Chicken & Cheese Enchiladas

I got this recipe from another food blog, and tweaked it a little. I didn't make my own enchilada sauce (which made it way easier, and it was still DELICIOUS) and I added chicken. We really liked them, and the boys both said they were so good as lunch the next day.
photo courtesy of: http://www.favfamilyrecipes.com/2009/09/easy-cheesy-enchiladas.html

2 boneless skinless chicken breasts
12 corn tortillas
3 tablespoons oil
4 scallions, chopped
3 tablespoons cilantro leaves, finely chopped
4 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese, divided
2 cans enchilada sauce (I like mild)

Pre-heat the oven to 375ºF.

For the chicken: I boiled and shredded the chicken. Then I put it in a pan with a little water and some taco seasoning over low heat, just to give it some flavor. Then I set it aside. (I added the chicken part to this recipe, the original recipe is for plain cheese enchiladas).

Place a skillet over medium heat and a little oil (3 Tbsp). Using tongs, soften each tortilla for 15 seconds on each side in the oil, shake off any excess then transfer to a plate covered with paper towels. Repeat this process with the rest of the tortillas.

In a bowl, combine the scallions and cilantro with 3 cups of cheese. Fill each softened tortilla with about 1/4 cup of the cheese mixture and a few pieces of chicken and roll it up. Set the rolled tortillas in a row in a baking dish.

When all the tortillas have been rolled, pour the enchilada sauce evenly over the dish and top with the remaining cup of cheese. Bake until bubbly and brown on top, about 15 minutes. Serve with spanish rice, refried beans, and guacamole!

EASY Chocolate Molten Cakes

4 squares BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
(**I have made it with both semi sweet and dark chocolate and it turned out great using both, just make sure its 4 oz)
1/2 cup (1 stick) butter
1 cup powdered sugar
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
6 Tbsp. flour
1/2 cup thawed COOL WHIP Whipped Topping


PREHEAT oven to 425°F. Butter four 3/4-cup custard cups or soufflé dishes. Place on baking sheet.

MICROWAVE chocolate and butter in large microwaveable bowl on HIGH 1 min. or until butter is melted. Stir with wire whisk until chocolate is completely melted. Stir in sugar until well blended. Blend in eggs and egg yolks with wire whisk. Stir in flour. Divide batter among prepared custard cups.

BAKE 13 to 14 min. or until sides are firm but centers are soft. Let stand 1 min. Carefully run small knife around cakes to loosen. Invert cakes onto dessert dishes. Serve immediately, topped with whipped topping.

This recipe is a Kraft foods recipe, its super easy, and for how easy it is, its realy good! I made these one night when I was craving a chocolate treat and didn't have much on hand. I even halved the recipe, which made only 2 cakes (if you make them in the bigger than cupcake size). . . so I didn't end up eating them all the next day.

Go here to see how pretty they are:
http://www.kraftrecipes.com/recipes/molten-chocolate-cakes-69182.aspx

Deep Dark Chocolate Cake

2 C sugar
1 3/4 C flour
3/4 C baking cocoa
1 1/2 t baking soda
1 1/2 t baking powder
1 t salt
2 eggs
1 C milk
1/2 C vegetable oil
2 t vanilla
1 C boiling water

Combine sugar, flour, cocoa, baking soda, baking powder, and salt. Add eggs, milk, oil and vanilla. Last add boiling water. Bake in 9x13 pan, or 2 9 inch rounds at 350 for 30-35 mins. I prefer the rounds but these are my tricks for getting them out of the pan successfully. I grease and flour the pans, then cut out parchement paper to put on the bottoms of the pan. Wait for the cakes to cool completely before removing. Use a knife to cut around the edges.

Buttercream Frosting
6 T softenend margarine
2 2/3 C powdered sugar
1/2 C baking cocoa
1/3 C milk
1 t vanilla

Beat margarine then add powdered sugar and cocoa alternately with milk. Add vanilla. I really never measure the powdered sugar but just keep adding until it's the right consistency for spreading.

This is the cake I've brung to family dinners for years.

Cheese Potato Soup

5 C diced potatoes
1 C shredded carrots
3 C chicken broth
1/2 C chopped onion
1/2 t salt
pepper to taste
3/4 C margarine
3/4 C flour
1 qt half and half
2 C grated cheese

Combine potatoes, carrots, chicken broth, onion, salt, and pepper in soup pot. Bring to a boil, then simmer until vegetables are tender but not over done, about 20 mins. Don't drain liquid off. In a saucepan melt margarine then add flour to make a roux. Add the roux and half and half to pot. Slowly bring heat up until thickened. Add cheese and stir until melted.
Half a batch is enough for my family, but I have freezed the other half for later use. This is comfort food we love with homemade bread, just pay no attention to nutritional values.

Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Potato and Asiago Soup

I made this soup last night just for Jord and I and we loved it! I did have to branch out a little bit (I had no clue what fennel or pancetta was), but it was very worth it. I actually cut the recipe in half and we still had plenty left over! I actually got this recipe from pickypalate.com, I'm loving that website lately, enjoy!


Roasted Butternut Squash, Red Potato and Asiago Soup

2 lbs cubed butternut squash (you can buy this already cut for you in the produce dept)
3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon fresh cracked black pepper
1/2 teaspoon Lawry’s garlic salt with parsley


5 lbs baby red potatoes, cut into fourths (I left the skin on)
5 Tablespoons butter
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon pepper
1/2 teaspoon Lawry’s garlic salt with parsley
1 1/2 Cups milk


3 Tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 bunch of celery, diced
4 large carrots, peeled and diced
1 medium fennel bulb, thinly sliced (optional, but so good)
1 large onion, diced
1 large red bell pepper, diced
4 oz diced pancetta
4 Tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
3 14 oz cans chicken broth
1 Cup shredded Asiago Cheese (you can also use Parmesan)
1 1/2- 2 1/2 Cups milk


1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place butternut squash onto a large rimmed baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and season with salt, pepper and garlic salt. Use hands to coat all ingredients together. Bake for 30-35 minutes or until golden and fork tender. Remove.

2. Place potatoes into a large pot of water and bring to a boil. Boil for 10-12 minutes or until fork tender. Remove and transfer to a stand or electric mixer. Mix on slow until smashed, then add butter, salt, pepper, garlic salt and milk.

3. Place olive oil into a large dutch oven over medium high heat. Add in celery, carrots, fennel, onion and red bell pepper. Add pancetta to vegetables as well. Cook and stir occasionally for about 10 minutes, until vegetables are softened and pancetta is browned. Sprinkle in flour and stir, will be thick. Slowly add in chicken broth and increase heat slightly; cook until hot and thickened, about 5-7 minutes. Reduce heat and stir in mashed potatoes in batches. Stir in Asiago cheese until melted. At this point add additional milk until it is your desired consistency. I like my soup pretty thick, so I add less milk, but it is completely up to you. Right before serving, stir in roasted butternut squash. Enjoy.

Sweet Chex Mix

I haven't ever made this myself, but believe me I will be making it. It is delicious, and a perfect holiday snack! And to keep up with holiday traditions, it has some scary amounts of butter and sugar...

Sweet Chex Mix

1 1/2 cups butter
1 cup white karo syrup
1 cup sugar
3 cups rice chex
3 cups corn chex
6 cups golden grahams
1/2 cup coconut (you can double this, or more if you want)
1/2 or 1 cup slivered almonds

1. In large bowl combine cereals, coconut, and almonds
2. In saucepan combine butter, sugar, and karo syrup
3. Bring to a boil and boil for 2 minutes
4. Pour over cereal mixture
5. Spread on wax paper until slightly dry to touch
6. Separate into bite-sized clusters

Cafe Rio Pork and Tomatillo House dressing

Ok, everyone! I know I've sent this around before but we made it again while Mom and Dad were here and we all loved it. So good! Now it can be easily found, even though many of you can just run out and get Cafe Rio. Lucky dogs...


Cafe Rio Pork

Pork Loin or pork roast

1 1/2 cans coca-cola (must be coke, diet drinks and drinks without caffine don't work)

1 cup sugar

1 (7oz) can chipotle chilis in Adobo sauce (disguard the chilis)

1 heaping teaspoon each of dry mustard and cumin

1 tsp minced garlic

mix all sauce ingredients together in blender, pour over pork in a crockpot and cook on low for 7-9 hours.

Cafe Rio Creamy Tomatillo house Salad dressing

1 buttermilk ranch dressing packet made as directed (it calls for buttermilk but I used regular milk once and it seemed ok to Lance)

2 tomatillos

1/2 bunch cilantro

1 clove garlic

juice of 1 lime

1 jalapeno

Use food processor to blend all ingredients well (I use a blender)