Issuu

M A R C H 2 02 1

LIFESTYLE LETTER

MARCH 2021 PUBLISHER

Jennifer Simpson | jennifer.simpson@lifestylepubs.com AD DESIGNER

Evan Deuvall

Stay Home, Save Lives WE’VE ALL HEARD THIS PHRASE PLENTY OVER THE PAST YEAR. The past year... I am shocked that it’s been one year since the first cases of the novel coronavirus-19 were discovered in Kirkland. How has your life changed over the past year, and how are you coping with the changes? Are you adapting to the “new normal” (a phrase we’ve also heard plenty), or are you resisting and hoping that things return to the “old normal”? Whatever the case may be, chances are good that your home means more to you

L AYO UT DESIGNER

Dana Rudolph CONTRIBUTING WRITERS

Matthew McCauley, Lindsay Sellin, ARNP, RD; Mary Bernard, Conner Homes, Jennifer Simpson CONTRIBUTING PHOTOGRAPHERS

Lindsay Sellin, ARNP, RD; Matthew Gallant, Clyde Merriwether, Lake Washington School District, Conner Homes

now than ever before. Safety, comfort, security, warmth, serenity, tranquility… These are all words that come to mind when I think of home. Typically, in my “old normal”, I associated being home with working, paying bills, doing chores and adulating. I now have a new perspective, and I cherish my home and the love that’s in it. At home I have all of the safety and security of my own stalls and walls, but also abundant love surrounding me, for which I am truly grateful. There is a popular saying, “it is what it is”, but I am a life-long believer in the opposite - it is what you make it. Don’t settle, don’t sit back and let your walls close in on you and succumb to the mundane monotony, but make it special. Make it your safety zone and make the best of it, for who knows how long “it” will last. Build the deck, paint the trim, and organize that storage closet you’ve been meaning to get to for years. Now is the time to be comfortable within your own walls. The little things like your favorite blanket, or the house plant you’ve been nourishing and trying

CORPORATE TEAM CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER Steven Schowengerdt CHIEF SALES OFFICER Matthew Perry CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER DeLand Shore

to keep alive are all of a sudden the great big things that we take comfort in. And that’s

ART DIRECTOR Sara Minor

okay. So till the soil, plant the garden, and watch it grow this spring. No matter the

OPERATIONS DIRECTOR Janeane Thompson

circumstances that got us here, this is a special time in our lives. A time to look around

AD MANAGER Chad Jensen

and take it all in. Your walls are just that - yours. Make them special and take comfort in

REGIONAL SALES DIRECTOR Eric Williams

the roof over your head as not all of us are so fortunate. Your home is your sanctuary,

WEB APPLICATIONS Michael O’Connell

your yard is your oasis, and your walls are your own personal template. We’ve never been more familiar with these walls, so we might as well make them fabulous. We hope you enjoy the Home issue of Kirkland Lifestyle. To see more photos, submit content suggestions, or inquire about advertising opportunities, please visit CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland. Thank you for reading, sharing, liking and following, and

514 W 26TH ST., KANSAS CITY, MO

thank you, as always, for #KeepingItKirkland.

Jennifer Simpson, Publisher Jennifer.Simpson@LifestylePubs.com ON THE COVER The Estate, The Rombakh Family Residence

PHOTOGRAPHY BY MATTHEW GALLANT, CLARITY NORTHWEST 4

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

Proverbs 3:5-6 Kirkland Lifestyle™ is published monthly by Lifestyle Publications LLC. It is distributed via the US Postal Service to some of the Kirkland areas’ most affluent neighborhoods. Articles and advertisements do not necessarily reflect Lifestyle Publications’ opinions. No portion of this magazine may be reproduced in any form without written consent. Lifestyle Publications does not assume responsibility for statements made by advertisers or editorial contributors. Information in Kirkland Lifestyle™ is gathered from sources considered to be reliable, but the accuracy of all information cannot be guaranteed.

Your Local Kirkland Real Estate Expert OVE R $ 24 4 M IN L IFET IM E SA LES

KIRKLAND MARKET STATS

Compass is a licensed real estate broker and abides by Equal Housing Opportunity laws. All material presented herein is intended for informational purposes only. Information is compiled from sources deemed reliable but is subject to errors, omissions, changes in price, condition, sale, or withdrawal without notice. No statement is made as to the accuracy of any description. All measurements and square footages are approximate. This is not intended to solicit property already listed. Nothing herein shall be construed as legal, accounting or other professional advice outside the realm of real estate brokerage.

Median Closed Price:

$1.055M+ AVG Days on Market:

22 REPRESENTED BUYER

11920 89TH PL NE | SOLD FOR: $2,225,000

Sold to List Price:

101.10% AVG Price Per SqFt:

$507.20 Source via: Trendgraphix, Jan - Nov 2020, Single Family & Condo

REPRESENTED BUYER

5820 110TH AVE NE | SOLD FOR: $2,911,000

REPRESENTED SELLER OFF-MARKET

1104 5TH AVE W | SOLD FOR: $4,700,000

CAT HE R IN E AN D MC KE N NA FE R RER A Managing Broker

M: 206.579.1077 catherine@ferrerateam.com www.Ferrerateam.com

What a crazy year this has been! After 6+ months at home, many people are realizing the inadequacies of their homes. Buyers are very motivated to move and take advantage of the historically low mortgage rates. If you’re considering selling, now might be a good time. Buyer demand is high, and inventory is low, making it a strong time to sell. We would be happy to provide you with a personalized assessment of your home. Contact us for more details!

INSIDE THE ISSUE MARCH 2021 FEATURES 10 The Merriwether Property

Clyde Merriwether’s 1960’s Kirkland

18 Local Celebrity Chef John Howie Teams With Conner Homes To Design Signature Kitchens In Kirkland Set To Commence Construction In Mid-2021, The Chef John Howie Signature Kitchen Concept Will Debut In Conner’s Heron Home Kitchens

22 Let There Be Light The Rombakh Family’s New CustomBuilt Home Uses Glass—Lots Of It—To Let The Outside In

18 30

30 Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas Mi Casa Es Tu Casa, Comamos!

DEPARTMENTS 4

Lifestyle Letter

Local Limelight

22 Open House 30 Culinary Creations

A Luxury Experience. As the #1 agent at Realogics Sotheby’s International Realty’s Kirkland office by sales volume, I’m proud to be a leader in this community. With over $33M in closed transactions last year, I understand the nuances of the real estate industry and implement tools for a top-tier service that harnesses the power of a globally known brand. Whether you seek to buy, sell, or both, I’d be pleased to open a conversation with you today.

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Sold for $2,630,000 SeattleTrueNorth.com

REALOGICS SOTHEBY’S INTERNATIONAL REALTY | 15 LAKE STREET, KIRKLAND, WA | RSIR.COM © 2021 Realogics Brokerage, LLC. All rights reserved. Sotheby’s International Realty® and the Sotheby’s International Realty Logo are service marks licensed to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC and used with permission. Realogics Brokerage, LLC fully supports the principles of the Fair Housing Act and the Equal Opportunity Act. Each franchise is independently owned and operated. Any services or products provided by independently owned and operated franchisees are not provided by, affiliated with or related to Sotheby’s International Realty Affiliates LLC nor any of its affiliated companies. *Seller reserves the right to change product offering without notice.

LOCAL LIMELIGHT

THE MERRIWETHER PROPE RT Y

CLYDE MERRIWETHER’S 1960’S KIRKLAND 03

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

ARTICLE MATTHEW MCCAULEY PHOTOGRAPHY CLYDE MERRIWETHER AND THE LAKE WASHINGTON SCHOOL DISTRICT

IMAGINE AN OPPORTUNITY TO PURCHASE 4.1

Originally from Texas, Ray graduated in 1947 with

SLOPING, LAKE VIEW ACRES IN KIRKLAND’S

a civil engineering degree from Howard University in

HOUGHTON NEIGHBORHOOD. Two years before the

Washington, D.C., where he met and married his wife,

Evergreen Point bridge opened, land in the Kirkland area

Marion Schulz. The couple had a daughter, Chrystal,

was still cheap but those with a little foresight knew what

in 1947, and Clyde came along the following year. In

an impact the bridge would have on real estate values.

1948, Ray became a structural plan examiner for the

Back in 1961c. Raymond Merriwether, whose son,

City of Seattle’s Building Department. In addition to

Clyde, describes him as having been an “entrepre-

his city position, the ambitious Ray became a builder

neur extraordinaire”, did imagine the potential of

and in a very short time developed several apartments

such a property and jumped on the opportunity. He

in the Central area.

purchased the property at 6505 108th Ave NE in the

In 1952, Ray Merriwether bought The Pacific Leader,

small, independent town of Houghton, for what was

a newspaper serving the black community, and teamed

then the high price of seventy thousand dollars. A

with National Association for the Advancement of

trained architect, Ray designed a beautiful, custom,

Colored People attorney, Phillip Burton, to challenge

mid-century modern home with exquisitely manicured

racial discrimination in Seattle; which at that time had

surrounding grounds, and moved his family there from

racially discriminatory practices, such as racially restric-

Seattle’s Central neighborhood after having com-

tive real estate covenants.

pleted a graduate degree in architectural engineering in 1960 at Washington State University.

Chrystal and Clyde started the 1961 school year at the old Kirkland Junior High, located on the site of today’s CONTINUED >

01 Merriwether property 2009. | 02 Merriwether property 2013. | 03 Final shot of the family home, just before demolition. | 04 1960’s-era shots of the backyard exterior, viewed west. The house in its heyday, as it was in Clyde’s teenage memories.

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

Heritage Park. He compares 1960’s small-town

Associates, and while managing multiple apart-

Kirkland to the old television program “Happy Days”,

ment buildings and nursing homes, he also served

and describes his Lake Washington High School

as a consultant on senior housing for non-profit

years as, “One of the best times of my life”, and says

organizations and supported the educational

that, “life just wasn’t that complicated”, in those days.

endeavors of Seattle-area students. Clyde’s dad

It was a semi-rural Kirkland area back then, with a

Ray died of cancer in 2011. The C.R. Merriwether

small movie theatre, The Gateway, on Central Avenue,

Scholarship Fund for architectural, civil, and

a sprinkling of burger drive-ins between Houghton

environmental engineering undergraduate and

and Juanita, and a single high school serving all of

graduate students has been established in his

Kirkland and much of today’s Redmond.

memory at both the University of Washington and

Clyde says being one of the only black kids in

the Washington State University Foundation. Ray

school did have some negatives. In those days,

and Marion divorced, and Ray spent the final 32

Houghton was a separate municipality from Kirkland.

years of his life married to his third wife, Barbara.

The town of Houghton’s police chief once pulled his

In retirement, he and Barbara spent his final years

service weapon on Clyde and a friend because they

enjoying travel, family, and recreational pursuits.

were out after curfew walking along Lake Washington

By the 1980’s, Ray, looking forward, had envisioned

Boulevard and the officer wanted to know why they

the family home acreage as a retirement or nursing

were doing so. Clyde says he avoided dating his

facility; a sector in which the family had considerable

white female classmates at LWHS due to concerns

expertise, and Clyde, a degreed architect, had drawn

over their parents’ reactions. Clyde was popular,

plans for several development proposals. The family’s

described by his former classmates as charming,

vision was of elders spending their last days enjoying

and participated in choir and drama. He is still fondly

the beautiful view and grounds, but after years of

remembered by “Golden Grad” former classmates for

trying and much publicity, they were unable to get

his portrayal of Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1965-66

a zoning variance to develop the property in that

school year play “Guys and Dolls”.

manner. Instead, the property was liquidated for $3.5

Clyde says having been a child in the Central

million and subsequently developed into twenty-nine

Area, and then spending his teen years on one of the

attractive, detached, two and three story townhomes.

nicest properties in Houghton, that there was a big

Clyde has led a full professional life. He’s lived in

difference between “growing up black poor versus

different parts of the country and the world, with

growing up black rich”, and that of all of the places he

varied experiences ranging from participating in the

has lived, he considers Kirkland “home”.

late 1960’s racial unrest in Washington, D.C., to liv-

Ray had co-founded the Peck & Merriwether

ing among tribal groups in Africa. He has remained

Architectural and Engineering firm, where he

involved in community issues and served for six years

designed, developed, and managed several nurs-

as a Planning Commissioner, and also served a stint

ing homes, the largest of which housed 238 resi-

as Chairman of Kirkland’s Downtown Task Force.

dents. Ray went on to launch Ray Merriwether &

Clyde now resides in Mill Creek.

CONTINUED >

01 Clyde has always been known for his fun and upbeat personality. | 02 1960’s-era shot of the backyard exterior, viewed west. The house in its heyday, as it was in Clyde’s teenage memories. | 03 Clyde’s LWHS senior picture.. | 04 Madelyn and Stanley Dunham, who lived on Mercer Island in the late 1950s and early 1960s, were Marion and Ray Merriwether’s friends and bridge partners. The Dunhams and their daughter, Ann, later moved to Hawaii and here in a c.1966 photo Marion poses on a Hawaii trip with the Dunham’s grandson, the future 44th president of the United States, Barack Obama, then about five or six. | 05 Clyde as Nicely-Nicely Johnson in the 1966-67 LWHS school play, Guys and Dolls.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

01 03

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

LOCAL LIMELIGHT (CONTINUED)

To enjoy more of Clyde’s vivid recollections in his own words, please visit: https://youtu.be/FOS5YeXjJWQ

01 1960’s-era shot of the backyard exterior, viewed west. The house in its heyday, as it was in Clyde’s teenage memories. | 02 Clyde today, reflecting. | 03 Final shot of the family home, just before demolition.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

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Local Celebrity Chef John Howie Teams With Conner Homes To Design Signature Kitchens In Kirkland SET TO COMMENCE CONSTRUCTION IN MID-2021, THE CHEF JOHN HOWIE SIGNATURE KITCHEN CONCEPT WILL DEBUT IN CONNER’S HERON HOME KITCHENS

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY PROVIDED BY CONNER HOMES

I've spent t he past few mont hs sket ching kit chen ideas along side some of t he greatest minds in home development t o design innovative features for Heron's future homeowners," said Chef Howie.

CONNER HOMES, A LEGACY WASHINGTON-

steaks, and spirits, Howie’s handiwork is visi-

BASED HOMEBUILDER, HAS PARTNERED

ble throughout the region. His first restaurant,

WITH RENOWNED CHEF JOHN HOWIE

Seastar Restaurant and Raw Bar, opened

TO DESIGN AND BUILD KITCHENS IN

to critical acclaim in 2002, followed shortly

KIRKLAND’S

SOON-TO-BE-LAUNCHED

by John Howie Steak, SPORT Restaurant &

HERON HOME DEVELOPMENT. The inau-

Bar, Beardslee Public House & Brewery, and

gural Chef John Howie Signature Kitchens will

Wildwood Spirits Company. Howie has col-

feature personal touches inspired by Howie’s

lected numerous accolades and loyal custom-

home and restaurant kitchens.

ers while investing in philanthropical efforts to

Coming soon to the Holmes Point area

help communities in need.

of Kirkland, Conner Homes will construct

“I’ve spent the past few months sketching

five new luxury homes just west of Juanita

kitchen ideas alongside some of the greatest

Drive near the shores of Lake Washington.

minds in home development to design innova-

Beautifully appointed and carefully designed

tive features for Heron’s future homeowners,”

for today’s discerning homebuyer, the spa-

said Chef Howie.

cious residences will feature open floorplans

The Chef John Howie Signature Kitchens will

decks.

include luxury Woodbrook cabinets, slab stone

Floorplans will include up to five bedrooms, as

counters in multiple finishes, built-in pull-outs

well as media rooms and in-home offices. Each

for cookware, custom cutting boards designed

bespoke design features architect and design-

by Chef Howie, a built-in spice drawer, a custom

er-inspired touches, including Thermador

pull-out canister pantry, built-in garbage and

appliances, luxury master suites, and high-end

recycling bins, oversized kitchen center islands,

finishes. Homes will range from 3,500 to 3,800

a custom breadboard, and glass cabinet doors.

square feet and start in the $2 millions.

Chef Howie’s personally curated appliances

and

covered,

oversized

lakeview

The homes’ gourmet kitchens are in talented

include a 48-inch range with four gas burners,

hands. Named an “Outstanding Restauranteur”

two induction burners, a sous vide, a 30-inch

nominee by the James Beard Foundation, John

double wall oven with convection and steam

Howie’s influence on the Pacific Northwest’s culi-

assist, a 42-inch built-in refrigerator/freezer

nary scene is unparalleled. Spanning seafood,

and built-in wine storage.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

CHEF JOHN HOWIE (CONTINUED)

“We are thrilled to launch this new kitchen concept with Chef John Howie,” said Michael Lorenz, Conner Homes president. “Kitchens have long represented the heart of the modern home. Now more than ever, they deserve extra care and consideration. We welcome John Howie into our portfolio of homes and look forward to seeing this partnership through as part of our new development in Kirkland.” Conner Homes and Chef Howie will announce a number of additional inspiring projects in the coming months, as two longtime Pacific Northwest brands join forces to showcase their shared passions for cooking, kitchens, safety, and community outreach.

ABOUT CONNER HOMES At Conner Homes, homebuyers find something different. It’s called strength of character. It’s reflected in the homes Conner Homes builds, the communities they create, and the way they do business. As a local, multi-generational, family-owned business for more than 60 years, Conner Homes shares the interests of their community in building homes responsibly, with an attention to design, a devotion to quality, and a level of integrity not found in the typical mass manufacturers. Their goal is to treat every customer with the kind of service that will make them a customer for life. That translates to a customer experience that’s truly worth talking about. Learn more by visiting http://www.connerhomes.com.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

ARTICLE MARY BERNARD | PHOTOGRAPHY MATTHEW GALLANT OF CLARITY NORTHWEST

OPEN HOUSE

LET THERE BE L IGH T

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

THE ROMBAKH FAMILY’S NEW CUSTOM-BUILT HOME USES GLASS— LOTS OF IT—TO LET THE OUTSIDE IN

WHEN MAX AND NADIA ROMBAKH STARTED CONSIDERING A NEW RESIDENCE FOR THEIR FAMILY, ONE HOME IN THE RUNNING WAS AN OLD ACQUAINTANCE. In fact, as a realtor, Max had listed it twice and sold it once. Now it was coming back on the market, in a coveted section of the Bridle Trails neighborhood in Kirkland, and they were interested—more than interested. They wanted it. Where there’s a will, there’s a way, and a contract was eventually inked. The Rombakhs moved into the house in 2018.

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

OPEN HOUSE (CONTINUED)

CREATING ANEW Moving in wasn’t the end of the story, however. The intent was never to live in the existing house, but to design and build a new one for the property. A year or so later, in August 2019, the family moved into an apartment, and the demolition began to make way for the new construction. During the previous year, they had completed the permitting process and settled on a design. Numerous designs were considered before a final decision was made. Nadia wanted something with “grandeur but homey. A gathering place where people feel welcome.” They designed it, in part, as “an entertainment space,” Nadia said. A home they saw in Atherton, California, provided some inspiration, as it was a “modern farmhouse” style. Another design consideration was how to make the best use of light. “Everybody knows Bridle Trails for its trees,” Max said, “and it can be kind of dark.” Fortunately, their lot had fewer trees than their neighbors, which opened up the lot to the sky. “We wanted a very bright house, to capture the sun,” Max said. “Even on a gray day, it stays very bright.” GLASS HOUSE All of that brightness comes from an abundance of windows. For example, the front entrance opens onto an atrium, which leads in to a great room with a steel and glass staircase to one side, the kitchen area ahead. On one wall of the great room is a La Cantina 10-foot tall, 32-foot wide sliding door that opens to the patio/pool area, allowing an easy flow from inside to outside and vice versa. “The whole house is built around it,” Max said.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

In the kitchen, there is a 15-foot island composed

family meals. A “sun hall” is another feature on this

of gray quartz countertop and walnut butcher block.

floor. The whole house exterior is stucco, but the

The centerpiece of the kitchen is the one-piece

sun hall has a steel façade that makes it look almost

quartzite slab that sits against the back wall. The

as if it was added after the fact. Nadia noted that

kitchen also features an all-Miele appliance pack-

it is reminiscent of classic Tuscan villas that have

age, and the refrigerator has the same paneling as

been owned by generations of families and have

the oak cabinetry.

been modified in various ways over time. There is also a guest suite on the lower floor.

SCULLERY MADE One innovation to keep the kitchen area tidy

ON THE WING

for entertaining is the scullery, inspired by galleys

Up the steel-glass staircase are two wings, one

onboard sailing ships. The scullery has copious

for the master/owner’s suite and another for the

built-in cabinetry for storage, and a ladder on

couple’s 11-year-old twin daughters. The master

wheels is bolted to the cabinets to allow access

bedroom has floor-to-ceiling windows on one wall.

to higher shelving.

Uplighting in the room makes the wallpaper look

The dining room is surrounded by three walls of

like plaster, giving “a sense of arrival,” Max said.

glass—8-foot Anderson E-Series windows topped

The girls’ rooms are across from one another,

by 2-foot transom windows above. It is the locus of

which comes in handy for privacy and remote CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

OPEN HOUSE (CONTINUED)

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

CONTINUED >

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

OPEN HOUSE (CONTINUED)

learning (due to school closures for Covid-19). “The girls shared a room in the apartment, and they hated it,” Nadia said. “Now they won’t come out!” she added, laughing. They’ve only been living in their new home since December, but already both Max and Nadia have their favorite aspects. “I love it all,” Nadia said, but over the holidays the dining room and courtyard were what she enjoyed most. Max likes the media room. “This media room isn’t your typical home theater,” Max said. “It’s more like a lounge, dark and moody, and outfitted with an incredible THX surround sound media system.” They both say that “it feels like home.” Max explained, “Interestingly, it almost doesn’t feel new. You spend a year or more on the house, walking through it with 3D renderings, imagining how you would use the space,” and it becomes familiar. “We use the house exactly how we thought we’d use it,” Max said. INTENTIONALITY In some ways, the immediate comfort with the new home is not surprising. The design was intentional, meant to accommodate the way the family lives rather than being overdesigned or overbuilt. Despite the occasional suggestion that they should make this or that bigger, Max and Nadia insisted on making the house work for their lifestyle, more minimalist, with some accommodations for resale when the time comes; Max is a realtor, after all. “It is just the right size for us,” Nadia said. The builder, Adam Wanichek of Highlands Builders Group, was an active listener and col-

IT’S SETTLED, THEN?

laborator who understood what Max and Nadia

Sometimes when people build a custom home, it is

envisioned. He was able to deliver, completing

the culmination of a lifetime dream, and they want to

the build on time and on budget, despite the

stay put. Max and Nadia intend to stay in this house

potential disruptions the pandemic presented.

until their daughters are through high school, and then

“The entire project took 14 to 15 months, and

they will see what comes next. As much as they are

we had planned for 18 months,” Max said. “I

enjoying the home, it lacks one thing Max aspires to: a

give credit to the builder for bringing the project

view. “That’s why it won’t be our forever home,” he said.

in on time.” Phil McCullough with McCullough

But for now, they can’t wait for summer to dive in and

Architects was also on the team.

sample that backyard pool.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

CityLifestyle.com/Kirkland

MI CASA ES TU CASA, COMAMOS!

CULINARY CREATIONS

SALSA VERDE CHICKE N E NCHIL ADAS SPRING IS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER, BUT FOR US IN THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST, THE WEATHER IS NOT VERY WARM OR DRY YET. If you’re still craving warm and cozy meals, you are not alone! This Salsa Verde Chicken Enchiladas recipe fits the bill perfectly... It’s comfort food in the comfort of your own home. These enchiladas have a good amount of spice to heat up your mouth. But if you want to turn down the flame (maybe you’ll be serving these enchiladas to kids too), you can omit the green chilis and swap the pepperjack cheese for Monterey Jack cheese or more of the cotija cheese. You could easily make this vegetarian by replacing the chicken with mashed or refried beans, and maybe some sauteed vegetables like zucchini, onions, green bell peppers, or sauteed spinach. Stay cozy, everyone... True Spring weather will be here soon!

SALSA VERDE CHICKE N E NCHIL ADAS

SERVES 4 PEOPLE, 2 ENCHILADAS EACH

04 Transfer warm, cooked chicken to a cutting board and shred chicken using two forks to pull meat apart.

ARTICLE AND PHOTOGRAPHY LINDSAY SELLIN, ARNP, RD

INGREDIENTS

+ 1.5 lb chicken thighs + 12 oz jarred salsa verde, divided + 2 oz 1/3 less fat cream cheese, room-temperature + 4 oz can diced green chiles + 1/2 cup grated pepperjack cheese, divided + 8 tortillas + 1/4 white onion, diced + 1/4 cup cotija cheese, crumbled + 1/4 cup cilantro leaves

05 Place shredded chicken into a medium sized bowl. Add cream cheese, green chiles, and 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese. Stir until well combined. 06 In a clean baking dish, coat the bottom with 1/2 of the remaining salsa verde, about 3 ounces. 07 Place a packed 1/4 cup of the chicken mixture in a line down the middle of one tortilla, roll into a log, and place in the prepared baking dish, seam side down. Repeat with the rest of the tortillas and chicken mixture.

DIRECTIONS

08 Top tortillas with remaining salsa verde, then the

01 Preheat the oven to 375 F.

other 1/4 cup pepper jack cheese.

02 Place chicken thighs in a baking dish and add 6 oz

09 Cook enchiladas in the preheated oven for 15-20

of salsa verde. Flip the chicken to coat in the salsa.

minutes or until heated through and cheese is melted.

03 Bake chicken in the preheated oven for 25 minutes,

10 To serve, garnish with diced white onion, cotija

or until it registers 165 F on a meat thermometer.

cheese, and cilantro.

Kirkland Lifestyle | March 2021

Be sure to follow @sheeatstolive for a variety of tasty and healthy recipes!

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