Enchilada Casserole

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 6:04 am

While the original recipe is treif, I've made it with a mock-meat I made from lentils. Of course, you can make it with chopped meat and leave out the cheese....

Easy Beef Enchilada Casserole
1 lb. ground beef
1 pkg. taco seasoning
1 lb. shredded cheddar cheese
1 large bag corn tortilla chips
1 large can enchilada sauce
1 large can ranch style beans (optional)

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brown meat and drain. Follow directions on taco seasoning mix. In a large casserole dish, pour 1/4 cup of the enchilada sauce on the bottom of the dish to keep it from sticking or burning on the bottom. Layer all ingredients in the casserole dish in the following order: sauce, chips, meat, beans, cheese, and continue to layer until all are used. Save some cheese for the top layer. Bake at 350 degrees uncovered for approximately 30 minutes, or until it’s bubbly and the cheese on top is melted and starting to brown.

Mexican Enchilada Sauce Recipe
3-6 servings
3 tablespoons chili powder (note: use less if you don't want it spicy)
3 tablespoons flour
1 teaspoon cocoa powder (really, it works!)
1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
1 teaspoon oregano
3 cups water
1 (8 ounce) can tomato paste

1. Combine all dry ingredients in a small bowl.
2. Stirring constantly, slowly add enough of the water to make a thin paste.
3. Pour into pan and add rest of water.
4. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until mixture thickens.
5. Stir in tomato paste.

Lechatchila Ariber

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 6:09 am

Quote:

Of course, you can make it with chopped meat and leave out the cheese....

or use tofu cheese

mamacita

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 6:10 am

Yum! I'm going to have to give this a try. How do you make your lentil substitute?

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 6:12 am

Re: tofu cheese - it was my understanding that tofu cheese doesn't actually melt.

Mamacita, cook the lentils until most of the water is gone and the lentils are on the softer side of al dente. Mash up a bit and add salt (never add while they're cooking as it halts the cooking process), black pepper, garlic powder and a bit of chili powder.

Lechatchila Ariber

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 6:17 am

the one I use does.

maybe you are thinking of actual tofu. that does not melt of course but the tofutti company has a pareve cheese that comes in wrapped slices and it melts. eaten plain its not too tasty but it works when I try to use it in recipes with meat, like a meat lasagna.

Also you can make a bechamel sauce when needed with soy milk.

chocolate moose

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 10:14 am

We get better results with fake meat and real cheese.

DefyGravity

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 10:22 am

I would just make it with fake meat, or with real meat and leave out the cheese. I don't like the toffuti cheese and it doesn't really melt. It kind of changes form with heat, but doesn't melt like real cheese.

willow

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 12:07 pm

where do you get taco seasoning in Israel?

BeershevaBubby

Mon, Jan 14 2008, 12:32 pm

I make my own - black pepper, paprika, garlic powder and a dash of chili powder.

You can buy the Ortega "taco kits" at some stores in Jerusalem (Chofetz Chaim usually has them) and the kits have taco seasoning packets.

willow

Tue, Jan 15 2008, 1:59 am

Thanx!! I had no idea I could make taco seasoning. I am excited because I do not like using the chemicals in the Ortega kits