Wednesday, March 30, 2011

Chicken Enchiladas with Green Chili Sauce



Curb your craving for Mexican food with these amazing enchiladas!  If the green sauce doesn’t scare you away these could become one of your favorites.  I know I’ll definitely make them again, both Jason and I LOVED them!

Green Chili Sauce
1 cup corn
1 4oz. can green chilies
1 cup fresh cilantro
1/3 cup heavy whipping cream
salt and pepper

Pulse in a food processor until smooth.  I used a blender and it worked just fine.  Set aside for later use.

Filling
2-3 chicken breasts, boiled and cut up
1 T olive oil
1/3 cup chopped green pepper
1/3 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 cup salsa
2 tsp chili powder
1 ½ tsp cumin
1 tsp oregano
salt and pepper
shredded cheese- as much or as little as you like

In a frying pan sauté green pepper, onion, and garlic in olive oil until cooked.  Add chicken, salsa, and spices.  Heat through.  


Assembly
You will need 6 large flour tortillas or 10 small ones; I used small ones.  Grease a 9x13 baking dish and preheat oven to 350 degrees. 

Spoon chicken mixture down the middle of a tortilla.  Sprinkle with cheese.  Roll and place seam side down in the greased baking pan.  When finished spoon green chili sauce on top of each enchilada.  Sprinkle all with cheese.


Cover pan and bake for 30 minutes.  Uncover and bake for an extra 5-10 minutes or until tops are golden. 

Make up some Spanish rice and black beans to serve as a side.  Top with avocado and cilantro!  

Sunday, March 27, 2011

A boy......A BLOG is born!

So it's true, this blog is born out of a son who is refusing to be!  I'm five days past my due date and while waiting for this little stinker to come meet us, I've been filling up my time with cooking, baking, and a few other creative projects that are still in progress.

Instead of keeping these creations to myself, I thought I'd share and maybe even be able to inspire a few folks who are looking to tap into their inner artist, in whatever form that may be.  My goal with this blog is to post recipes, thoughts, ideas, photos, maybe situations from the day that just make me laugh or insightful words of wisdom wherever I happen to pick them up!

I realize I'm starting this blog probably at a very inopportune time.  The reality of keeping it up may be pretty bleak, especially after Kole is born......life will get jam packed, but I'm up for the challenge.  After all, a full life is one worth sharing.  I look forward to doing just that!

Dark Chocolate Mocha Cake



What better way to kick off the new blog than by sharing a chocolate cake recipe?  This one is a real winner too.  It's got the perfect amount of coffee taste mixed with bittersweet chocolate, an addictive combination if you ask me, so proceed with caution and make sure you have plenty of friends on hand to help you enjoy this cake!


*I cut this recipe in half and we still had plenty.

 CAKE
2 cups dark brown sugar, packed
1 3/4 cups flour
3/4 cup cocoa
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/2 tsp baking soda
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup melted butter
 2 eggs
 1 cup milk
2 tsp vanilla
1 cup strong, hot coffee

Preheat oven to 350.  Grease and flour two 9 inch round pans.  Stir dry ingredients together.  Add melted butter, eggs, milk, vanilla and mix for 2 minutes with whisk.  Pour in hot coffee and mix.  Pour into baking pans and bake for 35-40 minutes.  Cool for 20 minutes before removing.

GANACHE (for in between the layers)
1/2 cup dark or bittersweet chocolate (4 oz)
1/2 cup butter

Melt together in microwave for 30 second intervals and stir until smooth.  Arrange first layer of cake on plate, pour half of chocolate over cake.  Place second layer cake on top.  Pour the rest of the ganache on top of the cake.  Set cake in the fridge or freezer to harden the chocolate.

FROSTING
1 cup heavy whipping cream
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla
1/2 cup cocoa
1 tablespoon very finely ground coffee beans

Beat cream, sugar, vanilla until peaks form.  Add cocoa and coffee beans and beat until stiff.  Frost completely cooled cake.


* Make sure to store the cake in the fridge

I found this recipe on my new favorite blog guiltykitchen.com 
You should SO check out this blog, you'll fall in love!