Chow Down Chimichangas Recipes

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.

CHOW DOWN CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Combine meat, water, garlic, chilies, chili powder, vinegar, oregano, salt, cumin and pepper in a medium saucepan.
• Bring to boil.
• Cover and reduce heat and simmer for about 2 hours or until meat is very tender.
• Uncover and boil rapidly for about 15 minutes or until water is almost evaporated.
• Watch closely and stir near end of cooking time so meat doesn't stick.
• Remove from heat.
• Using 2 forks, shred meat very fine.
• Add a little of the green chili sauce to moisten if necessary.
• Warm tortillas wrapped in foil in a 350 degree oven for 15 minutes.
• Spoon about 1/4 cup meat mixture onto each tortilla, near one edge.
• Fold top and bottom edge over the meat filling.
• Fold the two sides in over filling.
• Secure with toothpicks.
• Fry filled tortillas in 1/2 inch hot oil or fat for 1 minute on each side or until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels.
• Keep warm in 300 degree oven while frying remaining chimichangas.
• To serve, ladle some green chili sauce over the chimichangas.
• Top with lettuce, sour cream and guacamole.
• Note: Unfried chimichangas can be made ahead and frozen for another meal if desired. Prepare as directed and freeze in freezer bags. Thaw and fry. The recommended chili sauce can also be frozen to go with your frozen chimichangas.

BAKED CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• After stewing the meat on a crockpot or pan drain off liquid and reserve.
• Shred and chop meat-set aside.
• In a large skillet cook onion and garlic with just a touch of oil and cook until onion is just browning.
• Add the meat, chilies, oregano, salt and red pepper and cook on low for 10 minutes.
• Add adobo sauce if needed, you don't want a totaly dry mixture and you dont want it soggy.
• Warm tortillas in the oven so they are bendable.
• Lay out 3 or 4 at a time and slightly off center place some cheese and then about 1/2 a cup of meat mixture and fold envelope style.
• Place on a lightly greased cookie sheet-repeat.
• Lightly oil the tops and bake in a 425 oven for 20 minutes or a 375 oven for 35-40 minutes-your choice.
• With the juices from the cooked meat I make a spicy gravy to offer with this.
• When done remove from oven.
• Serve with condiments, spanish rice and refried beans.
• Believe me when I say you will roll away from the table!
• To Plate: Lettuce on the bottom, then chimichanga, then gravy, then guac and sour cream and salsa, then remaining condimednts sprinkled on top.

CHIMICHANGAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Brown ground beef and onion. Drain excess grease.
• Add red wine vinegar, red chiles, cinnamon, cloves, green chiles, and tomatoes.
• Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer uncovered 15 minutes.
• Spoon 1/2 cup of the meat mixture into the center of each tortilla.
• Brush the edges of the tortillas with the beaten egg to seal.
• Fold the tortillas over the meat mixture to make a square bundle.
• Brush each chimichanga with melted margarine.
• Place on non-stick cookie sheet with seam side down.
• Bake 10-12 minutes until lightly browned and heated through.
• Top with salsa and sour cream (optional).