Chicken Enchiladas with Tomatillo Sauce

chicken-enchiladas-with-tomatillo-sauce

My whole family loves these enchiladas filled with smoky shredded chicken and cheddar cheese in a tangy tomatillo sauce. They’re lighter and fresher than the enchiladas served in most Mexican restaurants, especially when you top them with crisp shredded romaine, sour cream and sliced avocado. I’ll be honest, they take a bit of time to make. But the good news is that you can make the sauce and filling ahead of time, then assemble and bake the enchiladas another time for a quick and easy weeknight meal.

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Strawberry Frozen Yogurt

strawberry-frozen-yogurt

I know one cannot own every conceivable kitchen appliance, but if you can find an excuse to buy an ice cream machine, just go for it. They’re relatively inexpensive and you’ll be forever amazed at how much better your ice cream and frozen yogurt will be. This recipe, modestly adapted from David Lebovitz’s The Perfect Scoop, is proof of that. It bears no resemblance to store-bought frozen yogurt or the imitation ice cream served at most froyo shops. Instead, it tastes intensely of fresh strawberries — almost like a cross between strawberry frozen yogurt and strawberry sorbet.

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Creamy Zucchini, Walnut and Dill Soup

creamy-zucchini-dill-soup

May marks the start of zucchini season but I love this silky puréed soup anytime of year. It’s surprisingly healthy — there’s no heavy cream or dairy in it, just a handful of toasted walnuts to thicken it up. I like to serve it warm in the spring while there’s still a chill in the air, and cool in the summer once the weather heats up.

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Nigella Lawson’s Party Popcorn

spiced-popcorn

Leave it to Nigella. I used to love my popcorn topped with just a little butter and salt but now that I’ve had her “Party Popcorn,” I don’t want it any other way. Slightly sweet, salty and spiced with an exotic blend of cinnamon, cumin and paprika, this stuff is downright habit-forming. 

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Ginger, Garlic & Chili Shrimp

Ginger-Garlic-Chili-Shrimp

In this quick and easy recipe — adapted from The Splendid Table’s How To Eat Supper by Lynne Rossetto Kasper and Sally Swift  — jumbo shrimp are bathed in a brine flavored with salt, sugar and chili powder, and then sautéed with loads of fresh ginger and garlic. It’s a delicious and flavorful dish that appeals to kids and adults alike. In fact, the recipe headnote reads: “If there is one recipe in this book that is guaranteed to have your family moaning with gratitude, this is it. After eating these shrimp, a five-year-old has been known to say, ‘Wow, Mom, thanks!’ And they’ve driven a grown woman to shamelessly lick her plate—in front of everyone.” (Thanks to my friend, Kim Cohen, for sharing the recipe with me!)

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