Dancing Cactus Mexico Message Board

[Jeanne in NC]

Pinto Bean Enfrijoladas

Enfrijoladas are a popular breakfast dish in Mexico.

3 tablespoons plus 1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups chopped onions
4 garlic cloves, minced
2 15- to 16-ounce cans pinto beans, drained
1 1/2 cups (or more) whole milk
1 1/2 cups (or more) water
1 teaspoon minced serrano chile with seeds (or more)
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon dried Mexican oregano
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves

12 5 1/2- to 6-inch-diameter corn tortillas
2 1/4 cups crumbled queso ranchero*

Chopped fresh cilantro
Sour cream

Preheat oven to 350°F. Oil 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Add onions and garlic and sauté until onions are golden, about 8 minutes. Add beans, 1 1/2 cups milk, and 1 1/2 cups water; simmer until onions are tender, stirring occasionally, about 10 minutes. Mash beans coarsely in skillet. Mix in chile and all spices; season with salt and pepper. Add more milk or water by 1/4 cupfuls to thin bean mixture to slightly soupy consistency.

Heat remaining 1/4 cup oil in another large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tortilla at a time; cook until tortilla softens, about 30 seconds per side. Transfer tortilla to work surface. Place 1 heaping tablespoon cheese in center of each tortilla; fold in half. Place in prepared dish, overlapping tortillas slightly. Top with bean sauce.

Bake until enfrijoladas are heated through and sauce is bubbling, about 20 minutes. Sprinkle with remaining queso ranchero and cilantro. Serve with sour cream and/or tomatillo/avocado salsa.

*Mildly salty cheese that crumbles easily; also labled queso fresco or queso casero. Queso cotija or mild feta can be used instead.
_________________
Jeanne in NC