Don't Judge a Recipe by its Ingredients

Okay I'll be the first to say that tonight's husband-less dinner was a random mish-mash of ingredients thrown together that is....well....just a little bit weird.

Enchilada Sauce + Chickpeas + Artichoke Hearts

But I can assure you, that although odd, the finished product was seriously GOOD and just what I was craving.

I came home from work today wanting to make some sort of Indian-inspired, vegetarian chickpea and tomato dish because that is most DEFINITELY something that my husband would turn his nose up at normally.

The only issue with this craving was that I had no recipe and not many ingredients on hand....so I just winged it and used what I had in the pantry and/or fridge.

One of those things hangin' out in my fridge was the majority of a can of enchilada sauce, leftover from when I made enchiladas. I figured that could be the basis for a semi-homemade spicy tomato sauce (Sandra Lee would be proud).

I also had some artichoke hearts that were calling my name...so I tossed those in too. Why not, right?

Served over jasmine rice and a few mixed salad greens and I called it a meal!

Chickpeas and Artichoke Hearts in a Semi-Homemade Tomato Sauce

Source: Me

1 tsp Olive Oil

Half an onion, chopped

Half a red bell pepper, chopped

1 can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed

1 can of red enchilada sauce

2 cloves of garlic, minced

1/2 cup of chicken broth

3 artichoke hearts (canned in water), coarsely chopped

Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion and bell pepper and cook for about 5 minutes, until tender. Add chickpeas, enchilada sauce & garlic and cook for about 3 minutes. Turn the heat down to medium-low and add the chicken broth and artichoke hearts. Let the whole mixture simmer for 5-10 minutes until the sauce reduces and thickens a bit. Serve over jasmine rice and salad greens, if desired.

Before I go I just have to share this picture of our little furball.

We call this her "smile face" and it always makes ME smile in return.

She sure is enjoying having "her" side of the bed back to herself now that Hubs is gone again. Enjoy it while it lasts, Libs!

I'm gonna get back to watching The Waitress on Lifetime now. Even though this movie got horrible reviews and it's a little weird, I have always loved it. I'm a sucker for a movie about pies! Makes me want to jump up and bake a "Bad Baby Pie" or a "Naughty Pumpkin Pie". :)

Have you ever made or eaten something that has odd ingredient combinations? How was it?