If Its Friday........Its Mexican Food!

Having lived in Mexico for 20 years, of course I learned to cook like the Mexicans. Not Tex Mex but authentic mexican food. We are missing all of the little mexican food stands around Cabo San Lucas that we frequented at least once a week. So, we have to get our mexican food fix once a week here in Oklahoma coming from my kitchen.  The staples that I keep on hand at all times are: tortillas (corn and flour) cilantro, fresh green chilies,( either poblano or Anaheim), serranos, New Mexico Chili powder, dried mexican oregano and cumin. Now, you can buy canned green chilies which I also keep on hand for emergencies and you always need fresh tomatoes and onions. With these ingredients, just add meat and you've got a mexican dinner!  If you have ever walked into a mexican kitchen where the ladies are cooking away at a variety of dishes, you will never forget the smell. Nothing compares!

Today I decided to make a little different version of chimachangas.  I browned a lb of hamburger, part way through I added chopped onion and garlic, a little dried oregano, about a tsp of cumin, and lots of New Mexico chili powder. New Mexico chili powder is a bit hard to find but I definitely prefer it, as it is not so bitter. When I said alot I mean alot........so hard for me to guess but probably a little less than 1/4 cup. Let this all simmer for awhile. In another pot I sauteed onion and garlic in a little olive oil.  Then added a can of diced tomatoes, not flavored tomatoes, just plain, 3 chopped up Anaheim chilies, a tsp cumin, a little chili powder, a little oregano and a good handful of chopped cilantro. Since this is just a sauce you are making.........use the canned chilies.  We'll get into roasting and peeling chilies another time. Easier than you think.  Let this sauce simmer until ready to serve. 
I took 4 medium size flour tortillas and microwaved in a tortilla dish (could use a plate and cover with plastic) for about 1 minute, turn them all over and 1 minute on the other side..just til they are flexible.......cover and let stand.  Now take one tortilla and place about 1/2 cup of meat mixture, maybe a little more.......you can judge..over half of the tortilla, looks like a half moon......and a little sprinkling of cheddar cheese over the filling.  Fold it over, so you have half, and pin the edges with 3 toothpicks, carefully.  Now take a heavy skillet and fill with about 2" of frying oil and heat on med high and when hot turn back to med. Place two of your filled tortillas in and fry til browned, turn over, cook til other side is brown and remove to a paper towel lined pan. Finish with the other two filled tortillas. Serve these with refried beans, with a sprinkling of mexican cheese, and the sauce you just made on the side. Maybe you would like a salad to go with. This is a real easy dish and everyone can make it. This is one of Bobs favorites as I can cook it real fast and a little different than tacos.........which we eat alot!  We will get into some more complex mexican dishes if you would like.  Tamales are a favorite and my family always requests my green chili.

This is a good day........while I was writing this post.......the Fed Ex man came to my door with a brand new video camera I won in a contest I entered!  Wow! Isn't that exciting?! I'm in the zone.........need to hop a plane to Vegas!!