At Home with Me....again

It's my turn, it's my turn!

So, I've been feeling a bit phobic about leaving the house this week so I decided to photograph my own recipe to share with you instead of venturing out with the kids aka bread-snatchers (as PawPaw lovingly calls them).

Here's my disclaimer for those of you resolving weight watchers.  These are by no means, in no way, not even closely low in points.  They're not figure friendly.  You might as well tuck them into your pant pockets and call it a loss.    But, they are dang good.  Just do better tomorrow.

These are easy, cheesy, greasy enchiladas...the tex-mex variety.  My grandmother would gasp at the notion that these are what Texans call enchiladas.  The authentic version is much different and perhaps some day I'll share that with you. 

P.S.  Excuse the wonky colors and noisy images.  My kitchen gets very little natural light in the evenings.  I should have done this in the morning, but the pan might not have made it to my husband's arrival. poo.

You'll love me for this.  Only 4 ingredients.

I like to use sharp cheddar, but you can use whatever or doctor them up with a mix of your favorite cheeses.

Also, I prefer to use the large can of enchilada sauce because I like 'em saucy, but I only had the normal size.

Get your frying pan ready and oil.  Pour in about a 1/4 of an inch of oil and turn the heat on medium.

I fry the corn tortillas for only a few seconds to make them nice and pliable.  Here's how you know when the oil is ready: See the bubbles?  Ready.

One at a time and I move it around to ensure the oil gets on all of it.

When you pull it out let it drip-dry and it should drape over your fork.

I should have mentioned that prior to beginning your frying you should set up a blotting station.  Use a plate with a couple of paper towels on the bottom and have extra towels handy to blot the tops of the tortillas.  I do this for every one.  It takes practice to be a good multi-taskin', tortilla fryin', grease blottin' fool, but once you are...you are.

You'll wind up with a nice stack of piping hot corn tortillas.

Set up a rolling station.  If you can, find a fat baby to watch you. It makes the rolling all the more fun.  I recommend it.

A nice portion of cheese.

A nice tight roll.  This makes me think of tight rolled jeans. Ha!  You know what I'm talking about?  The tighter, the better?

And lay them seam side down in a 9x13 baking dish until your pan is full.

Now for your sauce.  In a small pot, pour your chili and enchilada sauce in and warm it up and mix together.

Pour over the rolls.

And spread the wealth.  Barack Obama would concur.

Exhibit A:

If you have left over cheddar sprinkle some on top. I ran out so I used some mozzarella.  Who cares?  It's cheese.

Bake in a preheated oven at 350 for 20 or so minutes - just long enough to melt the cheeses.

The after:

Noah's First Birthday

I don't often accept event jobs, but this one is a special one.  I've photographed Noah a few times so I could not defer his first birthday to another photographer for goodness sakes!  He's my baby, my baby to photograph on special occasions and his first birthday certainly qualifies as a special occasion.

His parents and grandparents went to extra lengths to ensure that his first birthday was executed seamlessly.  It was perfectly coordinated, themed, arranged, and hosted.

He is so full of personality with that red hair and baby blues.

Did I mention he already has a way with the ladies?  Case in point:

Now I have to brag on mom because she has way more gumption than I do.  SHE made this cake.  Not only did she make this cake, but she did that on top of all of the other preparation for the special day.  I was impressed.

At Home with Amanda

She's a baker extraordinaire and has made quite a name for herself with her sweet treats around town.  Not only can she bake, but girlfriend can cook, too. 

First, the beautiful Amanda.

Now this is one you have to try!

Grammy's Chicken Spaghetti

The cast:

Now, it might seem like a lot of ingredients, but you probably already have most in your pantry.  If not, call your mama and take some of her groceries.  Mine delivers as long as she gets to see my kids.

1 whole chicken - boiled, cooled, deboned and shredded
1 small onion diced
1 green bell pepper diced
3 ribs of celery diced
1 12 oz. package of Spaghetti noodles
1 can of cream of mushroom soup
1 jar of diced pimentos
1 box of Velveeta cubed (orig. recipe says to use 1/2 but Amanda uses it all....that's my girl)
1 box of chicken stock.

Here's that chicken.  If you've never boiled your chicken, Amanda suggests boiling it until it falls apart.  It will still be moist which is, in my opinion, the best reason to boil your chicken.   VERY IMPORTANT....SAVE THE CHICKEN BROTH!!!

Using a small saucepot, cook the veggies in 1 cup of the reserved broth until tender.

In a large pot bring  the remaining broth  and the box of chicken stock to a boil.  Break the spaghetti in half and cook in the boiling broth.  DO NOT DRAIN.  To the cooked spaghetti add the shredded chicken, the vegetables, mushroom soup, pimentos, and cheese.

Cheese...it's always a good thing.

Mix all of the above and transfer to a 9x13 baking dish... a blue one would be nice.  I should get one of those.  Actually, Mimi can I just have your blue cake stand.  You know... the really pretty antique one?  Would you go ahead and put that in writing?  I won't tell the other sisters in law.  Pinky promise.

Before it's baked...

Bake in the oven at 350 for 30 minutes and this is whatcha get.  It is heaven in a blue, 9x13 baking dish.

an ode to my children

My photo essay of sorts.

They're having a baby!

This is my sister.  She married an awfully nice guy last year.   And this year, they'll be welcoming their first child on March 8th - their one year wedding anniversary.  Sister said she wanted to wait a year.  I guess their timing was in line with God's perfect timing and we couldn't be happier for them.

So I traded them a maternity session for a home-cooked breakfast and a boat ride.  Uncle Wallace cooks a mean breakfast.  So mean, in fact, he scored himself a guest blogger spot in the near future.    Stay tuned for that.

We love Uncle Wallace and Tia.  They love my kids genuinely and they spoil them abundantly.  They're gonna be great parents and I'm going to be a swell aunt.  Just you wait.

 

Hang on, Dear Ones.  You're about to embark on an adventure like none other.  Love you times three.