Powell Mountain: October 2010

Monday, October 11, 2010

She's MUCH BETTER !

After dramatic improvment in her physical condition and greatly increased stamina our family Matriarch was able for the 1st time since July to actually go out and eat in a restaurant we visited the local Red Lobster and had a wonderful time Jan and I acted as "medical escorts" she is winning her third battle with cancer and barring any setbacks will soon declare "Remission Victory"

Copperhead Eggs

This is a great finger food and is perfect for tailgating etc....

You will need

Caribe peppers for mild or Jalapeno for more heat. Get the biggest you can they are easier to stuff.

Cream Cheese

Cheddar Cheese

Cooked Chicken

Cooked Ham

Bacon and Toothpicks

Slice the top off the peppers and remove the core and seeds then stuff the peppers with a slice of cream cheese and a slice of cheddar then fill with seasoned (your choice of seasoning) chicken and ham slices then try to use a larger piece of the meat to plug the top of the pepper to hold in the cheese next wrap each pepper with a slice of bacon and position the slice over the top of the pepper again to hold in the cheese then wrap and secure with toothpicks I then sprinkle a local barbeque seasoning http://www.strawsbbq.com/ over the bacon and grill over hot coals just until the bacon is done let cool slightly so the cheese can solidify just a little before serving.

Awesomely Rich and Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

Here's what you need

3 Tbsp Real Butter (salted or unsalted)
3 Cans rotel original tomatoes and green chilies drained (use rotel hot if you want spicier enchiladas)
3 8oz pkgs cream cheese cut up and softened
6 cups diced cooked chicken (I use white meat diced then fried to just barely brown and then salt and peppered but you could boil and season)
12 medium size flour tortillas
6 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (dont substitute)
2 quarts heavy whipping cream (could use half and half but you sacrifice quality)
recipe can be cut by 1/2 or 2/3 but we like alot and remember this isn't low fat

Preheat oven to 350 and spray a large baking dish or two smaller ones. Melt butter in large skillet or pan add rotel and saute until hot add chicken and cream cheese and cook stirring constantly until cream cheese melts and mixture is hot. Divide chicken mixture evenly between the 12 tortillas roll up tuck ends and place seam side down into baking dish. Now sprinkle with shredded cheese and drizzle with 3 pints of the cream then cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 to 40 minutes then remove foil and continue baking or broil until top is lightly browned and bubbly. To serve leftovers I use the remainder of the cream to pour over the enchiladas in the final 30 seconds of heating. These are AWESOME and you will be making more soon !

Princess, Angel or Backpack ?

Our Family Chef in training

Clockwise from 11oclock Club Sandwich, Fried Oyster Poboy, Potato & Leek Soup topped with a Shrimp and Fennel, Fruit and finally Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce.

Chocolate, Cinnamon and Hazelnut Biscotti.

Brownies with Chocolate Ganache.

Flaky Biscuits

Side view

Strassburger Cookies

Blueberry Muffins

Old Fashioned Apple Pie with Lattice Topping

Piped Rosettes

My only question is when do we get some ? ? ?

Sunday, October 10, 2010

October Birthdays

This month I will include Presidential birthdays as well as our own and since Oct. has the most Presidential birthdays of any month I thought a little history wouldn't hurt.

1st. Jimmy Carter 86yrs-was our worst pres. until January 20th 2009