Thursday, October 23, 2008

Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

2-3 chicken breasts, boiled, and cubed
2 cans Cream of Chicken soup
1 pint sour cream
2- 4 oz. cans of diced roasted green chiles
4 c. shredded cheese (Colby Jack or cheddar)
8-10 flour tortillas

Combine soup, sour cream, chiles, and 2 c. cheese. Tear tortillas into bite size pieces. Layer in a glass casserole dish. Repeat layers similar to lasagna. Sauce, chicken, tortillas, and 1 c. of cheese divided between the layers. Make 2-4 layers depending on the size of your dish. Top with remaining cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 45 minutes- 1 hour until heated through and bubbly. I have also microwaved a half batch on high for 8-10 minutes.

Candice's Pork Chile Verde


1- 2 lb. pork roast, cubed (about 2-3 Tbsp. size.)
2- 4 oz. cans of diced roasted green chiles
1 Tbsp. bottled jalapenos, chopped finely
1/3 c. water
Sear pork cubes in a hot skillet with a little oil, salt, and pepper. Put into crock pot. Add chiles, jalapenos, and water. Cover and cook on low for 6 hours. Can be doubled in a large crock pot.

Wednesday, October 22, 2008

Pasta Salad



12 oz Small Shell Pasta
1-1 1/2 cups ranch dressing - I prefer Hidden Valley Ranch, made from a packet
1 cup frozen peas
1/2 cup shredded carrots
1 cup diced tomatoes
1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
Real Bacon Bits
Salt and pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients

Mock Cafe Rio Salad



Uncooked tortillas
Cheese
Black Beans
Tomatoes
Onions
Lettuce

Fry tortilla and melt cheese on one side. Top with warm black beans, lettuce, and pico de gallo. Drizzle creamy cilantro dressing on top.

Candice's Creamy Cilantro Dressing:
1 C. Mayonnaise
1 pkt. Hidden Valley Ranch dressing
1 c. cilantro, loosely packed
1/4-1/2 fresh jalapeno, chopped
1/2 c. Herdez Salsa Verde
1/4 tsp. crushed garlic
Combine all ingredients and puree. Chill.

P.S. I love to add Pork Chile Verde, fajita style chicken and Mexican rice too.

Twice-Baked Potato Casserole



"SouthernLiving - easy entertaining"
8 medium-size baking potatoes (4 pounds)
2 cups shredded Cheddar Cheese, divided
1 (16 oz) container of sour cream
1 (8oz) package cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup milk
1/2 cup butter, melted
2 cloves garlic minced - (we used 1/2 tsp minced garlic and thought it strong. Use 1/4tsp)
1 tbsp chopped fresh chives
1 1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
6 bacon slices, cooked and crumbled
4 green onions, chopped
Bake potatoes. Peel potatoes, and coarsely mash pulp with a potato masher. Stir in 1 cup Cheddar Cheese, sour cream, and next 7 ingredients. Spoon into a lightly greased 13 X 9 baking dish.
Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes or until thoroughly heated. Sprinkle with remaining 1 cup cheese, bacon and green onions. Yield: 8 servings.

Thursday, October 16, 2008

Old Fashioned Oatmeal Favorites


Oats
Water
Salt

Boil water and salt. Stir in oats. Cook about 5 minutes over medium heat. Just follow the instructions on the back of the Quaker Oats box.

Toppings:
Dan's favorite - ice cream and maple syrup
Michelle's favorite - brown sugar
Jake's favorite - peaches and cinnamon

Homemade Doughnuts


From the I Do cookbook for the Bride & Groom

1 Tbsp yeast
1 Tbsp sugar
1/4 cup warm water
2 eggs, beaten
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1/4 cup shortening
1 cup hot tap water
3 1/2 cups flour
Glaze

In small bowl, sprinkle yeast and 1 tablespoon sugar over 1/4 cup warm water. Let sit until dissolved, about 5 minutes.
In mixing bowl, combine eggs, sugar, salt, shortening, and hot tap water. Cool to lukewarm.
Add yeast mixture and 2 cups flour. Beat 1 minute. Gradually add remaining
1 1/2 cups flour and mix well. Dough will be sticky. Flour hand and scoop dough into greased bowl. Cover with clean kitchen towel and let rise until double in size, about 1 hour.
Place dough on floured surface. Sprinkle top lightly with flour and gently pat to 1/2 inch thick. Cut with doughnut cutter (dip in flour with each cut).
Place doughnuts on greased and floured cookie sheets. Cover and let rise until very light, about 1 hour.
In fryer or saucepan, heat oil to 350 degrees. Place each doughnut carefully in the oil and fry each side until brown. Drain on paper towels.
While still hot, dip in glaze of choice and set on rack. Allow to stand until glaze is dry.
Makes 1 dozen.

Glaze:
2 cups powdered sugar
1/3 cup milk
1 tsp vanilla exract

Combine ingredients and mix until smooth. Dip each side of doughnut.

Chocolate Glaze:
1/2 cup butter
1/4 cup whole milk
1 Tbsp light corn syrup
2 tsp vanilla extract
1 cup chocolate chips
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar

In saucepan, combine butter, milk, corn syrup and vanilla. Heat to melt butter. Add chocolate chips and whisk until melted. Turn off heat and add powdered sugar. Whisk until smooth. Keep warm. Dip top of warm doughnut in glaze.