In Honduras, an enchilada is an open-faced, fried corn tortilla traditionally topped with tomato sauce; ground beef cooked with bell peppers, onions, and potatoes; chopped cabbage; slices of hard-boiled eggs; and grated cheese. The recipe here is a lighter, healthier version of the traditional one, with the same tasty results.
You can make traditional Honduran enchiladas healthier by simply making a few substitutions: 1) bake flour tortillas instead of frying corn tortillas; 2) use fresh tomatoes in sauce instead of processed sauce and seasonings; 3) use ground chicken instead of ground beef.
That is all. Simple changes make a big difference in overall fat content, but rich, hearty flavor is not compromised.
For 4 people
Ingredients
For the tomato and green chili sauce
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1 tablespoon of olive oil
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1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
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1 4 oz can mild green chili peppers
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1 clove of garlic finely chopped
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1 tablespoon tomato paste
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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sea salt
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freshly ground black pepper
For the enchiladas
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2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
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1 spoon of sugar
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1 cup of shredded green cabbage
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1/2 cup coriander chopped
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2 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus more for brushing
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1/2 medium onion, chopped
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1/2 large red or green bell pepper, chopped
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1 large russet potato, peeled and diced small
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3/4 pound ground chicken
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1 clove of garlic finely chopped
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1 teaspoon ground cumin
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sea salt
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freshly ground black pepper
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4 6-inch flour tortillas
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1 large stem tomato, thinly sliced
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2 hard-boiled eggs, thinly sliced
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1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese or other hard cheese
Preparation
For the tomato and green chili sauce
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Heat a saucepan over medium heat and add the olive oil.
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Add tomatoes and chili peppers and cook until tomatoes are soft and juicy, 3-4 minutes.
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Add the garlic, tomato paste, and cumin and season with salt and pepper. Cook until slightly thickened, about 3 more minutes. Remove from the fire.
For the enchiladas
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Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.
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Combine the lemon juice and sugar in a small bowl. Combine the cabbage and cilantro in a medium bowl and pour in the lemon juice mixture. Toss to combine and reserve.
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Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Add the onion, bell pepper and potato and season with salt and pepper.
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Cook, stirring frequently, until potatoes are tender, about 5-6 minutes. (Cover with a lid to retain moisture, if necessary). Transfer to a bowl.
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Add another tablespoon of olive oil to the skillet. Add ground chicken, garlic, and cumin and season with salt and pepper. Cook, shredding chicken, until cooked through, about 5 minutes.
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While the chicken is cooking, brush the tortillas with olive oil and place on a parchment paper lined baking sheet. Bake until golden and crisp, 5-6 minutes.
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Return the potato mixture to the skillet and stir well to combine. Cook 2 minutes.
To make the enchiladas, spread the tomato and green chili sauce over the tortillas. Top with the potato and chicken mixture, tomato and egg slices, and grated cheese. Serve immediately.