CHICKEN AND CANNELLINI BEAN ENCHILADAS

My oldest sister says I’m overly fond of using cheese in my recipes. She’s right, but it’s one of those foods I find hard to resist and, since my guys have high metabolism (yes, makes me sick too), I get no complaints from them. Though this dish was a hit, I’ve made adjustments to the recipe to improve on it (could have used more chicken).

CHICKEN & WHITE BEAN FILLING:

1 tsp olive oil

1/4 cup diced onion

1-4.5 oz can diced green chiles

1-15 oz can Cannellini beans, drained

1/2 cup chicken broth

1 tsp cumin

2-13 oz cans chicken breast, drained

GREEN CHILE SAUCE:

1 tbsp butter

1/2 cup diced onion

2 tbsp flour

1 cup chicken broth

3/4 cup half-and-half

1-4.5 oz can diced green chiles

2 tbsp diced jalapenos

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/2 cup light sour cream

MORE GOODIES:

6 oz cheddar jack blend cheese

10 large flour tortillas

Optional topping: 2 cups shredded lettuce, 2 tbsp minced cilantro, 1 green onion (sliced thin)

1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees

2) CHICKEN & WHITE BEAN FILLING: Heat oil in large skillet over medium heat; add onions and cook 2-3 minutes; add green chiles, beans, chicken broth, and cumin; stirring occasionally, cook 10 minutes; add chicken and cook 5 minutes; set aside

3) GREEN CHILE SAUCE: Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat; add onions and cook 2-3 minutes; sprinkle flour over onions and stir well; cook 1 minute; stir in chicken broth and half-and-half and cook 4-5 minutes until sauce thickens; add green chiles, jalapenos, and salt; cook 1 minute and remove from heat; stir in sour cream

4) Pour 1/2 cup of green chile sauce in bottom of a 9×13″ casserole dish and spread evenly across the bottom; lay out tortillas and divide chicken and white bean filling among them; roll tortillas and place seam side down in casserole dish

5) Pour remaining green chile sauce over enchiladas and top with cheese; cover casserole dish with aluminum foil and bake 25-30 minutes; remove aluminum foil and bake an additional 3 minutes; remove from oven and either serve as is–Yum!–or go the extra mile and scatter shredded lettuce, cilantro, and green onions on top; ring the dinner bell!

Servings: 6-8 (depending on how many guys and how hungry they are)

NOTE: This is a “repeat” recipe featured on my original “Kitchen Novelist” blog 07/17/12–the one that disappeared into a black hole (which is the reason WordPress and I met up).

LADY OF EVE: A Medieval Romance ~ $.99 On Sale Thru 06.05.15 (regularly $4.99)

In celebration of the upcoming release of LADY OF CONQUEST, the #1 bestselling LADY OF EVE is only $.99 though June 05, 2015. Available at Amazon, B&N, iBooks Store, Kobo Books.

FALLEN ~ On the eve of her profession as a nun, Lady Graeye Charwyck is called home to Medland by the father who disavowed her years earlier for the “devil’s mark” she bears. Desperate to escape the convent, she agrees to wed a man she detests to provide an heir for her family’s holdings. But when the king declares the Charwyck lands forfeit and awards them to their enemy, Graeye once more finds herself discarded. Grieved by her father’s plans to return her to the convent, she yields to impulse and casts aside her virtue, only to discover that the knight with whom she sinned is the new lord of Medland.

RELENTLESS ~ Baron Gilbert Balmaine is a man nearly eaten through with desire to see the end of the Charwyck line for all the ills the family has visited upon his own. With the heir dead, the only remaining survivor too aged to beget another, and their lands forfeited for the atrocities committed against the Balmaines, light lies ahead—until Gilbert learns there is a daughter. And his world darkens further when he realizes she is the one who, on a starry night, tempted him past temptation. Certain she intended to trap him into marriage, he vows he will not rest until she is back within the walls of her abbey. Now if only he can forget her… If only that night did not have such far-reaching consequences…

To read an excerpt, visit: www.tamaraleigh.com

CURSED ~ England of The Norman Conquest, 1068: Two years have passed since the Battle of Hastings changed the course of a nation. As the defeated Saxons continue to chafe against the yoke of Norman rule, Rhiannyn of Etcheverry finds herself at the center of a rebellion when the conqueror she refuses to wed dies in her arms—cursing her to never know the love of a man or the blessing of children. Certain only her silence can save her people from retaliation, she holds close the dark truth about his death. But when his avenging brother saves her life, she discovers another side to the celebrated warrior of Hastings—one that will test her loyalties and beliefs. And expose the innocent heart beneath her Saxon pride.

UNFORGIVEN ~ Renouncing his holy vows, Maxen Pendery pledges to discover who murdered his brother—even at the cost of the soul he has wrestled to save since thrusting his sword in the blood-soaked soil of Hastings and walking away. But when Rhiannyn of Etcheverry is at his mercy, she continues to protect the rebel leader to whom she was once betrothed. Though breathtakingly lovely, she refuses to use her wiles against Maxen, instead disarming him with her sharp tongue, strong will, and a selflessness that unexpectedly stirs his ignoble heart. Might the cursed beauty be the death of him? Or could she prove his redemption?

Available for pre-order at: Amazon, iBooks Store, Kobo Books

To read an excerpt, visit: www.tamaraleigh.com

LADY OF FIRE Audiobook Now Available!

Pleased to announce LADY OF FIRE joins LADY AT ARMS and LADY OF EVE in audiobook format, all narrated by the beautifully talented Mary Sarah Agliotta. And coming soon: STEALING ADDA, a Head Over Heels Inspirational Romance.

Preview a sample of LADY OF FIRE at: Audible.com, Amazon.com, iBooks Store

 

Another Round Of Edits (AROE) ~ LADY OF CONQUEST: Chapter Fourteen

On to the next installment of “Another Round Of Edits (AROE)” in which this author continues the process of editing the full manuscript of the weighty Lady of Conquest–133,382 words to be exact. The following is an excerpt from the first–there will be more–and most intense round of edits that will ensure LOC is fit and trim for her June 04, 2015 release. UPDATE: Edits coming along well. Lady Of Conquest now available for PRE-Order at: Amazon

To Read Excerpt: www.tamaraleigh.com 

LEMON-STRAWBERRY SORBET CAKE

This is a new take on our favorite Lemon-Raspberry Sorbet Cake. I used white chocolate rather than dark (quite good), opted for fresh berries instead of frozen, and added frozen berries between the layers. As amazing as ever! And perfect for Fourth Of July 🙂

2 cups gingersnap cookie crumbs (I put cookies in large zip top bag, pound a bit, then “crumb” with a rolling pin)

3 tbsp unsalted butter, melted

2 pints lemon sorbet, softened

1 cup frozen mixed berries

2 pints strawberry sorbet, softened

3 cups fresh strawberries, halved

1-1/2 cups fresh blueberries

2-1 oz white chocolate baking squares (I used Baker’s brand)

1) Combine cookie crumbs and melted butter, stir well and press into bottom of 10″ springform pan; freeze 10-15 minutes until just firm

2) Spread softened lemon sorbet over crumb crust; scatter frozen berries on top and lightly press into sorbet; freeze 45 minutes

3) Spread softened strawberry sorbet over lemon sorbet; top with stripes of strawberries and blueberries

4) Melt white chocolate (1 microwave 30-45 seconds, spoon into a sandwich bag, and snip a small hole in a bottom corner of bag); squeeze melted chocolate over berries (a lattice pattern is lovely); freeze a minimum of 1 hour

5) To serve, remove pie from springform pan; allow to sit 5-10 minutes; slice and serve immediately

Servings: 8-12 (if you can contain yourself)

NOTE: This is a “repeat” recipe featured on my original “Kitchen Novelist” blog 07/06/12–the one that disappeared into a black hole (which is the reason WordPress and I met up).

Another Round Of Edits (AROE) ~ LADY OF CONQUEST: Chapter Thirteen

On to the next installment of “Another Round Of Edits (AROE)” in which this author continues the process of editing the full manuscript of the weighty Lady of Conquest–133,382 words to be exact. The following is an excerpt from the first–there will be more–and most intense round of edits that will ensure LOC is fit and trim for her late spring 2015 release. UPDATE: Lady Of Conquest now available for PRE-Order at: Amazon

 To Read Excerpt: www.tamaraleigh.com 

LADY OF CONQUEST: Releasing June 04, 2015!

LADY OF CONQUEST ~ It’s official! We have a release date of June 04, 2015 ~ And now available for PRE-ORDER at Amazon 🙂

CURSED ~ England of The Norman Conquest, 1068: Two years have passed since the Battle of Hastings changed the course of a nation. As the defeated Saxons continue to chafe against the yoke of Norman rule, Rhiannyn of Etcheverry finds herself at the center of a rebellion when the conqueror she refuses to wed dies in her arms—cursing her to never know the love of a man or the blessing of children. Certain only her silence can save her people from retaliation, she holds close the dark truth about his death. But when his avenging brother saves her life, she discovers another side to the celebrated warrior of Hastings—one that will test her loyalties and beliefs. And expose the innocent heart beneath her Saxon pride.

UNFORGIVEN ~ Renouncing his holy vows, Maxen Pendery pledges to discover who murdered his brother—even at the cost of the soul he has wrestled to save since thrusting his sword in the blood-soaked soil of Hastings and walking away. But when Rhiannyn of Etcheverry is at his mercy, she continues to protect the rebel leader to whom she was once betrothed. Though breathtakingly lovely, she refuses to use her wiles against Maxen, instead disarming him with her sharp tongue, strong will, and a selflessness that unexpectedly stirs his ignoble heart. Might the cursed beauty be the death of him? Or could she prove his redemption?

To Read an excerpt, visit: www.tamaraleigh.com

Another Round Of Edits (AROE) ~ LADY OF CONQUEST: Chapter Twelve

On to the next installment of “Another Round Of Edits (AROE)” in which this author continues the process of editing the full manuscript of the weighty Lady of Conquest–133,382 words to be exact. The following is an excerpt from the first–there will be more–and most intense round of edits that will ensure LOC is fit and trim for her late spring 2015 release. UPDATE: Day 2 of writing back cover copy. Getting closer 🙂

Edited excerpt coming soon to: www.tamaraleigh.com 

Another Round Of Edits (AROE) ~ LADY OF CONQUEST: Chapter Eleven

On to the next installment of “Another Round Of Edits (AROE)” in which this author continues the process of editing the full manuscript of the weighty Lady of Conquest–133,382 words to be exact. The following is an excerpt from the first–there will be more–and most intense round of edits that will ensure LOC is fit and trim for her late spring 2015 release. UPDATE: While in “wait mode,” working on the back cover copy. Tough stuff!

 

Edited excerpt coming soon to: www.tamaraleigh.com 

Another Round Of Edits (AROE) ~ LADY OF CONQUEST: Chapter Ten

On to the next installment of “Another Round Of Edits (AROE)” in which this author continues the process of editing the full manuscript of the weighty Lady of Conquest–133,382 words to be exact. The following is an excerpt from the first–there will be more–and most intense round of edits that will ensure LOC is fit and trim for her late spring 2015 release. UPDATE: Second Round Of Edits Complete for an ALMOST final word count of 120,530 words; now off to my dear beta readers 🙂

Edited excerpt coming soon to: www.tamaraleigh.com