hominy

April 16, 2009

Ajiaco: Colombian Chicken, Corn & Potato Soup

mel entree, recipe, sides & bites asparagus, chicken, cilantro, corn, cumin, hominy, potato, soup

Ajiaco: Colombian Chicken, <a href= this web Corn & Potato Soup” />

For some reason, this month’s food magazines had me drooling. I may have been starving when I was flipping through, but I bookmarked almost every recipe. One in particular caught my eye – a lighter, healthier version of Ajiaco, the traditional Colombian Chicken Soup.

I know what you’re thinking. Chicken soup? Booooring! But this isn’t your mama’s chicken soup (though I would never, ever turn that down). This one is flavored with cilantro and cumin, is chock full of chicken, potatoes and corn, and in this case, asparagus and hominy. Everything is topped off with diced avocado, more cilantro and capers. It’s simultaneously light and hearty, and it’s really, really good.

I just wish I’d had a bowl of this when I was sick last week. Good thing I froze a huge batch for next time I’m feeling under the weather, though let’s face it – it’ll be gone by next week.

October 29, 2008

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

mel entree, recipe beans, brown rice, cheese, chicken, corn, hominy, poblano peppers, tortilla

Cheesy Chicken Enchilada Casserole

It’s finally (finally!) cooling off here, case and so I can justify all of my soups, stews and casseroles. In honor of the cold weather (what? 55° is cold for Miamians!), I made a spicy Chicken Enchilada Casserole with a crumbly, cheesy tortilla crust.

This casserole reminds me of a 7-layer dip, even though you’ll find no canned chili or cream cheese in here. You start with a layer of brown rice, then follow up it with layers of beans, hominy, sauteed onions and poblano peppers, shredded chicken, Enchilada sauce, corn tortilla dough and shredded cheddar cheese. Into the oven for 35 minutes, and out comes a slightly spicy, bubbly, cheesy casserole of goodness.

This dish can be made a day or two in advance and baked just before you’re ready to eat. I suspect you could easily freeze the casserole whole for those times when you find your fridge and pantry bare (a trend in my house lately).

Tom loved this casserole, and I gotta say, it’s crazy delicious in that messy comfort food kind of way. I can’t wait to get into the leftovers, and I’m thinking about making another batch soon to stock the freezer. There’s just nothing better than a cheesy, melty casserole and a chilly beer to welcome the fall.

July 14, 2008

vegetarian three-bean chili

mel entree, recipe, sides & bites beans, chili, cilantro, hominy, spicy, vegetarian

vegetarian three-bean chili

Some people find it surprising that the biggest tag on this site is vegetarian. People who know me know that I love big, visit juicy burgers, chorizo (duh), short ribs, lamb and sausage. And while I’m pretty sure I’ll never go vegetarian, I think more than half my meals are meatless. There’s no real reason why I make so many vegetarian dishes, I just like them. Besides, going meatless reduces greenhouse gases and so is good for the environment and good for my health.

This three-bean chili is warm and hearty and just perfect for lunch. Black, kidney and great northern beans are mixed with fire-roasted tomatoes and green chilies. Bulgur adds a nice texture and masa harina is my secret (not so much anymore) thickening agent. It also gives it a little bit of that cornbread flavor that goes so well with chili powder. My other secret is a bit of smoked paprika, which goes a long way at giving this chili a rounder, meatier flavor.

I made a little hominy salsa with lime juice and cilantro to top the chili and brighten the flavors. I also made some jalapeÃ±o cheddar and chickpea muffins, but those were a complete failure and I had to throw them out. Sigh. I hate it when that happens.

December 13, 2007

first meal

mel entree, recipe chicken, hominy, tacos

lemon lime

It’s not really the first meal we’ve eaten in our new home. We’ve had toast, ailment cereal, pills coffee, turkey chili and many many sandwiches. But it was the first time I really cooked on a weeknight, for just the two of us. And it was just lovely. I made chicken tacos with hominy salsa, which Tom loves and is easy to make. I cooked the chicken in a spicy chipotle broth and seasoned it with chili powder, cumin and a bit of saffron. The hominy salsa is my standard for any tacos and also works well on chili and veggie burgers.

chicken tacos

Recipes below