Do you have a favorite food? Mine is, hands down, Mexican. It's been a favorite for years, and it was an easy transition food when I went dairy and gluten free. And living here in California we are spoiled with amazing Mexican restaurants. The Mexican culture is also a big part of our lives, as our children are in Spanish Immersion school (learning this great language that is so prominent here in California). While I would not consider myself a creator of traditional Mexican dishes, the basic spices and staples of the cultural food inspired me greatly. I reserve two nights a week for something Mexican inspired and with the help of so many amazing gluten and dairy subs these days, it's easy to create something satisfying and delicious. I hope you enjoy this fun spin on enchiladas.
Enchilada Lasagna with Homemade Enchilada Sauce
Ingredients:
-1 pack of Rudi's Gluten Free Fiesta Tortillas
-16 ounce jar of your favorite salsa. We like this one
-Daiya non-dairy shredded cheddar cheese*
For Chicken Mixture
-2 large cooked chicken breast shredded or well chopped up (great use for leftovers)
-1 1/2 cups chopped yellow onion (small chop)
-1 1/2 cups chopped yellow pepper (small chop)
-1 1/2 cups squash - I used a mix of leftover butternut and sweet potato. (You can use any leftover veggie you have in the fridge. Or just skip if you don't have anything).
-1/2 cup soy-free vegenaise
-1 teaspoon salt
-1 teaspoon garlic granules
-Oil for the saute
For the Enchilada Sauce
-8 ounces Anaheim peppers, seeded and veins removed (this is where the heat it)
-1 cup chopped yellow onion
-1/4 teaspoons salt + 1/2 teaspoon salt
-1 1/2 cups filtered water
-1/2 teaspoon cumin
-1/4 teaspoon garlic granules
-2 tablespoons oil
-Salt and pepper to taste
___________________________________________
How To:
Preheat oven to 375 degrees
1. Anytime that day, preferably before you start making the enchiladas, roast the Anaheim peppers for the enchilada sauce. In a 8x8 glass Pyrex (or favorite roasting dish). Combine the seeded and de-veined Anaheim peppers, onions, oil, and 1/4 teaspoons salt and toss the ingredients together. Roast, uncovered, in a 400 degree oven for 45 minutes (or until you start to see some browning and roasting action). After the peppers are roasted, remove and set aside until you are ready to make the sauce.
2. Start now by sauteing the 1 1/2 cups of onions and 1 1/2 cups yellow peppers in a large skillet with about 2 tablespoons of oil and a dash of salt. While this is sauteing, work on the chicken mixture.
3. In a large bowl, add in the chopped (or shredded chicken), vegenaise, salt, and garlic granules. Mix.
4. Return to the onion/pepper saute and add in your cooked squash to warm through. Then add in this entire sauteed mixture to the chicken mixture and mix thoroughly.
5. Now build your enchiladas in a 13x9 glass Pyrex (see instructions and pictures below)
6. Finally, make your enchilada sauce. To a blender, add in all the roasted Anaeim peppers and onions. Add in the 1 1/2 cups filtered water, 1/4 teaspoon garlic granules, 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1/2 teaspoon cumin. Blend on high until mixture is smooth. Now it's important to check for spice and add in more salt, cumin, garlic granules, or pepper if needed. Then pour a generous amount of the enchilada sauce on the enchiladas, making sure to get it all around the sides.
7. Baked covered for 45 minutes. Since I don't use foil in my kitchen, I simply cover with a stainless steel baking sheet. Allow enchiladas to cool for about 20 minutes before cutting. Serves 6.
Notes:
*I understand that Daiya cheese is not for everyone, so just use real cheese if you can have it, or just omit. It's not necessary for this dish to turn out. It simple adds a cheese-like flavor that my kids love.
*
Chicken mixture
Saute mixture
Chicken and saute mixture becomes friends
How to Assemble
1. Spread 1/4 cup salsa with some oil on the bottom of the dish
2. Add in tortillas
3. Spread around 1/3 of the chicken mixture
4. Add some cheese
5. Add some Salsa
6. Place two more tortillas in the dish
7. 1/3 of the Chicken
8. Cheese
\
9. Salsa
Then tortillas, chicken, cheese
Etc...
I layered 3 times for a total of 8 tortillas used
Top everything with the two remaining tortillas and pour on enchilada sauce (I don't use all of it, but I do drench the dish with it so the top and all sides are covered. This sauce thickens and firms up when cooking, so you won't have a sloppy mess - it's okay to add in lot of sauce.
Here is the top.
At this point, pour on your enchilada sauce
Here we are fresh out of the oven
Here is what it looks like cut
Enjoy!
Shared on: Melt in your Mouth Mondays, Motivate Me Mondays, Mealtime Monday, On The Menu Monday, Mix It Up Monday, Fat Tuesday, Slightly Indulgent Tuesdays, Gluten Free Wednesdays, Real Food Wednesdays, Whole Foods Wednesdays, Pennywise Platter Thursdays, Fresh Bites Friday, Show Off Friday,
.JPG)
.JPG)
