Chilaquiles with Homemade Salsa Verde

Salsa Verde

12 tomatillos, husks removed and washed

8 serrano chilies, stemmed

4 cloves garlic, peeled

1/2 large white onion

1/2 cup chopped epazote or cilantro

Salt to taste

Chilaquiles and Toppings

1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth

6 cups tortilla chips

2 cups cooked shredded chicken (optional)

1/3 cup Mexican crema or sour cream

4 ounces queso fresco or feta cheese, grated

For salsa verde, cut tomatillos in half using Utility Knife. Cook tomatillos in (10-in.) Skillet over medium-high heat 6-8 minutes or until blackened around edges. Add serranos and garlic; cook 6-8 minutes or until caramelized. Remove Skillet from heat; cool slightly. Meanwhile, finely chop onion and epazote using Food Chopper.

Finely chop tomatillo mixture using Food Chopper. Combine tomatillo mixture, onion, epazote and salt in Classic Batter Bowl; mix well using Mix ‘N Scraper®. To make chilaquiles, place salsa verde and chicken broth into Skillet. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, stirring with Nylon Spoon. Reduce heat and simmer 5-8 minutes or until sauce begins to thicken. Add tortilla chips. Cover and cook 3-5 minutes or until chips are slightly softened.

Divide chilaquiles evenly among serving dishes; top with chicken, if desired, and sour cream. Grate queso fresco over chilaquiles using Deluxe Cheese Grater. Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 servings

Nutrients per serving: Calories 270, Total Fat 15 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Cholesterol 20 mg, Carbohydrate 29 g, Protein 6 g, Sodium 580 mg, Fiber 4 g

Cook's Tip: If desired, 4 cups of your favorite store-bought salsa verde can be substituted for the homemade salsa verde.

Really- How Hard Can Dinner Really Be?

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I'm not a chef (I am 'pampered' though!) by any means, and I tend to stay away from exotic ingredients; but I do love to cook. I think that preparing dinner can be a great way to release stress after a long day (or it can be the last thing on your mind), a wonderful creative outlet, or that dinner can be as simple as a Hot Pocket and a bowl of cereal (that's what Jason was inspired to cook me last night for dinner!). We must eat to live, but it should be enjoyable after all; and no man can survive on MickeyD's and deli sandwiches forever. My goal is to provide a resource for the uninspired, the haters, the newbies to enjoy their kitchen time and to do so with as little effort and money (yes, we are all budget conscious these days!) as possible. Thanks for coming on this journey with me- and if you have an amazing find, please do let me know. Happy Cooking!