Beef Enchiladas

The last time I made these I found myself salsa dancing very badly around the kitchen while singing, "La Cucaracha".  Of course I only know the La Cucaracha line so the rest of the words become do, do, do, do, do, do, do.  I didn't realize Gabe and Maddie were watching me until Gabe yelled, "Nice dance moves, Mommy!".  And that Gabe-man, is why you were my favourite child for about a minute!

Seriously, these are really delicious and easy to make.  They take a bit of time because you need to make the components and then assemble but the trick is to double the recipe, make two batches (which adds about 5 minutes) and freeze one or two entire pans.  The recipe comes from a forum for wedding planning and new moms I used to frequent.  A lot of my "Fake Friends", as my husband Greg calls the ladies (and gents!) on there, are excellent cooks!

WB Enchiladas

1 can Refried Beans
2 cups Shredded Cheese
10 8 inch Tortillas

Enchilada Filling
1 lb Ground Beef
1 pkg Taco Seasoning
1 cup Water
2 cups Cooked Rice

Red Sauce
1 tablespoon Olive Oil
2 Garlic Cloves-minced
1 teaspoon Onion-minced
1/2 teaspoon Oregano
2 1/2 teaspoon Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Basil
1/4 teaspoon Cumin
1 teaspoon Parsley
1/4 cup Salsa
1 6 oz can Tomato Sauce
1 1/2 cups Water
Salt and Pepper

Make The Sauce:
Heat Oil in large sauce pan.  Add Garlic, saute 1 minute.  Add Onion, Spices, Tomato Sauce and Salsa.  Mix well, then stir in Water.  Bring to boil, reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes.  Set aside.

Get your Rice on.

Make the Filling:
In a large skillet, brown Ground Beef.  Drain.  Stir in Taco Seasoning and Water.  Bring to a boil and simmer uncovered for 5 minutes.  Stir in rice and stir until liquid has evaporated.

Now, Assemble: 
Spread 2 tablespoons Refried Beans, 1/4 cup Beef Mixture and 1 tablespoon Cheese down the center of each Tortilla.  Roll it up and place it seam down in greased 9X13 inch pans.  Top with the Red Sauce and more Cheese.

Bake at 350 degrees for 20-25 minutes.  Serve hot with Salsa, Sour Cream and Cilantro. 

Madras Soup

This is a new category for the blog where I'm going to post some of my Best Ever recipes.  I really like to cook and bake and for the most part, am happy to eat anything!!  However, there are a few recipes that I've stumbled upon, been given or begged to have.  I'll update with pictures as I make them over the next few weeks.  I'm going to start with Madras Soup...so delicious and my friend Rebecca Haggett just facebooked me for the recipe! 

This was the house soup in the restaurant, My Place, in Smiths Falls.  It has the classic Indian curry taste with a bit of sweet.  Yum!  My quite persuasive and persistent Aunt begged for the recipe from the chef.  Enjoy!!

Madras Soup

Ingredients
1 cup finely chopped Onion
1 tablespoon Butter
1/2 cup chopped Celery
4 teaspoons Curry Powder
1 1/4 teaspoons Tumeric
1 1/4 teaspoons Coriander
4 cups Chicken Stock
1 can Coconut Milk
2 cups Whipping Cream
1 chopped Apple
1/2 cup plumped Raisins (soak in water)
1/2 cup shredded, unsweetened Coconut
1 can mango, drained and chopped
1 can apricots, drained and chopped
(Save juice from both cans)
2 T Corn Starch

Directions:
Saute onion in butter until soft.  Add celery and saute.  Add spices.  Mix well.  Add stock and coconut milk.  Stir to blend.

Add apples, raisins and coconut, cook until apples begin to soften.

Add mango and apricots and cook further until all fruit begins to soften.  Add cream and heat again.  Mix juice from mango and apricots with corn starch and add to soup.  Cook until thickened.

Mud

This is my youngest daughter, Bekah.  We went to the park last week where she found a mud puddle and had a great time dancing in it.  I watched, cringing a little but amazed how happy she was.  Who can be stressed about laundry when this is the pure joy mud can create?

I have realised I am a logical consequences mom.  I skimmed a great book, "Honey, I Screwed up the Kids" a couple of years ago and it just made sense.  Are all the fights you have with your kids worth it?  If they go out without a coat, what will happen?  They will get cold and want to wear the one I always have in the car or stroller.  So far, no hypothermia at my house.  What happens if they don't eat lunch?  They will eat a healthy snack an hour later.  Well fed kids in my house.  What will happen if they take a bath in a mud puddle? They'll be dirty and need a real bath....like Bekah did.

There is a time and a place and a need to choose fights with your kids.  When they're doing something unsafe, rude, or simply something I can't handle letting them do, I put my foot down.  I choose dumb fights too...I hate letting my two year old choose what to wear.  She has so many gorgeous clothes but always wants to wear things that don't match or aren't season appropriate.  Stupidly, I sometimes bully her into wearing what I want.

I really was the best parent ever before I had kids....