Rajas con Crema {recipe}

One of our favorite Mexican recipes is called "rajas con crema" which is slices of pasilla {poblano} chile in a special cream based sauce. It is creamy and full of flavor, it is perfect as a main dish or as a side and it can also be a topping for meat or poultry. It will also work with fish. It is that delicious!

Served as a taco or added to your quesadilla mmm, so good! There are several ways to prepare them, some people add zucchini to them others add corn and hatch chiles... However you chose to serve them, I can guarantee you will love them as much as we do. Finding pasilla chiles in Costa Rica was always a challenge, we were only able to find them on 3 different occasions in 2 years. However, now that we are in California and can find any ingredient we need to prepare delicious home cooked meals we are enjoying them as much as we can. Here is how I prepare our rajas con crema, this week I served ours with a side of Mexican Rice, breaded chicken breast and beans. 

INGREDIENTS:

4 Pasilla Chiles {also called poblano peppers} 

1 Medium size yellow onion

1 Tsp Knorr Chicken Bouillon 

1 Tbsp Vegetable Oil

1 Garlic clove minced OR 1 tbsp of minced garlic

1 Can of Nestlē's Media Crema aka table cream

Salt and Black Pepper to taste

COOKING INSTRUCTIONS: 

1.- Charr pasilla peppers, this can be done by placing them over a gas flame or underneath the broiler and cook until they are blackened on all sides or placing them on top of a non-stick griddle and blackened on all sides {this is how I usually charr peppers at home}. It will look like the skin is bubbling. Then enclose them in a plastic bag -any plastic bag will do and let stand for 8-12 minutes. The steam from the peppers will make them easier to peel.

2.- Peel the pasilla peppers, take the seeds out and slice them into long strands. Peel the onion and cut into half, then slice the onion. You want the onions to look like crescents. Place a large skillet on medium heat and add oil.

3.- When the oil is hot, add the minced garlic and onions. Sauté for 3-5 minutes mixing constantly. Add the sliced pasilla peppers and mix all together. Add salt, pepper, Knorr seasoning and continue mixing. 

4.- Add Nestlē's table cream and combine all ingredients, continue mixing until all ingredients are combined. Cover the skillet and reduce heat to low-med heat, let cook for 5 minutes. Enjoy!

Homemade Mango Salsa {recipe}

Since moving to Costa Rica I've become a little more adventurous in everything, specially in the kitchen. Trying out new recipes and ingredients. One of my favorite fruits is mango and it is widely found here everywhere! We recently visited some new friends here for a Sunday afternoon and although I had tried Mango Salsa in the U.S. {we usually bought it from Whole Foods} I have to admit that until we tried it here it dawned on me on how easy it was to prepare it. Now just so you know in Costa Rica Mango Salsa is called Mango Ceviche, I personally think it has to do with the way it is prepared. So today I am going to share with you how to prepare your mango salsa through a short video I posted on Instagram and list the ingredients so you too can prepare your own Mango Salsa....

INGREDIENTS:

1 Medium - Large size Mango cut into bite size pieces and without the skin {it can't be ripe or soft to touch}

1 Small onion chopped into tiny pieces {I used white but red onion also works}

1/2 tsp of salt

1/4 cup of freshly chopped cilantro leaves

1/4 cup of lime juice {freshly squeezed works best}

PREPARATION:

Serve chilled and with corn tortilla chips. It is perfect for a party, appetizer or just because. :D Enjoy!

Flat Sandwich!

Ingredients:

Flat Out "foldit" Bread
Turkey breast thinly sliced
Provolone cheese slices
Alfalfa sprouts
Avocado
Mayonaise
Chipotle Chile sauce

Preparation:

1.- Depending on the amount of flat sandwiches you will be making {I made 2} use 1 tbsp of mayonnaise and 1 tbsp of chipotle sauce and mix using a fork. Combining both ingredients well. We'll call this spicy mayo sauce. 

2.- Heat foldit bread on a griddle on both sides for about 30 seconds each side, then spread the spicy mayo sauce mixture on the side that is up and place a slice of provolone on it so it melts a little. Add turkey slice(s) and take off the heat.

3.- Place the flatbread on a plate, add alfalfa sprouts and avocado slices. Now fold into half and enjoy.

We enjoyed ours with a side of my spinach salad :D

A delicious and healthy Christmas dinner.

In 2012 I took charge of my health and made a "u-turn" to a different lifestyle. Back in June my journey began and I knew that when the Holiday Season came I wanted to continue with those changes. I did not know how I would go about it, but I knew I was going to stay onboard!

Last November it was confirmed that we would be hosting Christmas and New Year's Eve for our family. As soon as I knew I began searching online for healthy and delicious recipes. Around this time was when I received my November issue of Self Magazine and saw the recipe that would make my mouth water. It looked easy to prepare and most importantly it would have my family in "ohs" and "ahs". 

The recipe?

Herbed Chicken and Squash... 

Here are some images of what it looks like while preparing, baking and served. I loved that I served it with vegetables, as you can see on my plate I had cauliflower, mashed potatoes, zucchini and the chicken. Please note that the entire meal was made from scratch and I am proud of myself. :D

For complete recipe make sure you visit Self's website or pinterest board! They also have it there. 

Thank you Self, for sharing amazing, healthy and delicious recipes! This family approves them.