Enchilada Perfection...

I was recently in the mood for something fiesta like in flavor.   I was thinking how about enchiladas I have not made them since I first got married - look out 10 years - and back then what did I know about cooking...not too much but I do remember making enchiladas and my husband loved them.  Ok off to the store for the "enchilada sauce".   Of course it is not just the "enchilada sauce" it is this, that and the other 10 things for a total of $53.50 later...no biggie.

So I say how about roasted veggie enchiladas.  Slicing and slicing I go.  Colored bell Peppers, poblano peppers, onions, squash.  Beautiful colors tossed with olive oil to glisten in the oven.

Ok...wait 30 minutes for veggie perfection and they are perfect!

Lets assemble the enchiladas.  I look at the can on the counter and I read the ingredients AGAIN...I cannot stress enough the AGAIN part because in the store I completely, totally and utterly missed the modified corn protein part as well as the monsodium gludimate part...WHAT...I missed that.  Now i am in fiesta feisty MSG no way Jose not in my kitchen mood I think there is no possible way I am pouring chemicals onto my roasty toasty beautiful veggies.  I walk the can over to the donation bag and make a deposit.  Onto plan B.   Fresh cilantro from the fridge into the blender with a little half/half and whir it up.  Well not only does it compliment the colores of the veggies but it is so vibrant and OH SO delish.

Now we can assemble and return to happy fiesta mood. So my apologies go to my husband...sorry for the processed MSG I gave you ten years ago but this dish came out so good you will marry me all over again and totally forget those "other" enchiladas!


1 Red Bell Pepper (sliced long ways)
1 Yellow Pepper (sliced long ways)
3 Small Poblano Peppers (sliced longways)
2 Onions (sliced)
1 Green Zucchini (sliced long ways)
1 Yellow Zucchini (sliced long ways)
Salt/Pepper
Olive oil
1 handful cilantro
2 Tablespoons of Half/Half
6 Flour Tortillas
1 Cup Shredded Cheddar Jack Cheese
Pam Spray

Preheat oven to 350 degrees
On a baking sheet lay veggies in a single layer
Season veggies with salt/pepper and toss with olive oil
Roast for 30 minutes
Remove from oven and allow to cool for 10 minutes

In the meantime blend half/half and cilantro set aside

Assemble enchiladas
Spray a baking dish with Pam spray
Lay out 6 tortillas
Place a little bit of cheese inside each tortilla
Add veggies to each tortilla
Fold and place seam side down onto baking dish
Top with reserved cilantro sauce
Top with remaining cheese
Bake for 20 minutes till cheese is melted

Black Friday...

Happy Black Friday!  Most of us are doing one of two things today...shopping or relaxing. If you are shopping I hope you find the best deals imaginable on all of your treasures.  If you are relaxing I hope it is with someone you love and in your own home.  

At some point today you will open the fridge and eat left overs from yesterday.  Left overs you made or left overs you took from someone's house.  Just remember turkey can get boring and I can help.  E-mail me at forkfulofsimplicity@gmail.com if you are looking for a creative way to change up some of your left overs!  I love questions and I look forward to hearing from you.  

Busy Bee...

I know, I know it has been a while since I posted and I appologize for that.  I have been working on the new recipes, cooking tips, a second Forkful of Simplicity Cookbook, deciding whetether to self publish or traditional publish, taking pictures... loads and loads of amazing decisions and endless possiblities.  None of these are valid excuses for not posting so lets begin with a new and amazing recipe shall we...

Grilled Skirt Steak with Oven Roasted Broccoli Raab

This recipe is amazing.  It is so simple to prepare, minimal ingredients, and little prep work for a flavor and a taste that cannot be denied as something less than wonderful. The flavor of the meat up against the bitterness and garlic bite of the broccoli raab is fabulous and best of all it is a team effort.  Tony grills the meat and I prepare the broccoli raab all in about 20 minutes.  So grab your spouse, a loved one, a friend, a neighbor - get a bottle of red wine and make this meal...Enjoy!   


Grilled Skirt Steak 
1 1/4 lb. Skirt Steak
Vegetable Oil
Fresh Cracked Pepper
Fresh Ground Sea Salt


Preheat grill
Bring the steak to room temperature
Lightly coat steak with vegetable oil
Season with black pepper (to taste)
Place steak on the grill over medium heat
***Grill for 5-6 minutes per side
Remove steak from grill and season with a touch of salt
Let the steak it rest for 3-4 minutes
Cut steak on a bias and serve along with broccoli raab


***Adjust your cooking time for desired doneness of steak.  5-6 minutes will result in a medium/rare steak***


Oven Roasted Broccoli Raab
2 Large Heads Broccoli Raab 

8 Cloves of Garlic (sliced thin)

Salt/Pepper 

Olive Oil 

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees 

Rinse and dry the top of the broccoli raab 

Carefully cut the broccoli raab above the twist tie and discard the bottom stems 

Separate the broccoli raab evenly among two non-stick cookie sheets

Sprinkle the garlic over the two pans of broccoli raab 

Season with salt/pepper 

Coat with olive oil and toss with your hands 

Place in oven for 15 minutes 

Remove from oven and re-season with a pinch of salt and toss 

Cool slightly before serving 

TGIF...

As promised here is the last recipe for this week!  

Have a great weekend...Enjoy! 

Presto Pesto Pizza
1 Prepared Pizza Crust (We like Mama Mia Thin Crust)
Olive Oil
1 Small Container of Buitoni Pesto Sauce
1 Can Artichoke Hearts (drained and quartered)
Mozzarella Cheese


Preheat oven according to directions of pizza crust
Gently and lightly brush the crust with olive oil
Evenly spread prepared pesto sauce on crust
Place artichokes on top of pesto
Top with mozzarella cheese
Bake according to directions of crust