Growing up in a Mexican-American household, I have always loved the flavorful and comforting dish of enchiladas. It’s a dish that brings back memories of family gatherings and delicious meals shared with loved ones. However, making enchiladas can often be a time-consuming task, requiring the use of an oven and multiple steps. Today, I’m excited to share with you a quick and easy method to make enchiladas in the microwave. Yes, you heard it right, the microwave!
The Microwave: A Surprising Ally in Enchilada Making
Step 1: Prepare the Filling
Before we dive into the process of making enchiladas, let’s start by preparing the filling. Traditional enchiladas call for a meat filling of either shredded chicken or beef, but you can also opt for a vegetarian option using sautéed vegetables or beans.
To keep things quick and easy, I recommend using pre-cooked meat, such as rotisserie chicken, which you can easily shred. If you’re using vegetables, sauté them in a pan until they’re tender and flavorful.
Once your filling is ready, you can enhance the flavor by adding spices like cumin, chili powder, and garlic powder. Stir everything together to ensure that the flavors are well combined.
Step 2: Warm the Tortillas
Next, it’s time to warm the tortillas. Place a stack of tortillas between two damp paper towels and microwave them for about 30 seconds. This step is essential as it prevents the tortillas from drying out and cracking during the assembly process.
Step 3: Assemble the Enchiladas
Lay out one warm tortilla and spoon a generous amount of filling onto the center. Roll the tortilla tightly, ensuring that the filling is nicely enclosed. Place the rolled enchilada seam side down in a microwave-safe dish. Repeat this process until you have used up all the filling.
Step 4: Sauce it Up
Now, let’s move on to the most crucial element of enchiladas – the sauce. You can use store-bought enchilada sauce or make your own by blending together canned tomatoes, onion, garlic, and a combination of chili powders. Pour the sauce over the assembled enchiladas, making sure that they are evenly coated.
Step 5: Microwave Cooking
Cover the dish with a microwave-safe lid or plastic wrap, leaving a vent for steam to escape. Place the dish in the microwave and cook on medium-high power for about 5-7 minutes. The exact cooking time may vary depending on your microwave’s wattage, so keep an eye on the enchiladas to ensure they don’t overcook.
After the cooking time is up, carefully remove the dish from the microwave. Use caution as it will be hot. Don’t forget to remove the covering and let the enchiladas rest for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
Step 6: Garnish and Serve
Finish off your microwave enchiladas by garnishing them with your favorite toppings. Traditional options include shredded cheese, sour cream, diced onions, and fresh cilantro. Feel free to get creative and add other garnishes that suit your taste.
Serve your enchiladas hot and enjoy the delicious flavors that have been created in a fraction of the time compared to traditional oven-baked enchiladas. Your family and friends will be amazed at how quickly you were able to whip up this Mexican classic.
In conclusion, making enchiladas in the microwave is a fantastic time-saving method that doesn’t compromise on taste. With a few simple steps, you can enjoy a piping hot plate of enchiladas without the hassle of preheating the oven or waiting for a long cooking time. Give this quick and easy method a try, and I promise you won’t be disappointed. Happy cooking!