Mis Enchiladas Suizas Famosas

Once upon a time, when I was a BYU coed, I taught myself to cook. Mind you, I was raised in a foodie family and received my first cookbook at age 8 - but that was just messing around.

In college, I began to cook. Like, for sustenance. Or to impress that cute guy I had my eye on (way to a man's heart, right?). Well, my ploy to snag a hubby through culinary prowess obviously hasn't paid off, but in the meantime, I've amassed a pretty decent repertoire of recipes, ranging from easy-peasy casseroles to gourmet awesomeness (ummm, pear-and-shallot-stuffed pork loin in a Port wine-fig reduction sauce, anyone? Holla!).

This recipe is one of my mid-range favorites. It was my go-to "impress That Guy" recipe in college, but I've moved onto more daring recipes, and this one's become a favored comfort food. The assembly process takes some skill, since you have to let the tortillas soak in the salsa long enough to get soft (so as to not crack when you fold) but not for too long (in which case they fall apart). And be prepared for messiness in this stage, too. Truth be told, if either of those extremes happens, whatever. You're going to slather them in sauce and cheese, so no one will be the wiser, right?

So, without further adieu, I give you my enchiladas suizas recipe (for which I can't take credit - my stepmom found it from the LA Times. I've just given it exposure!).

Enchiladas Suizas Deliciosas
* 1 large can green sauce (preferred brand: Juanita's or Juanas) - by the way, this never leaves me with enough for on top, so I always grab an additional small can for that. Your choice.
* 3 c. loosely packed shredded, cooked chicken
* 3 1/2 c. grated Swiss cheese, divided [or a lil' more if you like lots of cheese]
* 1 1/4 c. sour cream
* 1/2 c. chopped cilantro
* 8 corn tortillas [whatever, I usually stretch the filling for 10]

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Combine chicken, 2 1/4 c. cheese, 3/4+ c. sour cream, and all but 2 Tbsp. cilantro. Add 1 1/2 c. sauce. Pour remaining sauce into frying pan; barely simmer.

Soften tortillas in sauce, one by one (about 45 seconds). Stack finished tortillas on plate. [Honestly, I find it easier to just assemble the enchiladas as you go than to stack the tortillas - they get too mushy and messy that way!] Fill each tortilla with about 1/2 c. of chicken mixture and roll up.

Place side by side in a 9x13 pan. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese [I always do this liberally!]. Bake uncovered at 400 degrees until sauce is bubbling and cheese has melted and browned slightly, about 25 minutes.

Serve with remaining sour cream and cilantro - and be ready for some mouth-watering awesomeness!!!

If you want a tasty side dish, I recommend my friend Mishy's Spicy Black Beans from her cooking blog, The Enchanted Spoon. They're easy to whip up and sooooo delicious. Just be careful if you want to double the recipe - it took more than double the cooking time for the liquid to reduce. Single batch is easy as written, though.

Enjoy!!!

California, Here I (Almost) Come!

Okay, so I don't go to California yet... but it's only a mere 59 1/2 hours 'til my feet walk down the JetBlue ramp in Long Beach.

Not that I'm counting.

Currently it is -3 degrees outside of my office - and with wind chill, it's more like -10. That's simply inhumane!!! Seriously, friends, I can't even imagine how tropical and warm this weekend's forecasted 75 degrees and California sunshine will feel. This trip is coming in just the nick of time!

And, with that, here are a few reasons (in no particular order) why I am counting the time until I'm home once more:

• Insanely good Mexican food - calamari tacos from Taco Mesa, anyone?
  
  
• Visiting my cute lil' Newport Beach Temple
  
  
• Hanging out in La Crescenta / La Canada with my besties (who managed to plan trips home at the same time!)
• Spending time with my family. Especially the dogs. I love the people too, don't get me wrong - but you just can't connect with dogs via the phone / texting / GChat / Facebook like you can with the people!



• Seeing so many of my wonderful California friends, many of whom are still among my favorite people on the planet



• Shopping at H&M



• THE BEACH!!! I can't wait to spend some time in Laguna and/or San Clemente!
  
  
• Cruising PCH - pretty sure I'm trying for a rental with a sunroof!
• Coffee Bean & Tea Leaf - the Pure Chocolate is pure heaven


• Getting a new pair of Rainbows *finally*

and... really... just

• Basking in the beauty and awesome vibe of my home state

Think I'm homesick much?! :P The last few weeks have been insanely busy with work, Sundance, PT, GRE prep, etc. that I feel like I've really earned a purely R&R sort of weekend. Oh, friends, the next 59 1/2 hours cannot go fast enough!