Baked Chimichangas

 The Chimichanga

   

 

 

chim-ee-chahng-guh;

a crisp, often deep-fried tortilla containing a spicy filling of pork, chicken, etc.,  

usually served as an appetizer with sour cream, green chili sauce, melted cheese, etc.

 

If your like me, I try to AVOID crispy dishes at Mexican restaurants. Normally, "crispy" anything when your at a restaurant means FRIED! I just always order something that doesn't sound crispy.... 'cause I know I'm going to get plenty of crispy in the basket of chips right in front of me :). I really do like chimichangas though!  

 

Occasionally I feel creative when it is time to cook dinner, and this night I did...

 

 ...And I wanted Mexican food.

First, I made the filling with shredded chicken (boiled in microwave, and shredded with forks), onions, salt, a bit of sour cream, and some orange and yellow bell peppers. 

Saute the onions and peppers together with some cumin (a couple sprinkles worth), when soft, mix the sour cream, chicken, onion and pepper, and salt in bowl. 

This time, I used store bought tortillas; Lately, I have been making my own. Fill your tortillas like a burrito with the chicken mixture and then throw some shredded cheese on before rolling it up. Place seam side down on your baking dish. 

Spray with some cooking spray and pop in the oven at 400 degrees for a few minutes. I really don't remember how long I baked them! I am kinda bad about just throwing stuff together and not paying attention to times and measuring. Basically, check them after 5 minutes to see if they are crispy. I was amazed at how crispy and light these turned out. I have tried brushing oil on, and had okay results... but spraying some cooking oil on the top really made a difference.

I added a salad like we would get in the restaurant. Shredded lettuce, tomatoes, a dollop of sour cream, and added some shredded cheese. The simple salad REALLY made me feel like I was at a restaurant!!

 

MMMMMMMM....... I think I'm going to make these tonight!

I've Got Sunshine

Spring is close! The minute we get a glimpse of that warmer weather to come, we try to head outdoors, or to a park. And what better time to play with my newish (used, but new to me) camera than when the sun is shining bright?!

Sweet baby girl Adelaide seems to love to climb and get in tight places. I was very intrigued by how she was winding herself up into this tunnel. She stayed there very content for several minutes. :)

It doesn't always happen, but it is getting more common for Lyla to play alongside Micah. They were enjoying playing a park version of bongo drums. Makes me smile :)

So I tend to be a people watcher... I just love to watch people live life! Apparently Micah is too. He is studying another park goer zip down the slide. I wonder what he is thinking??

...I could stare at that big brown eye and those big pink lips all day... 

...okay I'll move on.... 

...okay now...

Lyla was sure excited about getting to go down the slide with brother!! Micah... not so much.

 

Oh, how I love those babies.

Visitors!

Now that we are in our house, and it is mostly finished, I love having people over.

 I really enjoy our bar, where people can sit, laugh, and still be in close proximity.
One of my biggest dreams about being this is house was the ability to use it for fellowship. To make lots of memories with friends and family and just live life together! The super cold and snowy/icy weather has put a damper on getting to have lots of visitors, but oh just wait 'til Spring. Oh, and our unfinished stairs kinda puts a damper on that too. :)

A couple of weeks ago we had the Connerly clan over. Sarah and Daniel's twin boys are 18 months and very calm and sweet. However, we could see their very different personality's emerge in the short couple hours they were visiting. Micah was completely fascinated with the boys. He wasn't walking at this point yet, so he would pull up on Easton or Kellen, walk with them as they tried to get away, and then attempt to hug or kiss them. I suppose he needed some boy time!

The picture below, I thought, gave a good example of how the night went. HA! Micah wanting to explore the boys and how they were alike, and the boys ever so calmly letting him. I can't recall either one of them getting upset once; even while Micah was lovingly poking at theirs eyes. :) Sweet Sweet boys.

Sarah playing with Kellen here. He has such a cute giggle!

Giving Duke some loving. Going in for a hug here. 

All four! Learning how to share at the kitchen hot spot. :)

I said "Hi, Easton" and he so happily began waving and smiling big for me. Cute little guys :)

Amish White Bread

Okay,  I would LOVE to be one of those people who rarely go to the grocery store for food staples because said person makes or grows needed items at home. Well, let's just say, I'm working on it. Gardening is in my future this spring, and as for the winter; baking is always fun! So while at the food mart for my weekly food shopping, I didn't buy one loaf of bread... not one! I said to myself rather proudly (actually while I was making my food mart list) that I would make our own bread this week. :)

I have made wheat bread before, and knowing it is very dense, and does not rise very well, I knew I would make a white/wheat flour bread, and also try a white flour only bread. My wheat bread did as expected- dense and not big and fluffy. I didn't add enough white flour I suppose.

However, the white bread turned out rather nice! It actually reminded us of white bread from Subway. As I was making this bread, I realized I still haven't found my bread pan from the move, so I made hoagie rolls. Here is the recipe I used.

Amish White Bread:

2 cups warm water
2/3 cup white sugar (First try, this was WAY too much sugar. Next time I'll use about 1/3 a cup)
1 1/2 tablespoons active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup vegetable oil
6 cups bread flour

Dissolve sugar in the warm water. Stir in yeast and let sit until a foamy layer appears. Then add salt and oil. Mix in flour one cup at a time. Knead ten minutes then put in your bowl that has been prepared with Pam or oil. (so the bread wont get stuck to the bowl). Let the dough double in size. When doubled, punch it down, shape into loaves, or hoagie rolls, let rise another hour or so until double again. 

I baked my rolls at 350 degrees for 25 minutes. A loaf would take 5- 10 minutes longer.

There ya have it! This makes great sandwich bread. Soft, not too dense, fluffy... etc. 

I decided to make shredded chicken sandwiches out of our hoagie rolls. A little sauteed mushroom and onion, chicken, slice of cheese, lettuce, and tomato. Nice.