You know how some days you just don’t want to cook? Well, I’ve had more than my usual share of those lately. I usually have a whole list of simple “throw it together” meals just for this reason. You know, like pasta. Or cereal.
But the other day, even those seemed like far too much work. I just… couldn’t. So I figure, we can order something to go and pick it up, no problem. Well, did I ever find a keeper. My fiancee says, no worries, I will cook tonight! I’m immediately intrigued. I figure there’s now a 98% chance I’ll be eating burritos. (Trust me, that’s maybe an under estimation).
What are you going to make? I ask, as he starts poking around in the refrigerator. Oh, you’ll see… is the only answer I get. He’s a man of many mysteries.
With a glass of wine, I settled in to watch the meal unfold. I could almost see the wheels turning in his head as he pulled out one ingredient after another. Ground beef… frozen peppers… shredded cheddar cheese… Do we have corn tortillas?
I’m 100% sure it’s burritos now, and ask him as much. No… not exactly. And your one guess is gone now. Hmmm…
Ingredients:
- 20 small corn tortillas
- 1 cup shredded cheddar cheese
- 1 pound ground beef
- 1/2 bell pepper, diced
- Jar of jalapenos
- 2-4 tbsp butter
- Chili powder
- Salt & pepper
- 2-3 tbsp flour
- Optional: refried beans & rice
Step 1: First he browned the beef in the pan, adding in some chili powder. After removing that and setting it aside, he diced the peppers finely, and added it to the pan with the butter and a healthy splash of juice from the jarred jalapenos (which I made last spring).
Step 2: One by one, over medium-low heat, each tortilla was placed in the pan until softened (to add flavor, he said) and then moved to an aluminum pan.
Step 3: Each soft tortilla had a healthy handful of beef added, and a big pinch of cheese. AHA! You’re making enchiladas! He smiled, you got it! Awesome! … but I was basically right, because enchiladas are just baked burritos.
(Sneak peek of the gorgeous finished product!)
You can use other fillings here too, I didn’t even have to ask but he made a few veggie burritos for me, with black beans, spinach, and mushrooms! Try more peppers, onions, or different types of beans.
Step 4: For the sauce, he simply added a few tbsp flour to the juices still left in the pan to thicken it up. With the pepper chunks in it, he poured that over everything, and sprinkled on more cheese (of course).
Step 5: Put into an oven preheated to 350 degrees, and bake for 20-25 minutes, until cheese is melty and bubbly.
This is the lovely finished product!
Top as you like. We had some cilantro left from a previous Mexican night, as well as salsa, sour cream, and of course more jalapenos!
Throughout the process, rice had been cooking in the rice cooker, and it went off just as the enchiladas were about done. With a can of refried beans, the meal was complete.
A fiancee-approved meal!
I also had some lime wedges, which I think are just about required with Mexican food. The tartness helps cut the spice a little. Plus it looks nice. 🙂
I’ll need to not want to cook more often…