My Favorite Chimichanga Recipes

ALMOST-FAMOUS CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. Melt the butter with 2 tablespoons vegetable oil in a skillet; transfer to a bowl. Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil in the skillet. Add the onion, garlic and jalapeno and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add the chili powder, cumin, cinnamon and 1 teaspoon salt; toast 30 seconds. Add the tomato and cilantro and cook until slightly dry, about 2 minutes. Stir in the chicken and sour cream and warm through. Remove from the heat.
• Brush a rimmed baking sheet with some of the butter-oil mixture. Spread 2 tablespoons refried beans down the center of each tortilla, leaving a 2-inch border on both ends. Top with 1 cup chicken mixture and 1/4 cup cheese. Fold in the ends and roll up.
• Put the chimichangas seam-side down on the baking sheet; brush with the butter-oil mixture. Bake 8 to 10 minutes per side, brushing again after you flip. Top with the sauce, more cheese, lettuce and tomato. Serve with rice and the remaining beans.
• Saute onions and garlic cloves in a skillet with vegetable oil. Add a pinch each of chili powder, cumin, sugar and salt; cook 30 seconds. Stir in green chiles; cook 2 minutes. Add chicken broth and simmer until thickened, then puree. Stir in cilantro.

CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• In a skillet, melt bacon grease over medium heat. Saute meat, onion, garlic, tomatoes, chilies and potatoes until the onion softens. Add salt, oregano, chili powder and cilantro; simmer 2-3 minutes. Place a scant 1/2 cup meat filling on each tortilla. Fold, envelope-style, like a burrito. Fry, seam side down, in 1/2 in. of hot oil. (360°-375°) until crispy and brown. Turn and brown other side. Drain briefly on a paper towel. Top as desired; serve immediately.

MY FAVORITE CHIMICHANGA

Steps:

• SNIP bacon into 3/4-inch squares using kitchen shears; COOK bacon in a 2-3 quart heavy-bottomed pot over medium heat until crisp; ADD 2/3 cup chopped onions and saute until softened; ADD 1-2 cloves mashed fresh garlic; SAUTE for 30 seconds longer.
• ADD 1 (4 ounce) can diced green chiles, 2 teaspoons chili powder, 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon crushed Mexican oregano, 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice or 1 pinch ground cloves; SIMMER 2-3 minutes.
• ADD 1 lb cooked shredded or chopped meat, 2 chopped ripe medium tomatoes, 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 2 teaspoons fresh lime juice, 1/4 teaspoon granulated sugar, 1 dash freshly cracked black pepper and 3/4-1 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste); SIMMER 2-3 minutes, stirring as needed; COVER and remove from heat.
• HEAT 6 large burrito-size tortillas in a microwave oven on 50% power for 20 seconds to make them soft and pliable.
• FILL each tortilla down the center with 1/4 cup shredded cheese, 1/2-3/4 cup of the meat mixture; top with 1/4 cup shredded cheese. Tuck in the sides and roll up firmly, burrito-style.
• TO FRY: FRY chimichangas seam-side down over medium heat in 1/2 inch canola oil in clean large skillet; TURN chimichangas carefully using a flat spatula until evenly light golden and crispy.
• TO BAKE: PREHEAT oven to 400 degrees F; SPRAY chimichangas lightly and evenly with non-stick cooking spray (or brush with melted butter or margarine); BAKE seam-side down at 400 degrees F for 25 minutes or until golden; REMOVE chimichangas carefully using a metal spatula.
• TOP each hot chimichanga immediately with shredded cheddar cheese so cheese melts.
• SERVE with guacamole, sour cream and salsa on the side.
• SERVING SUGGESTION: Serve with "Mexican Confetti Salad": Julienne crisp iceberg lettuce. Add diced ripe tomatoes, sliced black olives, sliced green onions and chopped fresh cilantro. Blend enough Italian dressing for serving with a squeeze of fresh lime, a pinch of sugar, a pinch of Mexican oregano and a dash of black pepper. Drizzle dressing over salad. Makes a great garnish-type salad with a very light dressing to compliment your favorite Mexican entrees.

FAVORITE BEEF CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Cut roast in half; place in a 4- or 5-qt. slow cooker. Arrange potatoes around the roast; pour water over potatoes. Drizzle meat with soy sauce. Sprinkle with garlic salt and pepper. Top with green chilies. Cover and cook on low for 7-9 hours or until meat is very tender., Remove roast to a platter. Shred meat with two forks and return to the slow cooker. Combine flour and taco seasoning; stir into meat mixture. Cover and cook 30 minutes longer or until juices are thickened., To assemble chimichangas, using a slotted spoon, spoon 1/2 cup meat mixture off-center on each tortilla. Sprinkle with 1/4 cup cheese. Fold up edge nearest filling; fold in both sides and roll up., In a large skillet, fry chimichangas, folded side down, in oil in batches until golden brown, 2-3 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Serve with toppings if desired.

CHICKEN CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a frying pan on a medium heat, add the chicken thigh fillets and fry for 6-8 mins each side until cooked through, then remove from the pan and set aside. Add another tbsp oil to the pan, then the onion and red pepper and cook until softened, about 5 mins.
• Shred or cut chicken into small pieces and put in a bowl with the cooked onions and peppers, chillies, cheese and spices, season and mix well.
• Heat the tortillas briefly in a dry frying pan for a few seconds on each side to make them a little more pliable, or heat in a microwave. Spoon a layer of the beans, if using, into the centre of each tortilla, then spoon some of the chicken mixture on top. Repeat so all the wraps and filling are used up.
• Roll-up the chimichangas - fold the bottom over the filling, fold the sides in, then roll away from you so all the filling is sealed in.
• To bake, heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Place the chimichangas on an oiled baking sheet and brush lightly with more oil. Bake until golden, about 20-25 mins. Or to fry them, heat a heavy-based frying pan over a medium heat. Once hot, add the 60ml oil to the pan and place the chimichangas seam-side down. Turn gently every few seconds until lightly golden on all sides and the filling has heated through.
• While they cook, warm the enchilada sauce in a small pan, then spoon some enchilada sauce on a plate, lay the chimichanga on top, and top with soured cream, a little more cheese and some coriander.Nutrition (fried):Kcal 425; fat 24g; saturates 6g; carbs 27g; sugars 5g; fibre 3g; protein 23g; salt 1.85g