Thursday, April 24, 2008

Garden Vegetable Enchiladas & Cowboy Beans

I don't know how many blogs I've visited recently that have featured Mexican food -- Recipe Girl has been talking about Cinco de Mayo, Elly at Elly Says Opa wrote of her recent visit to Topolobompo, and Jenny at Picky Palate had a gorgeous taco salad last week...I know there have been more, but these are just a few that come to mind. Anyway, all this power of suggestion has given me a wicked craving for all things Mexican!

When a craving strikes, I turn to my notebooks and cookbooks for inspiration. I love the recipe I have for shredded beef enchiladas, but alas - did not have the three hours for braising and shredding a chuck roast today; besides that, chuck roast to me seems so 'wintery', and I'm DONE with winter food. Nothing else was jumping out so I did a search on good old Epicurious, and Garden Vegetable Enchiladas it was. It seemed like it would be 'healthy' enough -- a mixture of zucchini, yellow squash, onions and chilies rolled in flour tortillas and topped with a cheesy white sauce (okay, I know that cheesy white sauces are NOT healthy).


Paired with the enchiladas was one of my favorite Mexican sides: Rick Bayless' Quick Cowboy Beans. I just love those beans; I know I made them about ten times last summer when we had friends out to the lake. They pair great with all things Mexican, from fish tacos to fajitas on the grill. I thought they were nice with the enchiladas tonight.

Unfortunately, I did not end up hitting it out of the park with this dinner. My oldest wouldn't touch them with a ten foot pole and had a sandwich instead. My middle opted for the leftover Creamy Cavatapi from two nights ago. My youngest was the only one who enjoyed the meal -- my husband (who normally can be counted on to enjoy EVERYTHING) didn't even rave, although as he said, he's just not that big of an enchilada fan to begin with. I liked them though, which is good, since I spent the better part of the afternoon in a corner of my kitchen!

GARDEN VEGETABLE ENCHILADAS

The recipe for the Garden Vegetable Enchiladas can be found here: http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/5672/5672

QUICK COWBOY BEANS

Quick Cowboy Beans
Serves: 4-6
Source: Rick Bayless

4 slices thick cut bacon, cut into small pieces
3 cloves garlic, minced or put through a garlic press
1 -15 oz. can diced tomatoes (preferably fire-roasted)
2 - 15 oz. cans pinto beans
1 - 4 oz. can chopped chiles
1/4 c. chopped cilantro

Cook the bacon in a large kettle over medium heat until crisp. Add the garlic; saute for 30 seconds. Add half the can of diced tomatoes (including the liquid). Cook and stir for 3-4 minutes. Add the beans with their liquid and the chiles, bring to a simmer over medium heat. Reduce heat to medium low and simmer for 15-20 minutes. Add the cilantro. (I like to mash up the beans with either a potato masher or a pastry blender, just to make them a little creamier. I also sprinkle mine with a little feta just to make them look pretty!)

7 comments:

Peter M said...

Leah, they look gorgeous and it's a healthy meal alternative for the family.

Obsessive Foodie or Food Addict....You Decide said...

Someone is ALWAYS unhappy at our dinner table. I feel like a restaurant. Usually 2 of the kids are the complainers. They would LIVE off of ritz and nilla wafers and actually some days they do. I think this meal looks great and I would be happy to eat it.

RecipeGirl said...

Oh, pooh on the family. They look like something that I would really enjoy. I hate it when I love something and my hubby just says it's ok. If I don't get a big "YUM!" after his first bite, I know he doesn't particularly care for it all that much.

And hey, thanks for the mention :)

Patsyk said...

They look great to me! But, I think I'd have the same problem with the rest of my family as you did... my boys don't like to touch anything with a sauce on it... and unless the enchiladas are entirely cheese, my hubby is not likely to bother either... oh well that's just how it goes sometimes. Good that you enjoyed them, as sometimes that makes it worth the effort in spite of the family.

Leah said...

Peter - hope you and yours are enjoying your Easter weekend! Is tonight the night you eat that yummy looking soup after midnight mass?!?! I hope a wild animal doesn't spoil it for you; you're sure to be starving after the service!!! :-)

Obsessive - you know that I totally feel your pain...and it is seriously PAIN when you spend all day in the kitchen and all you hear is BITCH and MOAN from the peanut gallery!

RecipeGirl, I can't believe you EVER have anything that bombs!! And, you're of course welcome for the mention. I'm going to throw a Cinco party with a foodie girlfriend of mine, thanks to your inspiration. ;-)

Patsy, thanks for the comment and I'm so happy to read that I'm not the only one who's dishes sometime bomb on the fam'!

Georgina Ingham | CulinaryTravels said...

Oh they look really really good. Shame you didn't all really enjoy them.

xx

KayKat said...

Yum! Enchiladas rock. And veggies ones rock more :)