mushroom enchiladas

mushroom enchiladas
Originally uploaded by bluepupae.

i adapted a recipe from deborah madison's vegetarian cooking for everyone. there are a large number of good recipes in this tome worth trying out. the original recipe does not include cheese. i like cheese in my enchiladas. here are my notes.

makes about 10 enchiladas from 6 in. tortillas
oven-roasted tomato sauce
31/2 lbs roma tomatoes halved
1-2 small onions, sliced
6-8 sprigs of thyme
salt & fresh pepper
preheat oven to 375. put a single layer of the tomatoes in a baking pan (i like to use a big pyrex. they're cheap, and fairly easy to clean.) then spread the onion and thyme on top, drizzling oil all over. season with salt and pepper. roast for 45min to 1 hr, then puree in a food processor.

enchilada filling
11/2 tbs peanut oil (or other nut oil)
1 small onion diced
1 tsp chopped garlic
1/4 tsp dried oregano
3/4 lbs chopped mushrooms
2 roma tomatoes, peeledd, seeded & diced
1/4 cup chopped cilantro
1 serrano chili, minced (add more if you like it hot)
1 12 oz bag or mexican blend cheese (or more if you're into cheese)
heat the oil in a large pan on high. add and saute the onion for a min, then add garlic, oregano and cook for 2 min. add the mushrooms, tomatoes and 1/4 tsp salt. saute until mushrooms have cooked. add chilis and cilantro and cook for a min. add salt to taste.

tortillas
heat oil in a separate pan (~1 tsp for each tortilla). when hot, fry the tortilla for a few seconds on each side until softened but not crispy. blot excess oil on a towel.

when the tortillas are done, add the filling, a handful of cheese and roll with the seam facing down and place in a large baking pan (again, a pyrex baking pan works great). pour the roasted tomato sauce on top and sides., then add a layer of mexican cheese (chedder, colby, jack blend). bake in preheated oven at 375 for 20 min or until cheese has melted and formed an oozing blanket of cheesy goodness on top.

*note: don't use your finger to bore out the seeds from the chili, as you'll discover, it burns, especially if you have any open wounds.