Sour Cream Chicken Enchiladas

by Becca Robinson // September 4, 2014 // No Comments

I know that there have been a few different versions of enchiladas posted on the Mormon Mavens blog, but this is my version and it is also one of my favorite freezer meals. I usually make 3 or 4 pans at a time and freeze a couple.
This recipe is a take on my mom’s enchiladas that I LOVED eating as a kid. I simplified the recipe to make it fit my lifestyle more. I do not cook the sauce and I do not combine the sauce and the chicken like my mom does.

Also note-almost everything in this recipe is APPROXIMATIONS. I know that is horrible for a food blog, but, I have never used a measuring cup or spoon when I make this. Just tweak it to your liking!

2 Chicken breasts cooked and chopped (I broil mine sprinkled with garlic salt, cumin, chili powder, lime juice and oil.)
2-3 Cups shredded cheese (mont jack, colby jack, mexican blend, whatever you prefer.)Flour tortillas-soft taco size

Sauce:
Saute in a pan til soft, 1 onion-chopped and one garlic clove minced
2 cans cream of mushroom soup
1 to 2 C. sour cream
1/2 to 1 C. salsa
1 can diced green chilies
1/4 to 1/2 C. green salsa (I only add this if I have it on hand)

A couple or a few shakes of hot sauce

A few shakes of chili powder

A few shakes of cumin

Just mix all the ingredients for the sauce in a big bowl.

Lay out a 9x13in. pan, your tortillas, your chopped chicken, your sauce and your cheese . You can add the shredded cheese to the sauce (reserving a bit to sprinkle over the top) if you want to skip a step.

Put a blob of sauce in the bottom of your pan and spread around. Then get to filling and rolling your tortillas. NOTE: Make sure you do NOT use all your sauce on the inside of the tortillas, you want some left to spread over the top of all the rolled enchiladas.

Sprinkle a small handful of chicken in the middle of the tortilla, put a blob of sauce on there and a sprinkle of cheese, then roll up. Place in the pan, seam side down. Continue this step until your pan is full (I can normally get about 10 in there) I squeeze them in there.

Place the rest of the sauce on the top of the enchiladas and spread around, making sure to get all the tortillas covered. Then sprinkle a little more cheese on top. You can cover and freeze them like this or you can just bake them right away.

Cover with foil and bake for about 20-30 mins in a 350 degree oven. Remove the foil and bake another 10 mins or so, til the edges are bubbly.

If you freeze them, just cook them at about 350, covered, for a couple hours until the center is warm and the edges are bubbly.

Serve with Rice, beans, shredded lettuce, guacamole, sour cream, salsa, chopped olives, and whatever else you like.

Itty Bitty Pancake Muffins

by Julie // September 1, 2014 // No Comments

It’s time for us to share some freezer meals on Mormon Mavens in the Kitchen! I mean, it’s back-to-school season and we are all pressed for time with all the added stresses that entails. So how about we take the next couple o’ weeks and share some of our favorite freezer-friendly recipes with you?

I chose to share a breakfast freezer recipe. Pancakes? Well, not exactly. These are pancakes disguised as muffins! Make a big batch ahead of time, cool, freeze, and take them out the night before to thaw. Serve with warmed maple syrup and you’ve got a great breakfast treat without having to get up early!

Itty Bitty Pancake Muffins

Ingredients:

3 cups flour

1 Tbsp. baking powder

1/4 cup sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

2 1/2 cups milk

1 Tbsp. white vinegar

2 eggs

1 Tbsp. vanilla extract

4 Tbsp. butter, melted

blueberries or chocolate chips, optional

warmed maple syrup for serving

1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Combine dry ingredients and whisk well to combine.

2. Combine milk and vinegar and allow to sit for one minute. Then whisk in the eggs and the vanilla.

3. Pour the wet mix into the dry mix and mix by hand until just combined. Then added the melted butter adn stir to combine. (Add more milk if batter is too thick, more flour if it is too runny.)

4. Spray a mini-muffin tin with baking spray and fill cups only 2/3 full. Then top with 3 blueberries or a few chocolate chips (I use maxi chips, so I only need 3 chips).

5. Bake for 8-10 minutes. Tops don’t really brown much, but the sides do. Let them sit in the pan for a minute or two and then take them out of the pan. I use a plain ol’ cereal spoon for this. I run it around the edge and then the muffin scoops out easily!

To freeze, just let them cool completely and then place them into a freezer bag in one layer, flat. Seal the bag almost all the way and then use a drinking straw to suck out as much air as you can. Seal, date, and freeze. Use within a few weeks to avoid freezer burn.

Source: very slightly adapted from The Pioneer Woman

Barbacoa Pork Taquitos

by Becca Robinson // March 20, 2014 // No Comments

This recipe is a combination of 2 of my family’s favorites.

Cafe Rio Pork and Baked Creamy Chicken Taquitos

One of my favorite things is a barbacoa pork quesadilla. It is what I order if I ever go to Cafe Rio. It’s made with sweet pork and colby jack cheese. It’s what I make when I cook my own sweet pork at home.

One day I had a light bulb go off in my head and decided to make my favorite taquitos with the pork and colby jack, rather than chicken and pepper jack.

Barbacoa Pork Taquitos

1/3 C. (3 oz) cream cheese
1/4 C. green salsa
1 Tbsp. fresh lime juice
1/2 tsp. cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1/2 tsp. onion powder
1/4 tsp. granulated garlic, or garlic powder
3 Tbsp. chopped cilantro
2 Tbsp. sliced green onions
2 C. prepared Barbacoa Pork
1 C. grated colbyjack cheese
small flour tortillas
kosher salt
cooking spray

Heat oven to 425. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly coat with cooking spray. Heat cream cheese in the microwave for about 20-30 seconds so it’s soft and easy to stir. Add green salsa, lime juice, cumin, chili powder, onion powder and granulated garlic. Stir to combine and then add cilantro and green onions. Add pork and cheese and combine well. (You can prepare up to this step ahead of time. Just keep the mixture in the fridge.)

Place 2-3 T of pork mixture on the lower third of a tortilla, keeping it about 1/2 inch from the edges. Roll up tortillas and place seam down on a baking sheet, not touching one another. Spray lightly with cooking spray, or lightly brush with olive oil and sprinkle lightly with kosher salt. Place pan in oven and bake for 15-20 minutes or until crisp and the ends start to get golden brown. Remove from oven and let cool slightly before serving. Serve with sour cream, guacamole, or your favorite dipping sauce.

I normally triple this recipe and freeze a bunch. Just fill and roll your tortillas and place them on your baking sheet. Omit the spray and salt. Place the baking sheet in the freezer until the taquitos are frozen. Then transfer them to a plastic freezer bag. To cook them, just put them on a baking sheet and bake at 425 for about 25 mins.

Beef and Broccoli Pie

by Jennifer Barber // February 12, 2014 // No Comments

My wonderful Mother-In-Law gave me a huge recipe book for Christmas a couple of years ago. I am slowly working my way through it because it is filled with recipes from some of the best cooks I know. We tried this one out last week and really liked it! It was easy to double the recipe and have one to freeze. Hope you like it as well!

Beef and Broccoli Pie

Ingredients:

1 lb. ground beef
1/4 c chopped onion
2 T. flour
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. garlic salt
1 1/4 c. milk
3 oz. soft cream cheese
1 beaten egg
10 oz. cooked chopped broccoli florets, drained
pastry for 2-9″ pies
4 oz. Monterey Jack Cheese

Directions:

Brown beef and onion. Drain fat. Stir in flour, salt, garlic salt. Add milk and cream cheese. Cook until smooth and bubbly. Add a small amt of mixture to the egg to temper. Return egg mixture to skillet. Cook until thick (1-2 min). Stir in cooked broccoli. Line pie plate with half of pastry. Pour mixture inside, top with cheese. Cover with other pastry and seal edges. Perforate top and brush with milk. Bake at 350 for 40-45 minutes. Let stand 10 min before serving.

Source: Anne Judd

Easy Whole Wheat Waffles (Dairy Free)

by Audrey Miller // January 17, 2014 // No Comments

I have used this recipe for 12 years because it is so simple and easy! My kids love it with frozen berries and hot syrup on top (We usually make our own syrup).

3 Cups Whole Wheat Flour
1 1/2 Tbl. Baking Powder
1 Tsp. Salt
1/4 Cup Oil (I use EVOO and we like it but if that doesn’t fit your taste buds another healthy alternative is Coconut Oil)
3 Eggs
3 Cups Water

If you like your waffles a little sweet you can add:
A squeeze of honey (I probably use about 2 tsp. worth), or one mashed Banana

Mix all ingredients together and cook in greased waffle iron. Serve hot.

How To Make Melissa’s Yummy Cinnamon Rolls – Photo Tutorial

by Melissa Coombs // December 16, 2013 // No Comments

I originally posted this on my own blog, but wanted to share it here also since so many people are enjoying this recipe! Perfect for Christmas morning, or to take to Christmas parties! I promise they are easy to make, and they are sooooo delicious!

(I know this picture is obnoxiously large, but I wanted you to be able to get up close and personal with these cinnamon rolls. ha! ha!)

1. Start with the 30 Minute Roll Recipe
Note: This recipe makes about 50 cinnamon rolls! You might want to half the recipe!

Mix and rest 10 minutes:

3 ½ cups warm water

¾ cup sugar (OR 1/2 cup honey)

1 cup oil

6 TBSP Yeast (Less yeast may be used, but rising time will be longer)

Add:

1 TBSP Salt

3 eggs (can use egg powder and water)

10 ½ cups flour (wheat flour turns out really light and fluffy)

Mix in mixer or knead. Shape into rolls. Raise 10 minutes. *Bake at 425° for 10-12 minutes or until done.

2. Here’s How to “Shape into Rolls”

Cut dough in half. Roll out one of the sections into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick (or so!) Spread soft or melted butter over the dough. Spread a mixture of brown sugar and cinnamon over the butter. (I use about 4 cups of brown sugar to 3-4 TBSP of cinnamon. I go heavy on the cinnamon and never really measure. I just dump it in until it taste the way I want it to.) Roll up. Cut into 1 inch sections and place on cookie sheet. Let rise for about 10 minutes or so. Repeat with other section of dough, or just make them into dinner rolls.

*I prefer to bake them at 375 degrees until they are starting to lightly brown and dough is done in the middle. Take out of oven and let cool for about 5 minutes or so. Spread on or drizzle on the frosting.

Photo Tutorial:

Start off by shaping the dough roughly into a rectangle.

Roll out the dough about 1/4″ thick. This will take practice.

Spread soft or melted butter over dough.

Put cinnamon sugar on the dough.

Spread it out smoothly – feel free to use your hands.

Roll up the dough.

Cut into 1 inch slices.

Place them neatly on a cookie sheet and let them rise. This is a “jelly roll pan”, which is half of a sheet cake. You can put them on smaller pans that just hold 12 cinnamon rolls.

Bake them in the oven and look how beautiful they are!

Oh. My. Yumminess!

Spread on your cream cheese frosting. (Recipe below)

I wish you could smell these and taste them! Make some! YUM!!!!

3. Here’s How to Make the Frosting

Okay, I have to admit that I never measure! But here is an estimate….Soften about 8 oz of cream cheese and 3 tablespoon of butter in a large plastic bowl. Add 3-4 cups powdered sugar, 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract, and a few (maybe 4??) tablespoons of milk. Mix with hand mixer…you may need to add more milk or powdered sugar to get the right consistency you like. I like it kinda thin like a cake batter, not thick like cake icing.

4. Enjoy!

Eat immediately with a glass of milk and enjoy! They are good for a few days, but you will want to warm them up for about 8 seconds in the microwave!

Turkey Pot Pie

by Becca Robinson // December 13, 2013 // No Comments

I found this recipe on Allrecipes a few years back. It is one of our favorites and a great way to use up turkey leftovers. As I have said before, I tend to be a home made pie crust snob, but when it comes down to it, buying store bought pie dough just makes things so much easier.

Turkey Pot Pie

1 recipe for a double crust pie
4 tablespoons butter, divided
1 small onion, minced
2 stalks celery, chopped
2 carrots, diced
3 tablespoons dried parsley
1 teaspoon dried oregano (or any other dried herbs. I use thyme and basil sometimes.)
salt and pepper to taste
2 cubes chicken bouillon (or equivalent of chicken base or stock, etc.)
2 cups water
2 potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 1/2 cups cubed cooked turkey
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/2 cup milk

Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Roll out bottom pie crust, press into a 10 inch pie pan, and set aside.

Melt 2 tablespoons butter in a large skillet over medium heat; add the onion, celery, carrots, parsley, oregano, and salt and pepper. Cook and stir until the vegetables are soft. Stir in the bouillon and water. Bring mixture to a boil. Stir in the potatoes, and cook until tender but still firm.

In a medium saucepan, melt the remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Stir in the turkey and flour. Add the milk, and heat through. Stir the turkey mixture into the vegetable mixture, and cook until thickened. Cool slightly, then pour mixture into the unbaked pie shell. Roll out the top crust, and place on top of filling. Flute edges, and make 4 slits in the top crust to let out steam.

Bake in the preheated oven for 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C), and continue baking for 20 minutes, or until crust is golden brown.

3 Layer Ice Cream Cake

by Melissa Coombs // November 18, 2013 // 4 Comments

This is the most awesome ice cream cake, and it’s so easy to make! You have to try this!

Ingredients:
1 pack of Oreos
3 quarts of your favorite ice cream
1 box ice cream sandwiches – keep in freezer until ready to use
Cool Whip

Instructions:
1. You will need a springform pan. Spray the pan with non-stick cooking spray. Cut strips of wax paper to line the pan. The spray will help the wax paper stick to the pan.

2.. Put about half of the Oreos in a blender and blend to make fine crumbs, or small chunks, whichever you prefer. (You can also put the Oreos in a bowl or zip lock bag and crush with a wooden mallet. Sometimes I use the bottom of a drinking glass and gently tap to break the cookies into small pieces.) Save a tablespoon of crumbs or chunks to sprinkle on top of the final layer. Add a little water to your crushed Oreos so that they stick together a bit and you can press them into the bottom of your springform pan. I used a little too much water by accident and made almost an Oreo brownie. : ) It was good, but I prefer the bottom more crumbly instead of gooey.

3. Cut several ice cream sandwiches into 4ths like the picture shows. You will need enough to line the whole pan. That will depend on the size of your springform pan. I used about 8 ice cream sandwiches for mine. I personally like the WalMart brand better than some of the name brands I have tried.They have a good shape and texture for this. It’s a messy job, so be prepared to ruin a few and eat them.

4. Line the pan with the pieces of ice cream sandwich. Make sure the outside rounded edge of the icecream sandwich is facing up and against the pan. This will be what everyone sees when you take off the springform pan, so try to make it pretty.

5. Scoop out about 3/4 of the ice cream for your first layer and put into a bowl. The whole quart would be too much. If you have a smaller springform pan, then maybe half of it would do…I have bought the fancy pints of ice cream for making these in a smaller springform pan. Stir the ice cream until soft and smooth. We have been known to add chunks of brownie, nuts, huge Oreo chunks, or whatever we are craving in each layer! Yum! Pour into pan. You may want to put it in the freezer for 15-30 minutes or so to let that layer get firm. if you don’t, your layers will not be straight.

6. Repeat step 5 for the 2nd layer.

7. Repeat step 5 for the 3rd layer.

8. Spread Cool Whip over the top. Try to make it look pretty. I make little peaks on mine by using the back of the spoon. I can’t explain that…just try to make it look pretty. : )

9. Sprinkle some Oreo crumbs on the top. This is as creative as I get, but I’m sure you could add some special touches to make it look really pretty.

10. Put it in the freezer and let it freeze hard for 24 hours. Every time I have made it in the morning and tried to serve it that night, it was not frozen enough and it was more of a blob than beautiful layers. Take out of freezer and remove the outside of the springform pan and the wax paper. Cut and serve! Everyone will love it! : )

Notes:

1. I did not freeze each layer before I added the next because I was trying to hurry, and I ended up with waves of color and not exact layers. (See picture below.) No one cared though and we ate every last bite of this!

2. My favorite one I have made had pink, white and green layers. The colors were beautiful with the Oreo bottom and the Cool Whip topping. I used a strawberry ice cream, but the ice cream was white, so we added a drop or two of red food coloring to make it pink. Then we used a vanilla bean vanilla ice cream for the middle. For the 3rd layer, we used a mint chocolate chip ice cream, but the ice cream was white, so we added a few drops of green food coloring. It was stunning and the flavors were amazing!

3. Feel free to add cookie pieces, brownie chunks, nuts, mini marshmallows, or whatever you like in your ice cream!

Chicken Tortellini

by Jennifer Barber // August 28, 2013 // 5 Comments

A friend made this for me years ago and we all instantly fell in love! Creamy, flavorful, hearty, it is comfort food at its finest. It freezes very well, so it is a great one to take to neighbors who need a meal or to make ahead for yourself. I prefer using frozen tortellini over dried, I think it is more tender. Enjoy!

Chicken Tortellini

5 T. margarine or butter
6 T. flour
3 C. chicken broth
1 C. light cream or milk
1 tsp salt
Pepper to taste
Dash nutmeg
7 C. cooked tortellini
1 C. cooked chicken, diced (I use one breast)
1/2 C. parmesan cheese
1 C. mozarella cheese

Combine chicken and tortellini in a 9×13 pan, set aside. In a medium saucepan, melt butter, blend in flour and cook for one minute. Stir broth into mixture; add cream or milk and cook until mixture thickens and bubbles. Add salt, pepper, and nutmeg. Pour sauce over chicken and pasta; Sprinkle cheeses over the top. Bake at 350 for 20 minutes until bubbly and golden. I like to broil it for a minute or two at the end to give the cheese a nice brown crust. You can obviously add more cheese to your taste.

Source: Katie Konold

Frozen Grapes

by Audrey Miller // July 5, 2013 // No Comments

I am one of those moms….you know the ones that don’t like high fructose corn syrup, food dye, ….etc. So we usually don’t have Popsicle in our home unless they are homemade. I don’t know why but homemade sometimes just seems like too much work, so I found an easier way. Frozen Grapes! They have a wonderful icy crunch, are prefect for those hot days, and super easy!

Wash Grapes well (I use food wash for grapes to get off all the pesticides)

Pull off the vine and place individually on a cookie sheet

Freeze

It is that easy. Once mine have frozen (I usually leave them in for 3 hours), I put them in a zip lock bag to save space in my freezer. Enjoy!