Cuisine: Mexican

Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole

I have had a lone sweet potato on my counter since the holidays. I decided to make this Sweet Potato and Black Bean Enchilada Casserole. It turned out to be absolutely delicious. It's vegetarian and packed with flavor!

By Leslie Blythe

Mexican Fideo (Vermicelli)

I was researching ways to use Fideo pasta (Vermicelli) and ran across this recipe. It was actually called Sopa de Fideo, though there is nothing "soupy" about this. It's more like a tomato mac & cheese. Regardless, this Mexican Fideo (Vermicelli) (I renamed it!) was a huge hit with my husband. It only took 10 minutes to make. If you have kids at home, this is a must-try dish.

By Leslie Blythe

Henry Winkler’s Mexican Salad

I recently went to a local Goodwill that has mostly books. I found this cookbook called The Hollywood Bowl Cookbook: Picnics Under the Stars. It's a fantastic book with so many things I want to try. Over the years I have made many meals for people to take to the Hollywood Bowl. I really miss going there! Anyway, I made Henry Winkler's Mexican Salad for dinner because it's so hot out. I did add a shredded up chicken breast, which is not in the recipe. The dressing is rather inspiring. It consists of mayo, ketchup, salsa verde and chili powder.

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Burrito Pie

Here's another socially distant dinner I made in my Instant Pot on my Dad's porch. You can also make this layered  Burrito Pie in the oven. It's everything in a burrito - meat, refried beans and cheese that are stacked up with tomatoes and baked.

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Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga

My daughter Zoe made Slow Cooker Chicken Tinga. I wish I could have been there to try it! Chicken Tinga is a Mexican dish made with shredded chicken in a sauce made from tomatoes, chipotle chilis in adobo, and sliced onions. You can use it on tostadas, quesadillas, tortillas. Top it with avocado, red onion, cilantro, and maybe even some crumbled cheese, like cotija or queso fresco.

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Mexican Street Corn Dip

This Mexican Street Corn Dip is Mexican Street corn turned into a dip! The combination of mayonnaise, Mexican Crema, cotija cheese and lime juice. It's creamy, cheesy and delicious.

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Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowls

Just as with a traditional burrito, this recipe is very versatile. I have given 2 ways to make this Chicken and Rice Burrito Bowl. The first is the Instant Pot version and I also included the stove top version. It's quick and easy to make a perfect for a busy work night meal.

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Cheesy Taco Casserole

This Cheesy Taco Casserole is a quick and easy to prepare for a weeknight dinner.  It's cheesy, meaty, and guaranteed to be a hit with your family!

By Leslie Blythe

Corn Medallions with Aioli, Cotija Cheese and Lime

My daughter Zoe made these Corn Medallions with Aioli, Cotija Cheese and Lime. It’s basically Mexican-style street corn sautéed instead of grilled.

It’s the perfect mashup of the balanced flavors that comprise great dishes - sweet corn, garlic aioli, sour lime, and salty cheese.

Cotija cheese is named after the town of Cotija, Michoacán where it originated, Cotija cheese has a strong, salty flavor and mostly used as a topping or mixed into sauces. Feta is a good substitute.

By Leslie Blythe

Green Chile Chicken Tamales

Every Christmas eve my mother-in-law served tamales and albondigas soup. She got her tamales from a local source in East Los Angeles. My friend asked if I wanted to make tamales with her. Absolutely! We corralled another friend, who actually knows what she’s doing and my daughter. We each bring our own filling. I've made Beef Tamales with Red Chili Sauce, pork and Green Chile Chicken Tamales. I had made tamales in the past, but only one dozen. This time, we made 150! My friend said that you have to take a shot after every dozen is completed! Given that it was 10 am when we started, I only did 2 shots, and then there were those mimosas…. It was so much fun, that we do it every year.  

By Leslie Blythe