Grandma’s Enchiladas

(from 226-2tone’s recipe box)

Serves 6

Serve with chopped cilantro and lime wedges.

WHY THIS RECIPE WORKS:
For Grandma’s Enchiladas we used slow-cooked shredded chuck roast instead of more common, and less flavorful, ground beef. No need to reach for a can of enchilada sauce for this recipe. The braising liquid became the base for the sauce once the flavors had a few hours to really come together. Sandwiching the filled, rolled tortillas between layers of sauce was the key to an integrated, well-seasoned dish of enchiladas.

Source: Cook's Country October/November 2009 (from RecipeThing user Bethany)

Categories: Latin, Meat

Ingredients

  • 3 pounds boneless beef chuck-eye roast, trimmed and cut into 1 1/2-inch cubes
  • Salt and pepper
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
  • 2 onions, minced
  • 3 tablespoons chili powder
  • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
  • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
  • 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 2 (15-ounce) cans tomato sauce
  • 1/4 cup red wine
  • 2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
  • 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas

Directions

  1. BROWN BEEF Adjust oven rack to lower-middle position and heat oven to 300 degrees. Pat beef dry with paper towels and season with salt and pepper. Heat 1 tablespoon oil in large Dutch oven over medium-high heat until just smoking. Cook half of beef, turning occasionally, until well browned all over, about 8 minutes. Transfer to large bowl. Repeat with remaining oil and beef.

  2. COOK AROMATICS Pour off all but 1 tablespoon fat from pot. Add onions and ½ teaspoon salt and cook over medium heat until softened, about 8 minutes. Stir in chili powder, cumin, coriander, cayenne, and ¼ teaspoon pepper and cook until spices darken, about 2 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Stir in tomato sauce and wine and bring to boil.

  3. BRAISE BEEF Add browned beef, along with any accumulated juices, to pot. Transfer pot to oven and cook, covered, until meat is fork-tender, 2 to 2½ hours. Transfer beef to large bowl. Strain sauce through fine-mesh strainer, discarding solids, and set aside. (You should have about 2 cups sauce.)

  4. MAKE FILLING Increase oven temperature to 375 degrees. Spread ¾ cup sauce over bottom of 13- by 9-inch baking dish; set aside. When beef is cool enough to handle, shred into bite-sized pieces. Add 1 cup cheese and additional ¼ cup sauce and toss to combine.

  5. ASSEMBLE Spray tortillas on both sides with cooking spray and arrange on rimmed baking sheet. Bake until they are warm and pliable, about 1 minute. Arrange warm tortillas on work surface. Place 1/3 cup beef mixture in center of each tortilla. Roll tightly and arrange, seam-side down, in prepared baking dish.

  6. BAKE Pour remaining sauce evenly over enchiladas and sprinkle with remaining cheese. Cover with foil and bake until cheese is melted and enchiladas are heated through, 20 to 25 minutes. Serve.

  7. ASSEMBLING ENCHILADAS – Sandwiching the filled, rolled tortillas between layers of sauce is a key to an integrated, well-seasoned dish. 1. Spread 3/4 cup of sauce evenly over bottom of dish. 2. Fill tortillas, roll tightly, and place seam-side down over sauce in baking dish. 3. Pour remaining 1 cup sauce over enchiladas to coat evenly. 4. Sprinkle enchiladas with cheese and cover dish tightly with foil before baking.

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