chicken enchilada casserole

six corn tortillas, torn into sixths
4 oz cream cheese (whipped if available)
sour cream
rich chicken stock (or condensed cream of chicken and mushroom soup)
chopped green and white onion
chopped green pepper
cumin
chili powder
can of diced chili peppers
cooked shredded chopped chicken
can of black beans
cooked rice (brown, yellow, or white)
cheese (i used pimento cheese and boursin, or use shredded mexican varieties)
chopped black olives
corn
parsley or cilantro
salsa
avocado

Mix together cream cheese with stock and sour cream or soup. sautee some of the onion and all of the green pepper in olive oil and mix that into sauce mixture, and flavor with salt, pepper, cumin and chili powder. put a small amount in the bottom of a casserole dish, top with half of the tortillas, layer with half of beans mixed with salt,pepper, corn and cumin, then rice mixed with olives, then chicken, repeat layering, ending with cheese. bake 30 min at 350. If all ingredients aren't available, use what you have. serve with salsa and sliced avocado. I made salsa with two peaches, one large tomato, half a habanero and diced onion seasoned with chili pepper, salt and pepper.

ham potato bean salad

i have leftover ham. i checked a few epicurious recipes for ham salad and came up with this. i finished the girl with the dragon tatoo, and they kept having sandwiches on rye bread. no sandwich, but a definite swedish influence.

cubed ham
chopped onion
sliced green onion
jalapeno
can o beans (northern or blackeyed peas)
diced celery
mustard
oil (i used walnut)
vinegar (" balsamic)
drizzle of honey
frozen peas
chopped cooked potatoes
horseradish
capers
salt
pepper
lemon juice
lime juice
dill weed
red pepper flakes
chopped tomatoes or halved cherry tomatoes
chopped green or red pepper


toss. taste. adjust. let sit one hour. eat.

grilled basil citrus salmon

going by memory here. a worker came to my home a few years ago, and commented on the basil growing in the herb garden. he marinates salmon in basil with other ingredients and throws in on a hot grill. i scrawled the list on a scrap of paper, as i was heading to charleston and cooking on the wilsons' houseboat.

olive oil
lime juice and zest
orange juice
honey
liberal crusted garlic
chopped tomatoes
slivered basil
diced onion
wine vinegar if you need it
red pepper flakes, salt and freshly ground black pepper

marinate salmon in a ziploc with these ingredients. grill. enjoy. it is very very good.