Is It Possible to Make Vegetarian or Vegan Chilaquiles?

Chilaquiles are a traditional Mexican dish that are often enjoyed by vegetarians and vegans. This delightful dish, originally from eastern Mexico, is both flavorful and satisfying. While it is traditionally made with meat or chicken, we can easily make it vegetarian or vegan using simple substitutions. Let's explore how to create delicious vegetarian and vegan chilaquiles!

Vegetarian Chilaquiles

Vegetarian chilaquiles require minimal adjustments to the original recipe. Here’s how you can make them:

Preparing the Tomato Sauce: Dry roast 4-5 Roma tomatoes until they are lightly blackened. Roast 2-3 chile secos for a few minutes. Blend this mixture with a small portion of onion. Preparing the Tortilla Squares: Cut 6-10 corn tortillas into 1” squares. In a pan with a bit of oil, fry these tortillas until they are just stiff and not hard like corn chips. Assembling the Chilaquiles: In a pan, heat the tomato sauce until it starts to sizzle. Add a teaspoon of salt and a pinch of oregano and thyme. Stir in the fried tortilla squares. If you need more liquid, you can add a bit of water. These are your vegetarian chilaquiles!

Vegan Chilaquiles

For vegans, the process is similar but with a few additional considerations:

Substituting Ingredients: Use vegan cheese substitutes, such as tofu or other meat substitutes, to replace the meat or chicken. Choosing Tortillas: Use flour tortillas, as any gluten-free corn tortillas will not work. Add strips of green HATCH chiles for extra flavor. Additional Tips: Experiment with vegan cheeses to find one that you enjoy. Most flour tortillas work well. If you have individuals who are strict about gluten, consider using a comal specifically for vegetarian or vegan dishes. However, most vegetarians will understand that separating cooking utensils is not always practical for vegans.

Additional Toppings and Accompaniments

To enhance the flavor and texture of your chilaquiles, consider adding the following toppings and accompaniments:

Sliced Bell Pepper or Poblano: These add a fresh and slightly sweet flavor. Cheese: Use your preferred vegan cheese and add strips of green HATCH chiles. For a thicker consistency, you can add black beans. Cilantro: Adding fresh cilantro brings a refreshing flavor to the dish. Hot Sauce or Chilli: These provide the perfect heat and kick to balance out the flavors. Pico de Gallo: This fresh salsa made with finely chopped onion or spring onion, cilantro, lime zest and juice, hot sauce, salt, and pepper, with roughly diced tomatoes, adds an extra layer of flavor. Roasting the peppers before adding them to the salsa enhances their flavor significantly.

Learning and Cooking

I learned this recipe from a very dear friend. Here’s how to make a vegetarian version:

Frying Tortillas: In a pan, fry 6-10 corn tortillas into 1-inch squares until they are just stiff. Preparing the Sauce: In a pan, sauté chopped onions until they become translucent. Add chopped button mushrooms and cook until they are well-cooked but still somewhat dry. Sauté with coriander powder (optional), salt, and crushed black pepper. Mix in the chopped greens of green onions. Assembling the Dish: Roast the tortillas in another pan. Spread the mixture evenly on top and sprinkle with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella cheese. Add a second tortilla and roast, flipping it once. Cut into pieces and serve hot.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy chilaquiles that are both satisfying and delicious, whether you are a vegetarian or a vegan. Happy cooking!