Southwest Eggrolls

I've been meaning to make this recipe for quite some time and I finally got around to it this past weekend.  I'm glad I did, because these little eggrolls are delicious!  They even tasted great as a leftovers the next day!  I left out the cayenne pepper because I don't like my food too spicy.

For the egg rolls:
2 cups frozen corn, thawed
1-15 oz can black beans, rinsed and drained
1-9 oz package frozen chopped spinach, thawed and squeezed dry with paper towel
2 cups shredded Mexican cheese
1-7oz can diced green chiles, drained
4 green onions, finely chopped
1 tsp ground cumin
1/2 tsp chili powder
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1 package of egg roll or wonton wrappers

Preheat oven to 425F. Line 2 baking sheets with aluminum foil and spray lightly with cooking spray.

In a large bowl mix together corn, beans, spinach, cheese, chiles, onions, cumin, chili powder, salt and cayenne pepper. Using a small spoon, scoop a small amount of filling onto the wrapper. Starting at a corner, carefully start to roll the wrapper. When it’s slightly rolled, tuck in the two side and continue rolling to the last point. Wet your finger with water and dab a bit on the corner to seal the egg roll. Repeat with remaining wrappers and filling, placing them slightly apart on the baking sheet.

Lightly spray the tops of the egg rolls with cooking spray and bake for 15 minutes, flipping them at least once during baking.

For avocado ranch:
3/8 cup mayonnaise
3/8 cup sour cream
3 Tbs buttermilk
1/2 Tbs olive oil
1/2 Tbs lemon juice
1/2 green onion, chopped
1/4 tsp salt
1 avocado, peeled and pitted

Place all ingredients in a blender and pulse until smooth. Use immediately.

Mexican Bean Dip

This is for you Emily!

1 can of refried beans
1-2 ripe avocados, remove seed and skin and completely smash the fruit, add a little lime juice (lemon works too)
1/2-2/3 cup sour cream mixed with a tbsp. or so of taco seasoning (start slow, taste it, you can always add more)
1-2 cups shredded cheese
2 finely diced tomatoes
sliced olives
finely sliced green onions or chives (I prefer chives, less of an aftertaste)

Spread in order listed above on a dinner sized plate or small platter.  Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!

Sour Cream Enchiladas

Hey Emily, this is for you! Enjoy!

This is my dear friend Alison's recipe! I've been making it for years (since college) and it's so delicious. And yes, you can use rabbit meat instead of chicken meat(see comments)- Alison and I did just that once--in college. It was still delicious. So if you don't have any chicken handy, rabbit it a great option. My husband won't allow it though, so we're sticking with chicken these days!

8 oz. sour cream
2 cans cream of chicken soup
2 cups cooked, cubed or shredded chicken
1 can of chopped green chili peppers
12-16 corn tortillas
Monteray Jack cheese (cheddar and colby jack works great too)

Mix the sour cream, cream of chicken soup, and chili peppers together. Put some of the mixture in the bottom of a 9x13 pan. Reserve a small amount of the mixture to cover the tortillas with before baking. Spray tortillas lightly with Pam spray and heat several at a time for 30-45 seconds in the microwave until just warm and easy to bend. Add chicken to the cream mixture and stir well. Put a few tablespoons of the mixture and some shredded cheese in each tortilla shell, roll up, then place in pan. Cover tortillas with remaining cream mixture and a little shredded cheese. Bake at 350 degrees for 20-30 minutes until sauce begins to boil. Serve with salsa.

Chile Lime Chicken Tacos/Tostadas

I found this yummy recipe on Real Mom Kitchen and it looked delicious, so I gave it a try and it was super yummy!

• 1 can diced green chilies
• 4 cloves of minced garlic
• 1 1/2 Tbsp. chili powder (I was nervous and used only about 1 tbsp.)
  
• 3 Tbsp. lime juice
• 1 diced medium onion
• 2 lbs. boneless chicken breasts
• 1 can fat free refried beans, warmed
• 10 tostada shells
• Desired toppings such as: shredded lettuce, shredded cheese, salsa, light sour cream, sliced olives, guacamole

1. Add chicken and onion to a slow cooker that is at least 3 1/2 quarts.
2. In a bowl combine green chilies, garlic, chili powder, and lime juice. Pour over chicken.
3. Cover and cook on low for 5 to 6 hours.
4. Remove chicken from slow cooker and shred. Mix in 1/2 cup of juice remaining in slow cooker to the shredded chicken.
5. Spread warmed refried beans on tostada shells.
6. Top with hot chicken mixture and any other desired toppings.

Fresh Tomato Salsa

Thanks to my Aunt Deanne for this delicious salsa recipe!

Makes about 1 quart

3 large tomatoes, peeled and chopped (approx. 3 cups) or 1 15 oz. can of diced tomatoes
1/4 red onion
1 large green pepper
1 Jalapeno pepper, seeded
1 tbsp. sugar
1 tsp. salt
3-4 tsp. fresh cilantro
2 tbsp. fresh lime juice
1 tbsp. red wine vinegar
1/2 tsp. cumin
3/4 tsp. chili powder
1 8 oz. can of tomato sauce (optional- if using canned tomatoes)

Chop or blend all ingredients in the blender. Serve with your favorite tortilla chips and enjoy!

Pollo Durango

This is a delicious chicken dish from a fabulous local restaurant Cafe Sabor. It's fast and easy and tastes fantastic!

2 medium chicken breasts sliced
1 cup sliced mushrooms
1/2 cup monterey jack cheese
1/2 cup fat free sour cream
3/4 cup tomatillo enchilada sauce (I couldn't find any of this- instead I mixed 1/4 cup mild green chili sauce with 1/2 cup canned crushed tomatillos)

Cook chicken and mushroom in a buttered pan. Drain grease off chicken and add remaining ingredients. Cook til creamy. Add a pinch of cilantro. Serve on a tortilla shell. This tastes great with other Mexican foods like beans, rice, and tortilla chips as well.