Hello, hello friends! Happy Tuesday!
So… it’s been couple of days since we last talked, and while the break has been nice, I’ve definitely been missing you guys. To be honest, I wasn’t really planning on taking so much time off, but blogging just wasn’t in the cards this weekend. I don’t usually blog on Saturdays, but I did have my mind set on posting on Sunday until… it just didn’t happen. So Monday was pretty much guaranteed until… it just didn’t happen. I can explain, though!
I sat down at my computer on Sunday night to write up a post for yesterday, when I started to feel horrible. My stomach and head were feeling all sorts of goofy, and there was no way I was going to be able to come up with anything coherent. I went to sleep early and woke up feeling better, but I still had a few weird spells throughout the day. I’m actually thinking about going to see the doctor soon because my appetite is still way off and while I don’t feel sick sick, I definitely don’t exactly feel like myself, either. Hopefully it’s nothing too serious. Better yet, hopefully it’s nothing at all 😀
But enough talk of doom and gloom. Despite all that, it’s been a pretty awesome couple of days. I had a friend visiting from out of town, and being able to catch up on old times was just what the doctor ordered. Throw some good food into the mix, and I was one happy camper. The only downside is that… I was a happy camper that completely failed at taking pictures. See, the thing is, I was originally planning on doing another photo an hour on Sunday, but since that didn’t happen, most of the pictures I have look something like this…
The only thing I did end up snapping a few more pictures of, was what I cooked for dinner…
I’m not really that big on spending a lot of time in the kitchen when it comes to cooking dinner, but since I had invited my friend over, and couldn’t exactly serve her a bowl of cereal, I did some recipe browsing before settling on this Chicken Enchilada Casserole from Iowa Girl Eats. The only problem was that I basically had none of the ingredients that the recipe called for – but it was nothing a quick trip to the store couldn’t fix…
… and even then, I still had to improvise…
I have no idea why, but it’s almost impossible to find good corn tortillas around these parts. With all the GMO nonsense out there, I try to stick to buying organic when it comes to corn products, and since I couldn’t find find any organic tortilla wraps, I settled on tortilla chips. Obviously I can’t compare my version to the original recipe, but I have to say that it came out pretty darn good…
It’s funny. I can’t usually be bothered to put much thought or effort into my own meals, but I get really excited whenever I get a chance to cook for someone else. I will say, though, that between cleaning out my pantry and this weekend’s culinary adventures in the kitchen, I’ve been feeling a lot more inspired to try new things myself… but you’re just going to have to wait until tomorrow’s WIAW to see what’s been coming out of my kitchen lately 😉
Happy Tuesday, friends!
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Do you enjoy cooking for others?
What’s your favorite cuisine to eat? Mexican, hands down. Chips, cheese, salsa, and guac? Swooooon.
Tried any new recipes lately? Feel free to link up!
Finally somebody posting something with cheese. Too bad, I’m so behind on your blog; this might have saved me from ranting last week…or maybe it would have just postponed it. In any event, I hope you are feeling better soon. Maybe I should just catch up on your blog and see.
that casserole looks soooo darn good – and i enjoy cooking for others very much 🙂 I made gluten free savory pancakes recently which is actually up on my blog with chicken and topped with eggs!
Hope you’re feeling better today! I love all of the recipes from Iowa Girl Eats that I’ve tried…I’m sure your’s turned out great. I love cooking for others, but I also know that I don’t eat like the average person, so I always worry that they won’t like what I make. You can’t go wrong with an enchilada casserole, though!!
Hoooly cow this looks amazing.
That sounds really good, thanks for sharing the recipe! I may need to try this recipe out on the parents some day. 🙂
I really hope that you start to feel better soon!! Feeling icky is really no fun :(.
I LOVE Mexican food, but I think that my favorite cuisine right now is probably Indian food. Yum!
I almost go into panic mode when I have to cook for other people. My dinners are always so simple, and I always feel like I have to put together something fancy for friends. That recipe is excellent, I’m going to keep it in mind! P.S. Is that the view from your balcony? It’s beautiful! I am ashamed to say that I have seen almost none of Edmonton except for the airport and the mall…
Yep! That’s my view from home! Edmonton has a really gorgeous river valley, which I’m lucky enough to live really close to. The mall is definitely our main attraction though.
just curious, why are you opposed to GMO products? I couldn’t find any solid, experimental-evidence based studies that show GMO’s are all that bad ..
I’ve read that GMO products can have a negative impact on those who suffer from food allergies and sensitivities. They wanted to use the genes of brazil nuts to modify soy, but abandoned the idea because they were worried that it would trigger allergic reactions in people. Seeing as I have a pretty severe allergy to peanuts and minor reactions to most other nuts, I’d rather just play it safe and avoid GMO when I can.
I’m so sorry you’re still not feeling better! That sounds really annoying! If it’s dragging on this long, it may be good to finally go to the doctor :\
That dish looks AMAZING. And I’m not even a Mexican fan! (That sounds racist, btw.) I do remember my mom making almost the exact same type of casserole a few times when I was younger. I’m starting to crave it now! The gooeyness of it is glorious.
No new recipe here, but… an odd snack. We had waffle cones at home and I randomly wanted one, yet we didn’t have ice cream, so I spread jam on the inside of it, haha. Nice sweet treat though 😉
Hehe those random odd snacks are the best, and I’m seriously going to keep the jam cones in mind 😉 I remember getting random cravings for cones too, and there were times where I even considered putting yogurt in them when we were out of ice cream… Jam sounds like it would be a better approach, though.
Mmm looks like a great recipe to share with a friend! I love Iowa Girl Eats. And I’m glad you had a great weekend catching up with an old friend! Just because there aren’t any pictures doesn’t mean it didn’t happen haha..oh how crazy the blog world can be sometimes!
I used to love cooking for my parents, but now that I’m vegan (and they most definitely are not) it’s hard for me to cook something for them that I’m okay with eating that I know they’ll enjoy. They do enjoy going out to vegan restaurants with me sometimes, but I always feel like my food won’t stand up to that in their minds. And it’s hard not to want to make the meal up to my standards as well, since I usually prefer being able to eat something I make for another person, but having such strict ‘clean eating’ guidelines can make things less than appealing to someone who isn’t used to eating like that all the time. I want to get to the point where I can lower my standards a little and make a vegan meal that both my parents and I can enjoy!
Yum, that looks delish! I lovee cooking for others! But sometimes I get really stressed out because I never know if it’ll turn out okay. That’s when I’m glad I have the pizza delivery number in my phone. I need some foolproof recipes.
My favorite cuisine changes all the time – currently it’s Italian, thai, and tex-mex.
I’m hope you’re continuing to feel better and am glad you still had a great weekend despite the wonky stomach! Happy Tuesday! 🙂
Sorry you’ve been feeling so off lately! I hope it passes soon.
That recipe you made looks fantastic – I bet your friend loved it! I really enjoy cooking for my friends. I’m definitely one of those people who expresses love for people through cooking/baking for them.
Oh man, I can’t choose a favourite cuisine! Japanese (sushi), Mexican and Italian are all tied! I’ve been eating a lot more Mexican lately than any other cuisine though – I just can’t get enough of tacos, burrito bowls, and of course guacamole!!
Have you considered that you might have Mono? I’m not sure what all your symptoms are but it’s worth mentioning to your doc.
That dinner looks soo good! I love Mexican.
Mmm no, it doesn’t sound like mono. No sore throat, swollen glands, fever, or aches… Just kind of a wonky stomach that comes and goes.
I love cooking for others! My favorite thing to eats is like a buffet of chocolates; chocolate truffles, bars, mousse anything! Just give me a platter lol
I hope it’s nothing serious beautiful girl, I hope you feel better very soon 🙂 what a delicious casserole! Sam from better with sprinkles, another beautiful girl taught me about casseroles just the other day- yours too looks very delicious! I put so much more effort and beauty into meals for others- and I’ve been trying to decide what to cook for my gorgeous Australian! I’m thinking a little Nigella Lawson- her valentines feast (Feast) looks perfect to me- or the come back to my cave ribs or spaghetti carbonara perhaps if I’m feeling brave 😉 Sound ok you think? Lots of love Sophia
Oooo! So things are going well with your gorgeous Australian!? 😀 I think both options sound amazing, especially if they come from the heart <3
Very well! I really like him, I think I’m leaning toward the valentines feast as I love a good roast chicken and the wasabi crab cocktail will get us warmed up and ending with a suggestive quivering jello and whipped cream… 😉 when we are a bit more 50 shades of grey I might muster the courage for the saucy ribs lol. Just a note- I too am reading Jane Eyre!! I loved the movie- another gorgeous Australian- I thought Mia Wasikowska was fantastic 🙂
I’ve already told you that you should go to the doctor, but I think it bears repeating – just as a precaution, if nothing else!
I love that you crushed tortilla chips for your casserole…that is fantastic. I can’t find corn tortillas around here either! I always end up having to go with whole-wheat wraps…which is less awesome. I think I need to check a specialty grocery store or something. In the meantime I do need to make that casserole, because it looks fabulous…it would go well with the tacos I had last night and taco salad I had for lunch today (two guesses as to what my favourite cuisine is)
I adore cooking for others…I am the cook in my family/relationship. I love just seeing people get excited over food that I made for them! Although, I think baking for others tops that…makes me excited to make my mom’s birthday cake for next weekend!
I like making easy things for other people, like muffins or stir fry
I love Chinese food with a passion, but I really have to be careful about how much I eat
Honestly, I’m not as big on cooking for others because I’m a big lazy. 😛 But I love when others cook for me! 😉
I’d have to go with Italian food, but Mexican is definitely up there. I love spicy food, and you can never go wrong with guacamole and salsa.
Hehe! I love it when others cook for me too, but when it comes to cooking for myself or cooking for someone else? I’d much rather put in the time to cook for someone else – I’m fine with eating cereal or oatmeal for dinner 😉
I’m so sorry you’re feeling off 🙁 I hope every thing’s okay!
I love cooking for others! If it’s just myself, I might throw veggies, crackers, yogurt, and a protein bar on a plate or toss a frozen burrito in the oven and call it good, but if I’m cooking for others, I tend to get fancy. The last time I cooked for friends, I made homemade ravioli. Best. thing. ever.
Oh and I would have to go with Greek/Mediterranean or Indian for favorite cuisine. Though I do agree that chips+salsa+guac is one of the best aspects of Mexican.
I love having people over and cooking for them. It’s a lot of fun!
aww I am sorry you don’t feel well! Feel better!! 🙂