Cheese Enchiladas

My mom gave me this recipe a couple of years ago, and it's a wonderful dish when you're craving some cheesy, gooey Mexican food.

Cheese Enchiladas

by Cynthia McCallum

Step one:

4 dried Ancho peppers - seeded and stemmed

4 dried New Mexico or Guajilla peppers - seeded and stemmed

3 cups chicken stock

1/2 white onion

3 cloves garlic

Add the above ingredients to a stock pot and simmer until peppers are soft and pliable. Cool slightly. Place all ingredients in a blender and mix until smooth. Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step two:

1/4 cup whipping cream

Add cream to the blender mixture and thoroughly mix all together.

 

Step three:

Prepare a casserole dish by lightly spraying the bottom and sides with non-stick cooking spray (Pam) or applying Crisco to the bottom and sides. Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

 


Step four:

Kraft Mexican cheese (look for pre-grated cheese - if you cannot find the Mexican cheese, use Monterrey Jack and Cheddar cheeses)

Corn tortillas (the thinner "Mission" brand works well)

Pour approximately 1 tablespoon oil into a skillet. Heat (but do not get this so hot that it smokes). "Fry" each corn tortilla in oil 2 to 3 seconds. Remove from the oil/skillet. Using paper towels, pat the excess oil from the tortilla.

Place a generous portion of cheese inside each fried tortilla. Roll the tortilla and place it in the casserole dish - seam side on the bottom.

Step five:

 When you have filled the casserole dish, pour the prepared sauce over the tortillas. Sprinkle the top with additional grated cheese, using the quantity you prefer. Bake the enchiladas for approximately 10-12 minutes, or until the dish is bubbly and the cheese has melted.

Finished product: Delicious cheese heaven!

Yee-haa! Let's get started. I'm hungry.

I am looking forward to seeing all of the good food ideas.

Christmas Tree Cookies

This is probably my all-time favorite cookie recipe, and one that is very dear to my heart. My Aunt Janice made these cookies for many years and passed along the tradition to me when I was a young girl. Ever since then, I've been making these yummy cookies for family, friends, and myself (don't judge, they're hard to resist!). The orange flavored icing is a real treat for the taste buds. These cookies can be made in any shape and with any color of icing, so they're perfect for all occasions. Enjoy!

Christmas Tree Cookies 

by Victoria Fisher

Sugar Cookies

1 cup butter

1 cup sugar

2 eggs

1 tbsp. milk

1 tsp. vanilla

3 cups flour, sifted

3 tsp. baking powder

Cream butter. Add sugar gradually. Add eggs, milk, and vanilla. Cream well. Add flour sifted with baking powder. Mix well. Chill dough for at least 10 minutes (or longer to make dough stiff enough to work with).

Roll out dough on floured surface (I use flour liberally to make sure nothing sticks). Cut into tree shapes or any other shape you want. Place on greased baking sheet. Bake at 350 degrees for 10 to 15 minutes until very light golden color.

1 batch makes about 3-4 dozen cookies.

Orange Icing

            ½ cup Crisco (butter flavor)

            1 box of powdered sugar (4 cups)

            ¼ cup of hot water

            1 teaspoon orange extract

Mix all ingredients together on slow speed with electric mixer. Do not beat. You can add more or less powdered sugar or water in order to reach a good thickness. Spoon icing into separate bowls and dye with food coloring (for the Christmas tree shapes, I use green for the tree and pink for the stars). Use decorating bags and tips to ice the cookies, or spread icing with a knife. Be creative!

Welcome!

My family can cook. I don't mean microwave mac and cheese or instant mashed potatoes (though that can be tasty at times). I mean mouth watering, homemade, stick to your bones kind of food that brings you back to your childhood. Food you want to remember and eat again and again. Thanksgivings are epic affairs in my family, and Christmas Eve dinner is nothing short of legendary.

I no longer live in Texas, but I grew up there and my entire family still calls it home. A lot of food that we prepare is influenced by the Texas culture and local, fresh ingredients. My mom and aunt are two of my culinary heroes, and they can whip up anything from a perfect meringue pie to delicious pickled asparagus.

My aunt, my mom, and me (circa 2006)

Just the other day, my mom mentioned how great it would be to have a blog where we could all share recipes and stories with each other. A place to hold our memories and tasty creations. I hope this blog gives you the inspiration to cook what you love and to cook from the heart.