Enchilada Sauce

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Homemade Enchilada Sauce

Enchiladas are probably our favorite meal. Whether it’s chicken, pork, shrimp, or a simple bean and cheese filling – they’re so comforting, and relatively easy to make. The easiest part of all being making your own homemade enchilada sauce. So many recipes I’ve seen on the internet call for canned sauce – and it always makes me feel sad for them, a “bless their heart” type situation. It’s basically seasoned tomato sauce, taking only minutes to come together . No excuses.

And the flavor, wowza. Out of this world! The stuff in the can will just seem bland and watery if you ever have the misfortune of tasting it again. Often I’ll double the recipe, and freeze half in a Ziploc bag for a rainy day. It’s also great as a base sauce for taco pizza, which is another one of our favorites.

If you’re still buying your enchilada sauce from the can, do yourself a favor and try making it at home. You can thank me later!

Homemade Enchilada Sauce

1 Tbsp olive oil
1 small onion, diced
2 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp chili powder
1 Tbsp ground cumin
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 cup chicken stock or water
1 tsp kosher salt

Heat oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add onion and saute for a few minutes, until starting to brown on the edges, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic, chili powder, and cumin. Cook for an additional minute to toast the spices.

Add in the tomato sauce, as well as the chicken broth. Stir to combine, and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer for 10 minutes.

Remove from heat, and pour the sauce through a fine-mesh strainer set over a bowl. Using a rubber spatula, push down on the onions, forcing as much sauce out as possible. I like to just toss the strained onion mixture into whatever enchilada filling I’m making, but you can discard it if you like.

Season sauce to taste with salt and black pepper before using. Will keep in the refrigerator for up to a week, or in the freezer for up to 3 months.

Makes about 2 cups enchilada sauce.

Source: adapted from this Chicken Enchilada recipe, from America’s Test Kitchen.

Taco Pizza

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I love to take leftovers from one night’s meal, and make something the next night that’s completely different. Leftover taco meat is great for these kind of applications. To date, my favorite use had been these stuffed peppers. But, after finally getting this recipe right where I wanted it, I think they may have to move over!

The first time I had a taco pizza it was at this little local pizzeria that is now closed. She made great “pies” there, big bubbly chewy crusts – a true New York pizza, which is hard to come by here in our rural area. She often had a “special” pizza on the board, which featured something fun and different. One day at lunch we threw caution to the wind and tried the taco pizza. I was hooked!

So, here’s my version. A base of taco sauce, which adds a little spice to start things off. Then topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheeses, seasoned beef, thinly-sliced red onion, chopped fresh tomato, and black olives. If you like things a little spicier, add some sliced pickled jalapenos to give it an extra dose of heat. If you’re tired of traditional pizza toppings, give this a whirl – I know you’ll love it!

Taco Pizza

1 round pizza dough
1 Tbsp olive oil
3/4 cup taco sauce
3/4 cup mozzarella cheese, shredded
1/2 cup cheddar cheese, shredded
1 cup leftover seasoned taco meat
1/2 cup fresh tomatoes, diced
1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup black olives, sliced
1/4 cup pickled jalapeno slices (optional)
fresh cilantro, roughly chopped, for garnish

Preheat the oven and a pizza stone to 500° F.  Allow the stone to heat for at least 30 minutes.  In the mean time, lay a large piece of parchment paper down flat on the counter (large enough to accommodate your pizza).  Sprinkle lightly with cornmeal.  Gently roll out or shape the pizza dough into a large circle, leaving a thicker ring around the edge for the crust. Brush the outer edge of the pizza with olive oil.

Spread the taco sauce in a thin layer evenly over the unbaked crust.  Sprinkle with shredded cheeses.  Top with seasoned beef, chopped tomatoes, sliced onion, black olives, and pickled jalapenos (if desired).  Once assembled, carefully transfer the parchment round and pizza to the preheated baking stone and return to the oven.  Bake for 10-12 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and browned.  Slice, serve, and enjoy!

Source: inspired by Paradiso Pizza in Oak Hall, VA

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

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I’d been thinking about this fun spin on chicken boobs since Elly posted it a couple of months ago. Then, Courtney went and mentioned that she’d made it – and already added it to her menu plan again the following week. So, after great reviews from two of my favorite bloggers, I added it to our menu too. And, I’m happy to report that we all loved it too!

I’ve been trying to make the most out of the jalapenos I’ve been plucking from the garden, and this dish really showcased them. It’s spicy – but not too much, the boys still enjoyed it. And, that smokey flavor that’s naturally found in jalapenos really shined through as well. I also loved the technique of browning the breadcrumbs in a skillet with a bit of oil first, then coating the chicken cutlets in the toasted breadcrumbs and finishing off in the oven. Gave it a super crunchy texture – something that’s hard to come by with just baking.

This one is definitely a keeper!

Jalapeno Popper Chicken

4  chicken breasts
4 oz cream cheese, softened
1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, shredded
1 tsp olive oil
4 jalapenos, chopped (ribs and seeds removed)
1 1/4 cup Panko
1 tsp chili powder
1 tsp cumin
1/4 tsp salt
1/4 tsp oregano
1 egg

Preheat the oven to 375. Place an ovenproof rack onto a rimmed baking dish. Set aside.

In a small skillet over medium heat, combine the panko with the olive oil. Cook, stirring often, until the panko is golden and crispy. Place in a shallowdish, along with the chili powder,  cumin, and oregano. Mix to combine.

Now, set up your assembly line: In a shallow dish, lightly beat an egg. In a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and jalapeños.

Using a pairing knife, cut a pocket into the side of each chicken breast, or horizontally slice the chicken through the center, until it is almost butterflied. Season the chicken lightly with salt and pepper, and then divide the cream cheese mixture evenly between each chicken breast. Use toothpicks to secure, if necessary.

Dip the chicken pieces one at a time first into the egg, then into the panko mixture, making sure to coat the chicken completely. Place the chicken on the prepared baking rack and cook for about 25-30 minutes, or until chicken is cooked through.

Source: highly adapted from Allrecipes, via Sunny Side Up; as seen on Elly Says Opa!

Carnitas Burritos

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We rarely have fast food, but when we do my #1 choice is always Chipotle. I remember Jon had to drag me there for the first time, almost kicking and screaming. What was I thinking? The burritos became one of my favorite things, loving to try new combinations. At the time, the closest one was 2 hours – so, I started making my own. ChipotleFan is a great source for all kinds of Chipotle “copycat” recipes, their chicken marinade is k-i-l-l-e-r. I haven’t tried a recipe on there that isn’t spot-on. But, time after time I kept coming back to the carnitas with the corn salsa.

So, here’s my homemade version, in all it’s glory. I love the lightly seasoned pork, and the roasted peppers and corn all wrapped up in a soft tortilla. I’ll usually make it with leftover pork, which makes for an easier weeknight meal. The components are great on their own too, as more of a burrito bowl style. I like to keep the filling simple – rice, beans, pork, and salsa. But, a bit of sour cream, cheese, or guac is great inside as well!

Carnitas Burritos with Poblano-Corn Salsa

1 lb carnitas or pulled pork, warmed
2 cups cooked cilantro lime rice
1 (15) oz can black beans
2 cups frozen corn kernels, thawed
2 poblano peppers
1 jalapeno pepper
1/2 red onion, chopped
juice of 1 lime
1/4 cup cilantro, chopped
salt, to taste
4 large (12-14 inch) tortillas
sour cream

To make the salsa, roast the poblano peppers on a grill, an open flame, or in the broiler until charred all over. Place in a bowl and seal with plastic wrap. Let sit 10 minutes. Meanwhile combine the corn, onion, cilantro, lime juice, and salt. Once peppers have “steamed”, remove as much charred skin as you can. Dice the peppers and add to the bowl with the other ingredients. Toss to combine, season to taste with salt, and set aside.

To assemble the burritos, warm the tortillas on a plate covered with a damp paper towel in the microwave for about 40 seconds. Lay one tortilla on a flat work surface. Place 1/2 cup rice, 1/4 cup black beans, 1/2 cup pork, and 1/4 cup salsa, and a dollop of sour cream on the burrito. Fold the two sides over onto the top or the filling, then fold the bottom up and under the filling, and roll all the way up. Wrap burrito in a small sheet of aluminum foil to serve.

Source: Poblano-Corn Salsa adapted from Chipotle Fan