Chicken Enchiladas

I do love enchiladas.  They are just so satisfying.  They make a great meal for the whole family.  This recipe will give you enchiladas that are plump, juicy, saucy and full of flavor.  Best of all . . . it's homemade.

8 tortillas (flour, corn or wheat) 8" wide

Enchilada Seasoning

1 tsp each onion powder, garlic powder, and salt

1 Tbsp each dried cumin powder, paprika, dried oregano

1/4 tsp black pepper

3/4 tsp cayenne pepper (adjust to taste)

Enchilada Sauce

2 Tbsp olive oil

3 Tbsp all-purpose flour

2 cups chicken stock/broth

1 1/2 cups tomato passata (usually found near the canned tomatoes)

Chicken Filling

1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts sliced in half horizontally

2 Tbsp olive oil, separated

1/2 onion, chopped

2 garlic cloves, finely minced

1 can Bush's Taco Fiesta black beans

1 can sweet corn kernels, drained (you can substitute 1 3/4 cup frozen corn kernels)

1/4 cup water

1 cup shredded Mexican Blend cheese

Topping

1 1/2 cups shredded Mexican Blend cheese

2 Tbsp Cilantro, roughly chopped

Instructions

Enchilada Seasoning:  Mix Enchilada Seasoning spices.  This will be used for filling and sauce.

Enchilada Sauce

Heat oil in a saucepan over medium heat.  Add flour and stir 20 seconds.

Add 2 Tbsp Enchilada Seasoning, broth and tomato passata.  Stir to combine.

Increase heat slightly to medium high.  Cook for 4 minutes, whisking regularly, until the sauce thickens to the consistency of thick syrup.  Remove from heat.  

Chicken Filling

Drizzle 1 Tbsp oil over chicken, mix to coat.  Sprinkle with remaining seasoning, toss to coat.  

Heat remaining 1 Tbsp oil in a large skillet over high heat.  Add chicken, cook 2 minutes. Turn and cook 1 1/2 minutes.  Remove, rest 2 minutes and then chop.

In the same skillet, add onion and garlic, cook 2 - 3 minutes until onion is translucent.

Add beans, diced chicken, corn, 1/2 cup of Enchilada Sauce and water.  Stir and cook for 2 minutes until.  This should be thick and juicy, but not watery. 

Assemble and bake

Preheat your oven to 350 degrees.

Smear a scoop of Enchilada Sauce across the base of a 9 x 13" baking dish.

Lay a tortilla on a work surface.  Spread 2/3 cup filling on lower third, sprinkle with cheese and roll up, finishing with the seam side down.  Place in the baking dish.  Repeat to make 8.

Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with cheese.  

Bake 20 - 25 minutes or until cheese is melted and golden.  Serve immediately, sprinkled with coriander.  

I like to serve with salted sour cream.

Mushroom Stock

 

I am a fan of making my own stock and discovered this recipes some time ago.  It's rich and hearty and very satisfying.

2 Tbsp olive oil

32 oz sliced fresh cremini mushrooms

1 large white onion, chopped

1 large carrot, peeled and chopped

2 medium celery stalks, chopped

2 Tbsp tomato paste

1 cup dry white wine

3 quarts water

4 oz dried mushrooms (such as shitake, porcini, oyster, or a mix)

1 Tbsp black peppercorns

6 dried bay leaves

8 thyme sprigs

1 bunch parsley

Heat oil in a large stockpot over high until shimmering, 1 - 2 minutes.  Add cremini mushrooms, onion, carrot, and celery.  Cook uncovered, stirring occasionally, until mushroom mixture is tender and pan in dry, 20 - 25 minutes.

Add tomato paste to mushroom mixture and cook, stirring constantly until fragrant, about 2 minutes.  Add wine and cook, stirring frequently until liquid has almost completely reduced, 3 - 4 minutes.

Add water, dried mushrooms peppercorns, bay leaves, thyme, and parsley.  Bring to a boil over high heat.  Reduce heat to low, and simmer, uncovered and undisturbed until stock is fragrant and flavorful, about 1 hour.  

Remove stockpot from heat, and carefully pour mixture through a fine mesh strainer into a medium saucepan; discard solids.  Keep stock warm over low heat, uncovered until ready to use. Or pour into a heatproof container and let cool at room temperature for 1 hour.  Transfer to refrigerator, and chill completely.  Store, covered in the refrigerator for up to 5 days or freeze for up to 3 months.  

Pan-Seared Rib-Eye with Mushroom-Hunter's Sauce

A rib-eye steak is one of my favorites!  Add a mushroom sauce and I am 100% in.  

2 Tbsp olive oil

1 1/2 lb boneless rib-eye steak

2 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp black pepper

4 Tbsp butter

2 garlic cloves, minced

5 ( 4") thyme sprigs

Mushroom-Hunter's Sauce

1/2 cup butter cut into 1/2" pieces, divided

2 cups thinly sliced fresh stemmed shitake mushrooms

1 small shallot, finely chopped

1/2 cup white cooking wine

1/4 cup tomato puree

1 cup Vegetable stock

2 tsp fresh Thyme

1/2 tsp kosher salt

1/4 tsp pepper

Prepare the pan seared rib-eye.  Preheat oven to 400 degrees.  Heat oil in a large cast iron skillet over medium high heat until shimmering and just beginning to smoke, 2 - 3 minutes.  

Pat steak dry with paper towels; sprinkle with salt and pepper.  Add steak to skillet; cook undisturbed until evenly browned, 4 - 5 minutes.  Reduce heat to medium, and flip steak.   Add butter, garlic and thyme.  Cook basting steak constantly with butter mixture until garlic caramelizes and sides of steak are no longer pink, 4 - 5 minutes.  Transfer skillet to preheated oven and cook until a thermometer inserted into the thickest portion of the steak registers 130 degrees, 6 - 9 minutes. Transfer steak to a cutting board and let stand uncovered for 5 minutes. 

Prepare the Mushroom-Hunter's Sauce:  

Melt 2 Tbsp butter in a large skillet over medium heat.  Add mushrooms and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly browned, 5 -6 minutes.  Add shallot, cook stirring constantly until tender about 1 minute.    Add wine and cook undisturbed until almost dry, about 2 minutes.  Add tomato puree and stock; cook stirring occasionally until mixture bubbles and thickens 8 - 10 minutes.  

Remove skillet from heat.  Add remaining 6 Tbsp butter to mushroom mixture, 1 Tbsp at a time, whisking constantly after each addition, until mixture is well combined and sauce it glossy.  Stir in thyme, salt and pepper.  Remove from heat.

Cut steak into 1/2" thick slices.  Spoon Mushroom-Hunter's Sauce over slice steak; garnish with thyme leaves.  Serve immediately  

Enjoy!

Maple-Butter Roasted Chicken

This is a winner for sure!  Anyone who knows me knows that I love crispy skin and this one delivers just that.  Yummy!  And the flavor of the chicken is divine!

1/2 cup butter, room temperature

3 Tbsp maple syrup (use the real stuff)

1 Tbsp fresh thyme, chopped

1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs (reserve 4 sprigs for serving)

1 whole chicken, washed and dried well (4 lbs)

1 lemon, quartered

1 tsp salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees.  Mix softened butter, maple syrup and chopped thyme into a paste.

Place chicken into a roasting pan and stuff the cavity with lemon and all but 4 sprigs of thyme. 

Loosen the skin on the chicken breast and thighs.  

Spread half of the butter mixture under the skin.

Fold the wings under the chicken and the drumsticks together.  Rub the remainder of the butter mixture on top of chicken that has been seasoned with salt and pepper. 

Roast the chicken until a thermometer, inserted into the thickest part of the thigh, registers 165 degrees (approx 1.5 hours)

Remove chicken, cover loosely with foil and let it rest for 10 minutes   

Carve chicken and garnish with the remaining thyme springs. 

 

Crispy Maple Mustard Chicken

This recipe is one that came to me through Hello Fresh. It was one of my favorites. 

1 1/2 lbs Yukon Gold Potatoes

8 carrots

2 Tbsp Fry Seasoning

1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs

4 Tbsp maple syrup

12 tsp Dijon mustard

1 1/2 lbs chicken breasts

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.  Wash and dry all produce.  Cut potatoes into1/2" thick wedges.  Trim and peel carrots, then slice them into 1/2" thick pieces.  

Place 2 Tbsp butter in a small microwave-safe bowl and microwave until just melted, about 30 seconds.  Stir in half the Fry Seasoning (you'll use the rest later), pepper, and a large pinch of salt.  Add panko; stir until evenly combined.  

Microwave another 2 Tbsp butter in a second small microwave-safe bowl until just melted, about 30 seconds.  Add maple syrup, mustard, and a pinch of salt; stir until smooth.  Reserve 1 Tbsp of the mixture for brushing onto the chicken later. 

Toss potatoes on a baking sheet with a large drizzle of olive oil, remaining Fry Seasoning, salt, and pepper.  On a second baking sheet, toss carrots with a drizzle of olive oil, salt, and pepper.  Push carrots to one side of baking sheet.   

Pat chicken dry with paper towels, then season all over with salt and pepper.  Place on the half of baking sheet with carrots.  Evenly spread reserved maple mustard onto tops of chicken breasts. then sprinkle seasoned panko on top, pressing to adhere (no need to coat the underside).

Transfer chicken and carrots to middle rack and potatoes to top rack.  Bake until chicken is golden brown and cooked through and veggies are tender, 20 - 25 minutes.  Divide chicken, potatoes, and carrots between plates.  Serve remaining maple mustard on the side for dipping or drizzling over chicken.  

Crispy Roasted Potatoes

These potatoes are the perfect pairing with any steak and veggie dinner.  I love them served with sour cream, chives, and salt.  DELISH!

24 oz multicolor creamer potatoes sliced in 1/4" slices

1/4 cup olive oil

1 1/2 tsp garlic salt

1 cup sour cream

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp fresh sliced chives

 Preheat the oven to 425 degrees.  Place 2 sheet pans stacked in the oven and let them heat with the oven.  (Stacking them helps the pans hold the heat.)

Toss the potatoes with the oil and garlic salt in a bowl.   Remove the heated pans from the oven and arrange the potatoes in an even layer, cut side down on the top pan.  Return the pans to the oven and bake for 15 minutes.  Flip the potatoes and bake until both sides are toasted and brown, another 15 minutes. 

Combine the sour cream, salt and chives, and stir well.  Perfect for dipping.  

Buttery Garlic Green Beans

 Tonight's dinner was unbelievably good.   I made Bourbon London Broil with Sweet Heat, but I did it in the crock pot with mushrooms and onions.  It was delicious!!

Add these green beans and oven roasted crispy potatoes and you have a win/win.  

1 lb fresh green beans, trimmed and cut in half
3 Tbsp butter
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 tsp lemon-pepper seasoning
Salt to taste

Place green beans into a large skillet and cover with water.  Bring to a boil and then reduce heat to medium-low and simmer until beans just start to soften , about 5 minutes.  

Drain and return to the skillet.  Add butter and stir until melted, about 2 minutes.  

Add garlic, cook until tender and fragrant, about 2 minutes. 

Season with lemon pepper seasoning and salt before serving.  

Skillet-Braised Chicken and Mushrooms

Are you looking for a recipe for a special event?  This will fit the bill.  It's hearty and flavorful and something almost anyone will like.

2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts, cut in half

1 tsp kosher salt

1 tsp freshly ground black pepper

5 Tbsp olive oil

2 medium onions, halved and sliced

1 lb fresh mushrooms, stems removed and sliced

1/2 cup white cooking wine

2 cups Espagnole Sauce (find recipe on the blog)

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley

1 tsp lemon zest

Season the chicken with 1/2 tsp each of the salt and pepper.  

In an extra-large skillet heat 2 Tbsp of the oil over medium-high heat.  Add chicken; cook 10 - 12 minutes or until browned, turning once.  Transfer to a plate.  

Add 1 Tbsp oil to skillet; reduce heat to medium.  Add onions; cook 4 - 5 minutes or until tender.  Transfer to a bowl.  Heat remaining 2 Tbsp oil over medium-high.  Add mushrooms; cook 4 minutes or until tender.  Add cooking wine; cook 5 minutes or until wine is nearly gone, stirring often.  Season with remaining 1/2 tsp each salt and pepper.  Return onions to skillet.  Stir in Espagnole Sauce.

Nestle chicken into sauce.  Cover; reduce heat to medium-low.  Simmer 14 - 17 minutes or until chicken is done.  Combine parsley and lemon zest.  Sprinkle over top.  

 

Espagnole Sauce

 

This is a classic brown sauce used as a base for any number of recipes.  It's mainly served with meat or poultry.  The key to a good sauce is to slowly cook the roux so it becomes brown without burning.  

8 Tbsp butter

1/2 cup all-purpose flour

1 small carrot, chopped

1 stalk celery, chopped

1 small white onion, chopped

1 Tbsp tomato paste

1/2 cup white cooking wine

8 cups beef broth/stock

1 tsp black peppercorns 

4 sprigs fresh parsley

4 sprigs fresh thyme

2 dried bay leaves

Melt butter in a deep fry pan over medium low heat.  Whisk in the flour to make a smooth paste.  Cook, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon and lowering the heat as needed to prevent burning, until the roux is several shades darker than peanut butter, 18 - 20 minutes.  

Stir in the carrots, celery and onions and cook, stirring occasionally, until the onions begin to soften, about 3 minutes.  Stir in the tomato paste, then whisk in the white wine and cook until the mixture thickens, 1 - 2 minutes.  Don't worry if the veggies stick in the whisk; they will release and combine with the sauce as more liquid is added.  Whisk in the broth/stock 1 cup at a time and lower the heat to a simmer.  

Add the peppercorns, parsley, thyme, and bay leaves.  Simmer the sauce until it reduces by half and has the consistency of gravy, 30 - 45 minutes.  

Remove from the heat and strain the sauce through a fine mesh sieve to remove solids.  Use as desired as a base for sauces in other recipes.

Note:  Don't worry about adding salt to this sauce.  You'll add it to your final dish and the saltiness of the additional ingredients will vary.  

This may be store in the refrigerator for up to three days or frozen in airtight containers for up to six months.  

Honey Garlic Chicken Breasts

Need a sweet and savory weeknight quick and easy dinner?  

Well . . . this is your answer.  It's ready in 30 minutes and it's sure to satisfy.

4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

1/4 cup honey

2 Tbsp soy sauce

2 Tbsp apple cider vinegar

3 garlic cloves, minced

1 Tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp ground pepper

1/2 tsp salt

1 Tbsp fresh parsley (for garnish)

Sesame seeds for garnish

Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.  Season the chicken breasts with salt and pepper on both sides.  

Place the chicken in the skillet and cook 6 - 7 minutes on each side until golden brown and fully cooked through.  Remove chicken from pan and set aside.  

In the same skillet, add the minced garlic and cook for about 1 minute.  Stir in the honey, soy sauce, and apple cider vinegar.  Allow the mixture to simmer for 2 - 3 minutes, or until it begins to thicken slightly.  

Return the chicken to the pan, turning to coat all sides with the honey garlic sauce.  Let the chicken simmer in the sauce for an additional 2 minutes, spooning the sauce over the chicken for an even coat.   

Remove from heat and garnish with fresh parsley and a sprinkle of sesame seeds.  Serve with steamed vegetables, rice, or a fresh salad.