Chicken enchilada casserole

It’s a very food centric day. First thing, I prep some chicken breasts to slow cook for an enchilada casserole recipe (see steps and photos below). Then, after my usual morning routine and a shower, I head out in the afternoon to do more shopping for Thanksgiving ingredients. The health food store was out of brown rice syrup, but I found Karo brand dark corn syrup at the upscale Fallon & Byrne market, so that will have to do. I also found a few more useful things at the Dunnes Store in the St. Stephens Green Shopping Centre, including a pastry brush. I should have everything I need for my pecan pie now. It’s warmer today and overcast. I get caught in a rain shower on the way back to the apartment, but thankfully it’s not a heavy downpour.

The chicken enchilada casserole I’m making for dinner today is adapted from a recipe of my Great Aunt Lulu Mae’s, passed down to me by my sister Ginny, with a few flourishes I’ve added over the years (e.g., the original recipe did not call for enchilada sauce). I kept this dish in heavy rotation in the U.S., so I’m excited to try it in Ireland.

STEP ONE — Season chicken breasts with salt, pepper cumin, and finely chopped chili pepper:

STEP TWO — Cover with salsa verde and roughly 1/2 a bottle of beer, then slow cook on low for 8 hours:

While I’m cooking earlier, I listen to RTÉ radio. Tonight the Dáil (Irish Parliament) is debating the easing of COVID-19 restrictions scheduled to take place next week on December 1st. Although Ireland has done better than most in reducing the number of new daily infections, the numbers aren’t quite as low as originally hoped… we’re still at 200+ a day. There enormous pressure from the business community to open up as much as possible, but at this point it doesn’t sound like wet pubs (those only serving alcohol and no food) will be allowed to open. People are being encouraged to keep Christmas gatherings small and not to travel. The Tánaiste (#2 in Cabinet), Leo Varadkar also signalled that a third wave of restrictions may be necessary in the New Year after the Christmas holiday period, which would not be popular and perhaps not even tolerated. The final decision on restrictions will be announced Thursday or Friday of this week, taking into account a few more days of data.

In other news, a throw-blanket arrived by courier this morning. I had ordered it from what I believe is a reputable Irish producer, John Hanly & Co. It’s super soft lambswool, and the modern pattern with grey and yellow stripes matches the throw pillows of the apartment. Silly, I know, since I won’t be living in this apartment forever, but still I liked this design more than the traditional plaids available.