Fauxritos Recipes

CLAMS CASINO MAZEMEN

Steps:

• In a large saucepan, add the bacon and cook over medium-high heat until the bacon begins to brown, a couple of minutes. Add the garlic, shallots and ginger and cook, stirring occasionally, until the shallots have softened, about 5 minutes.
• Use a slotted spoon to transfer half of the bacon mixture to a medium bowl. Add the breadcrumbs and Parmesan to this same bowl. Stir to combine and set aside to use as topping later.
• Add the stock and wine to the saute pan with the remaining bacon mixture to deglaze, scraping up any cooked bits stuck to the bottom. Add the clams, then cover and cook until the clams begin to open, about 10 minutes. Push the clams to one side and add the ramen noodles, then cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Turn the broiler on.
• Pour the saucepan components into a 14-inch cast-iron pan and sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture over the top. Broil until the breadcrumbs are golden brown, about 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with basil and red pepper flakes, if desired.

FAUXRITOS

Steps:

• For the cheese powder: Preheat the oven to 175 degrees F. Mix the cheeses and spread in as close to a single layer as possible on a cookie sheet. Bake for 8 hours. The cheese will appear dry and a little greasy. Remove the cookie sheet and blot dry with paper towels. Remove the cheese and place on another clean cookie sheet. Blot again if necessary. Bake until very dry, 2 more hours. Remove the cookie sheet and blot a final time. Allow to cool in a dry place.
• Put the cheese crisps in a blender or spice grinder and pulverize. BEHOLD!!! FINGER LICKIN' GOOD CHEESE POWDER! Reserve.
• For the chips: Heat 2 inches of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F in a deep skillet. Fry the tortillas, in batches, until golden and crisp, about 3 minutes per batch. Place on a wire rack to drain. While still hot, season with the cheese powder.

TASTY BURRITOS

Steps:

• In a large cast-iron or other heavy skillet, cook beef over medium heat until no longer pink; drain. Stir in taco seasoning; remove from skillet and set aside. Wipe skillet clean. , In a small saucepan, cook refried beans over medium-low heat until heated through, 2-3 minutes. , Spoon about 1/3 cup of beans off-center on each tortilla; top with 1/4 cup beef mixture. Sprinkle with cheese. Fold sides and ends of tortillas over filling and roll up., In same skillet over medium-high heat, brown burritos in oil on all sides. Serve with sour cream and salsa. Freeze option: Individually wrap cooled burritos in paper towels and foil; freeze in a freezer container. To use, remove foil; place paper towel-wrapped burrito on a microwave-safe plate. Microwave on high until heated through, turning once, 3-4 minutes. Let stand 20 seconds.

FRIED BURRITOS

Steps:

• Warm the tortillas for 15 seconds in the microwave. This will prevent them from cracking when you work with them.
• If they are not sufficiently heated, heat for an additional 10 seconds until fairly warm.
• Once heated, keep them warm by placing them in a tortilla warmer, or two inverted plates.
• Put the oil in a deep skillet. The oil should be about an inch deep.
• Turn the burner to medium-low. The oil is ready when a drop of water "dances" on it.
• Remove one tortilla at a time from the warmer and place on clean surface.
• Spread 1-2 tablespoon refried beans in a line down center of tortilla.
• Place half a piece of cheese, followed by an additional fourth a piece cheese on the beans.
• Fold the top and bottom of the tortilla in, then the sides.
• Place, seam side down, in the oil.
• Fry until browned on one side. This will not take long. Turn and brown on other side.
• Prepare the remaining tortillas as you did before and place them to the oil. You should have NO MORE than 3 frying at one time.
• When you remove them from the oil, place on a thick layer of paper towels to dry.

FABULOUS WET BURRITOS

Steps:

• Crumble ground beef into a skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir until evenly browned. Add onion, and cook until translucent. Drain grease, and season with garlic, cumin, salt and pepper. Stir in the green chilies and refried beans until well blended. Turn off heat, but keep warm.
• In a saucepan, combine the chili without beans, tomato soup and enchilada sauce. Mix well, and cook over medium heat until heated through. Turn off heat and keep warm.
• Place a warmed tortilla on a plate, and spoon a generous 1/2 cup of the ground beef mixture onto the center. Top with lettuce and tomato to your liking. Roll up tortilla over the filling. Spoon a generous amount of the sauce over the top, and sprinkle with cheese and green onions. Heat in the microwave for 30 seconds, or until cheese is melted. Repeat with remaining tortillas.