What’s the Theme of the Day?

Well it is Tuesday after all. Although I must confess, the day I made these Chimichangas for my guys marked the third day in a row we had a South of the Border inspired supper. What can I say?

Actually, it’s nearing the end of our gardening season. This year was amazing – we have hot spicy peppers coming out our ears! I have a huge box of peppers drying for next year’s Hot Pepper Spice Blend. I have several gallon size bags of peppers in the freezer to see us through the winter. We just needed to use up the last of the fresh peppers while we still have them.

Before we get to cooking our chicken three times (pressures cook, baked, then fried), let’s pour ourselves a cup of coffee and just chat a minute. I’ve been thinking a lot lately about marriage, and what makes it work. To tell you the truth, I don’t know if I have the answer to that age old question. Love, no doubt, is a key component. But it takes more than just falling in love to make a marriage work. You have to stay in love, too. I loved my first boyfriend will all of my heart, but I didn’t marry him. We’ve all heard the stories of high school romance. Two of my dear friends from grammar school went on to marry their high school sweethearts. They are still married today. So that kind of ever lasting love is possible. But there’s more to the story. Marriage is hard work. Don’t ever let someone tell you it isn’t. Like a garden, it needs tending. Just as a well tended garden produces a great harvest, so does a marriage when properly nurtured.

I think part of the key to a successful marriage is weathering the storms. Try not to create bad weather, but don’t avoid the dark clouds either. That creates resentment. Love cannot thrive in a resentful enviorment. It’s best to sail through the choppy waters of life. Have you ever seen a ship in a storm? It’s tossed about, while the crew works hard to keep it afloat until the storm has passed. They do so as a team, with communication and trust and assigned roles. Faith is also important. Faith in one another, and faith in God. Faith build trust. Sometimes that trust is broken. It doesn’t mean the marriage is also broken. Think about those beautiful works of art made from broken glass. Sometimes we need to take our broken pieces and offer them up to God. When we place our marriage on His alter, He will give us back something so amazing and strong.

Finding the right person matters. I thank God every day for the man I married. There is no one I’d rather face the storms with than him. It’s not always sunshine and flowers. I know there will be moments of sorrow. That’s a part of life. Without a little sadness, we might not know to appreciate the joy that follows.

And there is no one I’d rather cook for than the love of my life.

Three-Step Chicken Chimichangas
Chicken
1 tablespoons New Mexican Red Chili Powder
1/2 teaspoon Salt
1 teaspoon Cumin
1/4 teaspoon Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon Onion Powder
Pinch Cayenne Pepper or to taste
2 lbs boneless Chicken Thighs
1 cup Chicken Stock
1 (4 oz) can Diced Hatch Chilies
2 fresh Serrano Peppers
2 small Jalapeño Peppers

In a bowl mix chili powder, salt, cumin, pepper, onion powder and cayenne together.

Lay thighs out on a flat work surface. Sprinkle with seasoning mix, rub into the meat. If there is any seasoning left over, whisk into the stock.

Place chicken thighs into the insert of a pressure cooker. Pour stock around the outer edge of the chicken. Lock lid in place.

Set PRESSURE COOK, CUSTOM, 10 MINUTES, HIGH. Press start. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then release any remaining pressure.

Place chicken on a cutting board or baking pan, let cool enough to handle. Place chicken in a bowl, shred.

Once shredded, add green chilies. Stem and finely dice the peppers, work into the shredded meat for additional flavor and heat.

Chimichangas
6 or 8 Flour Tortillas (depending on size)
Cooking Spray
3/4 cup Mexican or Pepper Jack Cheese
Oil for frying

Heat oven to 425-degrees. Line a rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. Set aside.

Spray tortillas with cooking spray. Warm on a flat skillet or Tortilla pan until soft and easy to roll.

Divide chicken mixture between the tortillas, run filling down the middle leaving room on the ends to fold tortilla in to close ends.

Scatter cheese over the top of the chicken filling. Fold ends of the tortilla in toward the filling, then fold one end over, tuck under and roll. Place seam-side down on the prepared baking pan.

Spray tops of the Chimichangas with more cooking spray, place in the heated oven to bake for about 10 minutes. Chimichangas should be heated through, but not yet browned and crisp.

While the Chimichangas bake, heat enough oil in a skillet to cover the Chimichangas half-way. Flash-fry the baked Chimichangas in oil to finish crisping.

Serve with your favorite sides such as refried beans and spicy rice and enjoy. Most of all, don’t forget the margaritas!!

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But you, O LORD, are my shield;
my glory, You lift up my head!
When I call out to the LORD,
He answers me from His holy mountain.
The Lord upholds me.