Mexican Pizzas

 This is my new favorite dinner! Just look at how delicious it is. And your kids are sure to love it too, which is a top priority for me.

They go like hot cakes, so be sure to make enough! And they're easy to whip up quick, which is the kind of recipe I need for these soccer nights:) This also easily makes 2 nights of meals too, which I LOVE!!

Mexican Pizzas 
1 (16oz) can refried beans

2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken (I use Costco rotisserie chicken. One recipe uses 1/2 of the chicken. I cut up the other half and freeze it to make this recipe again later.)

1/2 cup salsa

8 flour tortillas

1 recipe enchilada sauce (Recipe to follow. You can also use canned sauce, but homemade is just SO delicious! I make a full recipe and use 1/2 of it, then store the rest in the fridge to make it again with the other 1/2 of the rotisserie chicken)

8 oz shredded Mexican cheese blend

2-3 green onions, thinly sliced

2 roma tomatoes, diced

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Warm up bean in a small bowl in the microwave. Combine chicken and salsa in another bowl and warm in the microwave.

Toast tortillas by spraying a large skillet with cooking oil spray and fry both sides of the tortilla until browned and a little crisp. Lay 2 flour tortillas each on 2 cookie sheets, top each with 1/4 of the beans, then 1/4 of the chicken mixture (remember, you're making 4 total pizzas). Then top each with another toasted tortilla. Spread a thin layer of enchilada sauce on top of each tortilla. Sprinkle with shredded cheese, tomatoes and green onion.

Bake in oven for about 7-10 minutes until heated through, then broil until bubbly and crispy. ENJOY!!!

 Enchilada Sauce:

2 T olive oil

2 T flour

3 T chili powder

1/2 t garlic powder

1/2 t onion powder

1/2 t cumin

1/4 t salt (if using boxed broth taste first before adding)

2 cups chicken broth

Heat oil in small saucepan over medium heat. Add the flour and whisk for about 1 minutes. Add all of the spices and stir. Gradually and slowly add the broth, whisking to prevent lumps. Simmer while stirring for 15 minutes or until sauce is thickened. Use immediately or store in the fridge.

Mint Brownie Trifle

 I made this by accident once. I think those are the best kind of recipes:) I was going to make a mint cake, but it turned out weird, so I turned it into a trifle. Cause, you know, you should improvise when things don't go as planned. 

It's turned out to be one of the favorites of my friends and family! It's rich and refreshing at the same time. Mint will do that. I also love how trifles are kind of messy. You just throw everything into layers and BOOM you're done. It's the best!

1 recipe of my homemade brownies (found here) baked in a sheet cake pan so they are thinner

1 recipe Fluffy Mint Buttercream (recipe follows)

1 bag chopped Andes mints (found in the baking section)

1 jar hot fudge

After baking brownies, let them cool completely. Then cut them into small 1 inch cubes. Put a layer of brownies in the bottom of a trifle bowl (or any bowl or container you choose), drizzle 1/4 cup of hot fudge over brownies, top with a layer of Fluffy Mint Buttercream, then sprinkle a layer of chopped Andes mints. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used. Enjoy!!

 

Fluffy Mint Buttercream

2 sticks butter, at room temperature 

3 1/2 cups powdered sugar 

2 T heavy cream 

1/2 t peppermint extract (more if you like it strong)

1 cup heavy whipping cream

In the bowl of an electric stand mixer, using the whisk attachment whip butter on high speed until nearly white and very fluffy, about 7 - 8 minutes, frequently scrapping down the sides of the bowl. Add in powdered sugar, 2 T heavy cream and peppermint extract and mix on low speed until blended, then increase speed to medium and beat until very light and fluffy, about 5 - 6 minutes, frequently scraping down the sides of the bowl. In a separate bowl whip the whipping cream until stiff peaks form. Fold into the buttercream.