Our Family Tradition

Estrada’s Spanish Kitchen in Visalia has long gone but the beautiful memories will last forever. We’re always in search of Estrada’s recipes or the taste-alike version. This enchilada sauce recipe is exact in taste ‘though we’ve been informed no chocolate was used in the original. We’ll never know for sure since all is secret. Whether you’re a part of this history or not you’ll love this enchilada sauce.

If you need help building your enchiladas after you make the sauce here is an easy step by step.

Continue reading for Estrada’s taste-alike recipes. You’ll love them as much as we do! A promise.

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Instant Tortilla Soup

Instant Chicken Tortilla SoupTraditional Chicken Soup is an all time favorite but the request is for something with a little more spice. Of course everyone is hungry now. Let’s see what I have in the pantry! And how can I extend 8 ounces of chicken breast to feed 4 hungry adults? This was so quick it was ready to eat in less than 15 minutes. If using 10 ounces of canned chicken it’s ready as soon as it heats through. And taste? My tasting critic, “it’s the best Chicken Tortilla Soup I’ve eaten.”

I’ll be providing a few substitution ideas too.

Here’s another Tortilla Soup Recipe for you to try!

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Tortilla Mini Quiches

Tortilla Mini Quiches

Extra flour tortillas? Here’s some ideas! First, try this quiche. Quick, tasty and a great presentation for the holidays ahead. Make these tortilla bowls separately, too. Perfect for serving chopped avocados, sliced green onions, and work for sour cream and salsa if plated first. Or use them to serve a side salad with your favorite Enchiladas. How festive is that! (Check out our Mexican Food Category. We love love love Mexican Cuisine.)

Try this Easy Delicious Dessert too, Fruit Burritos. Perfectly Vegan!

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White Chili with Chicken & Hominy

White ChiliOne chili that works as a comfort food. Yep, it’s a bit hot with spices but the potatoes and hominy tame it into a comforting deliciously warming winter (really anytime) chili. A healthy abundance of spices take this off the chart! Give this a try. You’ll love it!

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July 4th Celebration 2016

July 4th Celebration 2016

Great recipe choices for the Fourth! Just click for the recipes!

Starters

Jalapeño Popper DipMargherita Triscuit PizzaSnack Mix Recipe

 

 

 

 

 

Condiments

KetchupMilk Mayonnaise

 

 

 

 

 

Sides

Sour Cream and Onion Potato SaladMexicali Pasta SaladRatatouille

Vegetarian BeansRoasted Vegetables Recipe for the Oven or BBQPotato SaladJuly FourthCucumber Onion Salad

 

 

 

 

Curry Cole Slaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Hot Dogs & Buns

Hot Dogs & Buns

 

 

 

 

 

Special Drinks

LimoncelloPurple Cow

 

 

 

 

 

Desserts

Berry CobblerBlueberry PieCandy Bar CookiesChocolate Chip CookiesDevil's Food CakeLazy Daisy CakePopcorn Balls Make a Come BackS'moresStrawberry Sundae

 


Estrada’s Style Macaroni

Look Alike Taste Alike

Getting close to breaking the code! Just know this recipe is a knock off. The basics of the recipe are similar to the original but some of the products I suggest weren’t even available 100 years ago. In fact, the pasta here lacks the size (diameter) of the Estrada’s macaroni. The secret in part is to cook the pasta past the al dente stage to produce a softer larger noodle. This recipe can be tweaked and maybe even made more healthy in the eyes of some. In 1914 when this restaurant was opened the food experience was different and this recipe is meant to recapture that moment in history. Thank you Debbie for one of the original Estrada’s pitchers … And too helping with the taste test. I have made some changes after this taste test. The roux is all important.

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Taco Salad

& French Dressing?!

Taco Salad

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mexican Cuisine is a family favorite! We’re celebrating with s simple dinner tonight. Margaritas too! Or a cold Corona with lime or Pacifico without. Tonight’s dinner calls for cold beer. Salud! And Happy Cinco de Mayo!

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Cinco De Mayo Recipes

We’re getting a head start on this celebration. Believe me, we don’t need an excuse to celebrate with these recipes! Mexican cuisine has always been an important part of our family’s food history. I hope you enjoy viewing some of our favs and give them a try. Search our Mexican Food for more!

Taquitos & Guacamole

Taquitos

Mexican Wedding Cakes

Wedding Cakes

Shredded Beef

Shredded Beef

Quick Cheese Enchiladas

Enchiladas

Tortilla Soup

Tortilla Soup

Chicken Chile Enchiladas

Chicken & Chile

Enchiladas & Beans

Plain Beans

Albondigas Soup

Albondigas Soup

Enmoladas

Enmoladas

Tres Leches Cake

Tres Leches Cake

Salsa

Salsa

Chorizo & Eggs

Chorizo & Eggs

 


Focaccia Chorizo Breakfast Sandwich

Focaccia Chorizo Breakfast SandwichYep, I do fast food … Starbucks to be exact! Not too often … Whatever that means! Their Chorizo Breakfast Sandwich has me. Potato bread bun with a slice of scrambled egg that has been cooked with caramelized onion, Monterey Jack cheese and a tender slice of chorizo. It’s the spicy chorizo that makes it. This thin tender patty of chorizo is a mystery. I’m not a chorizo expert but I do know Mexican and Spanish varieties are quite different … the Spanish is more like an Italian salami in texture … so I’ve been told. Mexican varieties are in castings that are not typically eaten. The contents are removed, crumbled and cooked. The Starbucks patty doesn’t seem to be either of these. We have a wonderful market here that provides many chorizo choices. Did I explore before hand? No, I already had a typical Mexican chorizo in the fridge and why go shopping. I’ll make it work. Let’s see what happens!

Why focaccia? Putting together a breakfast quickly is key for me. Buying prepared buns is not an option for this, and I’ve been wanting to try this focaccia recipe I found on allrecipes.com. I did simplify the recipe a bit. No need for a bread hook or mixer. Be cautious with salt here. Chorizo is pretty salty plus cheese and a salty bread? Too much.

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Chile Relleno Casserole

One Ingredient Change to Perfection

Chile Relleno Casserole

 

 

 

 

One of the original Chile Relleno Recipes out of the early 70’s!

It’s just not making it today. Well, with a little salsa or guacamole anything tastes good … doesn’t it? But I’d like to have this dish stand alone in deliciousness. One change makes all the difference.

Now a family favorite!

 

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