MEXICAN TORTILLA SKILLET RECIPES

Steps:

• Place a stockpot over medium heat and coat with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Add the onions, garlic, jalapenos, and tomatoes; cook, stirring for 15 minutes until the vegetables are cooked down and pulpy. Pour in the stock, season with salt and pepper, and simmer for 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat 1-inch of canola oil in a skillet over medium-high flame. When the oil begins to smoke, add the tortilla strips in batches and fry until they are crisp on all sides. Remove to a paper towel-lined platter and sprinkle with salt while they are still hot.
• Ladle the hot soup into 4 soup bowls and put a pile of shredded chicken on top of each. Top with the diced avocado and fried tortilla strips (and cheese if using). Garnish with cilantro and serve with lime wedges.
• Place the chicken and vegetables in a large stockpot over medium heat. Pour in only enough cold water to cover (about 3 quarts); too much will make the broth taste weak. Toss in the thyme, bay leaves, and peppercorns, and allow it to slowly come to a boil. Lower the heat to medium-low and gently simmer for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, partially covered, until the chicken is done. As it cooks, skim any impurities that rise to the surface; add a little more water if necessary to keep the chicken covered while simmering.
• Carefully remove the chicken to a cutting board. When its cool enough to handle, discard the skin and bones; hand-shred the meat into a storage container.
• Carefully strain the stock through a fine sieve into another pot to remove the vegetable solids. Use the stock immediately or if you plan on storing it, place the pot in a sink full of ice water and stir to cool down the stock. Cover and refrigerate for up to one week or freeze.
• Yield: 2 quarts

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Grease an 11 x 7-inch baking dish.
• In a large skillet brown the ground beef with onion, garlic, green bell pepper and jalapeno (if using) until the beef is no longer pink; drain any fat then return to skillet and add in one can of enchilada sauce, black beans, corn and cumin.
• Bring the ground beef mixture to a boil; reduce heat to medium-low and simmer for 20-25 minutes stirring occasionally, then season with salt and lots of black pepper.
• Arrange 3 corn tortillas in the bottom of the baking dish, cutting as needed to cover bottom of the dish.
• Spread 1/4 cup canned enchilada sauce over the tortillas in the baking dish.
• Cover the sauce with 1/3 of the cooked ground beef mixture, then about 1/3 of the shredded cheese.
• Repeat the layers twice but omitting the final cheese layer on top.
• Drizzle any remaining canned enchilada sauce (from the second can) on top.
• Cover with foil and bake in a 350 degree F oven for 25 minutes.
• Remove foil and sprinkle with more cheese (any amount desired) then return to oven and bake for another 5 minutes or until the cheese has melted.
• Let stand 10-15 minutes before slicing.
• Top with sour cream and/or tomatoes, green onions and crushed tortilla chips if desired.
• Delicious!