March 13, 2013

Enchiladas Calabacitas


Ingredients:
2 Tbl oil (canola or olive)

1 medium yellow onion diced
1 medium zucchini diced

1 medium yellow squash diced
1 cup corn (I usually use TJ’s frozen sweet corn)

1 cup black beans (optional)
1 can diced green chiles

1 can sliced black olives (optional)
1-2 cups sharp cheddar cheese shredded (I prefer the white cheddar, but it doesn’t really matter)

Corn tortillas
Green enchilada sauce (1-2 cans, target store brand is our favorite or homemade)

Directions:
Preheat oven to 350 degrees

Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat and add the diced onion. Once they are soft add the diced zucchini. Once the zucchini is a bit soft add the yellow squash. Cook until all the vegetables are soft, and then add the corn and black beans (optional). Add the green chiles and cook until everything is warm. Remove from heat.
In a 9x13 pan prepare the enchiladas. I like to fry my tortillas on one side before assembling (or you can just steam them) and then adding the cheese first while they are hot, then a big scoop of the calabacitas and finally a small spoonful of the enchilada sauce. Roll tortilla and place in the pan. Once pan is full, pour enough enchilada sauce to coat each tortilla and sprinkle cheese and olives (optional) over the top and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the cheese is melted.

Warning: the tortillas may fall apart when they are served depending on how crispy you cooked them. They may not look as pretty, but they will still taste just as good!

March 3, 2013

Vegetarian Pad Thai



12 oz dried flat rice noodles (banh pho)
1 tsp tamarind concentrate (found at Wholefoods)
½ c soy sauce
¼ c packed light brown sugar
2 Tbl Sriracha
1 bunch scallions, dark green part removed and chopped
4 large shallots, thinly sliced
1 c peanut or canola oil
6 large eggs
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
2 c bean sprouts
½ c roasted peanuts, finely chopped

Soak noodles in a large bowl of warm water until soft, 25-30 minutes. Drain well in a colander and cover with a dampened paper towel.

 Meanwhile, make sauce by combining tamarind, soy sauce, brown sugar and Sriracha. Stir until combined.

 Heat oil in wok over medium heat until hot, then fry half of the chopped shallots over medium-low heat, stirring frequently, until golden brown, 8-12 minutes. Carefully strain mixture through a sieve into a heatproof bowl. Reserve shallot oil and spread fried shallots on paper towels. Wipe wok clean.

Lightly beat eggs with ¼ tsp salt. Heat 2 Tbl shallot oil in wok over high heat until shimmering. Add eggs and swirl to coat side of wok, then cook, stirring gently with a spatula, until cooked through. Break into chunks with spatula and transfer to plate.

Heat wok until a drop of water evaporates instantly. Pour in 6 Tbl shallot oil, then swirl to coat side of wok. Stir-fry scallions, garlic, and remaining uncooked shallots until softened, about 1 minute.

Add noodles and stir-fry over medium heat for 3 minutes. Add bean sprouts and 1 ½ c sauce and simmer, turning noodles over to absorb sauce evenly, until noodles are tender, about 2 minutes.

Stir-in additional sauce if desired, then stir in eggs and transfer to large shallow serving dish.

Sprinkle pad Thai with peanuts and fried shallots and serve with lime wedges, cilantro springs and Sriracha.