Enchiladas consist of a tortilla that is usually dipped in a chile-based sauce, then stuffed with various fillings such as cheese, meat, or fish. Then it is rolled up, baked, and topped with sauces, onions, beans, or more cheese. This highly versatile dish is believed to have originated from a Mayan dish called papadzules, consisting of corn tortillas dipped in pumpkin purée and filled with chopped boiled eggs.
From there, numerous variations developed throughout Mexico and outside of its borders. The word enchilada, which first appeared in print in 1885, comes from the Spanish word enchilar, meaning to season with chile pepper.
Today, there are countless versions of enchiladas.
VARIATIONS OF Enchiladas
Chile relleno is a Mexican dish with origins in the city of Puebla. It consists of chili peppers stuffed with ingredients such as cheese, nuts, cinnamon, and diced meat. Once the peppers are stuffed, they are usually dipped in eggs and flour, then deep-fried in hot oil.
The dish is traditionally served as a snack or an appetizer, most commonly in late August and early September, since it is connected to the Mexican Independence Day and the Day of San Augustin. It is believed that chile relleno was invented in the 16th century, during the time of the Spanish conquest.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Mexican enmoladas are essentially enchiladas covered in mole sauce. The enchiladas might be filled with a wide array of ingredients, but they are most often filled with chicken and crumbled cheese. The tortillas are first fried, dipped into the warm mole sauce, then filled with chicken and cheese.
If needed, more mole sauce is spooned over the enmoladas. Before serving, enmoladas can be garnished with sliced onions and chopped coriander. This tasty Mexican dish is a great example of using leftover mole sauce for the creation of a new meal.
MAIN INGREDIENTS
Enchiladas de camaron is a popular Mexican dish consisting of fried tortillas filled with shrimp and various ingredients such as corn, onions, chiles, tomatoes, and coriander. These rolled tortillas are especially popular in the North Pacific and Gulf regions of Mexico, and it is recommended to serve them garnished with crema Mexicana, avocado slices, and grated cheese.