Masa Shells With Refried Beans And Chicken Recipes

STEWED CHICKEN, REFRIED BEANS AND OAXACA CHEESE QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Combine the tomatoes, chili powder, garlic, 2/3 cup water and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, breaking up the tomatoes with a spoon, for 10 minutes. Add the chicken breast, nestling it in the sauce, and simmer, flipping once, until cooked through, 8 to 9 minutes per side. Transfer the chicken to a plate, shred it, and return it to the sauce. Season with salt and pepper.
• Lay a tortilla on a work surface and top evenly with 1/2 cup Oaxaca cheese. Add a quarter of the shredded chicken and tomato sauce and a quarter of the beans. Fold the tortilla in half to enclose the fillings. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and ingredients.
• Melt 1/2 tablespoon butter in a large nonstick or cast-iron skillet over medium heat. Cook one of the quesadillas, flipping once, until golden brown and the cheese is melted, about 3 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board and repeat with the remaining quesadillas.
• Cut into triangles and serve with the guacamole, salsa, scallions and sour cream.

REFRIED BEAN QUESADILLAS

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large frying pan and cook the onion and garlic for 2 mins. Add the cumin and cook for 1 min more. Tip in the beans, paprika and a splash of water. Using a potato masher, break the beans down as they warm through to make a rough purée. Season generously.
• Spread the refried beans onto 4 of the tortillas and scatter over the cheese and coriander. Spoon over the salsa, then top with the remaining tortillas to make 4 sandwiches. Wipe the frying pan with kitchen paper and return to the heat or heat a griddle pan. Cook each sandwich for 1-2 mins on each side until the tortillas are crisp and golden and the cheese is melting. Serve warm, cut into wedges, with extra salsa and soured cream for dipping.

MASA SHELLS WITH CHICKEN AND POTATOES

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the masa shells. Then, cover and set aside. Cook the chicken breasts over medium heat in 1 cup of salted water until no longer pink in the center, about 8 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and cool the chicken in the liquid about 10 minutes. When cool, shred the meat and reserve in a bowl. 2. In a medium nonstick skillet, heat about 1 tablespoon of oil and cook the onion, stirring, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the diced potatoes and salt. Cook, stirring, until the potatoes start to brown, about 5 minutes. Transfer to the bowl with the chicken. Stir in the salsa. Set aside. 3. Wipe out the skillet with paper towels. Add fresh oil to a depth of about 1 inch and cook over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Fry the reserved masa shells, 3 to 4 at a time, turning once until golden on both sides, about 2 minutes on each side. Drain on paper towels. Put a portion of the chicken mixture on each sope. Sprinkle each with cheese and garnish with thinly sliced radish rounds. Serve at once. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

CHICKEN TOSTADAS

Steps:

• Spread refried beans on a flat tostada shell if using. Top with cheese and chicken. Warm in microwave for a minute or two or under broiler until cheese is melted and chicken is warm.
• Place each tostada on a plate and top with remaining ingredients. You can sprinkle with more cheese if desired.
• Note: For authentic Mexican flare try this with Asadero which is similar to Monterrey Jack in place of the cheese blend and maybe even some crumbled Anejo- similar to a Romano cheese or Cotija - salty and dry similar to Parmesan.

MASA SHELLS WITH REFRIED BEANS AND CHICKEN

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the salsa. Reserve. Then, prepare the masa shells. Cover and set aside. Then, prepare the shredded chicken. Cover and set aside, or if made ahead, refrigerate until ready to use. Then, in a nonstick skillet, heat the oil over medium heat and cook the potato, stirring, until lightly browned, about 5 minutes. Add the onions, salt and pepper. Cook for 1 minute. Reserve in the pan off heat. 2. In another skillet, pour oil to a depth of about 1 inch and cook over medium-high heat until the oil shimmers. Fry the masa shells, 3 or 4 at a time, turning once until golden on both sides. Drain on paper towels. 3. Spread about 1 teaspoon of warm refried beans on each shell. Add about 1 teaspoon potato and 1 tablespoon of the shredded chicken. Top with 1 teaspoon of salsa and a dollop of sour cream. Add a thin slice of radish on top of the sour cream, if desired. Serve at once. From "1,000 Mexican Recipes." Copyright 2001 by Marge Poore. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.