A dish that is a favorite in our family:
Chicken Enchilada Casserole
Two cups cooked diced chicken ( I'll poach 2 or three checken breasts then dice, or use left over chicken)
1 small onion diced
1 4 oz can diced green chilis
2 cans mushroom soup, diluted with 1/2 cup milk
1 tsp chilli powder or to taste
6 corn or flour tortillas, torn into small pieces
2 cups grated cheese I like to use montery jack or half jack and half cheddar)
Saute onion in a small amount of oil until soft. Mix all ingredients together, reserving half the cheese. Turn into greased casserole. Bake at 400 until bubbly and hot throughout, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining cheese, return to oven until cheese is melted.
I like to serve this with cornbread and a green salad with tomatoes and avocado.
When I want something a little more special, I will make enchiladas, by preparing the sauce separately, saving out the cheese.. Put a small amount of the sauce in the bottom of the casserole. I like the flour tortillas here, put about a tablespoon of sauce on a tortilla, add a generous amount of cheese, then roll up. Lay the tortilla seamside down in casserole, repeat with each tortilla. Top with remaining sauce, bake at 400 until hot, top with extra cheese.
If you use corn tortillas for the enchiladas, you will need to soften them by heating them in hot oil for a minute or so before filling and rolling.
Spanish Rice
1 lb hamburger
1 cup rice
1 small onion chpped
1/2 green pepper chopped
1 stalk cellery, sliced finely
1-4 jalapeno peppers ( optional) diced, remove ribs and seeds
1 tsp salt
1 tsp Chili Powder or to taste
2 cups water or more as needed
1 cup diced cheese
1/2 cup grated cheese
brown and crumble hamburger, drain and set aside, reserving drippings.In same pan, using reserved drippings, over low heat brown rice, stirring constantly, being careful to not scorch the rice. When the rice is an amber brown,Add onion peppers and celery and cook until are soft. Add hamburger, tomato sauce water and seasoning. Cover and cook until rice is soft. Check occassionally and add additional water if necesary. Taste for seasoing. Stir in diced cheese, turn into serving dish and top with grated cheese.
Niether of these are particularly authentic, but very tasty. throw some chopped black olives into either dish if you like.