Tuesday, September 23, 2014

White Chicken Enchilidas

The minute the weather outside starts cooling down I start wanting to make 
warm meals that are defined as comfort foods. The other day I was in a slump
as to what to cook for dinner, I saw that I had tortillas, cheese and chicken and I thought
aha chicken enchiladas! But of course I was out of cream of chicken which is what I normally make them with. So I started perusing the web for other recipes and came upon The Pioneer Woman's recipe. Anything I've made from her is always tasty. Be forewarned this is a lengthier process than
your average cream of chicken recipe, but so worth it! By far the best chicken enchiladas I've made before! Below is the recipe, enjoy!

Ingredients

  • 2-1/2 cups Cooked, Shredded Chicken
  • 2 cups Reserved Broth From Chicken
  • 3 Tablespoons Canola Oil
  • 12 whole Corn Tortillas
  • 1 whole Large Onion, Diced
  • 3 whole 4 Oz Cans Whole Green Chilies, Diced
  • 1 whole Jalapeno, Seeded And Finely Diced
  • 1 teaspoon Paprika
  • 1/2 cup Heavy Cream
  • 2 Tablespoons Butter
  • 2 Tablespoons Flour
  • 1 cup Sour Cream
  • 2-1/2 cups Monterey Jack Cheese, Grated
  •  Salt And Pepper, to taste
  •  Picante Sauce (optional)
  •  Cilantro, Chopped

Preparation Instructions

Heat 2 tablespoons canola oil in a small skillet over medium-high heat. Fry tortillas for no longer than 20 seconds, just to soften (do not allow to become crisp.) Place tortillas on a large towel or stack of paper towels to drain.
Heat 1 tablespoon canola oil in separate skillet over medium heat. Add onions and jalapenos and saute for 1 minute, just to start the cooking process. Add chicken, half of the green chilies, and 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Stir together. Add 1/2 cup chicken broth and stir. Add cream and stir, allowing mixture to bubble and get hot. Turn off heat and set aside.
In a separate large skillet, melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together and cook over medium heat for one minute. Pour in 1 1/2 cups chicken broth. Whisk together and cook for another minute or two. Stir in the other half of the chilies. Reduce heat, then stir in sour cream. Add 1 1/2 cups grated cheese and stir to melt. Add 1/2 teaspoon paprika. Check seasoning and add salt and pepper as needed.
To assemble, spoon chicken mixture on top of tortillas, one by one. Top with plenty of cheese and roll up. Place seam side down in a 9 x 13 casserole dish.
Pour cheese mixture all over the top of the tortillas. Top with extra cheese if you'd like, then bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. Sprinkle generously with chopped cilantro.
Serve with picante sauce, if desired.

Monday, September 15, 2014

Family Stay-cation

About a month ago my family had a weekend family reunion. We usually
go somewhere, but this year it just didn't pan out with babies, 
work schedules, etc. So instead of just canceling the whole event, 
we decided to have a stay-cation and make a weekend of it.

It actually ended up being a lot of fun. We went swimming to the water park, 
had a movie night with smore's around the fire for the first day. The second day
we went on a hike up Sundance, had lunch and then rode the ski lifts.

All in all I'd say it was a successful Santamaria family reunion.
I love spending time with these crazies I call family, I fit right in!
 ^^Baby Emmy
^^Sibling rivalry on the climbing wall.
 ^^Smore's around the fire.
 ^^My brother Mark and his son Odin, showed up as Superman ready for our hike!
 ^^Look at those mountains, simply breathtaking.
 ^^Mom and dad.
 ^^My sister-in-law,  a trooper to hike with her newborn.
 ^^My cute parents make me laugh. My dad showed up looking like he was 
going on a safari instead of a hike and my mom made her own fanny pack.
 ^^Stewart Falls.
 ^^Mom and I.
 ^^Dad after running under the falls.
 ^^The family, minus a couple who couldn't make it.
 Riding the ski lift.

Monday, September 8, 2014

Brooklyn Botanical Gardens

 Back in the spring when I was in NYC, my dear friend that lives there
suggested we go to the Brooklyn Botanical Garden one day. I really had no
idea what I was in for. In my mind, I thought a few gardens. Boy was I underestimating
the vast beauty that awaited us! The gardens went on for what seemed hundreds of acres.
There were different styles of garden, with the flowers and plants native to each region of the world.

I felt at times that we were in Europe and other times that we were in Asia.
It was simply breathtaking and a great way to enjoy the season and a free activity
if you go on Saturdays from 10 am to noon, which is what we did, we love free!
^^This view reminded me of being in Provence, France.
 ^^Japanese gardens.