Hibiscus Jamaica Flower Enchiladas Recipes

HIBISCUS QUESADILLAS (QUESADILLA CON FLOR DE JAMAICA)

Steps:

• Rinse hibiscus under running water to remove any grit. Bring 2 cups water to a boil in a medium saucepan. Add hibiscus, and simmer for 2 minutes. Strain, reserving liquid for another use (see introduction). Rinse and chop the hibiscus.
• In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over a medium flame. Add the onion and jalapeño, and sauté, stirring occasionally, until the onion is just starting to lightly brown, about 6 minutes. Add the hibiscus, and sauté until the mixture is shiny and most of the water has evaporated, about 2 minutes. Season generously with salt and pepper, and set aside. Wipe out skillet.
• Divide the cheese evenly among the tortillas, sprinkling it to cover 1/2 of each. Scatter the hibiscus mixture on top of the cheese, followed by the cilantro. Fold the tortillas over the filling into half-moon shapes, pressing down firmly.
• Add the remaining oil to the skillet, and heat over a medium flame. Gently slide 2 quesadillas into the hot pan, and cook until the cheese has melted and the tortilla is golden brown underneath, 2 to 3 minutes. Carefully flip quesadillas, and cook until the other side is golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining quesadillas, and serve immediately.

AGUA DE JAMAICA (HIBISCUS WATER)

Steps:

• Place 6 cups of water in a large saucepan; bring to a boil. Stir in the hibiscus petals, cinnamon, cloves, nutmeg, and allspice. Reduce heat to medium-low, and gently simmer until the water has turned a deep red, 30 to 45 minutes.
• Stir the chopped piloncillo into the hibiscus water until dissolved, then set aside to cool 15 minutes. After cooling, strain the warm liquid into a 1 gallon pitcher through a wire mesh strainer. Squeeze as much liquid from the petals as you can, then discard the petals. Stir in the white sugar until dissolved, then pour in enough cold water to fill the pitcher. Serve immediately or let stand overnight for best taste.

HIBISCUS / JAMAICA FLOWER ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Filling:.
• Bring hibiscus flowers and water to simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat and let steep until flowers are tender, 5-8 minutes. Strain and reserved flowers.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add onions and saute until soft. Add hibiscus flowers, carrots, jicama, sugar, oregano and thyme. Cook until carrots are soft and liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper and keep warm.
• Chipotle Sauce:.
• Combine tomatoes, onion, garlic and chipotle chiles, and 2 cups of water in a pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring ocassionally, until tomatoes begin to fall apart, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer to blender or food processor. Puree until smooth. (Be careful with hot liquids in a blender - don't close lid completely.
• Wipe out pot and add oil. When oil begins to smoke, carefully add puree and bay leaves. Bring to a boil. Then reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, about 10 minutes. Remove bay leaves.
• Assembly:.
• Warm or fry corn tortillas in a frying pan until soft (turn once).
• Put 1/4 cup filling in the center of each tortilla. Roll to enclose.
• Place two enchiladas on each plate.
• Smother with sauce and garnish as you like.

HIBISCUS-FLOWER ENCHILADAS

Steps:

• Filling
• Bring hibiscus flowers and 2 cups water to a simmer in a small saucepan. Remove from heat; let steep until flowers are just tender, 5-8 minutes. Strain; reserve flowers. Heat olive oil in a large heavy pot over medium heat; add onion and sauté until soft but not brown. Add reserved hibiscus flowers, carrots, and next 4 ingredients; cook, stirring often, until carrots are soft and liquid evaporates, about 15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Keep warm.
• Chipotle Sauce
• Combine the first 4 ingredients and 2 cups water in a pot over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes begin to fall apart, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and transfer mixture to a blender; purée until smooth. Wipe out pot; add oil and heat over medium-high heat. When oil begins to smoke, carefully add purée and bay leaves. Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 10 minutes. Season with salt.
• Assembly
• Pour oil into a large skillet to a depth of 1/4"; heat over medium-high heat until shimmering. Working in batches, submerge tortillas and cook, turning once, until they soften, 30-45 seconds. Drain on paper towels. Put 1/4 cup of filling in center of each tortilla; roll to enclose. Place 2 enchiladas on each plate. Smother with chipotle sauce and garnish with sour cream, cabbage, and Cotija cheese.

TACOS DE JAMAICA (VEGAN HIBISCUS TACOS)

Steps:

• Rinse hibiscus very well to make sure all dust is removed. Place clean hibiscus in a pot over medium heat, cover with water, and boil for 10 minutes. Remove hibiscus from heat and allow to steep for at least 2 hours, until hibiscus is very soft. Drain well.
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat and cook 1 onion and 2 cloves garlic until soft and translucent, about 2 minutes. Stir in drained hibiscus and season with salt and pepper. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring constantly, until hibiscus turns a deep red color.
• Combine tomatillos, avocado, 1/4 onion, serrano peppers, 1 clove garlic, and 2 tablespoons cilantro; blend until smooth. Season salsa verde with salt.
• Warm corn tortillas in a skillet. Divide hibiscus mixture amongst tortillas and top with pineapple, onion, and cilantro. Serve with salsa verde and lime.