What's Left is Always the Best

My mom lets me have free reign of the kitchen when I'm home for the summer and I wouldn't have it any other way. I love to try new tips and tricks of cooking that I've learned from my mom and from the Food Network. My roommates are brave (well, some of them) and I wouldn't mind trying new recipes on them because I know it'll get eaten, but at home is where I learn from the master - my mom (and I'll get honest feedback from my hollow-legged brother). My mom can turn one night's chicken and random vegetables into something completely amazing the next night. THAT'S what I want to be able to do someday so I'm practicing now.

The best thing to make for dinner in the summer when there's no desire to cook or be in a hot kitchen for long is...LEFTOVERS. Yep, that odd assortment of food that's been in the fridge for way too long. At BYU that's the day before we go shopping when we have to eat down the food so we can fill the fridge with new goodness. Tonight, I decided to do something different. Mom was asleep and dad was due home in a half an hour so I decided not to wake mom and be spontaneous. Upstairs I went and scoured in the cupboards to see what would magically appear as edible food and that's what I would make for dinner. As soon as I opened the pantry everything Mexican and spicy seemed to lunge at me. I would've liked to have my roommate's wonderful recipe but she was unavailable so I'd be concocting something recipe-free again. With a couple of jars of jalapeno peppers, diced tomatoes, and enchilada sauce I created something truly fantastic. What emerged was a fabulous dish of spicy enchiladas from scratch - the way they should be made. I've never been a person who's liked spice so this was going to be an adventure. (I'm happy to say that at BYU I've developed a liking for spicy - THANKS ASH AND KERI) Everyone was extremely satisfied even if it was spicy and I know that as soon as Tay gets back from his Scouting Adventure the rest will be gobbled up in one bite.

To top it off I wanted to make a nice summer refresher for family movie night I blended up some pineapple, mixed in a can of frozen concentrate, fresh lime juice, and watermelon. I chilled the glasses, put sugar along the rim (as I'd learned from Emeril) put a couple frozen blueberries from the garden in the bottom. Then, I l layered a secret ingredient in before pouring the drink on top and what we ended up with was an amazing treat to end a hot hot day!! Definitely on my list to make again someday. (Hint hint Em - you'll have another sweet treat to eat when I get back). I think my parents are wondering if they sent me to get a degree in English or Culinary arts. Needless to say they'll let me have my way in the kitchen again sometime....often.

Another good thing about this meal - LEFTOVERS