Open-Face Enchiladas

The other day I was walking home from work when a sudden craving for a good old plate of enchiladas with rice and beans from Matt's Rancho Martinez in Dallas hit me like a ton of bricks. The longing was so intense, it almost made me cry. Lucky for me, we’ve been able to find ingredients here in Stockholm to make our own homemade substitute: corn masa and a tortilla press for making homemade corn tortillas, canned tomatillos (even fresh ones in season), real Mexican salsa, refried black beans, as well as salsa verde, etc. This availability of ingredients reminds me of home and comforts me to no end. And while it isn't quite the same as sitting in the festive atmosphere of Matt's and sipping a frozen margarita while digging chip after chip into bowls of salsa and chili con queso, having a homemade Mexican meal usually abates the craving and makes me feel like I can go on living. Until the next unbearable craving hits, that is. If I'm being honest, and honesty is always the best policy in my book, the craving comes around fairly regularly. Like, every other day or so. I maybe slightly exaggerating but not by much.

So, you may be asking yourself, “What is in that amazing creation in the photo above?” And I would answer, “Oh, just some corn tortillas, with a little cheddar cheese, refried black beans, pickled jalapeños, salsa verde, diced tomatoes, and avocado, that’s all.” Cilantro, diced green chilies, and chopped onion would be delicious additions as well. You can always use your imagination and add to your heart’s desire. Add scrambled eggs and you have the perfect brunch. Heck, you can even add shredded chicken, grilled chicken, or steak if that's your calling. Spanish rice and beans on the side are nice but I have not managed to perfect Spanish rice yet. This time around we did not have sides but ones I've made in the past have included a simple green salad with chopped lettuce and tomatoes, homemade guacamole, or black beans that have been doctored up with a bit of chili powder, ground cumin, and garlic, and a tablespoon or two of salsa. Use your Mexican imagination and go wild. In the summer I like to make a roasted corn and jalapeño salad with black beans, fresh lime, diced tomatoes, and cilantro. So amazing. 

What would you pair these delicious open-faced enchiladas with?

Recipe for Quick Open-Faced Enchiladas

Ingredients for two people (double or triple recipe as needed):

8 Corn tortillas

1-1 1/2 c. Grated cheddar, Monterrey jack, or pepper jack cheese

1 c. Refried black beans

1 c. Salsa verde or tomatillo sauce

Pickled jalapeños to taste

1 Medium diced tomato

1 Avocado

Salsa to taste

Directions: 

Things to do ahead of time: 

Warm the salsa verde or tomatillo sauce and heat your oven to about 200 F (150 C). This will be for keeping the quesadillas warm while you are getting things ready to assemble.  

Begin making your cheese quesadillas. Place approximately 1/4 c. of cheese between 2 corn tortillas until you have 4 quesadillas total. In your cast iron skillet over medium high heat, grill your quesadillas on both sides just until the cheese has melted. Place on a foil covered baking sheet in your oven to keep warm as you continue making the quesadillas. 

Once all quesadillas are done you are ready to assemble. Place two quesadillas on each plate. Dollop 1/4 c. of beans on top of each quesadilla and spread to the edges. Place desired number of pickled jalapeños over the beans. Ladle 1/4 c. salsa verde or tomatillo sauce over the quesadillas, especially around the edges. Top with tomatoes and avocado cubes and add your favorite salsa to taste. 

Enjoy with your favorite person and be happy.

The end. 

One of these would go nicely with any homemade Mexican treat!

PS. I wrote a guest post at Katie's Delicious Ambiguity on a Mexican Skillet Scramble.

Sock Bunnies!

What do knee socks, thread, a couple of old buttons and some poly-fil stuffing all have in common? Just the cutest sock bunnies you've ever seen! Sometime last year when Pinterest became a viable force in my life, I came across a sock bunny tutorial that peeked my interest. It actually looked like something I could make within a short enough time frame, before my patience and interest ran out. Hence began my search for knee socks. Unfortunately knee sock season was over in Sweden and the only socks to be found were the short types. I turned to my own sock drawer where I happened to find a “gently used” pair in good enough condition so I grabbed my scissors and created Agnes. 

Agnes

I was pretty pleased with how she turned out, despite her wobbly nose and smile. And even though it took slightly longer than I would have hoped, sewing by hand, I was inspired to go on a sock bunny-making frenzy. That inspiration however dwindled over the remainder of spring... and summer... and fall... until one magical winter day when I had the idea for my crafting group, We Can Craft That, to make sock bunnies. After all, Easter would be here soon. So sock bunny making we did! It was great fun to watch the process and see how each bunny’s personality developed. Each one has its own special traits and some sock bunnies even looked like their mothers! 

From left to right, Cleo, Frank, Pat, Agnes, & Kanini

While sewing by hand takes a bit longer and requires a bit more patience and perseverance, it is the perfect [Easter] project to take up with a group of friends, your mother or daughter, or just on your own as a gift to yourself or a special someone. All you need is a pair of knee socks, scissors, a needle, thread, a couple of old buttons, some polyester fiber fill stuffing or even rice, which one of the girls used, (the insides of an old pillow work great as well) embroidery thread for the nose and mouth, and a little imagination. 

Working diligently... 

 Photo break!

Is this not the cutest bunny face ever?  

Stuffed with rice, Pat is looking nice! 

Cleo gets the final arm... 

Frank & Pat... best friends for life!

You can find the original tutorial here.

LOTS Möte or Planning Meeting

How do you plan vacations with your significant other? Do you discuss finances together? Talk about how you can improve your relationship? Do these things come up in conversation? Or do you simply fly by the seat of your pants? One of my colleagues has a twice yearly meeting with her significant other to plan out their life, six months at a time. But it isn’t just a meeting. They take an entire weekend and go to an inn, cottage or other similar cozy place where one might go for a weekend getaway, complete with activities and an agenda. What they come away with is a clear plan for their social calendar, how they will conduct their savings and retirement, where they plan to go for vacations, how they would like their relationship to evolve, and any other related activities or functions they have in common.

I became more and more curious as she was telling me about her weekend. Their financial meeting over breakfast, their vacation discussion over dinner, their agenda-free bastu (dry sauna), and their long, outdoor walk discussing their [grown up] children, among other light matters. Where did they go for this weekend excursion? Did they take notes during their meetings? Did they write reports? How did they even come up with this crazy idea?  As she began to explain why they do it and how it got started, what at first seemed to be a bit overkill or even silly was starting to sound like a brilliant idea. 

They spent their weekend at Såstaholm hotel and conference center, just north of Stockholm. Yes, they took notes and, yes, they wrote up a report afterward. But who came up with this weekend getaway, planning meeting? The idea came from her father. He was a physician who at one time used a process called the the LOTS-model in his practice. The LOTS-model was a work tool for activity development designed for children with psychological issues and illnesses. The work was conducted in meetings together with the children’s’ families to provide support and promote positive development. My colleague called her own meeting a “LOTS möte” (pronounced like “votes” with an “L” and “möte” is meeting in Swedish). It is a sort of loose translation from the original meaning but produces similar results. 

It sounds a bit formal to plan a weekend away merely for the sake of “planning your life” but with all of the distractions at home (iPhones, iPads, Internet, TV, etc.), organizing a weekend away to have these serious, though light-hearted discussions seems like a brilliant idea. We plan for all sorts of other things in our lives, why not make a few plans for our personal relationships? And a weekend away to a quaint cottage or inn always sounds like a good idea to me. 

Here are a few places that look interesting to me:

Vintage Eastside in Austin, Texas

Kafferosteriet på Österlen in southern Sweden

Grythyttan Inn near Örebro a few hours west and north of Stockholm, Sweden

Utö Värdshuset 

(Photos from our trip to the Texas hill country a few years ago)

Friday Fun

Just a bit of fun before your weekend... and by the way... have a Happy One!

This book is a fun, quirky gift for that person who has every [Apple] thing. A play on Goodnight Moon, for those of you not familiar. Is anyone not familiar with that children's book? I felt I needed to say it but I'm pretty sure that nearly everyone has heard of it. Yes? No?

What do you think of these faces? Recognize anyone? They are just normal people like you and me who happened to go by this artist's studio in Vasastan. Last Friday we participated in First Friday Hopping, which is an organized gallery and boutique walk, or "hop", where participating galleries and boutiques stay open until 8pm. They also offer wine and snacks while you browse. It was a lot of fun but unfortunately by the time we made it to this studio we were all too hungry to wait to have our sketch done. Maybe next time!

I was walking through my local ICA grocery store the other day, minding my own business, when this fun girl on a bicycle popped out at me. She is carrying pasta in her baskets. How cute is that? Wouldn't you buy this pasta as opposed to the one with the plain-Jane packaging? 

Someone let the cat INTO the bag! After shopping at the organic grocery store around the corner from our apartment, my cat became obsessed with getting into this bag. She was sniffing and clawing like crazy at it. I was pulling things out as fast as I could but she got in before I could get to the receipt, just visible under her paws. Silly cat.

Next time we meet I'll be talking about We Can Craft That (the craft group I belong to) and sock bunnies.... so stay tuned!

And have a Happy Day!

My Ten Favorite Cafes - In and Around Stockholm

One of my absolute favorite things about Sweden is the Swedish fika, or coffee break. Swedes have utterly perfected this fika thing, which actually encompasses much more than simply taking the American "ten minute coffee break" at work. It is a social institution, utilized by friends, family and the work place alike, and almost always includes a goodie, such as a *kanelbulle, **kärleksmums, or other delectable Swedish bakverk (bakery treat in English). And I love this part of it because it seems to provide an "excuse" to eat a goodie when I wouldn't normally eat one. I mean, I want to be sociable. Its the polite thing, right? Then again, my pants seem to be telling me that perhaps I have fika'd and been sociable a bit too much lately. 

Well, the good news is that it is warmer and lighter out now and I feel sure that I will be on my bike again soon. Which means that all of those fika goodies will simply melt away. That's my hope anyway and I am sticking to it. So what's all this nonsense below? Just a list of some of my favorite cafes in and around Stockholm. Around having a wide circumference. The cafes are in alphabetical order to avoid any biases or prejudices, as they are all equally loved for different reasons. 

da Matteo - Södralarmgatan 14, Gothenburg: We discovered da Matteo on my first trip to Gothenburg. Located within Victoriapassagen, a small walkway between Södra Larmgatan and Vallgatan, and near Grönsakstorget, which literally means vegetable square! Cute! da Matteo serves the best lattes I have ever had and their vegetarian smörgåsar (sandwiches) and surdegskanelbullar (sour dough cinnamon buns) will rock your world.

Granola - Vaernedamsvej 5, Frederiksberg C, Denmark: This lovely gem was discovered on our trip to Copenhagen last August. Our hotel served breakfast but, since it was not included with our room, we decided to venture out into the city for some local fare. So glad we did! The photos below tell the story... rich strong lattes, homemade breads, fresh fruit, pancakes with maple syrup, and their own hazelnut chocolate spread. Mmmmm! Highly recommended!

iL Caffe - södermannagatan 23, Södermalm, Stockholm: iL Caffe we stumbled upon one day while browsing around the quirky charming neighborhoods of SoFo (South of Folkungagatan). Their assortment of freshly grilled sandwiches are their specialty, and of course a latte goes nicely with one. You can also pick up some freshly baked bread at Fabrique, their on site bakery. I recommend the Mr. Toast or the Gotland bread. (Sorry no photo available!)

Kaffe - Sankt Paulsgatan 17, Södermalm, Stockholm: Featured in the American version of Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, this cafe is not only famous worldwide but they have the most amazing toasts, otherwise known as grilled sandwiches. Probably not the healthiest but certainly the most tasty, two slices of white bread framing the creamiest filling of chanterelle mushrooms, Västerbotten cheese, and a touch of cream. And the best lattes this side of Södermalm! ;-)

Kalaset - Vendersgade 16, Copenhagen, Denmark: Kalaset I came across when we were planning our trip to Copenhagen last summer and after one of the employees of Larry Vs. Harry (in Copenhagen) recommended it as well, we made a b-line straight there. We had a late lunch here (awesome veggie burger) on our first day and we liked it so much we returned the next morning for breakfast (pancakes, granola & yogurt). A fun little haunt with a funky, eclectic style. The food was fantastic but in our hunger we failed to think of photos. Except for this adorable wooden spoon. They had an assortment of adorably painted wooden spoons that they used to identify you when delivering your food. 

Mellqvist Kaffebar - Hornsgatan 78, Södermalm, Stockholm: I found Mellqvist Kaffebar just after we had moved to Stockholm. Out looking to grab a quick snack while we [my husband] painted the bedroom wall of our new apartment, I ducked in here and ordered two sandwiches (with bread from Valhallabageriet below) and a latte for the man. At the time I was not drinking coffee but that is what living in Scandinavia does to you. It’s only the coffee drinking capital of the world. That said, their lattes rival those from Kaffe. 

Rosendals Trädgård - Rosendalsterrassen 12, Djurgården, Stockholm: If this cafe and garden were closer I would visit them every day. They grow their own organic ingredients in the gardens surrounding the cafe grounds and the food and atmosphere are absolutely lovely, especially on a sunny day. On our first visit here one late February, early March, I saw many people sitting outdoors (it was still minus Celsius) taking in the sun. At the time I thought they were crazy but after living here for three years, I now clearly understand the sun worship in freezing temperatures.

Skåningen Kaffebar - Skånegatan 92, Södermalm, Stockholm: Skåningen Kaffebar would be my home away from home if, a) it was closer to home, and b) if it wasn't so small and always packed. They have hands down the best morotskaka (carrot cake) in all of Sweden, especially if you are a cardamom fan. They make it in house, as they do all of their sweet treats. I've tried to acquire the recipe but the baker is tight-lipped and only smiles and says, "It's a secret." Well, I will happily visit Skåningen Kaffebar in order to partake. They also have the best lattes that side of Södermalm and they made the best decaf lattes in Sweden.

Stationshuset  - Saltsjöbaden Train Station, Saltsjöbaden, Stockholm:

The "Station House" sits literally at then end of the Saltsjöbanan train line to Saltsjöbaden, a resort area along the coast of the Baltic Sea. It is an easy twenty minute train ride from Stockholm. The surrounding area is beautiful and includes the lovely Grand Hotel (behind me in the photo below). We were there in early spring and brave souls were still skating on the melting ice. Brave, crazy, your pick. The cafe was the only thing open on this quiet afternoon, aside from the Grand Hotel, which seemed a bit rich for our blood that day so we ventured into Stationshuset for a light lunch. What a pleasant surprise. Handmade sweets and organic ingredients plus a lovely selection of teas, this cafe is definitely a new favorite and makes a lovely day outing from the hustle and bustle of the city.

Valhallabageriet - Valhallavägen 174, Stockholm: If there is a better croissant in Stockholm, please tell me where it is. This bakery and [tiny] café make the best croissants outside of France, in my humble opinion. They also have wonderful breads and sweet rolls and their smörgåsar, or sandwiches, make a great pick-me-up after an outing on cross-country skis in the nearby fields of Gärdet, or even a tranquil bike ride around Djurgården. Just be prepared to be seduced by the rich, buttery flavors, as the baker here definitely does not have a problem with butter, nor cream either most likely!

I hope with all my heart that you get to try at least one of these lovelies in your life. If you live in Sweden it will be a bit easier but for those of you who live faraway.... Well, it's a great excuse for a visit to the world's northern Venice!

Mad As a March Hare

“The March Hare will be much the most interesting, and perhaps as this is May it won’t be raving mad -- at least not so made as it was in March.” 

- Lewis Carroll from Alice in Wonderland

I haven’t seen any March hares yet this year but there are plenty of tiny little buds forming on the trees and bushes. And I can’t tell you how happy that makes me. Some of the buds are more obvious than others but some you almost need a magnifying glass to see. But trust me, they are there. I have a keen eye for all things related to spring. It’s funny in a way because here I was, all set to embrace winter with my cross-country skis and long-distance ice skates, and now it’s warming up. I can easily admit however, that the feeling of spring permeating the air all around me is absolutely wonderful. If not a bit weird and quirky and possibly even mad. I can understand why they say, “Mad as a March hare.” 

Apparently March is mating season for hares. Being a female myself and knowing quite well the madness associated with a flood of hormones, the madness of hares is completely understandable. Heck, the madness of us regular folk is understandable. It's one thing to fight the winter blues but how do you fight March madness (not to be confused with the NCAA Men’s Division Basketball)? Perhaps it isn't to be fought at all but embraced. Perhaps it's just to get your lasso out, rope it, wrangle it into submission and then put a harness on it, like a cowboy taming a wild horse, and ride it bucking and screaming right into spring. 

That’s how I plan to do it. I’m gonna pull out my cowgirl hat and rope and... wait kitty! That’s for me to use to tame the March madness... come back here with my rope! 

A Clean Slate

I love to open my iPhone and see a big number 1 on my calendar app. It feels like a fresh start knowing we have a whole new month ahead. A clean slate, if you will. Time to start new projects and possibly some pre-spring cleaning? A friend of mine decided a while back to start getting rid of one item of clothing per day to clear out her closet and dresser clutter. While I think it's a great idea, I am too much of a pack rat to commit to actually parting with one item per day. I can do maybe a couple of things each month. That feels more acceptable to me. However, I plan to focus my clean slate energies on some home improvement-related projects for now. 

On this particular first day of the month, I am feeling inspired to take out my paint brush and overalls and brighten things up around here. We've been working on our guest bedroom for a while now: painting over wallpaper on an accent wall, putting a built-in desk in the window cubby, and hanging some art on the walls. The accent wall however still needs another coat of paint, as the first batch ran out before I could finish. At first it seemed that the wall would be okay sans an additional coat but when you are lying in the bed you can clearly see the blotchiness. It definitely needs another coat. We actually bought the paint a few months ago and it's been collecting dust in the closet since. So I may start there with adding another coat of paint to the wall I painted, um... embarrassing to say nearly a year ago. 

We've also been working on our bedroom recently. We bought a new bed and I can honestly say that it is definitely to blame for all of my late arrivals to work the past few weeks. I don't know if my boss would buy that however so I'm keeping that bit to myself. But anyway, aside from a new bed, we have actually painted over one wall in the bedroom already. Before we moved in it was the one thing I insisted on, as it was navy blue and I am not a blue person. I apologize in advance to all of you blue fans out there, but who paints a bedroom wall navy blue? Not me, that’s for sure. We painted a dark, charcoal gray over it, though the navy still comes through in my opinion. And since we are discussing my opinion just now, it is my opinion that we repaint the bedroom wall again. My husband actually agrees and we have looked at a lighter, [clean] slate gray shade. Maybe we'll have the painting done in time for the delivery of our headboard. One can hope anyway... 

And while we are on the subject of home improvements and clean slates, there is one other project that I'd like to tackle and that is to paint one of the walls in our living room. There is absolutely nothing wrong with it as it is but we’d like to add some touches of our own to spice things up a bit. When we moved in one of the walls was painted red. At the time we decided we could live with it so it stayed. Now, however, we'd like to paint it a warm shade of orange. We are on a bit of an orange kick... still. 

So that’s it for my clean slate projects. I hope you all have a very happy weekend!

PS. Speaking of clean slates, when I was a kid I asked my mom if she wrote on a slate with chalk when she was in school. Kids say the darnedest things, don't they? :-D

Top image courtesy of Kiahveeloy, on Instagram.