Chicken Enchiladas

Spice up your night with this fun Mexican dish!

1 16 ounce container of sour cream
1 7 ounce can of green chilies
4 large green onions chopped
1/2 cup chopped fresh cilantro or parsley
1 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
2 cups diced cooked chicken
2 cups shredded sharp cheddar cheese

8-8 inch diameter flour tortillas
1 8 ounce package light cream cheese cut into 8 strips
24 ounces of mild salsa

Grease 13x9x2 inch glass baking dish.  Mix sour cream, chilies, green onions, cilantro and cumin in a bowl.  Mix in chicken and cheddar cheese.  Season filling with salt and pepper.

Spoon generous 1/2 cup filling down center of each tortilla.  Top filling with cream cheese strip.  Roll up each tortilla, enclosing filling.  Arrange enchiladas seam side down in prepared dish.  (Can be made up to 3 hours ahead.  Cover and chill).

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.  Pour salsa over enchiladas.  Cover and bake until sauce bubbles and enchiladas are heated through, about 45 minutes.  Uncover, sprinkle with remaining one cup of cheddar cheese and bake until the cheese melts, about 5 minutes.

Serves 8

Asian Lettuce Wraps

If you like the flavor of asian food you will enjoy this unique preparation for ground beef.

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion finely chopped
16 boston, bibb or butter lettuce leaves
1 can sliced water chestnuts finely chopped
2 tablespoons minced garlic
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1/4 cup hoisin sauce (you can find this in a jar in the Asian section of any grocery store)
1 teaspoon dried ginger
1 tablespoon rice wine or red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Asian chili pepper sauce (also in the Asian section) or 1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 bunch green onion, peeled and sliced
2 teaspoons Asian (dark) sesame oil
1 cup chopped carrots
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped red pepper
1 cup peanuts

Brown ground beef and onions and drain off the grease.  Add water chestnuts, garlic, soy sauce, hoisin sauce, ginger, vinegar and hot pepper sauce and simmer for 15 minutes.  Add green onions and sesame oil and simmer for five more minutes.

To serve place mixture in lettuce leaves and top with carrots, cucumber, red pepper and peanuts.

2011 is Here!

Happy New Year!!!

Consider making a New Year's Resolution this year of cooking more and trying new recipes.  I have always believed that anyone can be a good cook, you just need to be able to read a follow simple recipes.  I think you will find examples of simple recipes on this blog.  So give it a shot - start cooking more fresh food in 2011!!!

Oven Fried Chicken with Almonds

Maggie, my daughter suggested that I post this recipe because she makes it frequently. 

1 cup whole wheat bread crumbs
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped almonds
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1 garlic clove minced
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon dried thyme
Pinch of black pepper
1/4 cup olive oil
2 pounds boneless, skinless chicken breasts, pounded to 1/2 inch thickness and cut into 12 pieces

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. 

In medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, cheese, almonds, parsley, garlic, salt, thyme, and pepper.  Mix thoroughly.

Place the oil in a shallow dish.  Dip chicken first in the oil, then dredge in bread crumb mixture to coat. Place chicken in a shallow baking pan.

Bake for 25 minutes, or until a thermometer inserted in the center of a piece registers 170 degrees. 

Makes 6 servings.

Chicken Noodle Soup

It is cold and snowy here, so what would taste better than some hot soup.  This uses canned chicken broth so it is quick, but it will taste fresher than just a can of soup.

3-4 cooked chicken breasts cut into small pieces

4 cups canned chicken broth

1 cup chopped carrot

1 cup chopped celery

1 cup chopped onion

8 ounces of uncooked noodles or pasta

Put chicken, broth and vegetables in a  large pot, bring to a boil then turn down to low and simmer for about 45 minutes until the vegetables are tender.  Bring back to boil and add noodles or pasta and cook until finished according to the directions on the package. Add salt and pepper to taste. Enjoy!

Soft Caramels

Sorry I have been a little slow on my posts lately  -  I have been busy preparing for our annual Christmas Party and this is a recipe I make every year.  It came from my mother in law and they are a scrumptious candy to share  You do need a thermometer to make sure they get to the right temperature and patience to wait for them to cook!

½ pound butter

1 pound light brown sugar

1 cup light karo syrup

1 16 ounce can of sweetened condensed milk

Melt butter in heavy saucepan over medium high heat.  Add brown sugar and stir until it dissolves.  Add karo syrup and sweetened condensed milk.  Stir constantly until candy reaches 238 degrees on a candy thermometer.

Pour on greased cookie sheet and cool.  Cut into one inch squares and wrap in wax paper.  Store in the refrigerator.

Cheese Puffs

This would make a nice little snack on a snowy day.  It is so simple that it only has three ingredients.

1/4 pound softened butter
8 ounces of shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 cup of flour

Mix all ingredients with hands and roll into one inch balls.  Bake on ungreased cookie sheet at 425 degrees for ten minutes.

Enjoy!