Comfort Food, Baby!

There's this dish we make around here which goes by many names. It's typically a little different each time we make it, which isn't too often because it's ridiculously rich and fattening.

It all started when I lived with D about 13 years ago.  We were perfect roommates!  We liked the same foods (and lots of them!)  We worked together, liked the same TV shows, held a similar sleeping schedule, enjoyed working out, and most importantly, we were both neat freaks.  Best roommate I ever had.

She taught me how to make enchiladas.  Over time we began mixing them up a bit.  Chicken, no chicken, red chili, green chili, veggies, no veggies, more veggies, and more veggies and more veggies.  It morphed into something of a southwest lasagna.  Whatever it was then and whatever it is now, it's ridiculously good.

First we cook up a pot of green chili.  We buy bushels of fire roasted green Hatch chilis each summer. Portion them into quart bags, freeze and we have sublime fire for a full year.  The chilis are transformed into hot nirvana stew.  Next, while the chili expands it's flavors, we saute veggies.  Lots of veggies!  Sometimes we cook the chicken in the chili.

We layer everything between flour  or fresh corn tortillas.  Tortilla - beans (on his side) - veggie mixture - chicken, chili, cheese.

We load the top up with lots of cheese and a little touch of the last of the chili and then, we bake.

And when it's done baking it looks like this.

And then when you put it on your plate to eat, it looks like this.