Wednesday, April 17, 2024

Love Food: Chicken Enchilada Suizas Stacked Casserole

Anything Mexican or even resembling Mexican food attracts me immediately.

I have to read the recipe, make it and try it. I already have a chicken enchilada recipe that I make, and when I made it for the first time for Christmas several years ago. The kids ate it right up. Gone in 60 Seconds!
For my recipe, I don't roll each enchilada like I do the red chili cheese enchiladas. One of the nuances that attracted my eye to this recipe is that it is a casserole. Much faster to prepare than the time-consuming individually rolled version. Another feature that's amazing is the peppers. I love love love poblano peppers.

Yup! It's a winner. This is my new favorite chicken enchiladas. I plan to make them this year at Christmastime. That will be the true test, because the kids are my yummy-o-meter. I think this recipe will bring shouts of joy and lots of smiles. Ole!

Roast Chicken Enchilada Suizas Stacked Casserole

Ingredients:
4 medium poblano peppers
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 jalapeno, chopped
2 medium onions, chopped
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
12 medium-large tomatillos, peeled, rinsed and quartered
2 small handfuls cilantro leaves
1 teaspoon ground cumin, 1/3 palmful
2 teaspoons honey
1 quart chicken stock-in-a-box
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 lime, juiced
2 lbs. cooked chicken, meat pulled or shredded
12 (6-inch) flour tortillas or 16 (5-inch) corn tortillas, softened over flame or dry skillet
1 cup Mexican crema, creme fraiche or sour cream
1 1/2 cups shredded Swiss cheese (from about 1/2 pound piece)
1 1/2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese (from about 1/2 pound piece)
Raw red onion rings, for garnish

Directions:
Heat the broiler to high. Arrange the poblanos on a sheet pan, put them under the hot broiler and char until blackened an all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Leave the door of the oven cracked to allow the steam to escape. Peppers can also be easily charred over and open stovetop flame if you have gas burners. Put the peppers in a bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Allow the peppers to sit until cool enough to handle. Peel and seed the peppers.

Heat the extra-virgin olive oil, 2 turns of the pan, in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the jalapeno, onions, and garlic and cook until the onions soften, about 5 minutes. Put the tomatillos and a small handful of cilantro in a food processor. Coarsely chop the poblanos and add them to the processor. Process until almost a smooth sauce forms, about 1 minute. Pour the sauce into the skillet and stir to combine. Stir in the cumin, honey and stock, and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Reduce the heat and simmer about 20 minutes, then add the lime juice and turn off the heat.

Pour a thin layer of sauce into the bottom of a medium casserole. Layer in 3 flour tortillas or 4 corn tortillas then top with some shredded chicken, dot with some sauce and small spoonfuls of Mexican crema, creme fraiche or sour cream and sprinkle with a little Swiss and Jack cheeses. Repeat twice more. Cool and chill for a make-ahead meal.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Put the casserole on a baking sheet and bake until heated through and bubbly on top, about 40 to 50 minutes. The baking sheet will catch any drips of sauce or cheese. Garnish the stacked enchilada casserole with raw red onion rings and serve.

Yield: 4 servings

Recipe By: CookingChannelTV.com


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