Chile Coloradocon Carne Tucsons El Charro Food

CHILES RELLENOS - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Stuff each chile with cheese, and set aside.
• Separate eggs and beat the whites until stiff. Beat yolks and fold into whites, along with flour, salt and pepper.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large skillet. Dip stuffed chiles, one at a time, into egg batter, then remove with a large spoon. Carefully lower coated chiles into hot oil, 3 or 4 at a time. Fry until golden brown on both sides. The chiles may be made ahead to this point.
• To serve immediately, arrange on platter or individual plates and pour warm Taco Sauce over each chile. Garnish with more cheese and run under broiler to melt cheese, if desired.
• May be made in advance up to the point of topping with cheese, and reheated in a 400-degree oven about 10 minutes.

CHILE COLORADO/CON CARNE - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Cut the meat into 3/4" pieces. Put a handful at a time into a bag containing the flour, salt and pepper. Shake well. Repeat with the remaining meat.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Add a batch of meat at a time into the hot oil, not overcrowding. Brown slowly.
• Add the Enchilada Sauce, garlic puree and oregano.
• Cook over low heat at least one hour, or until the meat is very tender, stirring frequently to prevent scorching. AAdd water if necessary.
• I put a lid on my pan, and cook the dish for several hours over the lowest possible heat. The meat must be tender!

MOM'S CHILE CON CARNE (KID FRIENDLY)

Steps:

• Cook ground beef and onions over medium heat in a large sauce pan or dutch oven until beef is browned and onions are tender. Drain and return to pan.
• Add tomatoes and kidney beans (do not drain off juce).
• Add spices and stir until blended.
• Bring to boil, then reduce to low heat, cover and simmer for 30-45 minutes.
• You can taste and adjust spices after 20-30 minutes - add more chile powder or a bit of cayenne pepper if you like it spicier - let it simmer another 20 minutes to blend flavors.
• Serve in bowls with shredded cheese, onions, sour cream or crackers if desired. I like it with saltines broken into the chile with a little cheese on it.

RED ENCHILADA SAUCE - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Rinse the chiles in cold water and remove the stems. Cook in the boiling water until tender, about 15 minutes.
• Remove the chiles, reserving the liquid.
• Place a few of the chiles in a blender or food processor with 1/2 cup of the reserved liquid, and blend to a paste.
• Remove to a bowl. Repeat with the rest of the chiles.
• Heat the oil in a skillet. Add the garlic puree and flour, stirring until the flour browns. Add the chile paste, stirring continuously until it all boils and thickens. Season with the salt. Thin with the cooking liquid.

ENCHILADAS DE POLLO ( CHICKEN ) TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• Bring the water to a boil in a large pot. Add the chicken breasts, and boil again. Reduce the heat and simmer 20 minutes or until the chicken is tender.
• Drain and cool. Discard the skin and bones. Shred the meat and set aside. Cover.
• Preheat the oven to 350°F.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet. Dip each tortilla in the oil and place on waxed paper.
• Place 2 tbls chicken in the center of each tortilla and roll each loosely.
• Place seam side down and side by side, in a shallow baking dish. Cover with Red Enchilada Sauce and the shredded cheese.
• Bake in the oven until the cheese is piping hot and melting, about 10 minutes.
• Garnish with the avocado and sour cream. Serve with shredded lettuce.

CILANTRO AND GREEN CABBAGE SLAW - TUCSON'S EL CHARRO

Steps:

• To make the dressing, combine the oil, lime juice, vinegar, salt, and lemon pepper in a jar with a tight lid. Shake well to mix.
• For the salad, in a large bowl, mix the cabbage and cilantro and toss with the dressing. Add in the rest of the ingredients (finely mince the 2 garlic cloves, and add those if you aren't using garlic paste) and toss lightly, or place these other vegetables around the salad platter as a garnish.
• If you want, add some crumbled cojita or other Mexican white cheese for added flavor.