Chicken Enchiladas Verde

Jess here!  We have always been big fans of Mexican food and often observe Taco Tuesday.  If you're looking for a twist on an old favorite this Tuesday, try this recipe for Chicken Enchiladas Verde!  This recipe is based on one created by our friend, Michelle.  She gave me the bones of it, but I made a few tweaks.  I'd say this serves 10-12, since it filled two casserole dishes (see notes).

Getting started you'll need:

• 1 package boneless, skinless chicken breasts (approx 6)
• 3-4 bottles of beer (Pick something you'd drink--no Natty Light in this one)**see note
• 2 cloves garlic, diced
• 1 jalapeño pepper, diced
• 1 yellow onion, diced
• 1 can green chiles
• 1 can black beans
• 1/2 tsp each cumin, oregano, garlic powder, and onion powder
• 1 jar salsa verde (or homemade tomatillo salsa if you're fancy)
• 1 package corn tortillas
• 3 cups of shredded Mexican cheese

Optional additions: chopped cilantro, green onions, sour cream, extra salsa, guacamole or extra shredded cheese

In a large pot, cover the chicken breasts with the beer.  Simmer on low heat for around an hour, or until the chicken is fully cooked.  Remove the chicken and shred it with two forks.  Place it in a large bowl.  Drain and rinse the black beans and mix them with the chicken.

While shredding, allow the beer mixture to reduce until you have about 1/2 cup of liquid left.  Add the seasonings and turn off the heat.  Pour the liquid over the meat and beans in a large bowl. 

In the same pan (without cleaning), add the onion, salt and pepper.  Cook the onion until softened, about 5-10 minutes, then add the garlic.  Saute for 2-3 minutes then add the green chiles.  Pour this mixture into the bowl with the chicken and beans.

Corn tortillas roll best when they're heated.  You can do this on a griddle pan over medium heat or on a sheet tray in the oven at 200 degrees for 5 minutes.

Alright, it's time to get your assembly line going.  Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.  Pour the salsa verde into a large bowl.  Let's get ready to roll!

Spread a little salsa on the bottom of your casserole dish.  Dip a tortilla into the salsa.  Fill it with chicken and cheese.  Then roll and place it into your casserole dish, seam-side down.  Then do this again and again until the mixture is gone and/or your casserole dish is full.  

Pour over any remaining salsa and extra cheese.  

Then it's into the oven for 20 minutes until golden brown and bubbling!  Serve it up and don't forget the chips and guacamole on the side!  Add a great margarita and you're set!

Notes:

• You can substitute chicken broth if you want to make this without beer.  We did half and half, frankly, so that we could save more beer for drinking!

• Michelle's original recipe mentions serving 8, but we found it could serve close to 12.  If you're not serving a small army (or Michelle's three teenage sons), separate it into two casserole dishes.  Let one cool completely then wrap in plastic wrap then aluminum foil and pop it in your freezer.  Any leftover filling works great as a leftover burrito bowl, too.  Just add some rice, salsa and shredded cheese.

• This is pretty kid-friendly, so try it out, moms.  Just think about the spice level of your salsa choice, if you're serving a younger crowd.  I know my kid claimed not to like "'chaladas" but then she ate some after all.  

• This is a pretty forgiving recipe, so if you're a beginner cook like me, you should still try it out. I thought I had botched it pretty bad when I followed the original notes to cook the chicken in the beer for 2-3 hours.  It was...well, bone dry.  However, once I put it back into the liquid and covered it all with salsa and cheese, we were all good.

Give these enchiladas a try and let us know what you think in the comments below!

Twins Take on Hosting: Super Bowl Shindig

As you know, we're big football fans around these parts.  Granted, college football is our game and our Lions will pretty much never be in the Super Bowl, but we do always plan to watch The Big Game each year.  If you're planning a Super Bowl get-together for friends, here are some tips to keep in mind!

• The game is the game.

We know some people don't really care about sports, but there's nothing worse when you're trying to follow a game closely and someone else wants to talk.  If you don't care about the game itself, find a chatting partner who is the same boat.  If you're the host, make sure that there are plenty of seats where folks can see and hear the TV easily.

• Keep the food coming!

At a sports-watching party, we think it works best to have snack-style food, instead of a big sit-down meal.  People are going to be milling around, chatting and watching, so they might not want a heavy meal.  Think about a main dish that can sit for a little while and stay tasting great and lots of snacks to supplement it.  

Some of our best Super Bowl Parties have had chili as our main dish.  This Slow Cooker Chili is one of our favorites and it can just hang out in your crockpot and stay warm all evening!

Here are a few other recipes that are perfect for your party!

• Sheet-Pan Nachos
• Slow Cooker Pulled Pork
• Green Chile Enchiladas
• Taco Pizza Rolls

• Don't Forget Dessert

Make sure you remember to include something sweet for your guests.  We usually go with cookies, since you can make them ahead of time and they keep well.  We have a ton of favorite cookie recipes, which we'll link here!  If you want to get fancy, you can make our sugar cookies and cut them into football theme shapes and decorate in team colors.  Here are some other great desert ideas!

• No Bakes
• Chocolate Chunk Shortbread Cookies
• Crazy Popcorn Mix
• Ice Cream Cookie Sandwiches

Will you be hosting a Super Bowl Party this year?  Let us know what you'll be serving in the comments below!

TTO the Holidays: Christmas Hosting Guide

Since there are so many great ways to celebrate the Christmas holiday, we thought we'd bring you a few different kinds of parties you can host this year.  Hopefully one of them will work for your friends and family!  Here is our guide to hosting any kind of holiday get-together this year!

• Christmas Cookie Swap

This is one of our favorite kinds of parties.  Every invitee brings her/his favorite cookie recipe and baked cookies to the party to exchange with one another.  That way, everyone goes home with cookies, which means everyone goes home happy!  You can ask people to bring a half-dozen (or dozen) cookies times however many invitees you have.  Some of our favorite holiday cookie recipes are coming soon to the blog, but you can try our sugar cookies, No Bakes or funfetti cookies (with Christmas colored sprinkles).  Who doesn't love cookies?

• Holiday Open House

This party works great if you want to see a lot of friends and family,  but don't have a lot of time to do it.  You can invite everyone and block off a few hours, allowing everyone to decide when they arrive. For food, try something that can stay warm on its own (our Slow Cooker Chili works great!) and some finger foods.  Don't forget a signature cocktail or punch!  Our At-Home Happy Hour post has some great tips!

• Christmas Morning Brunch

Who doesn't love brunch?  You can do some make ahead dishes that just get heated up in the morning (like this Tater Tot Breakfast Casserole).  We'll be sharing a cinnamon roll recipe that you can whip up in the morning next week.  Also, if it's brunch, you need a cocktail!  Try this cranberry mimosa or ruby-red Moscow Mule.  

What kind of parties will you be hosting this holiday season?  Give us your favorite holiday hosting tips in the comments below!

TTO Holidays: Gift Guide for the Rest of the Crew

So far, we've brought you Gift Guides for the Gals, the Guys, and the Kids.  Now we're thinking about everyone else who might still be left on your list.

• For your child's teacher:  Jess here.  As a teacher, let me let you in on a little secret.  Teachers like coffee, but we DO NOT want more coffee mugs.  We already have a lot of them.  Honestly, in all my years teaching, the best presents I've received have been gift cards.  Most teachers spend a lot of their own money on classroom supplies, so gift cards to places like Starbucks, Amazon or Target give them the option of buying for themselves or their class.  

• For the Hostess:  When you're getting together with friends for the holidays, don't forget your host or hostess.  We love these classic wine glasses with a bottle of our favorite rose.  Also, did you know that chocolate covered peanut brittle was a thing?  And how about one of Ry's favorite candles in a seasonal scent!

• For your Coworker:  We're obsessed with this blanket scarf and it comes in a million great colors.  Also, who doesn't love a fun game to play on Game Nights?

• For Last Minute Gifting: If you forgot a present, just hop online and do some ordering on these great sites!  Do you guys know about The Bouqs Company?  Their beautiful bouquets are unique and feature flowers that are cut the day you order!  Ry ordered some recently for a friend who was under the weather and the quality and colors were amazing.  We've already professed our love for Winc.  You can order gift subscription or one of their pre-made gift boxes.  

What are your favorite gift ideas for anyone and everyone on your list?  Let us know in the comments below and Happy Shopping!

TTO the Holidays: Thanksgiving Guide

Thanksgiving is always a time for food, family and football!  We often change up what we do for Turkey Day each year, but we always make sure these big three things are included! Here are our tips for hosting a terrific Thanksgiving that everyone will love!

• Traditional is always best!  When it comes to Thanksgiving food, you want to go traditional and classic.  This is not the time to try out a new recipe for turkey tacos!  Don't ask us about the time one of our aunts decided to make some sort of corn pudding instead of stuffing.  People want the classics--turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, pumpkin pie.  The only place for a little fanciness might be a vegetable side dish.  Try some roasted brussels sprouts or green beans!

• Timing is important.  If you're a football fan like us, then you need to make sure to plan your meal around game time.  Jess still shakes her head at the first Thanksgiving spent with her husband's (albeit lovely) family who decides to eat dinner right in the middle of the Lions game.  If your crew is watching the game, serve dinner first and then watch or snack during the game and eat later in the day.  Our family traditionally snacks all day and then eats dinner after the Lions game/before the Cowboys game starts.

• Simple and seasonal decor is key.  Thanksgiving isn't exactly known for its decor, but you can add a few lovely touches to make your home extra welcoming.  As usual, our favorite source for home goods is Target!  Just check this cuteness out!

This is also a great time to set a formal table and use some seasonal accents.  

Dress the Part!  One of the best things about the holidays is choosing some cute outfits!  Don't forget to check out our guide to Thanksgiving outfits!

So there you have it!  Our tips for the best Thanksgiving yet!  Will you be hosting a Thanksgiving dinner this year?  What's your number one hosting tip?  Let us know in the comments below and happy eating!