One of my favorite things to eat is anything with a Tex Mex flair to it. I love those flavors and will try to enjoy them whenever I can!
These Shredded Beef Enchiladas are filled with lovely flavors, and are a real family favorite. With only six ingredients and using up leftover roast beef, they are a budget favorite in my home and have been for a very long time.
Today I have small batched the recipe to feed only 2 people, but of course if you want to feed more you can double or triple the recipe!
I was so lucky this past weekend to have had my middle son, his wife and his middle son over for a few days visiting from PEI.
They had to take my grandson to the children's hospital in Halifax for some tests and so thought they would take advantage of this and spend a few days with me prior to the testing.
I was able to see my son and his oldest boy last year at this time right after I had gotten out of quarantine, so it was really nice to see him again, plus my daughter in law and of course another grandson!
I cooked us a nice Pot Roast Supper on Sunday. My grandson helped. I have been dreaming of being able to cook with my grandsons for years and years.
All my dreams are now coming true a little bit at a time! Yay!!
I ended up with a quantity of leftover beef to use up and so today I decided to make a small batch of my beef enchilada recipe, using some of the roast beef. I hate waste. This is a fabulously tasty way to repurpose it!
When my children were growing up, every holiday meal was followed by Turkey Enchiladas. And gladly so. I think my children still make them at home now!
I love enchiladas in any way shape or form. Leftover roast beef can sometimes be a bit blah if you just slice it and serve it again like that, but throw it into a casserole or a dish like this and you have some very tasty leftovers!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE SHREDDED BEEF ENCHILADAS
As I said only six simple ingredients needed! These are usually things I have in my store cupboard anyways!
- leftover cooked roast beef
- thawed sweet corn niblets (you can also use tinned)
- green chilis (when I can I buy whole jalapeno chilies, roast them, and then trim, deseed and freeze them individually. Very easy to take out and chop up while still frozen)
- red enchilada sauce
- grated cheese (I used a Mexican mix)
- small flour tortillas (6-inches round)
You can make your own enchilada sauce to use in these. I usually do. You can find a recipe for that here.
It is actually very easy to make and tastes so delicious when compared to the store bought type. I make double the quantity sometimes and then freeze it so that I have it ready on top to use for dishes like this one.
Simply thaw out and use as per your requirement! Easy peasy and oh so tasty!!
HOW TO MAKE SHREDDED BEEF ENCHILADAS
Nothing could be simpler or quicker to make. That's why these make a great weeknight supper when we may be pressed for time to spend in cooking.
You begin by shredding your beef. I like to cut it into thick slices and then I shred it with my fingers. I am not a huge fan of long shreds. Maybe that is because my teeth are getting old, but shorter shreds are what I like most.
The shredded beef then gets mixed in a bowl with the green chilis and corn, as well as a small quantity of red enchilada sauce to bind everything together. You can leave the corn out if you want, but it adds some nice fiber to the dish and a bit of colour.
Spoon some enchilada sauce into the bottom of a buttered casserole dish. Not a lot, just enough to give you a thin layer on the base of your dish.
You only need four tortillas to feed two people. Spoon a quarter of the beef filling down the center of each tortilla, sprinkle on a bit of cheese, and then roll them tightly up to enclose everything.
Place them, seam side down, next to each other in your baking dish, then spoon the remainder of the sauce over top of them. I smooth it over to completely cover with the back of a spoon. Works a charm.
You then scatter the remainder of the cheese evenly over top and bake them in a moderate oven. It doesn't take long.
You only want them heated through, the sauce bubbling and the cheese completely melted. Oh boy, do they smell good when they are baking. That smell just gets my tastebuds to tingling!
These are delicious served with a nice cooling dollop of sour cream on top. Sometimes I also like to sprinkle on chopped green onions/scallions or even chopped black olives.
I didn't have either of those things in the house today and to be honest my sour cream was almost out of date, so its a good thing I used it! I had a nice salad on the side.
My, but these are some good, with just the right amount of spice. I don't like things too overly spicy and these are perfect in every way!
Rich, cheesy, flavor-filled, a bit crunchy from the corn, a bit spicy from the chilies, and that cool and creamy sour cream on top, just right! I could almost eat the whole thing all by myself, but I won't.
I will freeze one serving to take out sometime when I am lacking in inspiration and want something quick and easy to eat. To freeze just place into an air tight freezer container. Alternately you can wrap in plastic cling film and aluminum foil. They will keep for several months.
Just remove them from the freeze and pop into the fridge to thaw over night or from early in the day. They reheat very easily in the microwave. You can also keep the leftovers refrigerated for a few days (but no longer I wouldn't think.)
Anyways, the next time you have some leftover roast beef that you want to repurpose in a most delicious way, this could be just the recipe you are looking for!
Shredded Beef Enchiladas
Yield: 2
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 25 MinTotal time: 35 Min
These delicious enchiladas use only six ingredients and are a fabulous way to use up leftover roast beef, be it pot roast or whatever. They are quick and easy to make as well! Small batched for the smaller family, simply double or triple the ingredients to feed more.
Ingredients
- 1 1/2 cup (226g) shredded cooked roast beef
- 1 medium jalapeno green chili, roasted and chopped
- 1/2 cup (80g) frozen corn, thawed
- 1 1/4 cups (300ml) enchilada sauce
- 1 1/4 cups (about 110g) grated Mexican cheese blend
- 4 small wheat tortillas (6-inch)
Instructions
- Preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4. Butter a small baking dish. (Mine was 7 inches square.)
- Spoon a couple TBS of the enchilada sauce in the bottom of the dish.
- Mix the chopped beef, 1/4 cup (60ml) of the enchilada sauce, the corn and the chopped green chili together in a bowl. Scoop 1/4 of the filling onto the center of each of the tortillas. Top each with about 2 TBS of the cheese and roll each up, Place into the baking dish next to each other, seam side down.
- Spoon the remaining enchilada sauce over top and spread it over to cover the enchiladas completely. Sprinkle the remainder of the cheese over all.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the sauce is bubbling away. Serve hot with your favorite accompaniments. (I like sour cream and spring onions)
I am really excited to be able to announce that I have a new baking book coming out at the end of December! Its filled with lots of lovely British Baking Recipes, all pretty popular bakes. You can check out more about it by clicking here. Pinch me, I'm dreaming!
One thing I have always loved to do, since my children were growing up, is to bake special goodies during the Christmas Season. Some for my family of course and the others to gift to friends.
Generally speaking I will start in early December, baking a variety of goods and freezing them for the holidays in air tight containers. (Note- anything with a glaze or frosting, don't glaze or frost until you get them ready to serve/gift.)
I always try to save containers for gifting throughout the year as well. (And yes, I HAVE already eaten a small tin of butter cookies myself. I am bad.)
I love this time of year when people are so loving and giving, with the spirit of the season. I was so blessed the other day. I received a package from my friend Diana. In it was this lovely Advent Calendar. I can't wait to start using it!
There was also a cookbook, but I didn't get a photograph of that! Thank you so much Diana! You made me smile and will be making me smile all through December!
These Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies are perfect for gifting and for enjoying with a nice hot cup of tea. They also look very festive with their ruby red centers!
It was such a gloomy day today, I have to apologize for the photos. They are not up to my usual standard, unfortunately. I can see that is going to be a problem here, but I will cope.
I wanted to bake a surprise gift for my son and his wife to take back to PEI when they leave tomorrow. Today was the perfect day to do that as they are in Halifax at the IWK with their son.
They live with my daughter-in-law's parents and I thought it would be nice to send them a gift for the holidays. In the spirit of giving and with love for all of the special care they give to my grandsons.
I did small-batch the original recipe, which you will find on a blog called Cooking Classy. The full batch makes 36 cookies.
This smaller version makes only 18. Oh my but they are lovely and buttery short textured. Yes, I did indulge in one. I mean, how can anyone resist!
WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE RASPBERRY THUMBPRINT COOKIES
Nothing too out of the ordinary.
- all purpose plain flour
- salt
- butter (I always use salted.)
- granulated white sugar
- almond extract
- seedless raspberry jam
- icing sugar
- water
You can see these are perfect sized little bites of Christmas Cookie bliss! Each one only about 2 to 3 bites.
Prepare yourself to fall in love!
HOW TO MAKE RASPBERRY THUMBPRINT SHORTBREAD COOKIES
These are relatively simple to make with no extraordinary equipment or skills needed. In fact you could get the children to help you roll the dough into balls.
You begin by making the shortbread dough. You will need to beat the sugar and cold butter together. I thought this was a bit unusual. And at first you don't think it is going to pull together because the butter is so cold, but persevere, it will eventually be right and creamed without being overly soft.
Once you have done that you can beat in the almond extract and then start beating in the flour. It too will look like its never going to come together.
At first it appears very dry and crumbly and you think to yourself, this is never going to work, but then, as if by magic, it does and you have a nice malleable dough.
You need to divide the dough into 15 walnut sized (1-inch) balls. You can do this between the palms of your hands.
Place them onto a paper lined baking sheet.
Place the balls, leaving a space in between each on the baking sheet. Then either using your thumb or the back of a measuring spoon make a slight hollow in the center of each.
I use the back of a measuring spoon because it is easy and they all end up the same shape and depth, etc. Continuity, perfection. Yes, I am a bit ocd.
Once you have done that, drop 1/2 tsp of seedless raspberry jam into the center of each and then pop the whole tray into the refrigerator to chill for about fifteen minutes.
While they are chilling you can preheat your oven. Once that's done, just pop them into the oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
You don't want them to color at all. They should be pale golden brown on the bottoms, that's it!
Leave them on the baking sheet to cool for about 10 minutes, then remove to a wire rack to cool completely. Once they are completely cold you can glaze them.
Glazing is easy. Just whisk the glaze ingredients together to get a stiff yet drizzable mixture and pop it into a small zip lock baggie. Snip off a small corner and then drizzle the frosting in a pretty pattern over top of the cookies. Easy peasy.
And that's it! You have a beautiful cookie which is perfect for enjoying with the family or gifting out. You decide which you want to do.
They would look like pretty little jewels on a cookie tray for the holidays for sure, and I can tell you that they go very well wit a nice hot cuppa! Share a little love or enjoy them yourself. Its all good!
Raspberry Thumbprint Shortbread Cookies (small batch)
Yield: 18 cookies
Prep time: 14 MinCook time: 18 Mininactive time: 15 MinTotal time: 47 Min
These have a beautiful short texture accentuated with a sweet dab of jam in the middle. They make perfect gifts for family, friends, and neighbors. Or you can always treat yourself!
Ingredients
For the cookies:
- 1 cup +1 TBS (150g)all purpose plain flour
- pinch salt
- 1/3 cup (70g) granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup (120g) butter, cold and cut into largish bits
- 1/4 tsp pure almond extract
- seedless raspberry jam
For the glaze:
- 1/2 cup (65g) icing sugar, sifted
- drop of almond extract
- 1 - 2 tsp water
Instructions
- Line a baking sheet with some baking parchment paper. Set aside.
- Using an electric mixer beat the cold butter and sugar together until combined. (This will take a few minutes due to the coldness of the butter, that's okay.) Beat in the almond extract
- Beat in the flour and salt. It may look like it is never going to come together, appearing very dry and crumbly, but persevere. It will come together perfectly.
- Divide and shape into 1 inch round balls. Place onto the baking sheet, leaving a bit of space in between each.
- Use your thumb or the back of a small measuring spoon to make an indentation in each. Spoon about 1/2 tsp of jam into each indentation. Place in the refrigerator to chill for 15 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 350*F/180*C/ gas mark 4.
- Bake the cookies for 14 to 18 minutes. They should be pale golden brown on the bottoms only. Leave to cool on the baking sheet for about 10 minutes before scooping off onto a wire rack to cool completely.
- Whisk all of the icing ingredients together to make a stiff-ish glaze. Pop into a little zip lock bag, snip off a tiny bit of one corner and then pipe the glaze onto the cookies.
- Allow them to set before storing in an airtight container.
This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com Thanks so much for visiting. Do come again!
Image: Magnet
With Christmas around the corner, Kitchen design and retail specialists Magnet have predicted the top 10 festive kitchen decoration trends this year.
From winter wreaths to festive crockery - here is how to turn the heart of your home into a luxury winter wonderland this Christmas!
THE TOP 10 MOST POPULAR CHRISTMAS
DECORATIONS FOR YOUR KITCHEN IN 2021
1. CHRISTMAS WREATHS
Images: Home Bunch / Home Stories A to Z
Images: It all started with paint / The Turquoise Home
8. CHRISTMAS OVEN MITTS AND TEATOWELS
Images: Soil Solutions Homestead / The Danes
9. FESTIVE BOWL OF WINTER INGREDIENTS
Images: Sunny Side Up / Pinterest
10. WINDOW LEDGE CHRISTMAS SCENE
If you're looking for a more subtle nod to Christmas you can utilise popular Scandinavian decor. This minimalist trend incorporates natural elements such as foliage, paper and wood, along with classic Christmas colours such as red, green, gold or silver. Decorations tend to be sparse and made from natural materials and have a simple yet festive style.
On the other end of the scale, you can choose a more maximalist approach to your decor. For this trend, there are no restraints to the use of colours and patterns to liven up your kitchen.
Images: Magnet / Lauren M Mills
1. CHRISTMAS WREATHS
Christmas wreaths are not only for your front door. In recent years, Magnet designers have witnessed an increase in popularity of displaying elegant wreaths inside the kitchen!
The most popular locations to adorn kitchen wreaths are on cabinet doors, kitchen windows, or on units above the hob or oven. However, it’s important you make sure wherever you place your wreath, it is safe and not at risk from setting alight.
Images: The Blushing Bungalow / Nesting with Grace
2. FOLIAGE GARLANDS AROUND KITCHEN WINDOWS
The simple addition of a window garland can transform your kitchen into a festive haven this Christmas!
Hanging faux (or real) greenery to the frame of your windows brings nature into your kitchen and creates a cosy aesthetic. You can add fairy lights, pine cones, berries or eucalyptus leaves to further emphasis and fill out the feature.
If you do not have any suitable windows to work with, you can attach garlands to the top of wall cabinets or doorways for a similar effect.
Images: Ella Claire Inspired / Home by Heidi
3. DECORATIVE CHRISTMAS JARS
Using jars you may already have in your kitchen to create a cute winter scene is a great way to subtly decorate your kitchen counters this Christmas.
These are especially handy if you have young children or pets as it’s a safer way to display smaller ornaments which could be a choking hazard!
To create your scene, first add a layer of white sugar to the base of the jar to replicate snow. You can then fill your jar with edible objects such as miniature gingerbread shapes or candy canes.
Alternatively, you can choose to use small ornaments such as baubles or trees. Finish off the look by adding red ribbon to the handle of the jars!
Images: Dining Delight / Life on Summerhill
4. TIERD CHRISTMAS ISLAND CENTERPIECE
For those who have an island in their kitchen (or a spare corner on their counter top), adding a DIY Christmas centerpiece is a great way to make your kitchen feel festive. Last Christmas, Magnet designers noticed a rise in interest for tiered centerpieces in particular - and predict the trend will continue this year!
You can repurpose a tiered tray stand, by adding small festive objects such as pine cones, candles and ivy. Pick colours that compliment your kitchen's colour scheme or classic Christmas colours such as red and green.
Images: Home Bunch / Home Stories A to Z
5. FESTIVE CHAIR DECORATIONS
If you have chairs or stools in your kitchen, adding simple decoration to the back of them will give your room a festive makeover.
Foliage, ribbons or miniature wreaths are a great option for a sophisticated and stylish look.
Images: Ella Claire & Co. / Donna Hay
6. ON DISPLAY GINGERBREAD HOUSE OR CHRISTMAS CAKE
Gingerbread houses and Christmas cakes are made to be eaten - but they also are a great decorative piece to display in your kitchen. Thanks to these treats lasting over a week in most cases, they can be incorporated into your decor in the run up to Christmas.
You can go as big or as small as you wish with this decor - and you can even get the kids involved. If you want over-the-top inspiration, every year, Kris Kardashian gifts her children lavishly decorated Gingerbread houses which they share online. If you do have yours on show and wish to eat it, make sure you cover it overnight to make it last longer and keep it fresh.
Images: It all started with paint / The Turquoise Home
7. CHRISTMAS CROCKERY
Swap out your regular dishes and mugs with Christmas alternatives.
From Santa and reindeer mugs to candy cane plates, you can display them on shelves or countertop corners to make your kitchen feel festive. Many find it fun to build their unique collection each year, by buying new or pre-loved pieces!
Images: My 100 Year Old Home / Blogs by Aria
8. CHRISTMAS OVEN MITTS AND TEATOWELS
As well as replacing your crockery, you can also swap your everyday kitchen textiles, like tea towels and oven mitts, with their seasonal Christmas counterparts!
Having these on display is a useful and natural way to celebrate the festive season.
9. FESTIVE BOWL OF WINTER INGREDIENTS
Get into the Christmas spirit this year by making your very own dried potpourri. Not only will this decoration be beautiful to look at - it also will make your kitchen smell amazing! You can also assemble your potpourri into glass jars, and give it to family and friends as a festive gift.
You can make your potpourri to your own taste by choosing what ingredients to dehydrate and add. We recommend cinnamon sticks, essential oils, herbs, vanilla beans and dried fruits such as oranges.
You can use your oven to dry the items out. Drying out your fruits will take the longest (up to 3 hours). Cut the oranges into 1-2cm slices and place them on baking paper in the oven. Start at 120°C and turn them up every half hour - they will start to develop a brown shade, but you must also keep a close eye on them regularly to judge when they are done. Too cool, put them on a metal cooling rack!
10. WINDOW LEDGE CHRISTMAS SCENE
If you have a window ledge in your kitchen, you can create your very own winter village scene this Christmas - an increasingly popular trend!
By assembling model homes in between faux Christmas trees, on a bed of cotton wool, you can build your very own winter wonderland. Not only will it look great from the inside of your home, you can spread the festive cheer as your neighbours will also get to see the scene too!
Lizzie Beesley, Head of Design at Magnet commented:
“If you are using your kitchen as a hosting space, or just want to raise the cook’s spirits, there are many simple tweaks to festively spruce up the hub of your home. You can use resources like Magnet’s trending decor predictions above, or sites such as Pinterest, for sources of inspiration.
If you're looking for a more subtle nod to Christmas you can utilise popular Scandinavian decor. This minimalist trend incorporates natural elements such as foliage, paper and wood, along with classic Christmas colours such as red, green, gold or silver. Decorations tend to be sparse and made from natural materials and have a simple yet festive style.
On the other end of the scale, you can choose a more maximalist approach to your decor. For this trend, there are no restraints to the use of colours and patterns to liven up your kitchen.
The aim is to be bright, bold and eccentric, embracing the joy of the festive season.
And last but not least, traditional Christmas decor is also another popular way to add some festive cheer to the heart of your home. This includes the use of Christmas colours and decorations such as garlands, candy canes, bells, wreaths and gingerbread houses for a decadent feel.”
And last but not least, traditional Christmas decor is also another popular way to add some festive cheer to the heart of your home. This includes the use of Christmas colours and decorations such as garlands, candy canes, bells, wreaths and gingerbread houses for a decadent feel.”
Article Source: Magnet UK
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