Chicken and Black Bean Enchilangas

Enchilangas? Chimiladas? I wanted to use some leftover chicken from a rotisserie chicken to make some enchiladas..but I had seen a quick video at Costco on their TV's, which is where we got the rotisserie, about making baked chimichangas. I liked the idea of having that crispy tortilla, but love enchilada sauce, so I decided to make a combination. I don't think it could've turned out any better. My future hubby said it was better than the Mexican taqueria we usually go to on Tuesday nights. That's always nice to hear!

This really did come together pretty quickly and cleanly for a week night meal. I cooked the filling while Stefan was still finishing up with work and getting ready for the gym. Then when we got back from the gym, all I had to do was stuff, roll and bake. I'm not sure I'll make enchiladas without the chimichanga part again.

Since there were beans in the enchilanga's, I didn't bother cooking a side of rice or beans. Just had some chips to dip into guacamole and salsa. By the way, I found the BEST new store bought fresh style salsa: Marcella Valladolid. I got this at Safeway; if you can find it, buy it.  The medium was pretty spicy, which we like. I also used this brand for flour tortillas. They seemed thin, like restaurant style, but puffed and crunched up nicely in the oven.  And when avocados' aren't ripe when you need them, Sabra brand or Wholly Guacamole are always good store bought guacs.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp olive oil, plus a little more for brushing
1/2 large onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
8 oz shredded chicken breast
1 cup black beans
1/4 cup tomato sauce
1/4 cup chicken broth
1/2 tsp coriander
1/2 tsp chile powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
1/2 tsp paprika
1/2 tsp cumin
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/3 cup reduced fat shredded mexican blend cheese
6 taco sized tortillas
Enchilada sauce, I used Hatch brand, which I think is the best canned sauce

Optional toppings:

Guacamole
Sour cream
Salsa

Directions:

1) In a saute pan, heat 1 tbsp olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onions and cook until soften, about 5 minutes. Add garlic, cook about a minute more.

2) Stir in chicken, beans, broth, and tomato sauce. Add seasonings and stir until heated through. Turn off heat and allow mixture to cool a bit. (This is when I covered the lid and we went to the gym. You could always pour mixture into a bowl and set in fridge for a few minutes) Once cool, stir in cheese.

3) Pre-heat oven to 400F. Split the mixture into 6 part onto the tortillas. Fold in the top and bottom parts, then roll in the sides. Place seam side down onto a greased cooking sheet.

4) Lightly brush on olive oil onto the tortillas.

5) Bake Enchilangas for 20-25 mins, until the tortillas have a light brown crustyness to them.

6) Pour some enchilada sauce onto a plate to lightly cover. Place the enchilangas on the plate, then top them with your choice of toppings. Serve and enjoy!

Prep time: 20 mins
Cook Time: 30 mins
Serves: 6

Ground Turkey Enchilada Stuffed Zucchini

Boy oh boy was last weekend full of so much fun! And also so much eating... After a good week of clean eating, it all went downhill fast. It all started with Friday..getting off early to watch the Giants play in their first NLDS game (they won, yay!) This whole day and night was spent celebrating. Saturday was a little calmer, but more Giants (they won, yay!) Then Sunday football (Raiders didn't lose, yay! but they didn't even play...) is always full of eating and drinking and watching TV. Then we find out Sunday night that we got tickets to the Giants game on Monday, which was amazing! (Giants lost, boo) but we had such a great day in SF with a lot more of eating and drinking. While we did get to the gym 2 of these 4 days, the amount of food and alcohol we consumed totally outweighed it. But instead of giving up, we turned it around. Starting with an hour at the gym Tuesday night, watching the Giants (They won the NLDS, yay! Onto to the NLCS!), and eating a light and delicious dinner.

Another Tuesday went by where we didn't feel like going to our favorite taqueria. We needed something lighter and healthier, but still delicious and easy to make for a work night.

Ingredients:

1 Tbsp Olive oil
1/2  yellow onion, chopped
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 lb ground turkey breast
4 large zucchini's
1 packet taco seasoning
1 10oz can of enchilada sauce
3/4 cup reduced fat Mexican cheese blend

Optional toppings:

Guacamole
Reduced fat sour cream
Salsa
Hot sauce

Directions:

1) Cut zucchini's in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds and some flesh leaving room for filling. Microwave the zucchini's for 2 mins in the microwave. Pour enough enchilada sauce to lightly cover the bottom of a 9 x 12 baking dish. Place the zucchini's in the dish.

2) Heat up the oil on medium-high heat. Saute the garlic and onions until they just start to soften. Add in the turkey, breaking it up as it browns. Once browned, follow the instruction on the taco seasoning packet: add 3/4 cup water and seasoning to the pan, bring to a boil then simmer for 4 minutes. Add 2 tablespoons of enchilada sauce to the meat mixture.

3) Pre-heat oven to 375. Ladle the turkey mixture into the zucchini's filling up as much as you can. Sprinkle the top with cheese, then pour the remaining enchilada sauce over the zucchini's. Cover with foil and bake for 30-40 minutes.

4) Take out and plate, top with desired toppings and enjoy!


Serves: 8
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 30 minutes