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So this little thing. I love her. She is my niece and I missed her so much in the States. She is also the reason these days why posting anything is difficult. If she is awake she doesn’t let me sit with my laptop. She will come to me and will try to shut the screen and keep saying close or “bas” (which is hindi for thats it). Of course, I oblige. And if she lets me keep the laptop on then all she wants to see are her pics. Don’t be misled by the angry face in the pic above. Thats just her posing. She is one of the naughtiest kids I know. The cute kinds of naughty. And did I mention that I love her. And I really do not want to leave her tomorrow. #sadface

Anyway, coming to today’s recipe, I did promise a post soon on my Facebook page and here it is.

Fire Roasted Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas #easy #casseroles #chicken #enchiladas #mexican

I tried this dish for the first time at my friend Jamie’s place (the same friend who gave me the recipe for the crockpot tater tot casserole) and after that I have made this recipe so many times. Because, well, its so darn convenient. One of those easy to throw together weeknight meals. I generally prefer cooking from fresh ingredients, but sometimes you just want quick to put together meals with the least amount of clean up required and this is one such dish. It helps that it tastes great too.

Since I have made this dish so many times, I have tried many variations. I have mixed a little greek yogurt with the sour cream and made it slightly healthier. I have mixed greek yogurt with light sour cream and made it even more healthier. I have also done no cheese versions. Cheese versions are always better in my list. Once when I did a no cheese version I added chile lime chips instead (I had no cheese in the house and just the chips). I have used jalapenos instead of fire roasted green chiles- and have good results. Fresh fire roasted green chiles are definitely better than the canned ones, but the latter also do.

I have also added rotisserie chicken to the canned soup and sour cream mixture. 

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CheeseCake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls #copycat #recipe by the Novice Housewife

Before leaving for Canada, on a trip to my favorite antique place an hour away from where we stay, I got a good deal on a second hand copy of Todd Wilbur’s copycat recipes. The moment I got it I instantly bookmarked the recipes I wanted to try. One of the recipes I adapted for my Bruschetta post. The other, I am sharing today- Cheesecake Factory’s Copycat recipe for avocado egg rolls.

To be honest I have never tried the avocado egg rolls at the Cheesecake Factory. But the description of the recipe and the ingredients in its dipping sauce- tamarind, cashews, honey sure intrigued me to give it a try.

CheeseCake Factory Avocado Egg Rolls #copycat #recipe by the Novice Housewife

I made these egg rolls for the coffee I hosted the Friday that went and my friends really liked them. Then I made them again the next day and V really liked them. As for me, if something is fried, I always like it. Plus, I love avocado. And sun dried tomatoes. And tamarind based dipping sauces. Plus, I love it when things that I love come together pretty quickly as well. Bottom line, I love them!

There is hardly any prep required. The only part that I don’t like is the chopping of the onions- which left me in tears, like it always does. But besides that, the pre-prep is a breeze. And  you have delicious egg rolls in no time.

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Barring a few little frustrating events that happened, yesterday was a good day. It started with the wonderful news that my parents’ Canadian visa got through just a day before their flight. Had it not, they would have been with me this weekend, but at a cost of losing a few hundred dollars in flight cancellation, re-booking, etc. My mom’s parents and her brother stay in Canada and my parents’ plan was to first visit them and then come visit me. They have a ten year US visa but they needed a Canadian Visa. Never thinking that their Canadian Visa would pose any problem, they had booked their tickets some time back. But the Visa did cause a lot of last minute panic, and only a day before their flight to Canada did their passport arrive with the Canadian Visa stamped.

Happy with the news and excited that my parents will be visiting me two weeks from now, I left for the baby shower we were throwing for the mommy-to-bes. It was a triple baby shower and all three of the ladies are having boys, that too only a week apart from each other!

It was a fun filled baby shower with great food. We, bunch of ladies, could open a great restaurant with all the talented cooks we have. On the menu was  chicken enchilada, olive  mozarella salad, linguine pasta, homemade bread (which was really good), olive, pickle n ham on a stick, (taking a break to breath and wipe off the drool) BLT sandwiches, pakodas, jello snicker rice krispies, chinese noodles, lettuce and french dressed avocado and my contribution lentil samosas and mini oreo sandwich “cake”.

After a great time catching up and seeing the three mommy-to-bes tear up after opening their presents, I was back home to Target greeting me as soon as I opened our gate.

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