Cheese Enchiladas

The tortillas need to be softened before they are filled, rolled, and baked by gently frying in a little oil to improve the flavor of the tortillas. If you don't want to do that, you can simply place them in a tortilla warmer and heat for a few seconds in the microwave instead to soften them for rolling. Of course, you simply must serve these with refried beans and Spanish flavored rice ;-)

Ingredients:

• 2 Tbsp. extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium onion, finely diced
• 1 tsp. minced garlic
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 2 tsp. chili powder
• 1 tsp. cumin
• 1 (14.5 oz.) can fire roasted diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chicken broth
• 12 corn tortillas
• 3 Tbsp. vegetable oil
• 4 green onions, chopped, plus extra for garnish
• 3 Tbsp. fresh cilantro leaves, finely chopped
• 5 cups cheddar cheese, shredded
• shredded lettuce lightly sprinkled with red wine vinegar for side garnish, if desired
• sour cream for serving

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F and lightly oil a baking dish.

Heat the olive oil in medium saucepan over medium heat and saute until the onion and garlic until tender then season with salt, pepper, chili powder, and cumin. Add the fire roasted tomatoes and chicken broth, reduce heat to low and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, soften the tortillas in a large skillet with the vegetable oil on high by placing a tortilla for 2 to 3 seconds, then lift up the tortilla with a spatula, add another tortilla underneath, cooking the second tortilla for 2 to 3 seconds, then lifting both tortillas, and adding another tortilla underneath repeating this process with all the tortillas. Add a little more oil if needed until all the tortillas have been heated. Once this is done, remove the skillet from the heat and cover to keep warm.

Mix the green onions, cilantro, and 3 cups of the cheese, equally fill each softened tortilla with the cheese mixture, roll up, set the rolled tortillas in a row in the baking dish. Ladle the sauce evenly over the dish, sprinkle with the remaining cheese, and bake until bubbly and lightly browned on top, about 10 to 15 minutes.

Serve with shredded vinegar drizzled lettuce and sour cream on the side along with beans and rice.