TEXMEX-ENCHIL(M)         USENET Cookbook         TEXMEX-ENCHIL(M)

TEX-MEX STYLE ENCHILADAS

     TEXMEX-ENCHIL - Central Texas style Mexican enchiladas

     We cook beef enchiladas in two ways-the traditional rolled
     enchilada and the easier-to-cook New Mexico stacked style.
     Both procedures are given.  Also, we used to cook the enchi-
     lada sauce/chili from scratch but more recently began using
     a shortcut with canned Old El Paso brand enchilada sauce,
     since it is not only faster (20 minutes vs. 4+ hours) but
     also has a very authentic spice combination.

INGREDIENTS (Serves 6-8)
     2 lb      extra lean ground beef (as little fat as possible)
     2         medium onions, chopped
     4 Tbsp    flour
     2 1/2 cups
               enchilada sauce (2 standard cans)
     1 lb      sharp cheddar cheese, grated

PROCEDURE (SAUCE AND FILLING)
          (1)  Brown ground beef and 1 chopped onion in a large
               skillet.  There should be enough fat in the beef
               to eliminate any need for extra oil and also to
               sauté the onions at the same time.  While you are
               browning the beef (it should be completely cooked
               with no pink or red color left), be sure to break
               it up so that it is granular in texture, as
               opposed to chunky, when completely browned.
               Onions should be limp and translucent but not
               brown.

          (2)  Add about 4 Tbsp of flour and sauté until flour is
               completely incorporated into the meat mixture.

          (3)  Add the enchilada sauce. Heat over low heat.  If
               the mixture is too thick, add a little water.  The
               consistency should be that of a thick gravy, but
               not soupy.  Simmer over low heat for 20-30
               minutes.

PROCEDURE (ROLLED ENCHILADAS)
          (1)  Rolled enchiladas are tougher to assemble, but
               more authentic.  Have ready a large baking pan-we
               always use an oblong Pyrex pan.

          (2)  One at a time, dip each tortilla in the enchilada
               sauce just enough to coat and slightly soften.

          (3)  Lay the tortilla flat in the baking pan, spoon
               about 3 Tbsp of the enchilada sauce in a line down
               the middle, top with about 1 tsp chopped onion and
               about 3 Tbsp of grated cheese.

          (4)  Roll the tortilla tightly into a cylinder with the
               seam on the bottom, and position against the bot-
               tom edge of the baking pan. Repeat until the pan
               is full. This can get tricky (but it is possible)
               as the pan gets full.  Assembling the enchilada
               outside of the pan is usually a messy disaster.
               Depending on the size of the pan and how tightly
               each enchilada is rolled, you can get 8-12 enchi-
               ladas in a pan.  This recipe should make about
               16-24 enchiladas.

          (5)  Spoon enchilada sauce over the assembled enchila-
               das to thinly cover.  Sprinkle generously with
               grated cheese. Bake at 425 deg. F for 20 minutes.

PROCEDURE (STACKED ENCHILADAS)
          (1)  This is the New Mexico style. It is much easier to
               assemble.  Have plates ready.  One at a time, sub-
               merge each tortilla in the enchilada sauce (which
               should be cooking on low heat during this process)
               and cook until limp but not falling apart-this may
               take a little practice to gauge the time.

          (2)  Remove the tortilla from the sauce and place flat
               on a plate.  Spoon a little sauce, including meat,
               over the tortilla, add 1 Tbsp chopped onion and
               about 4 Tbsp grated cheese.

          (3)  Repeat the process untill you have a stack of 3-4
               tortillas on a plate, depending on the appetite of
               the person who will eat them.  Top the last tor-
               tilla with a generous amount of sauce and cheese.
               Serve immediately.

NOTES
     The fundamental difference between these two styles is the
     method used to cook the tortillas.  In the rolled style, the
     sauce is cooked into the tortilla through the baking pro-
     cess.  In the stacked style, the tortilla is cooked directly
     in the sauce.  Only the appearance differs-the taste is the
     same with either style.

     I always use Old El Paso canned enchilada sauce, though it
     is possible to make your own.

RATING
     Difficulty: moderate.  Time: 1 hour.  Precision: approximate
     measurement OK.

CONTRIBUTOR
     Pamela McGarvey
     UCLA Comprehensive Epilepsy Program
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