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Wednesday, November 18, 2009

Just a bit late


As usual, my blogging is a bit backed up, so these recipes are actually back from Halloween-ish. I already wrote about our experience going out and finding the perfect pumpkins, but we held off on carving until right before Halloween.

Pumpkin carving is a HUGE deal in Thathouse. We make an entire evening out of it and it's the one time of year I let Thatboy rent whatever gorey scary movie he wants without complaint. I hate scary movies. I get nightmares. My dreams are usually strange and vivid to begin with, but after a scary movie I can't sleep at all. We each sketch out our pumpkin designs on paper before getting to serious work.

For dinner, I like to make something that can cook as we work, so I don't have to be in the kitchen. Besides, carving works up quite the appetite. This year I went with enchiladas. And Thatboy has decided this is his new favorite enchilada recipe. Know how I know? He told me that it reminded him of Taco Bell - which is only his all time favorite fast food ever. He loves my girls night outs because it means Taco Bell for dinner for him.

But since Taco Bell isn't my idea of good Mexican food, I harken back to my days at El Torito Grill and the sweet corn cake that came with all the meals. I thought AVM's corn pudding would serve as a nice substitute. And the corn pudding was good - although Thatboy didn't think it went as well with the enchiladas as I did. I liked it smothered in the enchilada sauce.


Corn Pudding a 9 year old can make (recipe available at animalvegetablemiracle.com)


Chicken Enchiladas
1/2 cup sour cream
1 cup Picante Sauce
2 tsp chili powder
2 cups cooked chicken, chopped
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese, shredded
4 whole wheat tortillas
1 tomato, chopped
1 green onion, chopped

1. Preheat oven to 350. Mix together sour cream, picante sauce and chili powder.
2. Take one cup of this mixture and combine with chicken and cheese. Reserve the rest of the sour cream mixture.
3. Divide the chicken mixture between tortillas. Roll up tortillas and place seam side up in baking dish. Pour reserved sour cream mixture over the filled tortillas.
4. Cover dish and make for 40 minutes.
5. Top with chopped tomatoes and green onion.


Frieda Kahlo's Pan de Muerto (recipe available at animalvegetablemiracle.com)
November 1 is traditionally Dia de los Muertos, which is celebrated in many areas of San Diego. Not surprising given that we're a mere moments from Mexico. It's a celebration of ancestors and frequently characterized by those crazy skeletons. Whether they're dancing, or playing in a mariachi band. My "pan de muerto" came out looking a little Edward Munch-ian but they were delicious. So delicous in fact, that Thatdog ate almost this entire basket you're looking at right now. Yeah....he can be sneaky.

5 comments:

  1. Corn pudding smothered in enchilada sauce sounds pretty devine! I love that you are cooking all of the recipes in Animal, Vegetable, Miracle. I need to pull it out and try some. I'm in the midst of reading Julie Powell's new book now (who wrote Julie and Julia--I got an advance copy) and all I want to do is make all of these amazing meat dishes she lists!

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  2. This all sounds like a wonderful way to celebrate Hallowe'en That Girl...I ev3n love food that practivally cooks itself.

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  3. Corn pudding has got my attention for sure!!!

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  4. I hate scary movies, I don't even like suspensful movies! Luckily, my husband does not like them either. What an awesome tradition to have though!

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  5. You won't disown me as a friend if I tell you I'm with Thatboy on his love of Taco Bell, right?

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