Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Recipe - Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas




Beware, they are loaded with cheese!

I have been making these enchiladas for several years now. My family loves them and asked for this meal frequently. You can also prepare these, cover in foil and freeze until you are ready to cook. I normally make extras for this reason.

Sorry about the poor picture quality.


Cheesy Chicken Enchiladas

24 Corn tortillas
Large bag grated sharp cheddar cheese
Green onions (chopped)
2 Onions (finely chopped)
Nacho cheese (2 cans)
4-5 Skinless boneless chicken breasts
Cooking oil
Plenty of paper towels
2 Shallow foil pans (Coated with PAM Cooking Spray)

First boil the chicken breast and then let them cool. Once cooled, shred and place in a bowl.

In preparation, I put the shredded cheese, onions and shredded chicken in separate bowls. Fold a couple of paper towels and place on a cutting board or whatever you are making the enchiladas on so that you can soak the oil from the tortillas. I keep a couple of folded paper towels in hand to pat the top as well.

Now, put enough cooking oil in a skillet to cover the bottom (then a little more) and heat over a low-med heat.

Once the oil is hot, place a tortilla in the oil for about 10 seconds then using tongs flip it over and put the other side in the oil for another 10 seconds or so. Without gripping the tortilla too hard (or you will put a hole in it), lift it from the oil and let it drain a few seconds. Place the tortilla on the paper towel and pat the oil.

Next get about 1/2 tbsp of nacho cheese and spread on the half of the tortilla closest to you. Put some onion, chicken and grated cheese on it then roll it up fairly tight.

Place then rolled up enchilada down in the foil pan. Repeat until pan is full. I normally get about 7 enchiladas in one row for two rows to a pan. This is a total of 14 enchiladas per pan.

Once you have all of the enchiladas are in the pan(s) spread a layer of nacho cheese on top. Sprinkle some onion, grated cheese then green onion on top.

Place in a preheated oven at 425° for about 20 minutes or until the cheese is good and melted.
















Recipe - Charra Beans



I'm not a fan of refried beans, but I do like Charra Beans. I hope that you like these.


Charra Beans

1 pound of pinto beans (about 2 cups)
4 or 5 slices of bacon
1/4 cup juice from canned jalapenos
1/4 tablespoons of minced garlic (about 3 large cloves)
1/2 medium onion
3 or 4 jalapenos (chopped)
1/2 bunch of cilantro (chopped)
1/4 pound of fat back (or salt pork)
1 can of Rotel
32 oz beef broth
Salt to taste


Sort and rinse your beans then soak overnight.

Drain the beans, place them in a large stock pot and cover the beans with the beef broth and 3 cups of water for a total of 7 cups liquid.

Add the garlic, onion, jalapeno juice and fat back. Bring to a boil, cover and reduce to a simmer. Be sure to stir occasionally.

After an hour and a half or two, check the beans for the desired texture. If they are not tender enough, keep cooking them.

While the beans are cooking, cut the bacon into 1" pieces and cook in a skillet.

Once the beans are tender enough, add the bacon, jalapenos, Rotel (with juice) and the cilantro. Cook for another 30 minutes or so.

Remove the fat back and serve.