What are Some Good Recipes for Enchiladas?

Mexican chayote squash and an American chayote seem to have a conversation on my kitchen window sill, much like the vibrant chiles that add color to enchilada sauce. With a straightforward base, enchiladas can be packed with different flavors and can be as simple or complex as your imagination allows. Let's dive into some classic and varied enchilada recipes to get your taste buds excited.

The Basic Definition of an Enchilada

The basic definition of an enchilada is a tortilla fried or soaked in a red or green chile sauce, rolled up, and garnished with your favorite ingredients. When you add mole sauce, they transform into enmoladas, adding a rich, festive flavor to your dish. The large, dry, sienna red chiles are perfect for making red enchilada sauce, tamales, and pozole—essential parts of Mexican cuisine.

Here is another photo preview from my book about enchilada sauce. No small amount of enchilada or mole sauce goes to waste in a Mexican kitchen, and in this picture, I am mixing leftover green and red mole sauce for another batch of fabulous enchiladas. While enchiladas can be a bit time-consuming if you're cooking everything from scratch, they are worth the effort. Just like the complexity of Mexican cooking, once you learn the basics, everything falls into place.

Basic Enchilada Recipe

Start with a simple chicken filling, which can be cooked from a rotisserie, sautéed in olive oil, simmered, or even seasoned and simmered boneless thighs. Just ensure not to overcook the chicken! Next, prepare a sauce. You can use a canned salsa like Salsa las Palmas, or make a rich, flavorful sauce from scratch using dried chiles, tomatillos, garlic, and onions.

For cheeses, use shredded Jack cheese or a Mexican blend that contains various types like asadero and quesadilla cheese. Also, crumble and shred cheeses and set them aside. Heat oil in a pan and add a corn tortilla. Fry it slightly and place it on a paper towel to drain excess oil.

Now it's time to assemble: take a tortilla, put cheese in a line, top with chicken, and roll it up. Repeat this process for the rest of the tortillas. Place your rolled enchiladas in a baking dish and top with the prepared sauce and a generous amount of cheese. You can either bake them to melt the cheese, eat them as-is, or even microwave for a quick meal.

Green Enchiladas (Enchiladas Suizas)

For a variation, consider making green enchiladas using tomatillos, jalape?os, onion, garlic, and cilantro. Wash the produce, blend it, and simmer. Finish the dish by adding some sour cream and baking it with more sauce. This method is also known as Enchiladas Suizas, adding a unique twist to the classic enchilada dish.

Enchiladas are a fantastic choice for your Mexican feast. Once you get the hang of the basic recipe, you can experiment with different fillings and sauces. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced chef, these recipes are sure to tantalize your taste buds and satisfy your craving for delicious Mexican cuisine.