Saucy, homey, and always comforting -- I love me a good casserole. Not only does it feed and soothe the soul, but it also makes A TON of leftovers...which is always a welcome sight after a loooong day of work.


I'm not quite sure chicken enchiladas really qualifies as a real casserole dish...but they're bubbly, saucy and baked in one of those 9x13 inch Pyrex dishes (that has to count!). However, this is not your typical bread crumb, cream of mushroom casserole. In fact, besides the melted cheese -- nothing about it resembles the heavy butter and cream mixture that most casseroles are known for.

Instead, the chunky enchilada sauce is full of fresh tomatoes, onions and chopped chipotles (which give it a great smoky kick). And unlike the greasy, skimpy enchilada fillings that are so frequently served at Mexican restuarants, these are bursting with shredded chicken, fresh cilantro, chopped onion and of course, cheese.



To me, the corn tortilla is what brings it all together. Slightly crisped in a frying pan, the tortillas are wrapped around the chicken filling before everything gets covered in the enchilada sauce and cheese. Amazingly, they're able to retain their slightly chewy texture, which compliments all the saucy goodness wonderfully.

Who's excited for lunch, dinner, and dinner again these next couple of days? :)



The Great After-Thanksgiving Turkey Enchiladas
Adapted from Bon Appetit, November 1998

3 T plus 1/4 C vegetable oil
1 3/4 C finely chopped onions
1 28-oz can enchilada sauce (we used HOT)
5 tomatoes, finely chopped
1 1/2 t finely chopped canned chipotle chilies
1 C chopped fresh cilantro

3 C coarsely shredded chicken (used a rotisserie chicken from Safeway/Costco)
3 C grated Monterey Jack cheese
3/4 C lowfat sour cream

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large saucepan over medium heat. Add 1 1/2 cups onions and sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add enchilada sauce, tomatoes and chipotles. Cover; simmer 20 minutes, stirring often. Remove from heat. Stir in 1/2 cup cilantro. Season sauce with salt and pepper. Mix turkey, 2 cups cheese, sour cream, 1/4 cup onions and 1/2 cup cilantro in bowl. Season with salt and pepper.

Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat 1/4 cup vegetable oil in medium skillet over medium heat. Cook 1 tortilla until pliable, about 20 seconds per side. Drain on paper towels. Repeat with remaining tortillas.

Spread 1/2 cup sauce in 13 x 9 x 2-inch glass baking dish. Spoon 1/4 cup turkey mixture in center of each tortilla. Roll up tortillas. Arrange seam side down in dish. Spoon 2 1/2 cups sauce over enchiladas. Sprinkle with 1 cup cheese. Bake enchiladas until heated through, about 30 minutes. Rewarm remaining sauce in saucepan over medium-low heat. Transfer to sauceboat. Serve enchiladas, passing sauce separately.