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Baker. Cook. Gardener. Animal Lover.

Sunday, November 29, 2009

Don't Be Fooled





It's not what it seems. John and I were both burnt out on poultry. So he says...why don't you make some enchiladas. We had some really good avocados that I had gotten up in Templeton at Nature's Touch..and they were perfectly ripe. So mexican night sounded good. Just so you know, I make the worlds worst enchiladas and have vowed time and time again to NEVER make them again. But I had a long Saturday alone..everyone was gone..and thought..why not..I'll give it another shot. So I asked myself..just why are my enchiladas so bad. The sauce. That's it. I use that canned stuff. You know the one. The Las Palmas Sauce. It is horrible. So, I thought...I'll cruise Epicurious and see how to make the real red chili sauce. Found a recipe from Gourmet..said you need dried red chilis. So I loaded up and headed to New Frontier..our local health food store.Got the dried chilis..came home..toasted them...soaked them in water..then boiled them to soften them for about 20 minutes. Got out the blender. Puree..puree..puree....whiz..whiz...whiz.. 3 batches..press it though the sieve..got out another cast iron skillet..made the roux of flour and oil...heated and thickend the sauce..and you know what..the sauce was good....but I still have the enchilada challenge ahead. So I grated a mountain of monterey jack cheese..the good stuff...heated another pan of oil..dipped in the tortillas..drained..rolled up the cheese in the tortilla..and they looked great. Ta Da...I think I did it. These look really good. John comes home all excited for his mexican night supper. We build a fire, picked out a nice wine..slipped the enchiladas in the oven..bake...bake...bake.. take them out..uh oh...pure mush...looked like a pile of cornmeal mush...Really, really bad.....so that's it for me..I'm done with 'em....next time we are going to Taco Bell.

20 comments:

  1. You know, that looks fantastic. A nice change from the regular. Yummm..

    BTW, i'm so excited you are coming adn excited to come to. Can't wait to see your attire. Perhaps you'll post it here too before or on the day.

    You are so sweet with your truly lovely comments.

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  2. Don't feel bad, there are some things we're good at,and some things need alittle more practice. Try burritos instead. :)

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  3. Oh how frustrating, everything sounded perfect and they look great :) Fajita's next time!
    Love Morwenna
    xoxo

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  4. I'm that way with pie dough...it's an on-going thing. I want to make the worlds best pies, or at least decent pies. Aren't housewives supposed to make delicious pies? But pie dough is apparently my kryptonite.
    How about huevos rancheros?
    At least you gave it your best! :)
    xo

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  5. But, they would have still tasted good... yes? Tell me you just spooned them?

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  6. Oh that's a shame...they looked fabulous. Seriously my mouth was watering:)

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  7. well, you still make a stellar tostada.

    and you better come clean, where is that BARN in your new photo???

    donkey in the pines

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  8. They look fabulous, it's too bad you didn't like them. I know how disappointing that can be when everything looks good and smells good, but you're just not happy with the taste. My biscuits are usually like that.

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  9. Shame... they looked positively delish!

    Don't fel obliged, but you have been tagged: http://smitoniusandsonata.blogspot.com/2009/11/7-things-you-didnt-know.html

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  10. The barn is out on Adielade Road in Paso Robles and sits on The Halter Ranch property..

    Isn't it the cutest?
    Kary

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  11. that's too bad....all that work down the drain.
    That barn is the cutest!

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  12. I bet it wouldn't have tasted as bad as you think . We are our own sternest critics .
    The sauce sounds really good ....over spaghetti or with canneloni ?
    Re: the award ....you don't have to cut and paste , do it without . I still can't and leave all that to Smitonius . She was the one that did all the hard work on the meme blog .
    We would really love you to to do it !
    Sonata .

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  13. Sounds absolutely delicious! Can you please pop up to Vancouver and make some for me? It's almost lunchtime!

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  14. Well, the paper cupcake garland makes up for ever failed attempt at enchiladas. Who needs enchiladas anyway when you have pretty cupcake garlands?!?!?!

    I LOVE that idea by the way. I might let one of my students make one...

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  15. Oh no! That's too bad...it looks so delicious in the picture. It's the worst feeling when you've put so much effort into a dish and it doesn't turn out. We've all been there. Don't give up!

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  16. That is the challenge of cooking sometimes we just have to keep trying. I bet those enchildas were still good-they would have to be with the mountain of high quality Monterey Jack Cheese you used. You just needed to give your dish a new name :-)

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  17. I don't understand...how long did you bake? The photos look yum...what could have gone wrong?! :( xxx

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  18. With all that cheese and the sauce I can't believe it was as bad as you think. I'm back from my trip to AZ. I hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

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  19. Enchilada's are a funny thing...my sister in law makes them and has no fear serving them to company...and they are good. Me? Not so much. They always stick to the pan and yup...a pile of glop. So we are enchilada challenged..could be worse.
    ♥, Susan

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  20. Wow, good thing I did not ask for your recipe then! The pictures shore did look good!

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Thank you so much for taking the time to stop by. I appreciate all your kind comments more than you can know.