Shepherds Pie

So yummy!
However, I'm noticing a startling thing in our place. When the oven is on it heats up the entire kitchen/living room to supernova temperatures. This is going to make cooking difficult over the summer...guess its time to start browsing the BBQ recipes.
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Crepes

So I realize this is following the pancake blog but unfortunately I haven't had much on the go in the kitchen since last week. Here's some crepes I made last weekend.
I have many fond memories of weekend mornings, watching tv and enjoying crepes that my dad made for me. It was always a crowd pleaser after any sleepover.
Good times!
Another new thing I've discovered is roasted chickpeas. YUM!!!!
-A can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
-A small amount of oil
-Some garlic power, salt and pepper and cayenne (or whatever you feel like seasoning with)
-Roast in a 350 degree oven for 30-40 minutes depending on your crispiness preference.
You will not be disappointed!!
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Saturday Morning

Had a lovely low-key morning this morning. Made pancakes and Clutterbuck cut up a big watermelon. Yummy.
Now its off to a series of dinners all over the place.

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Chicken Enchiladas

I figured out what to do with the leftover chicken. I shredded it up and made chicken enchiladas (another first). I served it with some refried beans and cut up veggies. The veggies are so boring but I buy them and then have to think of every possible way to eat them, otherwise they go bad in the fridge. So, we end up eating a lot of raw veggies on their own.

It was a good dinner and I was pleased with the end result. Which is good because we ended up with enough to feed a family of 4 for a week. I really enjoy the whole process of cooking. Thinking of what you want to eat, researching various recipes and adding my own ideas, shopping for the ingredients and than preparing the meal. I completely appreciate that some people hate this entire process (Clutterbuck, for example) but not me!

After browsing allrecipes (which is the best recipe site ever. Lots of pictures and reviews) and looking at several different enchilada recipes, this is what I did:

1. Shred the remaining chicken and set aside
2. Finely chop a green pepper, onion, 2 jalepenos and garlic
3. Saute veggies in a pan until soft
4. Add chicken, sour cream, fresh oregano, cumin, chili powder, pepper, cheddar cheese
5. Cook until cheese melts, add Salsa
6. Roll mixture up in tortillas and place in a pan
7. Cover with red enchilada sauce and remaining cheese
8. Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes

:) Guess what we're having for dinner tonight

Roast Chicken

Its been a while since I've blogged...because its been a while since we've eaten anything worth blogging about. Since Clutterbuck has finished school (a.k.a. graduated school WOOP WOOP) and I've been working at this new job we've been on a diet of tuna melts, canned soups, and various frozen entrees.

Last night I roasted a chicken. Basic, I know...but it was my first ever and it was quite a success. I marinated it ahead of time and used this recipe. It was absolutely delicious. I followed the recipe pretty closely but added some garlic and onion powder into the rub, than I shoved some celery stalks (a tip I read online), lemon and garlic up in the ol' bird and baked it on a bed of potatoes, onions, garlic and carrots. I also poured a little white wine and chicken stalk in the bottom of the pan to baste with. It truly was the most moist chicken I've ever tasted, and the spices were a great combo. I made a little gravy out of the drippings as well...yum!

Clutterbuck was very pleased and kept stating that this was the best "double leg dinner" he's ever had (this is his regular order from Swiss Chalet).

Now I have all this left over chicken in the fridge and I dont know what to do with it. I always see these recipes for different things and think "If I only had leftover chicken I would totally make that". Now I have the leftover chicken and of course those recipes are nowhere to be found.

I do look forward to making a chicken stock, but want to find something else to do with the chicken meat first (because i'm not a huge fan of Chicken soup anyway).

Any suggestions?

Ben is normally completely uninterested in my food prep and cooking (unless it includes tuna). However, last night he was feeling very connected to the chicken and kept sitting and staring it. He never touched it...just wanted to hang out with it.




Here's the finished bird. I cooked it breast side down so I should have taken a pic of the back because it looked much better....but nonetheless the breast was so juicy