Mexican Lasagna {recipe}

This should really be called enchilada casserole or something - it tastes like enchiladas, except with added veggies - delicious!  I love myself some good Mexican food.

I made this for my family last night and I think it turned out pretty delicious.  In fact, I'm already thinking about the leftovers for lunch today.  :)  I didn't adjust the recipe very much, but the one thing I did do is add a can of tomato sauce.  I just felt like there wasn't enough sauce.  And with all the tortillas, I didn't want it to be dry. 

I will definitely be adding this to our 'rotation' of meals - I can't wait to make it for my husband!

Mexican Lasagna
adapted from My Kitchen Addiction

Sauce--

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 4 cloves garlic, minced
• 28 oz crushed tomatoes
• 8 oz  tomato sauce
• 2 tablespoons chili powder
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• Salt, to taste

  Filling--

• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 yellow squash, diced
• 1 bell pepper, diced
• 1 jalapeno, minced
• 1 can of corn
• 3 cups cooked & shredded chicken
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste

 Other-- 

• 12 (roughly) corn or flour tortillas
• 8 oz shredded cheddar cheese
• Sour cream, optional
• Guacamole, optional 

Preheat the oven to 375°F. Spray a 9 by 13-inch baking dish with cooking spray and set aside.


To prepare the sauce, heat the olive oil and garlic in a sauce pan over medium heat until the garlic becomes golden and fragrant.  Add the crushed tomatoes and spices, and stir to combine. Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer while you prepare the filling. Season to taste with the Kosher salt before using the sauce in the lasagna.


Meanwhile, prepare the filling by heating the olive oil in a large skillet (or saute pan) over medium heat. Add in the onion, squash, bell pepper, and jalapeño.  Saute the vegetables until tender. Add in the corn and saute for another minute.  In  separate mixing bowl, combine the shredded chicken and cilantro.  Add in the sauteed vegetables and season with salt and pepper. 


To assemble the lasagna, spread a layer of sauce on the bottom of the prepared baking dish.  Top with a layer of tortillas.  On top of the tortillas, spread half of the filling. Top the filling with cheese and another layer of sauce. Repeat the layers of tortillas, filling, cheese, and sauce. Finally, top the lasagna with a final layer of tortillas, sauce, and cheese.


Bake uncovered for about 30 minutes until bubbly. Allow the lasagna to rest for at least 10 minutes prior to serving. If desired, serve topped with sour cream and guacamole.


Want to print out the recipe?  Here is the printable version.

guest post on Clara's birthday

Oh I know it's been just about forever since I posted, or so it feels like it.  I have been super BUSY with my Etsy shop, Clara's birthday, and my photography.  However, I did get a chance to write my very first guest post over at Modern Mommyhood on Clara's little party.  We had a BIG surprise that day - go read to find out what it was!  Oh, there are lots of pretty pictures too.  :)

fun in the sun.

Clara is definitely our little fishy.  She loves to splish and splash in the pool.  The pool she has now has a small hole in it, so it doesn't last long.. but we made it last long enough for her to have some fun in it this past weekend! 

Those blue eyes make my heart melt over and over again every day.  :)

And that hat?  Seriously, it kills me. 

sippy success

For the longest time Clara wanted NOTHING to do with her sippy cup.

Nothing.  Nada.  She pushed it away every time I'd set it anywhere near her.

Finally, a little over a month ago, she started drinking from the sippy.  Poof, one day she just magically decided 'I like this thing!'  Babies are so funny like that.  She loves her juice now - 'berry' is her favorite.  I think it's safe to say 'snack and juice time' after her nap is just about her favorite time of the day.

She's gotten so good at it.. she can even drink from it one handed.  ;)

Southwestern Corn Dip {recipe}

So I took advantage of Memorial Day weekend and took the time to try out a few new recipes.  This southwestern corn dip being one of them.  It went well with our Memorial Day 'menu'... brats, orange fluff, pasta salad, potato salad, homemade macaroni... southwestern corn dip.  If you have a get together, a picnic, or any sort of pot-luck function to go to, I would definitely whip this up.  It's addictive and I guarantee you it wouldn't last long.

But I think the key to this dip, is to eat it with lime Tostitos.  Mmmhmmm.  So if you give this little recipe a try, tell me what you think!

Southwestern Corn Dip
recipe from Tasty Kitchen

• 4 (15 oz) cans corn, drained
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped chilies, drained
• 1 (4 oz) can chopped jalapenos, drained
• 1 (15 oz) can black beans, drained & rinsed
• 1 whole red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 bunch scallions, chopped
• 1 cup sour cream
• 1 (8 oz) bag finely grated Mexican cheese 
• 1/2 bunch fresh cilantro, coarsely chopped 

Drain corn, chilies and jalapenos. Put in a large bowl with the beans and tilt the bowl on its side while you chop the other veggies. Add the rest of the veggies and drain the liquid that accumulated in the bowl. Stir in the sour cream and grated cheese. Add the cilantro last.

You can eat this with whatever type of chip suits your fancy, however.. I highly recommend eating it with the lime Tostitos.

Refrigerate before serving.  Warning:  Addictive!

memorial day weekend

I hope everyone had a wonderful and safe Memorial Day weekend.. I hope you all had fun.. but I also hope you all remember what this holiday is for.

Saturday we hung around the house... I had my attempt at making French Macarons.. and then I went shopping.  For the first time in a long time, I actually found some cute clothes for myself.  Who's excited?  This girl!

Sunday was a nice morning at church.. an extremely warm day.. went out to my brother and sister-in-laws house for some good family time and dinner.

Monday was our town's parade.. good food.. a 4 hour nap thanks to my mom and dad (wow, I don't remember the last time I had the luxury of having a nap.. let alone a FOUR hour nap).. some skype time with my hubby.. and relaxing.

I'm tired, a little sun burnt, and ready for a great week ahead.  :)