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Cafe Tacuba-Style Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

 

Cafe Tacuba-Style Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

The plan for dinner last night was gnocchi. My daughter and husband had planned on cooking together and I would enjoy an evening off, so I thought.  One thing lead to another and by the time I even realized I was in the kitchen shredding chicken.

 

Funny how that happens. 

 

I have made this recipe many times and it continues to make my heart happy, comfort on plate.  I did take one shortcut in not rolling my enchiladas. I layered the tortillas instead, like a casserole. I do this often when I am in a rush or if making a triple batch for a family dinner.  I also add a handful of cilantro to the blender when making the sauce, it adds a little pop and I can never have enough cilantro.  Serve with lime wedges, a citrus splash adds the finishing touch.

 

Warm tortillas are stuffed with chicken and topped with a creamy spinach and  roasted poblano sauce. I have made these before, but they just  keep getting better. Oh and the next day, ya even better. Enjoy!

 

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Cafe Tacuba-Style Creamy Chicken Enchiladas
Prep Time
40 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
1 hr
 
Author: Vianney Rodriguez
Ingredients
  • 2 fresh poblano chiles
  • 1 cup lightly packed roughly chopped spinach leaves
  • 2 cups milk
  • 2 cups chicken broth
  • 6 tablespoons 3ounces butter- or you can use vegetable oil
  • 3 garlic cloves peeled and finely chopped
  • 1/2 cup flour
  • salt
  • 3 cups coarsely shredded cooked chicken
  • 12 corn tortillas
  • A little vegetable oil for brushing or spraying
  • About 1 cup Mexican melting cheese Chihuahua, quesadilla, asadero, monterrey jack, or mild cheddar
  • cilantro for garnish
Instructions
  1. Make the sauce– Roast the poblanos directly over a gas flame or a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler.
  2. Turning regularly, until the skins have blistered and blackened on all side, about 5 minutes for an open flame, about 10 minutes under the broiler.
  3. Cover with a kitchen towel and, when handleable, rub off the blackened skin, tear open and pull out the seed pod and stem.
  4. Quickly rinse to remove any stray seeds or bits of skin.
  5. Roughly chop and put in a blender jar.
  6. Add the spinach.
  7. In a medium (3quart) saucepan, combine the milk and broth, set over medium-low heat to warm.
  8. In a large (4quart) saucepan, melt butter (or heat the oil) over medium heat.
  9. Add the garlic and cook for a minute to release its aroma, then add flour and stir the mixture for a minute.
  10. Raise the heat to medium-high.
  11. Pour in the warm broth mixture and whisk constantly until the sauce boils.
  12. Reduce the heat to medium and simmer for 5 minutes.
  13. Remove from the heat.
  14. Pour half the hot sauce into the blender with the chiles and spinach.
  15. Cover loosely (I remove the center part of the lid, secure the lid, then drape a cloth over the whole thing.) and blend until smooth.
  16. Pour the mixture back into the saucepan with the remaining sauce.
  17. Taste and season well with salt, usually about 2 teaspoons.
  18. Finishing the enchiladas– Heat the oven to 350 degrees. smear about 1/4 cup of sauce over the bottom of each of four to six 9inch individual oven proof baking/serving dishes ( for individual servings)– or smear about 1 cup of the sauce over the bottom of a 13×9 inch baking dish (for family serving).
  19. Stir 1 cup of the sauce into the chicken.
  20. Lay half of the tortillas out on a baking sheet and lightly brush or spray both sides of the tortillas with oil; top each tortilla with another one and brush or spray those with oil.
  21. Bake just until warm through and soften, about 3 minutes.
  22. Stack the tortillas and cover with a towel to keep warm.
  23. Working quickly so that the tortillas stay hot and pliable, roll a portion of the chicken up in each tortilla, then line them all up in the baking dish or dishes.
  24. Douse evenly with the remaining sauce and sprinkle with the cheese.
  25. Bake until the enchiladas are hot through (the cheese will have begun to brown) about 20 minutes.
  26. Garnish with the cilantro and serve without hesitation
Recipe Notes

Rick bayless
from PBS special “Moveable feast with America’s Favorite Chefs”

 

I’m sharing this plate with IHCC.

 

 

 

Comments

  1. A Canadian Foodie says

    OK – I am posting my version today – made a couple of changes as I have no idea what anything authentically Mexican is supposed to taste like – added more veggies – you will see. It was delicious. Your recipe says to roll the tortillas, but the photo looks like they were flat and you cut our a wedge? We must have different tortilla shells here as ours are always soft if we buy the soft ones.
    It was yummy. You will see.
    🙂
    V

    Reply

  5. A Canadian Foodie says

    Is IHCC your new friend? I can completely see how this would bring you comfort and such a sense of enjoyment. It sounds absolutely delicious.
    I hope you are all moved in – hey – is that where you moved? Inquiring minds want to know.
    (wicked grin)
    🙂
    V alerie

    Reply

  21. joanne says

    I almost always make enchiladas into casseroles like this! Makes life so much easier. I’m loving the flavors and filling! So much deliciousness.

    Reply

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