4.16.2009

Enchurritos



This is a family favorite that I find myself making often. So, for posterity's sake I'm making a record of my method.

One of the best things about Mexican food is that it is a handful of ingredients that can be put together in any number of combinations. My family lived in So. California during my pre-adolescent years. There is a heavenly fast foodish Mexican place there called Miguel Jr's. When Cori and I were living in LA and my mom came to visit us, we spent 2 1/2 hours crawling in traffic along the 91 to get to Corona just to eat at Miguel's. It is really that good. Anyway, at Miguel's they have what is called the 'garbage burrito'. It is pretty much everything on their menu wrapped into a tortilla, then drenched in enchilada sauce and cheese. It would take me a week to eat it.

I can't really compare what follows to a Miguel's garbage burrito, nor to anything from any of our other favorite Mexi places. But it is a fun burrito/enchilada thingy that is kind of turned inside out and that my kids think is fun and that gets them to eat some vegetables. 



Enchurritos
1 lb ground meat I made this last night with turkey and no one seemed to notice...
1 packet taco seasoning We like Taco Bell
1 14.5 oz. can beans I usually use refried but regular pintos or black beans work too
1 19 oz. can red enchilada sauce. We like Old El Paso
4-6 flour tortillas, depending on their size
2 cups grated cheese
produce to garnish- lettuce, cilantro, peppers, tomatoes, lime, whatever your kids will eat
hot sauce and sour cream

  1. Cook meat and prepare according to taco seasoning directions.
  2. Add beans, heat through and stir until evenly combined.
  3. Pour a portion of the enchilada sauce onto a large plate or dish. Cover the bottom of a square baking with some sauce as well. 
  4. Using the sauce on the plate, cover both sides of a tortilla with enchilada sauce.
  5. Spoon in some of the meat and bean mixture
  6. Add in some cheese
  7. Roll tightly and place in the square baking dish
  8. Repeat until you run out of the meat and bean mix, or until you run out of room in your baking dish. If you are smart, these two things will happen at the same time. I almost always have some meat and bean stuff leftover.
  9. Pour the rest of the enchilada sauce over the rolled burritos. If you have any cheese left over, you can sprinkle that on top too.
  10. At this point, you can either throw it into a 350* oven for about 20 minutes or until the cheese in the center burrito is melted, OR you can put it into the fridge for a while. I love this meal for busy days. I make it in the morning and then have a worry free evening. From a refrigerated state, it takes an extra 10 minutes or so in the oven of course. 
  11. While it is heating through, prepare a plate of toppings. 
  12. Serve up some hot burrito on everyone's plate and let them top it as they will. It will make 6-8 servings. 




4 comments:

O'Brien family said...

looks great! I will try it.Thanks.Jeannette

The Giffs said...

Delicious. I was just figuring out what I wanted to make this week. Now I know. Have you ever tried it with chicken?

Jesse said...

Nat-
I've never tried it with chicken- but I bet it would be delish. Mexican food is hard to mess up! Maybe that is why I make it so much.

The Giffs said...

So I just made your yummy meal but with shredded chicken. I left the beans out but I'll make some to go on the side. I'm so excited. I licked my cheesy saucy fingers like crazy when I was through rolling everything up. Thanks for the inspiration!