This recipe and photos are courtesy of Cynthia Detterick-Pineda of Andrews, TX. More of Cynthia's
Southwest Recipes.
This is the basic recipe for red sauce and stacked enchiladas. Recipes for this type
enchilada are found in many cookbooks, and inside the minds of almost every cook
in the southwest who has ever made them (it is that simple!)
Enchiladas were a typical ranch house food early on, replicating the Mexican kitchen’s custom of
almost always having food on the stove. Even the cooks I know today have
something on the stove at almost all hours, whether it is beans, chili, estofado
(stew), or something else, a good Hispanic cook can always feed the hungry. There may be as many ways to prepare enchiladas as there are ideas about where they originated.
Traditional New Mexican Red Stacked Enchiladas
Recipe Type:
Corn Tortillas,
Chile Peppers,
Garlic
Cuisine:
Southwest,
Mexican
Yields: serves many
Prep time: 30 min
Ingredients:
5 or more dried
chile peppers (use more or less, depending on the heat of the chile peppers)*
2 1/2 cups water
4 cloves
garlic
Salt
1/8 teaspoon Mexican oregano
Corn tortillas**
Corn oil (optional)
Toppings:
1/2 small chopped
onion
1 cup shredded cheese (Cheddar, Monterey Jack, Manchero, or Queso Quesadilla)
Eggs for frying
3/4 cup chopped
tomato
1 cup shredded lettuce
* These can be found already dried in packaged in bags in the ethnic food section and/or produce section
of most supermarkets.
** Learn
How To Make Corn Tortillas.
Preparation:
Rinse the chile peppers and remove the stems, seeds, and membranes if possible.
NOTE: Keep in mind that the “heat” of the chili is in the membranes and somewhat the seeds. Do not touch around your eyes or
face after touching these. Even the most innocent looking peppers can be HOT!
Place the prepared chile peppers in a large pot with the water added. Bring just to a boil, reduce
heat to low and let simmer approximately 20 to 30 minutes until well softened. Remove from heat.
Place the softened chiles, a few at a time, in a blender or food processor. Add the garlic, salt and,
oregano; blend until smooth. Starting with a few chile peppers at a time makes it easier to smooth out the sauce. Add the remaining chilies, blending
until all are incorporated. Water can be added as needed, until a slightly thickened sauce that will coat the back of
a spoon is made.
|
TIPS: These
are not included in the ingredient list as they are not
traditional, and are only optional.
I have found
that if your sauce tastes flat or boring, you can blend in a
teaspoon or so of tomato paste to give it a bolder, deeper
flavor.
If the chile
peppers are too hot for you, a small amount of sugar can
take the heat down a notch.
|
Prepare your Toppings and set aside until ready to use.
To soften a corn tortilla, grab it with tongs, place it in hot corn oil in a
skillet, turn almost immediately and then hold up to drain (you want to soften the tortilla not cook it). You can also heat them on a
comal or in the microwave if the oil part is a problem for you. To Microwave, place no more than 4 tortillas in at a time, arranged in a circular
pattern with the edges barely overlapping. Heat for 20 seconds, turn them over and heat for 10 more seconds.
A
comal is a flat cast iron cooking plate that goes over the fire and is
used mainly for making tortillas, but also for roasting chile peppers
and other vegetables. It is much like a griddle. A large
cast-iron frying pan can be used instead.
Place tortillas, so they do not overlap, on a medium-hot cast-iron griddle or in a heavy frying
pan over medium-high heat. Turn frequently until soft and hot (about 30 seconds on each side).
On individual serving plates, start layering your enchiladas. A spoonful of red
chile sauce, a tortilla, more red chile sauce, onion, cheese, tomato, and lettuce. Repeat the layering. When you reach the last layer (how many layers
depends on individual tastes and appetites) you are ready to serve
Variation: You can add all the lettuce on the last layer.
Lettuce is can help take out some of the heat from the peppers.
Using the corn oil that was used to soften the tortillas, fry your eggs (one egg for each serving).
Learn how to
Perfect Fried Eggs. Place the fried egg on top of the lettuce.
Note: If you desire, you can add some cooked meat in between the layers as
well. Shredded pork is the most common, but also chicken, ground beef. or any other meat you choose.
Serve with black beans, refried beans, fried potatoes, or even Spanish rice for a great meal.
You are now ready to serve your enchiladas. Enjoy!
