I'm Still Here

It's leap day so I have and extra 24 hours to catch up......wouldn't that be grand, to have a day that existed, but you didn't have to do your regular routine and you wouldn't get behind for not working in the present, but an extra 24 hours to get caught up a bit/
I still don't have time but the wind, weather and the days plans have changed from what should have happened so I do have a few hours that have opened up to do what ever. And what usually happens when I find myself with time on my hands, I don't do the catching up, I just do more of the what gets me behind activities....I am so predictable.

February Recap
- I have be much more proactive with getting some much needed household project done every morning. Yes the projects are small like only a cupboard or two, but you can only eat an elephant a bite at a time so I feel like I am progressing.

- I am making re-decorating plans right and left but the cash is slipping through my fingers towards unplanned for projects faster than I can pin it down on the fun things.....but a girl can dream and someday it will happen.  Kitchen, yard and a house face lift.

- Gary and I spent Presidents Day weekend in Carmel, California with Gary's mom Mary, his brother Jeff, his wife Lisa and Gary's aunt and uncle, Phil and Gloria at their home. It was a very nice time. The Horsley's were wonderful host and feed us well.

- My February goal of telling more people that I love them, that they matter to me has been a good goal. Of course I started with a bang and things wound down a bit but I did commit to something and I am ready for another month of focus. Thanks again to Melinda for her inspiration.

I will try to be more active at blogging. It is a great journal if nothing else.

MCC

New Recipes......White Chicken Enchiladas

So far the new recipe thing is going well. We are trying new things and loving it. It is forcing me to be a better meal planner and I actually look forward to making dinner.  Some days the food is definitely a keeper and other times I have learned a new cooking technique or what I would do differently another time if nothing else.
Today I made  White Chicken Enchiladas ...a great beginning.
I have been craving something like the Green Enchiladas I had growing up. Just a similar flavor not necessarily the same recipe.  So I began my search. I wanted to use chicken, corn tortillas and green chilies, the original recipe used corn tortillas but ground beef. Most recipes I found used flour tortillas and tomatillo sauce, which I wasn't opposed to but I like the taste and texture of corn tortilla. The other issue with the old recipe was that is seemed mild and I know my family likes a little more kick in their Mexican food...
I then stumbled on the Pioneer Woman's White Enchilada recipe....it sounded like a possible winner. So with a few modifications for our tastes I made it and boy it was cheesey, creamy,  but still a bit mild. Next time I will add more heat. The Cheese sauce is wonderful and would be great so many other ways.
We will be making this again....with more heat and I might even stew the chicken a little more with some spice.

MCC

White Chicken Enchiladas

Adapted from the Pioneer Woman

6 Servings

2 Tbs. Canola Oil

12 Whole Corn tortillas

Heat 2 Tbs. oil in a small skillet over medium heat. Fry tortillas on at a time for 10 to 20 seconds, just to soften. Place tortillas on a large towel or stack of paper towels to drain.

1 Tbs. Canola oil

2 ½ Cups cooked, Shredded Chicken

2 Cups Chicken Broth

1 large onion diced

3 - 4 oz. cans Green Chilies

1 whole jalapeno seeded and finely diced

1 tsp. paprika

 1 tsp. Ground Cumin

½ cup heavy cream

2 Tbs. Butter

2 Tbs. Flour

1 Cup Sour Cream

2 ½ Cups Monterey Jack Cheese grated

Salt and Pepper to taste

Fresh Cilantro, chopped for garnish (optional)

Chicken Filling:

Heat 1 Tbs. oil in a skillet over medium heat; Add onions and jalapeno, sauté for 2 minute. Add Chicken and half of the green chilies, ½ tsp. paprika and ½ tsp. ground cumin. Stir together. Add ½ cup chicken broth and stir. Add heavy cram and stir, allowing mixture to bubble and gets hot. Turn off heat.

Cheese Sauce:

In another skillet melt butter and sprinkle in flour. Whisk together and cook over medium hear for one minute. Pour in 1 ½ cups chicken broth. Whisk together and cool for another minute or two. Stir in the remaining chilies and reduce heat. Stir in sour cream and 1 ½ cups of the grated cheese. Stir to melt together add ½ tsp paprika and ½ tsp ground cumin and salt and pepper to taste.

To assemble, spoon a large spoonful chicken mixture on top of a tortilla, top with cheese and roll up. Place seem side down in a 9x13 casserole dish. Repeat with the remaining 11 tortillas.

Pour cheese sauce over top of the tortillas. More cheese may be added if desired.

Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minuets.

Sprinkle with cilantro and serve

A Month to/be/do??

Monthly goal/resolution.....While I was at the chemo treatment with mom yesterday I noticed that the calendar in the room was already changed to February and the calendar was promoting  National Prevent a Litter Month....yes as in the birth of unwanted animals......good laugh and a little weird.  So I won't be promoting unwanted litters but I will go with the obvious, since it is the month of love I should share some love, hugs, kisses a squeeze, etc........in other words be kind, be nice and let people know that they matter to me and I  care about them, with thank you notes and cards, little gifts etc........just like valentine cards and gifts all month long should be easy?!?!?!
( Okay so I took a brief pause and looked back at Melinda's past resolutions and guess what I am a copy cat. Oh well a little love never hurt anyone).

MCC