From The Firehouse Kitchen: Chicken Taco Salad Recipe

This past Friday, August 14 some of you may have gone on our Virtual Ride Along.  Around dinner time, we conducted a live Periscope firehouse cooking segment that was a hit - especially the dish that our host, and fire house chef, Lt. Tim Burns whipped up.

So, we thought it would be a good idea to provide the recipe for this tasty little firehouse dish. Enjoy!

Chicken Taco Salad

1 head iceberg lettuce,  chopped
1 cucumber peeled/chopped
3 stalks celery, chopped
3 carrots, peeled, sliced
2 bunches fresh cilantro, chopped
2 tomatoes, 1" cubes
1 large can sliced black olives
1 15 oz can kidney beans
1 15 oz can corn

3 lbs chicken, sliced into bite sized thin pieces
1 red onion julienned
2 red bell peppers julienned
2 pouches chipotle taco marinade or seasoning

8 oz shredded pepper jack cheese

16oz light sour cream
1 jar salsa
3 tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 bag fritos

Mix first set of ingredients in large bowl, set aside

In separate bowls, make one packet of chipotle marinade each, according to directions on packet
marinade chicken in one bowl for at least 30 minutes, longer if possible.  In other bowl, mix onions and peppers with 2nd chipotle marinade.  allow to marinade for at least 30 minutes as well.

Cook chicken over high heat until done and transfer to a clean bowl. let cool.

In same skillet, cook pepper/onion mixture.  Transfer to same bowl as chicken and let cool also.

Whisk together sour cream, salsa, and cider vinegar.

To the large bowl with first set of ingredients, add chicken/peppers/onions mixture, cheese, and dressing mixture.  Mix thoroughly.

Just before serving, add fritos. Toss once more to incorporate.  Serve.  Feeds 9.

Cooking Safety Video

It's Cooking safety week as part of our Summer of Safety effort. This video from our friends at NFPA.

Cooking Safety Tips

As part of our Summer of Safety outreach, this week's theme is Cooking Safety.  Cooking related fires are the number ONE cause of fires locally and nationally!

Below, please find some important tips to help prevent this all too common cause of fire!

* Never leave cooking food on the stovetop unattended, and keep a close eye on food cooking inside the oven. Unattended cooking is the leading cause of home cooking fires. Three in every 10 reported home fires start in the kitchen - more than any other place in the home.

* Keep cooking areas clean and clear of combustibles (i.e. potholders, towels, rags, drapes and food packaging).

*Keep children and pets away from cooking areas by creating a three-foot (one-meter) "kid/pet-free zone" around the stove.

* Turn pot handles inward so they can't be bumped and children can't grab them.

* Clean cooking surfaces regularly to prevent grease buildup which can ignite.

* Wear short, close fitting or tightly rolled sleeves when cooking. Loose clothing can dangle onto stove burners and catch fire.

* Never use a wet oven mitt, as it presents a scald danger if the moisture in the mitt is heated.

* Always keep a potholder, oven mitt and lid handy. If a small grease fire starts in a pan, put on an oven mitt and smother the flames by carefully sliding the lid over the pan. You may also use baking soda. Turn off the burner. Don't remove the lid until it is completely cool. Never pour water on a grease fire and never discharge a fire extinguisher onto a pan fire, as it can spray or shoot burning grease around the kitchen, actually spreading the fire.

* If there is an oven fire, turn off the heat and keep the door closed to prevent flames from burning you and your clothing. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location.

* Never leave a child unattended in the kitchen. Close supervision is essential, whether children are helping an adult cook or simply watching.

* If there is a microwave fire, keep the door closed and unplug the microwave - If safe to do so. Call 9-1-1 from a safe location. Remember that food cooked in a microwave can be dangerously hot. Remove the lids or other coverings carefully to prevent steam burns.

* Double-check the kitchen before you go to bed or leave the house. Make sure all other appliances are turned off.

Watch What You Heat! Cooking Related Fires Leading Cause of Home Fires!

By: Battalion Chief Mark Davis

Cooking-related fires continue to be one of the leading causes of fire in the home. According to United States Fire Administration data from 2008 to 2010:

On average, an estimated 164,500 cooking related fires in residential buildings occur each year in the United States;

Residential building cooking fires occurred mainly in the evening hours from 4 to 9 p.m., peaking from 5 to 8 p.m, accounting for 26 percent of the fires;

Oil, fat and grease (51 percent) were the leading types of material ignited in cooking fires occurring in residential buildings.

Cooking is the leading cause of home fires and fire injuries;

1 in 8 households will have a cooking fire each year;

The leading cause of kitchen fires is unattended cooking.

And sadly, Montgomery County's first fire death of 2013 occurred in the 1st Battalion and was the result of clothing that caught fire during cooking.

It is clear that cooking is dangerous. The numbers do not lie! Don't be distracted while you cook - it can save your life!