holiday enchiladas

BearBio

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Many Hispanic families have a tradition of getting together and making tamales for the holidays. I'm not Hispanic but was born and partially raised in East Los Angeles (My first wife was chicana.)

We have some friends whose parents are ill and they are staying over to take care of them. Last weekend, they borrowed our camping cots. Anyway, the wife asked if I would make up some enchiladas for them. I decided to make up some shredded beef enchiladas. Different from my usual cheese or ground beef ones. I thought I'd share the recipe (basic of course=subject to your modifications).

Take a beef roast (you can substitute chicken breasts or a pork roast). I prefer a top round or tri-tip. Use your budget conscience.

Place the roast into a crock pot/slow cooker. Add two jars of your favorite bottled salsa (Pace, etc. I prefer Conseco), one chopped onion, a couple of green peppers (level of heat optional), a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes and peppers, a teaspoon of cumin, a tablespoon of chili-powder (I powder my own chipotles in a coffee grinder) and a teaspoon of coriander seeds (ground). Simmer all day and let cool overnight. Remove sauce and puree in a blender. Shred meat with a fork and return to crock pot and ladle about a quarter of the stock/drippings/sauce.

Take the remaining (bulk of) the sauce and, using a large sauce pan, add one can of commercial (or home-made) enchilada sauce and one can tomato paste (for a hint of sweetness and to thicken). Simmer until warm.

Take a corn tortilla and dip in heated sauce. On a plate, place a tablespoon of meat, some chopped onion and a little cheese and loosely roll. If serving fresh, place 2-3 on a plate, ladle a spoonful of sauce and some cheese. Zap in the microwave just long enough to melt the cheese (YMMV). If serving a large group, or storing for future use, place in a microwave platter/casserole or in tin foil Take them out BEFORE microwaving). They freeze well.

Serve with rice and beans.

The meat (chicken, beef, or pork) also works well for soft tacos and burritos, especially "Mission Style Burritos"
 
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Having lived in Tucson for a long time before I came to Colorado (both with large Hispanic populations) it was tamales for me. There's a great little family owned Mexican restaurant near my office and starting Monday they'll be taking orders, can't wait!
 
Here in Albuquerque we have probably the worlds greatest selection of Mexican- New Mexican food.
I usually buy the Bueno Local brand of frozen tamales.
But if you want the absolutely best, no excuses, take no prisoners tamales and other dishes- it's the El Modelo.
This ain't no sissy tourist place! This is the real deal!

El Modelo Home Page
 
Here in Albuquerque we have probably the worlds greatest selection of Mexican- New Mexican food.
I usually buy the Bueno Local brand of frozen tamales.
But if you want the absolutely best, no excuses, take no prisoners tamales and other dishes- it's the El Modelo.
This ain't no sissy tourist place! This is the real deal!

El Modelo Home Page

You are making me hungry! Thankfully I will be heading that way in a month. Might have try the place when I'm on my way to Phoenix & Tuscon.
 
Our Christmas dinner is always tamales (red pork, chili cheese and green pork). They are not home made, but we have gotten them from the same place for many years.
This year one of my daughters is going to make them. She is a good cook, but I'll keep my fingers crossed.
 
Many Hispanic families have a tradition of getting together and making tamales for the holidays. I'm not Hispanic but was born and partially raised in East Los Angeles (My first wife was chicana.)

We have some friends whose parents are ill and they are staying over to take care of them. Last weekend, they borrowed our camping cots. Anyway, the wife asked if I would make up some enchiladas for them. I decided to make up some shredded beef enchiladas. Different from my usual cheese or ground beef ones. I thought I'd share the recipe (basic of course=subject to your modifications).

Take a beef roast (you can substitute chicken breasts or a pork roast). I prefer a top round or tri-tip. Use your budget conscience.

Place the roast into a crock pot/slow cooker. Add two jars of your favorite bottled salsa (Pace, etc. I prefer Conseco), one chopped onion, a couple of green peppers (level of heat optional), a can of Ro-Tel tomatoes and peppers, a teaspoon of cumin, a tablespoon of chili-powder (I powder my own chipotles in a coffee grinder) and a teaspoon of coriander seeds (ground). Simmer all day and let cool overnight. Remove sauce and puree in a blender. Shred meat with a fork and return to crock pot and ladle about a quarter of the stock/drippings/sauce.

Take the remaining (bulk of) the sauce and, using a large sauce pan, add one can of commercial (or home-made) enchilada sauce and one can tomato paste (for a hint of sweetness and to thicken). Simmer until warm.

Take a corn tortilla and dip in heated sauce. On a plate, place a tablespoon of meat, some chopped onion and a little cheese and loosely roll. If serving fresh, place 2-3 on a plate, ladle a spoonful of sauce and some cheese. Zap in the microwave just long enough to melt the cheese (YMMV). If serving a large group, or storing for future use, place in a microwave platter/casserole or in tin foil Take them out BEFORE microwaving). They freeze well.

Serve with rice and beans.

The meat (chicken, beef, or pork) also works well for soft tacos and burritos, especially "Mission Style Burritos"

The best Burrito I ever had didnt have ground hamburger meat--it was shreaded roast beef--and was the best I ever has. I THINK CHUYS Restrant chain--makes their burritos like that? I cant remember because I THINK Imight have only had one from there--but usually had somehting else.
 
I was expecting crushed candy canes inside.

Funny you should mention something Candy Cane related. I was at an HEBs on Sat--and saw they had Candy Cane soda--made with real cane sugar. I was thinking of getting some to try--not sure if I like th near 200 calories per 12 oz can.
 
Sounds great, Bear. I would do it with pork, which I prefer in tamales and use in chili verde.

Used to be a restaurant not too far from where I live that served decent tamales, but it burned to the ground a couple of years ago.
 
But if you want the absolutely best, no excuses, take no prisoners tamales and other dishes- it's the El Modelo.
This ain't no sissy tourist place! This is the real deal!
I'll take the #5 with a side order of refried beans. Three or so Negra Modelos to wash it all down would be good too...

BTW... I brought tamales into work for my dinner.
 
i thought it was Ringo he was the one that ate the canned tamales . thank you for saving some of us that might not have made me feel to good on a hiking trip unless i was towing an outhouse behind me
 
i thought it was Ringo he was the one that ate the canned tamales . thank you for saving some of us that might not have made me feel to good on a hiking trip unless i was towing an outhouse behind me

Towing the outhouse thing--is a great idea. :D
 
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