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In the mood for Mexican food
If you polled a thousand Americans on what their top three types of international cuisine are, I’d wager that almost everyone would choose Mexican food. Who doesn’t love Mexican? Cheese, beans, onions, tomatos…all delicious ingredients to cook with.
If you agree (and I know that you do), then you will appreciate my recipe here for Chicken Enchiladas. For the onions, green onions and chile peppers, you may be able to pick them up at the Germantown Farmers’ Market. That way you can buy locally. It’s important to do that when you can. The market, located at 2083 S. Germantown Road (near the intersection of Germantown Road and Poplar) is open on Saturdays from 7:00 a.m. to noon. Enjoy!
Chicken Enchiladas: Ingredients
- 4 boneless, skinless chicken breast halves
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 (10 ounce) can diced tomatoes with green chile peppers
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can stewed tomatoes
- 12 small chile peppers, diced (optional)
- 1 (10.75 ounce) can condensed cream of chicken soup
- 1 (14.5 ounce) can chicken broth
- 1 bunch green onions, chopped
- 1/2 pint heavy cream
- 6 (6 inch) corn tortillas
- 3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
- 1 (10 ounce) can enchilada sauce
Directions
- Cut chicken breasts into 1 inch strips. Place in a medium bowl with desired marinade, and marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Saute chicken and onions until chicken is evenly brown. Stir in diced tomatoes with green chile peppers, stewed tomatoes, chile peppers, soup and broth. Bring mixture to a boil. Reduce heat, cover skillet, and simmer for 20 to 30 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink and juices run clear.
- Remove chicken from skillet, and shred when cool enough to handle. Meanwhile, allow skillet mixture to simmer and reduce to about 2 1/4 cups. In a medium bowl, combine shredded chicken and about 1/4 cup skillet mixture (just enough to make a paste like mixture). Mix together with half the chopped green onions. Pour remaining 2 cups of skillet mixture into a 9×13 inch baking dish.
- In a second skillet, heat cream over low heat, being careful not to boil. Dip tortillas in the warm cream to soften and coat. Spoon about 1/3 cup chicken mixture onto each tortilla. Top chicken mixture with half the shredded cheese, and roll up tortillas. Place rolled tortillas in baking dish, seam side down, and drizzle with enchilada sauce. Cover with remaining shredded cheese, and sprinkle remaining chopped green onion over cheese. Bake uncovered in preheated oven for 25 minutes, or until cheese is melted and bubbling.
National Fried Chicken Day
Today is a glorious day! “Why,” you ask. Because it’s July 6, National Fried Chicken Day…that’s why. Ahhh…fried chicken. It’s the breakfast, lunch and dinner of champions. What is it about that golden brown crispiness that has the power to intoxicate. I don’t know – but I am a slave to it.
We all know that fried chicken is extremely hard to perfect. So tell me, folks of Hunter’s Trace. Where do you think I shine dine tonight to celebrate this great holiday that the holiday gods have bestowed upon us? Who makes the best fried chicken in Memphis? Is it the Gus’s (310 S. Front St.), Ms. Polly’s (154 Beale St.) or Uncle Lou’s (3633 Millbranch Rd.)? Or is it somewhere else?
Honestly, while those places certainly aren’t bad choices, in my book, good ol’ Popeyes is hard to beat.
(Photo Credit: ScaredyKat)
Does Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous have the best BBQ in Memphis?
June 9, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food
Barbecue is a staple in Memphis and everyone has their favorite spot to get it from. Landmark restaurant Charlie Vergos’ Rendezvous is a favorite among tourists but have you visited lately? Better yet, what rib spot would a true Memphian consider to be the best? Weight in Hunter’s Trace! What do you think? Granted, lines are long at 8pm on a weekend night but if they’re truly the best, I’d have not problem stopping by and waiting for some of the delicious ribs one night after work. I’m just wondering what spot, if any, is better?
If you’ve never been, they’re down the alley near the Holiday Inn downtown. Check out the video featuring some of his world famous BBQ.
You just can’t go wrong with bacon
So summertime is fast approaching and and it’s “do-or-die” time to get in the gym in order to get the bod ready. I’m trying to eat more salad but it’s tough when there is so much other good tasting (and fattening) food always around me. Well, I found this recipe online and thought it might be the best of both worlds. It’s a salad, full of high-fiber, low-fat veggies, but it also has my all-time favorite food…BACON! How can a recipe go wrong with bacon in it? Try this one out and let me know what you think.
Ingredients:
- 2 pounds bacon
- 1 large head fresh broccoli, chopped
- 3/4 cup chopped celery
- 1/4 cup minced green onions
- 1/4 cup diced red onion 1 1/2 cups seedless grapes, halved
- 3/4 cup blanched slivered almonds
- 1/4 cup white sugar
- 2 tablespoons distilled white vinegar
- 1 cup mayonnaise
Directions:
- Place bacon in a large skillet. Cook, turning frequently, over medium high heat until evenly browned. Cool, and then crumble.
- Preheat oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C). Spread slivered almonds on a cookie sheet. Bake for approximately 12 to 14 minutes or until lightly browned, turning once during toasting. Cool.
- In a small bowl, mix together mayonnaise, sugar, and vinegar. Set aside.
- In a large bowl, combine broccoli, crumbled bacon, celery, green onions, red onions, grapes, and toasted almonds. Toss with mayonnaise dressing. Chill for several hours in the refrigerator.
In-Season Produce: Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Baby Corn
We now know that buying in-season fruits and vegetables, particularly produce that has been grown locally, is better for our environment (and probably our taste buds and bodies too). But it also provides an exciting opportunity to try new foods and to experiment with seasonal recipes!
Check out this recipe for Stir-Fried Mushrooms with Baby Corn. If you make it, shoot a picture of your finished dish and upload it to the Hunter’s Trace Facebook page. Anyone interested in having a community cooking contest?
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 8 baby corn ears, sliced
- 2/3 pound fresh mushrooms, sliced
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oyster sauce
- 2 teaspoons cornstarch
- 3 tablespoons water
- 1 red chile pepper, sliced
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
Directions
- Heat the oil in a large skillet or wok over medium heat; cook the garlic in the hot oil until browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the onion and baby corn and cook until the onion is translucent, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the mushrooms to the mixture and cook until slightly softened, about 2 minutes. Pour the fish sauce, soy sauce, and oyster sauce into the mixture and stir until incorporated.
- Whisk the cornstarch and water together in a small bowl until the cornstarch is dissolved into the water; pour into the mushroom mixture. Cook and stir until thickened and glistening. Transfer to a serving dish; garnish with the chile pepper and cilantro to serve.
Nutritional Information
Amount Per Serving Calories: 49 | Total Fat: 0.9g | Cholesterol: 0mg
3 best donut shops in Memphis
I have a craving for some donuts!. You know the type of craving that you just can’t ignore until it’s satisfied. Well, since I’m still fairly unfamiliar with all of the ins-and-outs of Memphis, I hit up Yelp.com to check out what the people recommended.
The top 3 options they gave me were…
- Gibson’s Donuts – 760 Mount Moriah Rd, Memphis, TN 38117, (901) 682-8200
- Howard’s Donuts – 4348 Summer Ave, Memphis, TN 38122, (901) 683-2985
- Donald’s Donuts – 1776 Union Ave, Memphis, TN 38150, (901) 725-5595
What do you guys think? Any suggestions? I’m thinking of hitting up this Gibson’s place to see if they are the real deal. One review wrote that they offer a dozen donuts for $1.25 after 11pm. If that’s true then I’m sold. But of course you can never go wrong with Krispy Kreme either. Especially when they’re hot right out of the oven. OK….enough blogging…writing about this is making my craving worse. It’s time for me to get my donut fix.
In-Season Produce: Markets near Hunter’s Trace
April 12, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food, Go Green, Health & Fitness
Do you shop for your fresh food and produce locally? If not, you may want to give it some serious consideration. Although today’s global market allows us to buy foods grown almost anywhere in the world at any given time, this option is not the most sustainable.
Buying in-season fruits and vegetables that are locally grown helps to eliminate the environmental damage caused by shipping foods across the country – and in some cases – the world. Not only does your food dollar go directly to the farmers, but you’re able to enjoy the health benefits of eating fresh, better tasting, unprocessed produce. According to the National Resources Defense Council, in-season foods for the state of Tennessee (and surrouning areas) include:
| Asparagus Collards Gourds Greens Herbs Honey Indian Corn Mushrooms Blueberries (Georgia) Broccoli (Michigan, North Carolina) Cabbage* (Alabama, Georgia, Michigan) Carrots (Georgia) Green Peas (Missouri) Leafy greens (North Carolina) Lettuce (Missouri) |
Peanuts (North Carolina) Pecans* (Alabama) Scallions (Missouri) Snap Beans (Georgia) Spinach (Missouri, Virginia) Squash* (Alabama) Strawberries (Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina) Sweet Potatoes * (Alabama, North Carolina) Vidalia Onions (Georgia) Yellow Squash (Georgia) Zucchini (Georgia) |
Here is a short list of markets that sell fresh locally grown foods near the Hunter’s Trace area. If you can suggest any other markets, leave a comment and let the community know!
It’s National Nutrition Month: How about a Frozen Cranberry Salad
March 26, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food, Health & Fitness
Did you know that March is National Nutrition Month? Well, if you know me, you know I’m all about trying to eat right (key word: trying). Yeah, a few double-cheeseburgers will slip through the cracks here-and-there, but for the most part, I’ve done a pretty good job and maintaining a healthy diet.
For those of you that are trying to ride the healthy-eating bandwagon with me, the Wellness division of the Church Health Center (1115 Union Avenue, Memphis, TN 38104) has some great tips to keep you on track with your eating and overall health.
Check out this recipe for Frozen Cranberry Salad I found on the site (follow the link if you want a printable copy). Try it out and tell me what you think.
Frozen Cranberry Salad
- 8 ounces light cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tablespoon spoonable sugar substitute
- 1 (16 ounce) can whole cranberry sauce
- 1 (8 ounce) can crushed pineapple, drained
- 1/2 cup chopped walnuts
- 1 cup light whipped topping
- ½ cup powdered sugar
- 1 t vanilla extract
Directions: Prep time- 10 minutes Chill time – 1 hour
- Mix together cream cheese through nuts, set aside.
- Mix cool whip, powdered sugar and vanilla together.
- Fold into cranberry mixture.
- Pour in a 9 by 5 inch loaf pan. Cover with foil.
- Freeze until firm, about 1 hour. Slice and serve frozen.
Yield: 10 servings (serving size: 1/10 loaf)
Nutrition Facts:
- Calories: 228
- Total Fat: 6 grams
- Sodium: 59 mg
- Carbohydrate: 20 grams
- Fiber: 2 grams
- Protein: 6 grams
- Diet Exchanges: 1 fruit, 1 fat, 1 ½ starch
FREE ICE CREAM TODAY!!!
March 23, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food
If you’re on a diet, please forgive me, but the information I’m about to give you may throw you off course. I just found out that Ben & Jerry’s (yeah, the good stuff) is giving out FREE ice cream cones today between noon and 8pm.
“Our co-founders Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield first scooped up free ice cream all day back in 1979 as a way to thank the community for supporting them in their first year. Now it’s an annual tradition at many of our scoop shops around the world. It’s your chance to try any of our flavors for free!”
According to the Ben & Jerry’s website, the free ice cream promotion aims to give back to the community by raising donations for the American Red Cross and the American Cancer Society.
It looks like the closest participating Ben & Jerry’s shop are:
- 5007 Black Road, Memphis, TN 38117
- The Village Shops of Forest Hill, Germantown, TN 38138
Enjoy!
Would you like wine with that?
March 9, 2010 by Chris
Filed under Around Town, Food
Not sure how many wine enthusiasts there are out there in Hunter’s Trace, but I just got wind to a local event that looks interesting.
Beginning March 30, check out Tuesdays on the Terrace at the Memphis Botanical Gardens. You will be able to sample a variety of wines, beers and munchies. Members $25/non-members $35. Advance reservations required, call 636-4131. Must be 21 to attend.
