Gluten-Free, Layered, Vegetable Enchiladas

Posted on May 5, 2012 by dmariemart

Gluten-free, Vegetable Enchiladas

I found the recipe for these gluten-free, layered, vegetable enchiladas on Whole Foods’ Facebook page. The recipe made me salivate, so I had to try it.

Original Recipe

  • 2 cups frozen corn, thawed
  • 1 cup frozen bell pepper strips, thawed
  • 3 tablestoons lime juice (keep some wedges for garnish)
  • 1.5 tablespoons salt-free chili powder, divided
  • 1 (15-oz.) can no salt added pinto or black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro, divided
  • 1 (15 oz.) can no salt added diced tomatoes
  • 8 oz. frozen leafy greens, thawed
  • 8 corn tortillas
  • 3/4 cup shredded part-skim mozzarella cheese (optional)

Preheat oven to 400-degrees F. In a large pot, combine corn, bell peppers, 2 tablespoons lime juice, 1 tablespoon chili powder, tomatoes, and greens and cook over medium-high heat until liquid is almost evaporated (about 10 minutes). Meanwhile, in a large bowl, mash beans with 2 tablespoons cilantro and remaining 1/2 tablespoon chili powder and 1 tablespoon lime juice.

Arrange four tortillas on a large parchment paper-lined baking sheet. Spread bean mixture evenly on tortillas. Top each with about 1/2 cup of the vegetable mixture and some cheese. Top with remaining tortillas, vegetables and cheese and bake until hot throughout and cheese is melted (about 15 minutes). Transfer to plate, garnish with remaining cilantro and lime wedges and serve.

My Changes to the Recipe

  • In the corn mixture, I used 1/2 tablespoon of chili powder, 1 tsp. of cayenne, and 1 tsp. of onion powder (rather than the full tablespoon of chili powder). I also used 1 fresh, red bell pepper (rather than frozen). Additionally, I left out the frozen greens.
  • In the bean mixture (I used black beans), I added 1 tsp. of olive oil and 1 tablespoon of picante sauce.
  • I did the tortillas New Mexico style. I heated a small amount of olive oil in a skillet and lightly sauteed each tortilla (both sides). This adds moisture and taste to the dish. I hate dry, bland corn tortillas. This is the remedy. I went through this process as I constructed the layers. Note: I purchased 100% corn tortillas – no wheat gluten.

The outcome was yummy. I will definitely make this again.

Veggie Enchiladas

 

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Easy Knitted Diagonal Lace Wrap

Posted on April 9, 2012 by dmariemart

This was an easy and fun wrap to knit up.

I used Lana Grossa Chiara (3 skeins) with dye lot 9130531 and colorway 023. I’d call the color golden eggshell or champagne. The yarn is just beautiful. You have to see it to understand.

The pattern by Churchmouse Yarns & Teas can be found on Ravelry. My finished wrap measures 11 x 70 inches. Size 8 circular needles were used. The yarn is soft and luxurious, and it blocked beautifully. This would be a fabulous pattern to knit up as a special gift. You can actually manage it while watching an interesting TV program. Some charts are too difficult to allow you to do that.

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Spring Gardening – Building on the Year Before

Posted on April 2, 2012 by dmariemart

I love spring. I take pleasure in seeing my garden mature. I also enjoy watching seeds turn to plants. I’m like a kid; I check my little paper pots everyday to see if a seed has sprouted. If ever there were something to be considered a miracle – it is a beautiful plant born from a seed no bigger than a pin’s head.

This year, I started my seeds in origami paper pots. I was inspired by a  very informative video for constructing paper pots for seedlings. The great thing is when the plants have matured enough to endure the elements, I can plant the entire pot. The paper will dissolve. Making these seed pots is a pleasant project to work on while watching TV.

Recycle Paper for Seed Pots

My origami seed pots with plant markers.

Seedlings in origami seed pots

Sprouts are beginning to appear for poppies, money plant, and basil. I anticipate more sprouts for other plants in a few days.

Other good things are already growing in the garden.

The beginning of a rhubarb plant. I have two of these plants underway. I can't wait for pie! Me oh my!

Have you ever wondered what would happen if you planted an onion that sprouted in your refrigerator?

I planted the onion. It will make beautiful ornamental flowers and the leaves can be trimmed and used in salads or recipes calling for green onions. Don't expect baby onions though!

I grow an abundance of herbs (rosemary, thyme, onion and garlic chives, two varieties of mint, bergamot, etc.). Here is a view of a sage plant. I let it blossom so that the bees can enjoy it. I plant for myself and for the bees which need all the help they can get these days. Purple and blue flowers are most attractive to bees.

Sage is a wonderful herb and it will seed itself in other places in your garden. You'll be surprised where it will show up.

A garden is incomplete without flowering plants.

I have no idea what this plant is, but it's in my garden because I liked its little bell-like flowers.

A view of herbs. A butterfly plant rests in the foreground.

Tommy sits at the end of the garden path.

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Easy Knitted Sweater Vest for Spring

Posted on March 26, 2012 by dmariemart

This pattern is from Knit Tricks by Rebecca Wat. It is the second vest I’ve knitted using a pattern provided in the book. You can see the first vest I knitted here.

I altered the instructions a bit and did something different with the neckline. I did not like the droopiness of the original neckline, so I gathered it with a cord of similar color and added wooden beads to the end of the cord. I like this finished look. Also, this makes the vest easy to get on and off, and I can adjust how taut I want to cinch the top.

I used 4 skeins of Naturally Caron Joy! The color is Aquatica (0007). I really like this color blue. This yarn is soft and light, and it blocked so nicely. I used #8 circular needles (28 in.). The vest is made of two rectangles (alternating several rows of garter stitch with a few rows of stockinette) stitched at the sides to create holes for arms and neck.

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Blanket Stitched and Stuffed Paper Valentines

Posted on February 4, 2012 by dmariemart

Materials:

  • Scrapbook paper (with a printed design on both sides)
  • Scissors
  • Embroidery thread (do not separate – use all 6 strands)
  • Embroidery needle (a thimble may come in handy too)
  • Ribbon
  • Glue gun with glue sticks
  • Polyester fiber fill
  • Heart shapes template

Instructions:

  1. Use the template to cut out hearts. One sheet of scrapbook paper should allow you to make 3 stuffed hearts, one large and two small. You’ll cut out two large hearts and four small hearts.
  2. For all: place two heart shapes together and proceed to blanket stitch around the edges. About 1.5 inches from completing the round, take a bit of fiber fill and stuff the heart. Don’t over stuff. Make sure filling reaches all areas of the heart. When you’ve completed stuffing the valentine heart, continue with blanket stitching to the end.
  3. Use ribbon to make bows and attach the bows with hot glue.
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Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Posted on December 23, 2011 by dmariemart

image source: Cross Stitch World

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Change Yourself in 2012

Posted on December 16, 2011 by dmariemart

 

Lonely Planet by The The

Planet Earth is slowing down
Overseas, underground
Wherever you look around
Lord, take me by the hand
lead me through these desert sands
To the shores of a promised land.

You make me start when you look into my heart
And see me for who I really am.

If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.

I didn’t care if the sun didn’t shine
& the rain didn’t fall from the sky
I just cared about myself
From this world to the next
And from the next back to this.
By our actions we are bound.
We’re running out of love
running out of hate
running out of space for the human race.
Planet Earth is slowing down.

You make me cry when you look into my eyes.
And see me for who I really am.

If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
If you can’t change the world. Change yourself.
And if you can’t change yourself….change the world.

I’m in love with the planet I’m standing on
I can’t stop
I can’t stop thinking of
All the people I’ve ever loved
All the people I have lost
All the people I’ll never know
All the feelings I’ve never shown.
The world’s too big. And life’s too short.
To be alone…To be alone.

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Crochet Bunny Toy for Baby

Posted on December 13, 2011 by dmariemart

This toy is to pair with the baby blanket I made from the same yarn.

The Bunny Buddy pattern by Vickie Howell was published in the May/June 2009 issue of Crochet Today!

If you have a Ravelry account, you can learn about it here.

It only takes a few hours to make and I think it is perfect to pair with a blanket or kimono set.

The head has a rattle in it: I found a ping pong like rattle in the toy section of PetSmart.

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Cluster Stitch Crochet Baby Blanket

Posted on December 12, 2011 by dmariemart

I like crocheting, rather than knitting blankets (for babies or adults), because crocheting is so much faster. For this blanket I used the cluster stitch. This stitch creates a lovely lace-like look.

I’ve provided my pattern below the video. Watch this video to learn the cluster stitch.

Materials Used:

Pattern:

  • Chain 84 (multiple of 3)
  • Row 1: Make the first cluster in the 5th chain from the hook. the first 3 chains count as a double crochet. Work a V cluster part 1, chain 2, work V cluster part 2 in the same chain space. Skip 2 chains, work a V cluster in the next chain – repeat across. Double crochet in the last double crochet. (You should have 27 clusters.)
  • Row 2: Chain 3, turn, work a V cluster in each chain 2 space (that’s the center of the previous clusters) across. Finish with a double crochet in the last stitch which is chain 3 of the previous row.
  • Repeat for length of project.*
  • For border, double crochet around entire blanket with 2 double crochet stitches in the corners.

*Note: My finished blanked is 30 x 35 inches.

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Anise Tea Cookies

Posted on December 8, 2011 by dmariemart


Well, I’ve finished another batch of cookies. These are very good with coffee or tea because they have an almost scone-like texture (good for dunking) and they are not horribly sweet, even with the icing. The anise adds an interesting taste which reminds me of my very favorite cookies – biscochitos (a traditional New Mexican Christmas cookie).

Here is the recipe for Anise Tea Cookies:

  • 4 cups flour
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tablespoon baking powder
  • 3/4 cup vegetable oil
  • 1 teaspoon anise flavoring/extract
  1. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
  2. In large bowl, mix flour, baking powder, and sugar. Make a well in the center and add the oil, milk, anise flavoring, and eggs. Mix together until dough clings and takes the shape of a ball. (I use my hands to knead everything after all the wet ingredients are mixed in well.)
  3. Pinch off dough (approximately one heaping teaspoon) and roll it into a ball. Place on a parchment-lined cookie sheet one inch apart. Flatten slightly.
  4. Bake for 8-10 minutes. This will vary depending on your oven.
  5. Let cool for about five minutes and then spoon on icing.

Icing:

I like a lot of icing so I made this up 3 times.

  • 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1/4 teaspoon anise flavoring/extract

Mix all together. If the icing is too thin add more sugar. If the icing is too thick add a bit more water. Use a teaspoon and let icing drop from spoon on to cookies.

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