Wordless Wednesday-Easter 2011

Making Tuesday Tasty-Easy Chicken And Cheese Enchiladas

I love enchiladas, and since Cinco De Mayo is coming up I thought I would post a yummy and easy recipe to throw together for the family.

Ingredients

1 small red onion, halved
1 1/2 pounds tomatillos, husked and rinsed
1 to 2 serrano chile peppers, stemmed and seeded
1/2 cup low-sodium chicken broth
Kosher salt
Pinch of sugar
8 corn tortillas
3 cups shredded rotisserie chicken
2 1/2 cups shredded mozzarella and/or Monterey Jack cheese
1/3 cup fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for greasing
3/4 cup crumbled queso fresco or feta cheese

Directions

Preheat the broiler. Slice half of the onion into thin rings and set aside. Place the other onion half, tomatillos and serranos on a foil-lined baking sheet and broil until the vegetables are soft and slightly brown, 7 to 10 minutes, turning as needed. Transfer the vegetables and any liquid to a blender, add the broth and puree. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt and the sugar.

Meanwhile, stack the tortillas, wrap in a damp paper towel and microwave just until warm and soft, 1 minute; keep covered. Toss the chicken with 2 cups shredded cheese in a bowl. Spoon a portion of the chicken mixture down the middle of each tortilla. Add a few cilantro leaves and roll up. Place the enchiladas side by side in a lightly oiled 9-by-13-inch baking dish and brush with the 2 tablespoons olive oil. Broil until crisp and golden, 3 minutes.

Pour the tomatillo sauce over the enchiladas and top with the remaining 1/2 cup shredded cheese. Return to the oven and broil until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes. Garnish with the onion rings, queso fresco and any remaining cilantro.

Baby Update-2 months

I kept a journal for my daughter while I was pregnant with her and I still update it periodically, so that she can be gifted with it when she is older and can take care of it. I want her to be able to see things through my eyes and know how much she is loved and cherished. I started one for my little boy while pregnant but, along with not feeling well, I just don't have time to write down much.

I am realizing more and more that I need to be writing some of these things down on my blog so at least I have some things I can reflect on and put in his journal. Time is passing by quickly, too quickly it seems. I know we all struggle with time as we get older...

Ewan, you're two months old now as of last Monday. You're a little over ten pounds and you're almost 22 inches long. You have fuzzy brown hair, quite a bit especially in the back. Your eyes are getting lighter although they're still a royal blue color. You're getting very expressive. Since you were about six weeks old, you've been trying to hold your head up. You can now hold your head up really well for long periods of time. You're very strong and try to climb up me while holding you. You are also a fighter when I do something you don't like, like sucking out your nose or giving you medicine.

Your lungs work, ha ha. You are quite a screamer! You scream when your tummy hurts, you scream when you need to be changed, and you scream when mama isn't near you. That frustrates your Dad since you scream after short times of being with him and won't stop until Mommy gets you. You love showers and have been getting them with me since you were about three and a half weeks old. You mellow right out in the water and are really content to be in there whether it's a shower, bath, or sponge bath even! One of my favorite things is when you nurse, you get really excited and smack your lips. You also smack them when you're done drinking, it's really cute on a little tiny baby. I also love that when I hold you close, you grab hold of my clothing or my hair and hold on tight. You are a little snuggler!

Personality wise, you're changing a ton! You smiled the day you turned two months old and you are like mommy's family, you smile with your whole face :). You get really excited now when I talk to you and you want to talk to me so bad. You make little coos and your whole body moves to interact with me. Your eyes follow me now and that's pretty cute, your eyes also getting really huge when you hear my voice. I'm realizing more as you grow that you got my eyes. The shape and the iris. It's a little strange looking at parts of yourself on your little one. I love how genetics works, it's so amazing how we are all unique and yet we carry our family with us.

Your Sister sometimes resents you but, mostly she loves you and thinks you're so cute. She kisses you on your head and tries to help hold you and get your diapers, etc.

We love you baby boy, we are so thankful that we were given you as a gift after having to wait for 3 years almost. Our family is now complete!

Giveaways!

Two Of A Kind blog is giving away a Breville juicer and book Fat, Sick, and Nearly Dead! Hurry ends May 9, 2011.

Thoughts of A Mommy is giving away an iPod Touch 8GB and a $100 iTunes gift card. Ends May 3rd!

I’m posting this to enter a contest offered by CheckNGo at The Centsible Life! I want to win the iPad 2! Enter to win here: http://bit.ly/TCLiPad

Wordless Wednesday-Sisters

My Sisters and I at my baby shower for baby number 2, my little boy. This was two days before I delivered :)

Making Tuesday Tasty-Grilled Halibut With Chimichurri

I'm no fish eater, as a matter of fact I wish that I was so much because it can be so healthy for you with the omega fatty acids, etc. I do like Halibut though, it's such a mild flavored fish and can take on the flavors you cook it with or marinate it in. Here's a lovely recipe from epicurious.com that is healthy and super flavorful. For all my fish eaters out there that want to try something new.

Ingredients

1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1 tablespoon water
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced shallot
3/4 teaaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
3/4 cup chopped flat-leaf parsley
4 (6- to 8-ounce) halibut steaks (3/4 to 1 inch thick)
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
print a shopping list for this recipe

preparation

Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, water, garlic, shallot, red-pepper flakes, and 1/2 tsp each of salt and pepper until salt has dissolved. Stir in parsley. Let chimichurri stand 20 minutes.
Meanwhile, prepare grill for direct-heat cooking over medium-hot charcoal (medium heat for gas).
Pat fish dry, then brush with vegetable oil and sprinkle with 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp pepper (total).
Oil grill rack, then grill fish, covered only if using a gas grill, turning once, until just cooked through, 8 to 10 minutes total.
Serve fish drizzled with some of chimichurri; serve remainder on the side.
Cooks' notes:
·Halibut can be cooked in a hot oiled large (2-burner) ridged grill pan over medium heat.
·Chimichurri can be made 1 hour ahead and kept, covered, at room temperature.

Thank you epicurious for letting me borrow the recipe and photo!

Read More http://www.epicurious.com/articlesguides/healthy/nutritiousdishes/herbs/recipes/food/views/Grilled-Halibut-with-Chimichurri-242584#ixzz1JznGWe5y

Wordless Wednesday-Baby Boy At One Month

Making Tuesday Tasty-Spanish Deviled Eggs

Easter is around the corner. There are so many ways to make eggs and deviled eggs are always a hit! Check out this yummy version of a traditional Deviled egg.

Directions

Mash 6 hard-boiled egg yolks, 1 tablespoon dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon diced jarred piquillo peppers plus 1 tablespoon liquid from the jar, 1/8 teaspoon hot smoked paprika, 1 tablespoon hot water, and salt and pepper. Lay 1 strip serrano ham in each egg white, then top with the yolk mixture. Sprinkle with more paprika.

*thank you Foodnetwork.com for the recipe and photo to borrow*

April Is Child Abuse Awareness Month!

I'm sorry this is a little late but, I just realized this. As someone who used to work with abused and neglected girls, I am fully aware of the struggles that these children face daily.

Please, get involved. If you see true abuse, report it. Don't turn a blind eye to it or someone's life will be affected forever. I also found a link to Never Shake A Baby, Arizona. If you're frustrated, put the baby down, ask for help, walk away for a few minutes to regain your composure!

Find out what you can do locally year round to help children or families that have been affected by abuse. If you are someone who is involved in the abuse, seek help!

Shabby Apple Amalfi Coast Swimsuit Giveaway

Shabby Apple Amalfi Coast Swimsuit Giveaway