Enchiladas Verdes

4	teaspoons vegetable oil
1	medium onion , chopped medium (about 1 cup)
3	medium garlic cloves , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 tablespoon)
1/2	teaspoon ground cumin
1 1/2	cups low-sodium chicken broth
1	pound boneless, skinless chicken breasts (2 to 3 breasts), trimmed of excess fat
1 1/2	pounds tomatillos (16 to 20 medium), husks and stems removed, rinsed well and dried (see note)
3	medium poblano chiles , halved lengthwise, stemmed, and seeded (see note)
1 - 2 1/2	teaspoons sugar
	Table salt
	Ground black pepper
1/2	cup coarsely chopped fresh cilantro leaves
8	ounces Pepper Jack cheese or Monterey Jack cheese, grated (2 cups)
12	(6-inch) corn tortillas
Garnish
2	medium scallions , sliced thin
	Thinly sliced radishes
	Sour cream

1. Adjust oven racks to middle and highest positions and heat broiler. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering; add onion and cook, stirring frequently, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Add 2 teaspoons garlic and cumin; cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Decrease heat to low and stir in broth. Add chicken, cover, and simmer until instant-read thermometer inserted into thickest part of chicken registers 160 degrees, 15 to 20 minutes, flipping chicken halfway through cooking. Transfer chicken to large bowl; place in refrigerator to cool, about 20 minutes. Remove 1/4 cup liquid from saucepan and set aside; discard remaining liquid.
2. Meanwhile, toss tomatillos and poblanos with remaining 2 teaspoons oil; arrange on rimmed baking sheet lined with foil, with poblanos skin-side up. Broil until vegetables blacken and start to soften, 5 to 10 minutes, rotating pan halfway through cooking. Cool 10 minutes, then remove skin from poblanos (leave tomatillo skins intact). Transfer tomatillos and chiles to food processor. Decrease oven temperature to 350 degrees. Discard foil from baking sheet and set baking sheet aside for warming tortillas.
3. Add 1 teaspoon sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, remaining teaspoon garlic, and reserved cooking liquid to food processor; process until sauce is somewhat chunky, about eight 1-second pulses. Taste sauce; season with salt and pepper and adjust tartness by stirring in remaining sugar, 1/2 teaspoon at a time. Set sauce aside (you should have about 3 cups).
4. When chicken is cool, pull into shreds using hands or 2 forks, then chop into small bite-sized pieces. Combine chicken with cilantro and 11/2 cups cheese; season with salt.
5. Smear bottom of 13- by 9-inch baking dish with 3/4 cup tomatillo sauce. Place tortillas on 2 baking sheets. Spray both sides of tortillas lightly with cooking spray. Bake until tortillas are soft and pliable, 2 to 4 minutes. Increase oven temperature to 450 degrees. Place warm tortillas on countertop and spread 1/3 cup filling down center of each tortilla. Roll each tortilla tightly and place in baking dish, seam-side down. Pour remaining tomatillo sauce over top of enchiladas. Use back of spoon to spread sauce so that it coats top of each tortilla. Sprinkle with remaining 1/2 cup cheese and cover baking dish with foil.
6. Bake enchiladas on middle rack until heated through and cheese is melted, 15 to 20 minutes. Uncover, sprinkle with scallions, and serve immediately, passing radishes and sour cream separately.

Windy Ridge Cafe's Mexican Corn Chowder

2 pounds frozen corn kernels, thawed, and drizzled with olive oil

Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

10 Roma tomatoes, rubbed with olive oil

1 medium red pepper, rubbed with olive oil

2 tablespoons butter

1/4 small yellow onion, diced

3 garlic cloves, sliced

2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

3 cups chicken stock

2 cups half-and-half

1 1/2 cups corn tortilla chips, chopped

Cumin

Chili powder

1 medium avocado, small diced, for garnish

Directions

Preheat oven to 500 degrees F.

Put the oiled corn on a baking sheet and sprinkle it with salt and pepper.

Put the oiled tomatoes on another baking sheet and roast them both for 10 to 12 minutes

until the tomato skin blisters and the corn is lightly browned. In a medium skillet,

grill the red pepper over medium-high heat until it is black on each side. Put the tomatoes

and the pepper in the refrigerator, and peel them when they have cooled.

Heat the butter in a large pot over medium heat and add the onion and

garlic and saute. Add the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Add the

chicken stock, roasted corn, peeled tomatoes, half-and-half, and 1 1/4 cups of the

tortilla chip pieces and mix well. Pour this mixture in a food processor or blender*

and puree until smooth. Strain the chowder, and then season it with cumin, chili powder,

salt, and pepper, to taste. Peel and dice the roasted red pepper. Serve the soup topped

with diced avocado,

red pepper, and the remaining tortilla chip pieces. Serve immediately.

Honey Lime Chicken Enchiladas

• 1/3 cup honey
• 1/4 cup lime juice (about 2 large limes)
• 2 teaspoons to 1 Tablespoon chili powder
• 2 large cloves of garlic, finely minced or 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 lb boneless skinless chicken breasts (about 2 large breasts), cooked and shredded
• 12 corn tortillas
• 2 cups of Mexican cheese blend, shredded (1 small bag usually is 2 cups)
• 1 14-oz can of green enchilada sauce (mild or medium, to your taste)
• 1/2 to 3/4 cup of heavy cream
• nonstick cooking spray
• 1 Tablespoon of chopped cilantro, to garnish

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Place the cooked and shredded chicken in a medium sized bowl. Set aside. In a small bowl, place the honey, lime juice, chili powder and minced garlic or garlic powder. Whisk together thoroughly to combine. Pour this mixture over the chicken and cover with plastic wrap. Allow to marinate while you prepare the tortillas, 30 minutes or up to 1 hour, in the refrigerator.

Heat a large griddle till a drop of water skitters across (about 350 degrees F). Spray the surface with non-stick cooking spray or a oil it with a little bit of canola oil in between each round of tortillas. Heat tortillas about 20 seconds on each side till warm and flexible and some golden brown spots have appeared. Remove the tortillas from the griddle and keep them between a couple of paper towels until ready to use.

Spray the sides and bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish lightly with cooking spray.
In a medium bowl combine the enchilada sauce and the heavy cream. Spread about 1/2 cup of the mixture in the bottom of the oiled baking dish.
Add a large spoonful (about 2 tablespoons) of the chicken mixture to the center of each tortilla in a line. Cover the chicken with a large tablespoon (or big pinch) of cheese, then roll the tortilla up from one side to make a rolled enchilada - it will be more of an over lap on the seam side that rolled tightly. Place the enchilada seam side down in the baking dish starting at one end with the long edge parallel to the longest side of the pan so that you end up with two columns of six enchiladas each.

Repeat with the remaining chicken, cheese and tortillas. You will use about 1 1/2 cups of the cheese for the filling and set the remainder aside for topping the enchiladas in the pan. Add the remaining marinade mixture to the enchilada sauce and cream mixture, if desired. Pour this mixture over the top of all the enchiladas. Sprinkle with the remaining cheese.

Bake the enchiladas for 30 to 35 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly and starting to brown on top. Serve with sour cream, black beans, and rice or a green salad for a great meal.

Killer Bean Dip recipe

	1 can (16 oz) Rosarita No Fat Green Chili & Lime Refried Beans 1 can (4 oz) Ortega Fire Roasted Diced Green Chilis - be sure to drain all liquid (can omit chilis or use less per taste) 2-3 fresh Roma tomatoes (diced)(can omit) 1 bottle (16 oz) (but only use 8 oz) Pace Picante Sauce - medium (or you can use Tostito brand salsa - thicker salsa works better) 1 lb brick (but only use 1/3 or 5 oz) Colby & Monterey Jack Cheese - shredded Spices to taste:Garlic Salt, Ground Cumin, Chili Powder 1 bag (13 oz) Tostitos Bite Size tortilla chips (or your favorite brand)
Recipe Directions	Mix all ingredients, except tomatoes (& chips!), in an 8x8 glass microwavable baking dish. Set microwave for 5 minutes on High. At 1 minute intervals, stir evenly. Remove from microwave and lightly stir in diced tomatoes. Serve with tortilla chips. ENJOY!!

Brownies

3 oz semisweet or bittersweet chocolate
1/2 cup carrot puree
1/2 cup spinach puree
1/2 cup firmly packed light or dark brown sugar
1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
2 tablespoons trans-fat-free soft tub margarine spread
2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
2 large egg whites
3/4 cup oat flour or all purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Coat an 8x8 inch baking pan with cooking spray.

2. Melt the chocolate in a double boiler or over a very low flame.

3. In a large bowl, combine the melted chocolate, vegetable purees, sugar, cocoa powder, margarine, and vanilla, and whisk until smooth and creamy, 1 to 2 minutes.

4. Whisk in egg whites. Stir in the flour, baking powder, and salt with a wooden spoon.

5. Pour the batter into the pan and bake 35 to 40 minutes. Cool completely in the pan before cutting into 12 bars.

It isn't until they are completely cool until the spinach flavor totally disappears.

*for the spinach puree, steam the spinach for 30 to 40 seconds and blend in a blender or food processer until smooth.
*for carrot puree, steam carrots until soft and blend in a blender or food processer until smooth.

Favorite Taco Soup

1 pound ground beef
1 large onion, chopped
1 (28 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
1 (16 ounce) can kidney beans, undrained
1 (16 ounce) can whole kernel corn, undrained
1 package taco seasoning

corn chips
grated chedder cheese
sour cream

Zucchini Bread

3 cups flour
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon baking powder
3 eggs, beaten
1 cup sugar
1 cup brown sugar
1 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon vanilla
2 cups peeled and grated zucchini
1/2 cup nuts chopped (optional)

Mix flour, cinnamon, salt, baking soda, and baking powder together. Set aside. Beat eggs, sugar, brown sugar, vegetable oil, and vanilla. Slowly mix in dry ingredients. Blend in grated zucchini and nuts. Pour into 2 greased and lightly floured 8"x4" loaf tins. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 to 70 minutes.

Quinoa and Black Beans

1 tsp vegetable oil

1 onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, peeled and chopped

3/4 C uncooked quinoa

1 1/2 C vegetable broth

1 tsp ground cumin

1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

salt and pepper to taste

1 C frozen corn kernels

2 (15 oz) cans black beans, rinsed and drained

1/2 C chopped fresh cilantro

Directions:

1. Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the onion and garlic, saute until lightly browned.

2. Mix the quinoa into the saucepan (follow directions on package about rinsing) and cover with vegetable broth. Season with cumin, cayenne pepper, salt and pepper. Bring the mixture to a boil. Cover, reduce heat , and simmer 20 minutes.

3. Stir frozen corn into the saucepan, and continue to simmer about 5 minutes until heated through. Mix in the black beans and cilantro.

We like to eat this in a tortilla with pico de gallo, avacado, cheese, sour cream, etc.

Cream of Wild Rice Soup

Courtesy of my sweet Aunt Janet.

1 large onion, chopped
1 large carrot, shredded
1/2 package sliced mushrooms, cut in half
1 celery rib, chopped
1/4 cup butter
1/2 cup flour
8 cups chicken stock/broth
3 cups COOKED wild rice
1 cup cubed cooked chicken
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp pepper
1 cup evaporated milk
1/4 cup chives

In a large sauce pan saute onion, carrot and celery in butter. When veggies are half done, add mushrooms. Stir in flour until well blended. Gradually add broth. Stir in rice, chicken, salt and pepper. Bring to a boil over medium heat.. Cook and stir for 2 -3 minutes or until thickened. Stir in milk and cook for 5 mins longer. Garnish with chives.
I serve these with crusty wheat rolls. Or put in bread bowls.
10 servings, give or take how much you eat!

Ho ho ho Mongolian warm you up spicy beef!

1 pound top sirloin cut into thin strips

2 Tbs veggie oil

2 Tbs corn starch

1/4 cup soy sauce (i use low sodium)

green onions,chopped. separate greens from white bulbs

1 can mandarin oranges

1 palm full of Chinese 5 spice

few dashes of onion powder

1 tsp ground mustard or a squirt of Chinese mustard

1 tsp grated orange zest

2 garlic cloves chopped

1 tsp crushed red pepper

1 tsp fresh ginger

a few dashes of sesame chili sauce oil

1 squirt chinese RED hot sauce

1 Tbs brown sugar

cook meat until done. Mix together all ingredients accept green parts of onions and mandarine oranges. cook until sauce thickens. Add more spice to your liking. Once doe, add green parts of onions and mandarine oranges. Serve over rice

Ho ho ho

Pumpkin Roll

1 c sugar
3 eggs
1 c pumpkin

3/4 c flour
1/2 tsp cinnimon
1 tsp baking soda
1/4 tsp salt

Filling
1 c powdered sugar
1 tsp butter extract
1-2 tbls milk
8 oz cream cheese

Mix first 3 ingredients. Add the next 4. Mix until blended well. Line jelly roll pan with wax paper and spray with non-stick spray. Pour pumpkin batter into jelly roll pan. Cook at 375 for 15 minutes. Immediately take out of jelly roll pan and transfer onto a clean kitchen towel wax paper side up (sometimes I sprinkle the towel with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. Pull away wax paper and throw away. Roll up pumpkin in towel, let cool. Mix all ingredients in "filling" section. Unroll pumpkin and spread over entire surface of pumpkin. Roll pumpkin back up (with no towel this time), transfer to fresh wax paper. Cut log into 2 inch slices. Serve warm or cold.

Superbowl Sauerkraut and Cranberry Meatballs

3 pounds lean ground beef
2 packages dry onion soup mix
1 ½ cups dry bread crumbs, soaked in 1 ½ cups water
3 eggs
1 (16-oz.) package sauerkraut, drained
1 (16-oz.) can whole berry cranberry sauce
1 (12-oz.0 bottle chili sauce
½ cup brown sugar, packed
1 cup water

1. In mixing bowl combine ground beef, soup mix, prepared bread crumbs and eggs. Mix well and form into 2-inch diameter meat balls. Place in a 13 x 9 x 2-inch baking pan.
2. Meanwhile, combine sauerkraut, cranberry sauce, chili sauce, brown sugar and water in medium sauce pan; bring to a boil and simmer for 5 minutes.
3. Pour sauerkraut mixture over meatballs and bake, uncovered, at 350 degrees for 1 to 1 ½ hours.

(This is a similar recipe to the original one I had years ago, except that instead of using onion soup mix you used your own spices. Since then I have abandoned making my own meatballs. I buy a bag of plain frozen meatballs, usually 60-70 meatballs and throw them with all the remaining ingredients into a crock pot. Easy and delicious.)

Butternut Bowtie

Ingredients
1 butternut squash, halved and seeds removed
1 tablespoon EVOO - Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Salt and freshly ground pepper
1 box of bowtie pasta
2 tablespoons butter
2 tablespoons flour
2 cups milk
A pinch of nutmeg
A pinch of cinnamon
5 to 6 sage leaves, thinly sliced
1 cup grated cheddar cheese
1 cup grated Parmigiano Reggiano
A handful toasted almonds, to garnish (optional)
Yields: 6 to 8 servings

Preparation
Preheat oven to 400°F.

Place squash halves on a baking sheet and drizzle them with 1 tablespoon EVOO, salt and pepper. Place them cut side down and transfer to the oven. Roast until tender, about an hour. Remove from oven and cool. Once cool enough to handle, scoop the flesh out of the squash and transfer it to a food processor. Process until smooth.

Place a pot of water over high heat for the pasta. Once at a boil, add some salt and the pasta, and cook to al dente according to package directions. Drain the cooked pasta and return it to the pot it was cooked in.

While the pasta water is heating up, place a small skillet over medium-high heat with the butter. Once melted, add the flour and cook about a minute. Whisk in the milk and cook until the liquids come up to a bubble and the sauce thickens, 2-3 minutes. Add the squash puree, nutmeg, cinnamon and sage, and season with salt and pepper to taste.

Add the sauce to the pot with the reserved cooked pasta and toss to coat. Turn everything out into a baking dish and sprinkle the top with both cheeses. Transfer to the oven and bake until the cheese is brown and bubbly, 10-15 minutes.

Garnish casserole with the toasted almonds and serve.

*Notes: I skipped out on the garnish and used ground sage and my whole family absolutely loved it. Thanks Rachel Ray!

DINNER-IN-A-PUMPKIN

1 small to medium sized pumpkin (make sure it fits in your oven)
1 onion, chopped
¾ c. sliced carrots
1 ½ to 2 lbs. ground beef
2 Tbsp. soy sauce
2 Tbsp. brown sugar (or more)
1 can of cream of chicken soup
1 ½ to 2 cups cooked rice
1 8 oz. can water chestnuts, drained, sliced

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Prepare pumpkin by cutting off the top and taking out the insides. Draw a face on the pumpkin.
3. In a large skillet, sauté the onions & carrots in a little butter, until tender.
4. Add the ground beef, cook until browned.
5. Drain the drippings from the skillet.
6. Add soy sauce, brown sugar, water chestnuts to the skillet and mix well.
7. Add cream of chicken soup and rice to skillet, mix well and heat through.
8. Spoon mixture into pumpkin shell.
9. Replace pumpkin top and place on a baking sheet covered with foil.
10. Bake 1 hour or until inside of pumpkin flesh is tender.

ROASTED PUMPKIN SEEDS

Ingredients:
2 cups pumpkin seeds, rinsed
3 Tbsp. butter
1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce
1 tsp. salt
Instructions:
1. Boil the pumpkin seeds in salt water for 10 minutes.
2. Dry them on a cookie sheet lined with paper towel or wax paper until dry (overnight)
In a medium bowl:
1. Melt 3 Tbsp. butter
2. Mix in 1 tsp. Worcestershire sauce and 1 tsp. salt
3. Coat seeds with mixture
4. Spread them out on a baking sheet and cook at 225 degrees for 2 hours, stirring them at the one-hour mark.

BILL’S FAVORITE BANANA CAKE

2 1/4 cups cake flour (sift before measuring)
1 2/3 cups white sugar
1 1/4 tsps. baking powder
1 1/4 tsps. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
2/3 cup shortening
2/3 cup buttermilk
3 large eggs
1 1/4 cups mashed ripe bananas (Heidi’s note: I always use at 2 cups or more and if they’ve been frozen and then thawed, they add more moisture to the cake.)
2/3 cups finely chopped nuts (walnuts or pecans)-optional

Heat oven to 350'. Grease and flour baking pans: one 13"x9"x2", or two 9"
or three 8" round layer pans.

Measure all ingredients into large mixer bowl. Blend 1/2 minute on low
speed, scraping bowl constantly. Blend 3 minutes on high speed, scraping
bowl occasionally. Pour into pan(s).

Bake oblong 45 to 50 minutes, layers 35 to 40 minutes, or until toothpick
inserted in centre comes out clean. Cool in pan(s) for 15 minutes, then
turn out on cake rack(s). Frost with vanilla butter icing or cream cheese
icing.

Butter Cream Frosting II

Yields: 24 servings
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup butter
1/8 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon pure almond extract (optional) 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
5 cups confectioners' sugar
1/4 cup milk
DIRECTIONS:
In a large bowl (Kitchenaid-type mixer works best to make this truly light and fluffy), cream butter until light and fluffy. Add salt, almond extract (optional), vanilla, confectioners' sugar and milk. Beat on high for at least 5 minutes and it’s just like the frosting they use in bakeries.

**By far the best frosting I’ve ever made. It also freezes well.

CAN’T LEAVE ALONE BARS

1 pkg. white cake mix (18.25 oz.)
2 eggs
1/3 c. vegetable oil
1 can sweetened condensed milk
1 c. semi sweet chocolate chips
¼ c. butter, cut into cubes

In a bowl, combine dry cake mix, eggs and oil. With floured hands, press 2/3 of mixture into greased 9 x 13 x 2 baking dish. Set remaining cake mixture aside. Combine condensed milk, butter and chocolate chips in a microwave-safe bowl. Uncovered, cook on high for 45 seconds. Stir. Microwave 45-60 seconds longer or until butter and chips are melted. Stir until smooth. Pour over crust. Drop rest of cake mixture by teaspoon full over the top. Bake at 350 for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned. Cool. Makes 3 dozen.

FRANK’S FAMOUS SALSA

1 can stewed tomatoes
1/8 clove garlic
1 bunch of green onions
1 bell pepper
1 hatch mild pepper
2 Jalapeno peppers
1 lemon, juiced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro (I usually put in the entire bunch)
1 yellow onion, finely chopped
3 tomatoes, finely chopped
chili powder to taste
2-3 tsp salt
1/2 to 1 tsp pepper

Blend above ingredients together in a food processor or a blender.

CHICKEN DIVAN

INGREDIENTS
2 1/2 cups cooked chopped broccoli
2 cups shredded, cooked chicken meat
2 (4.5 ounce) cans mushrooms, drained
1 (8 ounce) can water chestnuts, drained (optional)
2 (10.75 ounce) cans condensed cream of chicken soup
1 cup mayonnaise
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon curry powder
1 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup shredded Cheddar cheese

DIRECTIONS
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
Arrange cooked broccoli in a lightly greased 3-quart casserole dish. Arrange chicken over broccoli. Add mushrooms and water chestnuts.
In a medium bowl combine the soup, mayonnaise, lemon juice, curry powder and butter/margarine. Mix together and pour mixture over chicken and vegetables. Sprinkle cheese on top and bake in the preheated oven for 30 to 45 minutes.