FRESH VEGGIE SOFT TACOS

These soft tacos make great use of delicious summer tomatoes and creamy avocados. They are quite yummy and equally healthy.
You can substitute flour tortillas, but corn tortillas have almost half the calories of the flour variety and almost double the fiber content. They also add a grainy texture and hearty flavor to the dish.
I have been loving one of these for lunch, accompanied by a nice, crunchy apple.  I am providing ingredients for just one serving, in case you want to do the same.  However, if you make this for a crowd, simply increase the ingredients.   
1 corn tortilla

1 thin slice Muenster cheese, torn into 4-5 pieces

Chopped tomato--about 1/4 cup

Chopped avocado--about 1/5 medium avocado

1 handful spinach, roughly chopped

Salt, optional

Allow griddle to warm over med-low heat.  Meanwhile, chop tomato, avocado, & spinach.  Place tortilla on griddle.  (You can heat the tortilla in a microwave, but I really like the flavor the tortilla acquires when cooked on the griddle.  It is less steamed, and it has a slightly grilled flavor.)  Heat the tortilla for 30 seconds to 1 minute, or until beginning to lightly brown on the underside.  The tortilla should "puff" up a bit.  Flip tortilla.  Arrange torn cheese slices on half of the tortilla.  Heat another 30 seconds to 1 minute, again until the tortilla is slightly browned.  Carefully remove tortilla from the griddle, being careful not to spill cheese.  The cheese will not be melted, but it will be soft and warm.  Immediately top tortillas with tomatoes and avocados.  Sprinkle with salt if desired.  Top with spinach.  The tortilla should be quite full at this point.  Fold tortilla in half, and enjoy!  

You will want a fork or spoon to scoop up the insides that spill out. This taco is messy, but worth it!

Approx 200 cals per taco

CHINESE CHICKEN LETTUCE WRAPS

Lettuce wraps make for a light and tasty summer dinner. Make sure to use lettuce that will hold the ingredients, such as Boston, or Bibb, lettuce.  The cool, crunchy lettuce complements the warm and slightly spicy chicken mixture.  
You can easily change this up by using different vegetables, or substitute shrimp or even egg for the chicken.  Or, make it totally vegetarian.  Next time I plan to add some broccoli slaw mix in with the other veggies.

Chicken Mix:
1 lb boneless, skinless chicken breasts, diced
1 tbls sherry
1 tbls water
2 tsp reduced-sodium soy sauce
1/4 tsp black pepper
2 tsp cornstarch
Mix all ingredients and pour over diced chicken.  Marinate at least 10 minutes.

Cooking Sauce:
21/2 tbls Hoisin sauce
2 tbls reduced-sodium soy sauce
2 tbls sherry
2 tbls water
1 tbls oyster sauce
1 tbls brown sugar
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1 tsp sesame oil
21/2 tsp cornstarch
Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl.  Set aside.  
Veggie Mix:
2 tsp fresh ginger, minced
2 cloves garlic, minced
8 oz mushrooms, diced
2 green onion (both white and green parts), sliced thin
8 oz shredded carrots
1 (8 oz) can water chestnuts, drained and diced
Chop all ingredients and set aside.

Additional Ingredients:
2 tbls olive oil
1 head of lettuce, washed and leaves separated

Garnish:
2 tsp toasted sesame seeds
2 green onion, thinly sliced
Additional red pepper flakes, optional, for added heat

PROCESS:
Heat 1 tbls of the olive oil in large nonstick skillet or wok over medium-high heat until shimmery.  Saute chicken mix 3 to 4 minutes, until just done.  Remove chicken from skillet and set aside.  
Clean any residue from skillet (or use a different skillet).  Add remaining 1 tbls olive oil to skillet and heat over medium-high heat until shimmery.  Add ginger, garlic, and mushrooms.  Stir fry 2 minutes.  Add remaining veggie mix ingredients, and stir fry an additional 2 to 3 minutes.  
Return chicken to skillet.  Stir fry 1 minute.  Lower heat to medium-low and add cooking sauce. Cook until thickened and hot, 1 to 2 minutes more.  Season with salt and pepper if desired.

Spoon approximately 2 tbls chicken/veggie mix onto each lettuce leaf.  Sprinkle with desired garnishes.  
Wrap leaf around mixture and enjoy!