Black Bean Enchiladas

I found this recipe on Annie Eats and modified it a little. Here is my adapted recipe.

Black Bean Enchiladas

For Black Bean filling:

2 cans organic black beans, rinsed and drained
1 tsp. EVOO
1/4 c. chopped onions (I am not an onion person)
4 cloves garlic, minced
1 1/2 c. corn kernels (I wanted to use the whole can)
1 c. pico de Gallo (recipe below)
2 tsp. ground cumin
1 tsp. chili powder
1 c . Reduced Fat Mexican Cheese

For the enchiladas:

Black Bean filling (from above)
6-8 Whole Wheat tortillas
Enchilada sauce (recipe below)

Directions:
To make the black bean filling, place the black beans in a medium sized mixing bowl. Partially mash the beans. In a medium sized skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Stir in onion and garlic and sauté for 4 minutes. Mix beans, corn, pico de Gallo, cumin, and chili powder into the skillet. Cook for 5 minutes or until thickened. Remove the pan from the heat, mix in cheese. Stir until cheese is melted.

Grease a 9×13” baking dish. Preheat oven to 350°. To make the enchiladas, spoon some of the black bean mixture down the center of a tortilla. Fold sides over the filling and roll up. Place seam side down in the baking dish. Repeat with remaining tortillas. Pour sauce over the tops of the enchiladas. Cover with foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove foil, sprinkle with remaining shredded cheese and bake 2-3 minutes more or until cheese is melted.

Recipe for Pico de Gallo (adapted from Proceed with Caution):

5 plum tomatoes, diced
6-oz. of pickled jalapenos (I didn't use the whole can, I thought it might be too hot for us.)
1/4 of a sweet onion (Again, not an onion person.)
1 to 1.5 c fresh cilantro
1 to 2 avocados
juice of 4 limes

Combine all ingredients except avocado and lime juice in a large bowl and refrigerate at least one hour. Dice avocado(s) and add to the bowl, along with the lime juice. Toss together and let sit for 15 minutes.

Also in an attempt to be more healthy I made my own enchilada sauce. I got the recipe from here. Of course I modified it a little, trying to be more healthy.

Easy Enchilada Sauce

3 tsp. EVOO
1 tbsp. whole wheat flour
1/4 c. chili powder
2 c. organic vegetable stock
10-oz. tomato paste
1 tsp. dried oregano
1 tsp. ground cumin

Directions:
In a medium saucepan heat oil, add flour, smoothing and stirring with a wooden spoon. Cook for 1 minute. Add chili powder and cook for 30 seconds. Add stock, tomato paste, oregano, and cumin. Stir to combine. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low and cook for 15 minutes. The sauce will thicken and smooth out. Adjust the seasonings. Serve atop your favorite enchiladas.

Chile Con Queso

Ingredients:
1/2 onion diced (about 1/2 cup)
4 cloves of garlic minced
3 Serrano peppers diced
3 jalapeno peppers diced
2 tablespoons of butter
2 tablespoons of flour
1 cup of milk
6 cups of shredded cheese, can use any combination of Longhorn cheddar and Monterrey Jack
1/2 cup of cilantro, chopped
2 plum tomatoes, peeled and diced (about 1 cup, can use canned if tomatoes aren’t in season)
1/2 cup of sour cream
Salt to taste

Method:
1. Melt the butter in a saucepan on medium-low heat, and then cook the onions and peppers for about five minutes or until onions are translucent.
2. Add the garlic and cook for another minute.
3. Whisk the flour into the butter, vegetable mix and cook for about 30 seconds.
4. Add the milk to the pot, and cook on medium, whisking constantly until sauce is thick, about five minutes. Stir in the cilantro and tomatoes.
5. Turn heat down to low, and a 1/4-cup at a time, slowly add the shredded cheese stirring into the white sauce until completely melted. Repeat.
6. Stir in the sour cream.
7. Add salt to taste.

Notes: You can vary which chiles you use to control how hot you want the queso to be. Also, if the sauce is too thick, feel free to add a bit more milk a tablespoon at a time. The key, however, to a smooth sauce is adding the cheese very slowly and not adding any more cheese until the previous addition is completely integrated into the sauce.

Hope you enjoy a little bit of Texas girls!
Puffy heart! Marelina

Mexican Lettuce Wraps

This recipe proved to be a winner, not only when wrapped in lettuce, but also when served as a sandwich, dip or salad with tortilla chips. It is so easy to make it ahead, chill and take for a picnic

I will make this recipe and use it throughout the week, on a bed of lettuce with some Taco sauce and shredded cheese as well as on a tortilla as a wrap.
I also don't use the avocado or sour cream, just cause I don't like them, But I add a can of corn.

-Ashley

METHOD:

TIME: Prep/Total Time: 20 min.

Ingredients:
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Just before serving, stir in avocado. Place 1/2 cup chicken mixture on each lettuce leaf; top each with 2 teaspoons sour cream. Fold lettuce over filling. Yield: 6 servings.

Mexican Lettuce Wraps
This recipe proved to be a winner, not only when wrapped in lettuce, but also when served as a sandwich, dip or salad with tortilla chips. It is so easy to make it ahead, chill and take for a picnic
METHOD:
TIME: Prep/Total Time: 20 min.
Ingredients:
3 cups cubed cooked chicken breast
1 can (15 ounces) black beans, rinsed and drained
1 medium tomato, seeded and finely chopped
1 can (4 ounces) chopped green chilies
1/2 cup salsa
1/4 cup finely chopped onion
1/4 cup finely chopped sweet red pepper
1 tablespoon lime juice
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon seasoned salt
1/4 teaspoon garlic powder
1 medium ripe avocado, peeled and finely chopped
1/2 cup reduced-fat sour cream
12 Bibb or Boston lettuce leaves
Directions:
In a large bowl, combine the first 11 ingredients. Refrigerate until serving. Just before serving, stir in avocado. Place 1/2 cup chicken mixture on each lettuce leaf; top each with 2 teaspoons sour cream. Fold lettuce over filling. Yield: 6 servings.