Writing Prompt Wednesday!

This week's writing prompt is:

"And that's why I never leave the house without chopsticks."

Den members can respond in their own post by clicking 'Blog This!' in the blogger menu bar. Anyone else who wishes to respond can do so in a comment.

Tasty Fast Fiesta

When I do fast food, if it's not In-n-Out, it's Taco Bell or Del Taco. Nothing's tastier to a fox's palate in the junk food mood than fast mexican-influenced yums. Still, the fox prefers to know what's in her food, to handle it herself, to select the quality ingredients from the local farmer's market or carneceria. To this end, I have developed a recipe that satisfies all that flavor desire and is also a home-cooked tasty. Keep the meat mix on hand for in-a-minute lunch or dinner or invite some friends over for an instant fiesta they'll rave over!

FIESTA BURRITOS
Prep time: 15 mins
Cook time: 15 mins
Makes approx 12 burritos

2 Tbsp corn oil
2 Tbsp olive oil
3 medium onions
3 cloves garlic
1 medium jalepeno
1 red bell pepper
1 orange bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
1 Tbsp chili powder
1 tsp ground cumin
1 tsp dried oregano
salt and pepper
3 lbs lean ground beef

12 large flour tortillas
Papas Potatoes (recipe follows)
Salsa con Queso (recipe follows)
creama mexicana (or sour cream if you don't have a mexican market nearby, stirred well)
chopped tomatoes
shredded cheese
sliced pickled jalepenos
fresh cilantro

Finely chop onions, garlic, and jalepeno (remove seeds and ribs from pepper for milder flavor if desired). Seed bell peppers and cut into vertical strips, then lay flat and remove inner membrane, discarding it to keep just the sweet flesh (the ribs and the fibrous membrane are the bitter part of the pepper). Finely chop bell pepper.
Heat corn and olive oil in large skillet. Add chopped vegetables, chili powder, cumin, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Stir and cook until vegetables are tender. Break ground beef into skillet with vegetables and stir gently. Cook until beef has rendered and is crumbly.

Warm tortillas. Assemble burritos to individual taste with favored garnishes.

PAPAS POTATOES
Prep time: 10 mins
Cook time: 20 mins
Makes about 6 cups

olive oil
3-4 large russet potatoes

Heat 1/2 inch oil over medium high heat in large heavy skillet, preferably cast iron.
Wash potatoes and cut into 1/2 cubes. Cook potatoes, stirring frequently, in single layer in hot oil, until outsides are golden brown and insides are tender, about 20 minutes. Drain on paper towels and season with salt and pepper.

SALSA CON QUESO

Prep time: 5 mins
Cook time: 2 mins
Makes about 2 cups

1 cup prepared jar salsa
1 cup velveeta cheese in 1/2 inch cubes

Combine ingredients in microwave safe bowl. Cook in microwave for 2 minutes, stirring after one minute, or until cheese is melted and sauce is smooth.

Penne for your thoughts...

The hubster brought home some takeout from lunch the other day and let me gobble it up. Penne Pasta Giovanni or something, can't quite remember the name, basically penne pasta with sliced chicken, broccoli, and mushrooms in drawn butter. It inspired me to come up with my own offshoot, a little less swimming in grease and a little more hotchacha. I call it...

PENNE PASTA ALYSSA
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes
Serves 6

1 lb penne pasta
salt and pepper
4 T butter
4 T extra virgin olive oil
1 large onion, chopped
3-4 cloves garlic, minced
3-4 chicken breasts (about 1 1/2 lbs), sliced across about 1/4 inch thick
1 lb frozen artichoke hearts
1/2 lb crimini mushrooms, sliced
1/2 cup good white wine
Freshly grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta according to package directions in salted water. Drain and return to pasta pot.

In large skillet, melt butter into olive oil over medium high heat. Cook onions and garlic until onions begin to turn translucent. Stir in chicken slices, season with salt and pepper, and cook for about 10 minutes, or until chicken is no longer pink. Add frozen artichoke hearts, crimini mushrooms, and wine, and continue to cook until artichokes are cooked through, about 10 more minutes. Stir into pasta. Serve topped with parmesan.