Downriver Dispatches

Reader Recipe Request: Chicken Enchiladas

To some chicken enchiladas are a dime a dozen and I would have to agree. I have tried chicken enchiladas from every Mexican restaurant within a 50 mile radius and I would come to the same conclusion: I’ll make my own. The following recipe is derived from an idea that was given to my wife in 1975 from a Mexican girl in the desert in southern California. The problem with most chicken enchilada recipes is that the chicken is first boiled and then immediately shredded. This leaves the chicken dry and bland even though sauce will be added later. What I do that is different is to make the enchilada sauce from scratch and cook the chicken in the enchilada sauce.

After the chicken is cooked it is taken out of the sauce to cool to room temperature to allow the chicken’s natural fats as well as the sauce to gel in the chicken. The chicken flavors the sauce and the sauce flavors the chicken. When the chicken is cool to the touch then it can be deboned, the skin separated and any gristle removed. The meat is now cut into small pieces instead of shredded. This way the sauce stays in the chicken and is moister. The corn tortillas should be lightly fried in olive or peanut oil and then dipped into the enchilada sauce. This keeps the tortillas soft enough to roll without breaking apart. Fill each corn tortilla with a portion of chicken, minced onion, and shredded cheddar cheese. Be careful to not use too much onion, or it will be overpowering, unless that is your preference. Fill up a tray with your enchiladas and use a spoon to put a little sauce over each enchilada to keep them from becoming dry and brittle. Finish off with cheese over the chicken enchiladas and place on a middle rack of your oven at 350 degrees for about thirty minutes. Let sit five minutes and then it is ready to eat.

Westend news

Do you want to meet new people and get to know the community, then perhaps the Grays River Grange #124 is the place for you. The Grange has been serving western Wahkiakum County since 1902. It is located just west of Duffy’s on State Highway four. Grange Master Krist Novoselic is the one to contact about Grange activities, meetings, or rental of the Grange. Anyone interested or who just has questions can call the Grange at 360-465-2268.

The Naselle/Grays River Valley Seniors luncheon meets every Wednesday at noon for all those who are 55 and older; also the potluck will be at the Valley Bible Church on every fourth Wednesday. Wednesday the 17th they will serve meatloaf and hash brown potatoes casserole, veggies, salad, and dessert. Anyone inspired to volunteer or would like further information, please contact the Naselle/Grays River Valley Seniors’ president Diane Hollenbeck at dianemarye@gmail.com or phone her at 1(360) 465-2991. Anyone interested in renting the Rosburg Hall is encouraged to contact Sonja Kruse at 465-2251 or Barbara Rose at 465-2251. Thursday luncheon at noon at the Rosburg Hall is sponsored by the Community Action Program (CAP) out of Kelso/Longview. Any questions, contact Denise Rae at (360) 425-3430 extension 259.

Set your calendar for April 13 at the Grays River Valley at Johnson Park for their Easter Crafts for Kids from 1-3 p.m. For more information call 360-465-2310.

For those of you who are new to the area and are in need of food, then I suggest you go see Shonda Ware at the West End Food Pantry or call (360) 465-2344. The food for you is free at no charge.

The Wahkiakum County Fire District 3 is always looking for volunteers. If you are seriously interested please call Fire Chief Robert Maki at (503)298-8101 for information on how you can be of service to the community.

On April 28 at 3 p.m., Valley Bible Valley Church at 4723 State Route 4 West is proud to present Dress a Girl Around the World Fashion Show and Tea Party. Women from southwest Washington have been creating dresses for Dress a Girl to give to high risk girls in poverty around the world. After the fashion show the dresses will be sent to a distribution center in Iowa. This is also a fundraiser for the Van Winkle family from Lacey who lost their home due to black mold. Their six year old daughter Sophia is suffering from Pans Disease as a result of the black mold and has seizures. Before April 15, donations will be matched up to $50,000. Visit Sophia at mold2miracle.com. Also visit dressagirlaroundtheworld.com. Tea and pastries will be served. Tickets are only $10. For information or tickets contact Diana at (360) 465-2800, Becky at (360) 465-2260, or Pearl at (360)465-2347.

If you have children between the ages of 4 and 6, then you might be interested in Valley Bible Preschool. Their annual Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Party will be on April 17. If your child is down for snacks, contact the party mom and find out what to coordinate. Morning class is with Amber Donlon, and the afternoon class is with Holly Davis. Please send a dozen or more plastic eggs with something inside them and also bring an Easter basket.

Naselle news

The Appelo Archives is proud to announce their Eighth Annual Logger's Reunion this Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. They are honoring all loggers this year. For those of you who may not be aware of this fact, logging is the most dangerous job statistically followed by fishermen. Come and hear from former loggers as they tell their stories. Everyone is welcome to attend. For information please contact Kelly Shumar at the Appelo Archives 360-484-7103 or info@appeloarchives.org.

The Finnish-American Folk Festival of Naselle announces that their next concert event to be held at the new Naselle Community Center at 14 Parpala Road in Naselle will be on May 4 at 6:30 p.m. Performing artists include Lydia Ballif, piano; Carl Wirkkala, Country musician; Richard Ellis, vocalist; Kim Angelis, violinist, and Gene Quilhaugh, folk singer and guitarist. The event is by donations only. For more information about the event or the changes in the church, contact Mike Swanson at 360-484-3388 or 360-484-3602. Anyone interested in renting the Naselle Community Center for events such as weddings, showers, reunions, birthday parties, etc., contact Nick Nikkila (360-465-2595) or Brooke Warra (623-666-1777).

If you are job hunting and have the experience then look to the Naselle-Grays River Valley Schools who is still in the process of looking for a maintenance supervisor who will work directly under the superintendent and will oversee all functions pertaining to the operation and maintenance of the district’s facilities and grounds.