

Hopefully this gives you the extra push you needed to try something new.

~Holly

Fashion Foundation: {Accessories}

Accessories can be a dream or a nightmare if you are just building your fashion foundation. They can be extremely trendy and impossible to keep up with. This post will guide you to purchasing foundational pieces that will survive trends and help you finish off each and every outfit you create.

One thought before you go out and purchase that perfect accessory--because they are so trendy we rarely spend very much on accessories. Spend a small amount each season and you won't feel bad when a new trend comes along in the next season. Over time you will learn which pieces you love and are timeless...then spend a bit more to get a piece that will last.

FYI: We by no means want you to throw on one (or seven) of each of the items listed here. TIP: Put on the accessories that you wish to wear for the day. Stand in front of a mirror. Do a quick twirl all the way around (go ahead--you'll love it!). Whichever accessory catches your eye as you look in the mirror after your twirl, probably needs to go. If no one piece jumps out at you, you are probably good to go! Happy accessorizing!

1. Necklaces (Example)
You are talking with a girls who LOVE long necklaces. If I'm wearing a shorter necklace it is probably a statement one, not a simple one. There is just something about a long silver necklace with a pendant that completes an outfit. It can take a t-shirt from casual to chic in 2 seconds flat. We recommend owning a long silver necklace and a long gold necklace. Choose ones with versatile pendants or accents that will go with many of your tops. If you are really into necklaces and love to wear the latest trends, buy some from Forever 21--they are cheap (in more ways than one I'm afraid) but will most likely last you through the trend without making you break the bank. My favorite length is 24"-30". Check out the diagram below to see what lengths will work for you.

2. Statement Necklaces (Example)
These are BIG right now--literally and figuratively! They come in bubble styles, fan styles, tear drop styles, etc. You can have so much fun with these babies. They are a perfect way to add color and pop to any outfit. Purchase a few in basic neutral colors to begin with. If you are really feeling the statement necklace trend, be bold and grab a few in some exotic hues! The difference these accessories can make for an outfit is...well... BIG!

3. Bracelets (lots of them!) (Example)
Take a look at our bracelet post to get a little background on how we feel about bracelets. Then...get stacking. Bracelets need a buddy. Stack them with your watch. Stack them with 6 other bracelets. The stacked look is such a classy way to accessorize. OR you could make your own statement ones and let one bracelet carry the load. Either way, invest in a few classic sets and bring your outfits up a notch or two or three or seven!

4. Statement Ring (Example--want this!)
Maybe its because I teach and talk with my hands on a daily basis, but I love popping a statement ring on one of my fingers. It's a simple way to pull color from your outfit and wear it away from your torso. I own about 6 rings in gold, silver, and some of my favorite hues. When I am not in a bracelet mood, I often lean towards putting a ring on it!

5. Hoop Earrings (Example)
I own hoop earrings in all shapes and sizes. They add that final touch to my hairstyle AND outfit that I just adore. Now I completely understand if you are knee deep in babies and toddlers and hoop earrings are just going to be the reason somebody ends up crying. So, any classic gold or silver earrings that add any kind of statement above the neck will do. Many women I talk to have simply gotten out of the habit of wearing earrings and don't own any foundational pairs that can be worn day in and day out. My challenge to you is to go and buy reasonably priced hoops and try wearing them for two weeks. You'll be convinced of the hoopla, trust me.

6. Wide Belts (Example)
So many of us avoid belts because who wants to draw attention to the part (our middles) that we try so desperately to hide day after day. I used to think this ALL. THE. TIME. However, instead of trying to hide our shape, we should be accentuating our shape. We need to quit hiding underneath flowy tops (unless its paired with some ridiculously cute dark wash skinnies!) and start cinching our waists. Ladies--we are not supposed to be straight from the belt down. We are supposed to be curvy from the waist down--ya know---hourglass? Purchase a few neutral ones that have elastic in the back and you'll be set to cinch.

7. Skinny Belts (Example)
Same rant as above. I buy almost all of my skinny belts at Forever 21. They are cheap and come in every color. I often buy the same color in two sizes. One to cinch higher up on my ribcage and one to use at my waist. Check out our post on how to tie off that skinny belt with flair.

8. Scarves (Example)
Wow am I glad these have come back in style. They have single handedly changed my core body temperature in the wicked winters I have to endure. I am a sucker for anything that offers cuteness and comfiness all rolled up in pretty prints or heavy knits. You can't go wrong with an animal print and several basic neutrals. Check out this awesome video on how to tie scarves--a different look each day!

.

Six Ways to Style~ An Army Vest + a little announcement (or two!)

Holly and I have a pretty good gig going here on our little blog. We have a small, loyal audience which we think totally rocks. Plus we have a ton of fun working on our posts--planning outfits, taking pics, etc. A huge bonus is that we are pretty much the exact same size. We wear the same pant size, shirt size, and shoe size! We can do our outfit posts with ease--Many people even have a hard time telling who is who in our headless shots!  Well the good gig is getting a bit better, however it is going to get a bit harder to share clothes and a bit easier to tell us apart because Miss Holly is starting to sport a bump.....A baby bump..... A double baby bump! YEP! Two babies! We are definitely going to have to work in a few Six Ways to Style your Bump posts! Holly says we should style her mini-bump, medium-bump, and then her MEGA-bump! Leave some love for Holly in the comments would ya? I'll hold down the ship for a while as far as the Six Ways posts go, but Holly is going to rock the maternity world with her adorable bumpin style too. Stay tuned! 

On to this weeks Six Ways (take a peek at Holly's bump!) to Style--an army vest! I picked up this vest during one of Old Navy's 30% off the Entire Store sale (excluding clearance--bummer I say!) and have fallen head over heels in love with it. It is a FANTASTIC layering piece and it acts as a beautiful neutral. Pick one up and get layering! Click HERE to get one!

1. Yell for Yellow
I was hesitant at first to pair this vest with another sleeveless top but I couldn't resist the yellow ruffles! I love how the top is super feminine against the masculinity of the vest. The two colors are perfect together. I will definitely sport this outfit (you know how I love my AE jeans!) tons this fall. Our temps in the morning can be quite chilly but we often hit 75 by the afternoon still. This will be perfect! Look how those yellow flats just tie it all together!

Top: JC Penny (similar)
Pants: American Eagle (same)
Shoes: Target (similar)
Necklace: Origami Owl 

2. Stripe up the band!
I LOVE this striped shirt! It is SO comfy and nice and long to wear with leggings. The stripes are enough detail for the entire outfit, but of course I needed a little bling. Gold, glitter flats add the perfect touch of feminine detail to this masculine look.

Shirt: Aerie (similar)
Leggings: Marshalls
Flats: Target (similar)
Necklace: Target

3. Coral me Happy
I really wanted a color to POP against the army khaki of this vest. Coral is my new happy place color so why not? This casual outfit would be perfect for running around or going to a farmer's market. I have practically worn out these boyfriend capris from Old Navy and love that they go with anything. As for shoes, you can never go wrong with some cheetah flats!

Shirt: Old Navy (similar)
Pants: Old Navy (same)
Shoes: Macy's (similar)
Necklace: Origami Owl (see link above)

4. Denim Does Layers
Layer it up! Usually with a vest, one would grab a long sleeve shirt to go under, but don't rule out those cardigans. They both open in the front, but it creates a great layered look. I added the denim skirt to dress it up and heels for a finishing touch.

Shirt: Limited (similar)
Cardigan: Target (similar)
Skirt: Ann Taylor Loft (similar)
Shoes: DSW (similar)
Necklace: Forever 21 (similar)

5. Bootcamp Chambray
Every time I wear this dress it makes me think of my sis, Amy. Why? Well I dug it out of her Goodwill pile a few years ago. Yes, folks--she was getting rid of it. I cannot tell you how many times and ways I have styled this dress. I just knew it would be exactly what my new vest needed too. I cannot wait to rock the boot sox trend too!

Dress: (similar)
Boots: Von Maur (similar)
Belt: Von Maur

6. Khaki Kozy
Love this look! All of the tones are similar, but different enough to create contrast. I'm so excited to start wearing scarves again as we get back into cooler temps. Cozy is the perfect way to describe it. Black leggings and brown boots ties it all together.

Shirt: Target (similar)
Scarf: a small town drugstore (similar)
Leggings: Marshalls
Boots: Macy's (similar)

Styling Your Shape: Horizontal Stripes

Stripes! Horizontal stripes are no longer a No-No. Now they are an Oh-Yes! The old rule was no horizontal stripes because it made you look wider than you really are. However, if you find the right pattern, it will be more flattering than you think. Give it a chance!

The striped dress is one of my ALL TIME favorites!! The black and white works well with any color of accessories. This one piece creates a ton of different looks! And totally classy! LOVE!! Remember the Black and Brown post, some brown boots would be amazing with this dress!

A basic white and navy Striped shirt is in our original Fashion Foundation post. This is one of my favorites, I wear it ALL of the time as a neutral and for layering.

Notice the different colors and widths of the stripes. Pick one that works best for you. Let us know what you find.


~Holly