Colorful Cheese and Pepper Enchiladas with Spicy Tomato Sauce
Inspired by the vibrant flavors of Moosewood, these Cheese and Pepper Enchiladas bring a delightful blend of creamy cheeses and fresh bell peppers, all wrapped in soft corn tortillas. Topped with a zesty homemade spicy tomato sauce, they are perfect for gatherings or family dinners. Serve over a fluffy bed of brown rice for a satisfying meal that celebrates the richness of plant-based ingredients and the creativity of Mexican cuisine.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
19
Ingredients
Ingredients
medium onions
2 (chopped)
large garlic clove
1-2 (minced)
chile
1 (minced)
ground cumin
2 teaspoons (none)
olive oil
2 tablespoons (none)
bell peppers
2.5-3 cups (chopped (use a variety of colors))
cream cheese
8 ounces (none)
cheddar cheese
1.5 cups (grated)
cottage cheese
1/2 cup (none)
salt
to taste (none)
vegetable oil
for frying (none)
corn tortillas
8 (none)
canned tomatoes
2 cups (undrained)
green pepper
1/2 (coarsely chopped)
small onion
1 (coarsely chopped)
chilies
2-3 tablespoons (minced)
ground coriander
1 teaspoon (none)
ground cumin
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
In a large skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onions and minced garlic, sautéing for 5-7 minutes until the onions are soft and translucent.
2
Stir in the minced chiles and ground cumin, cooking for an additional minute until fragrant.
3
Add the chopped bell peppers to the skillet. Cover and cook on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the peppers are tender.
4
Remove the skillet from heat and mix in the cream cheese, cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese until well combined. Season with salt to taste and set aside.
5
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). In a separate pan, lightly heat vegetable oil and individually fry the corn tortillas for a few seconds on each side, just until soft. Drain the tortillas on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6
On a clean flat surface, place one tortilla. Spoon 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the cheese and pepper filling onto the side of the tortilla closest to you. Carefully roll the tortilla away from you, enclosing the filling, and place it seam-side down in a greased baking pan. Repeat with the remaining tortillas and filling.
7
Cover the baking pan tightly with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until heated through.
8
While the enchiladas are baking, prepare the hot sauce: in a blender, puree the canned tomatoes, coarsely chopped green pepper, onion, chilies, ground coriander, and ground cumin until smooth.
9
Transfer the mixture to a saucepan and simmer uncovered over medium heat for at least 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until thickened. Add salt to taste. If using fresh tomatoes, you may need to simmer longer to achieve desired consistency.
10
Once the enchiladas are done baking, serve them hot over a bed of brown rice, drizzled with the spicy tomato sauce.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Colorful Cheese and Pepper Enchiladas?
They are a vegetarian Mexican-inspired dish featuring a blend of three cheeses and bell peppers wrapped in corn tortillas and topped with a spicy tomato sauce.
What was the inspiration for this recipe?
This recipe was inspired by the vibrant flavors associated with Moosewood.
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is plant-based and contains no meat ingredients.
Which three cheeses are used in the filling?
The filling uses a combination of cream cheese, grated cheddar cheese, and cottage cheese.
What type of tortillas should I use?
This recipe specifically calls for eight corn tortillas.
What temperature should I bake the enchiladas at?
The oven should be preheated to 350°F (175°C).
How long do the enchiladas need to bake?
Bake the enchiladas for 20 to 25 minutes until they are thoroughly heated through.
Why do I need to fry the corn tortillas briefly?
Frying them for a few seconds on each side in vegetable oil makes them soft and prevents them from breaking when you roll them.
How much filling goes into each tortilla?
Spoon between 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the cheese and pepper filling onto each tortilla.
How should I arrange the enchiladas in the baking pan?
Place them seam-side down in a greased baking pan to ensure they stay closed during cooking.
What is in the spicy tomato sauce?
The sauce consists of pureed canned tomatoes, green pepper, onion, chilies, ground coriander, and ground cumin.
How long should the spicy tomato sauce simmer?
The sauce should simmer uncovered for at least 20 minutes until it thickens.
Can I use fresh tomatoes for the sauce instead of canned?
Yes, but you may need to simmer the sauce longer to reach the desired consistency.
What should I serve these enchiladas with?
They are best served hot over a fluffy bed of brown rice.
How do I prepare the bell peppers for the filling?
Chop 2.5 to 3 cups of bell peppers (using a variety of colors) and cook them on low heat until tender.
Should the baking pan be covered in the oven?
Yes, the pan should be covered tightly with aluminum foil while baking.
What spices are used in the filling?
The filling is seasoned with ground cumin, minced chiles, and salt to taste.
How many onions are needed for this recipe?
You need 2 medium onions for the filling and 1 small onion for the sauce.
What type of garlic is required?
The recipe calls for 1 to 2 large garlic cloves, minced.
How many ingredients are in this recipe in total?
There are 19 ingredients listed for both the enchiladas and the sauce.
Do I need to drain the canned tomatoes?
No, the tomatoes should be used undrained.
Is coriander used in this recipe?
Yes, ground coriander is used specifically in the spicy tomato sauce.
What oil should I use to sauté the onions?
You should use 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What tags define this recipe's category?
The recipe is tagged as enchiladas, cheese, peppers, mexican cuisine, vegetarian, and comfort food.
How long should I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté them for 5 to 7 minutes until they are soft and translucent.
What happens after the peppers are cooked?
Remove the skillet from the heat and mix in the three types of cheese until well combined.
How is the sauce made smooth?
The sauce ingredients are pureed in a blender before being transferred to a saucepan to simmer.
What is the primary flavor profile of the sauce?
It is a zesty and spicy tomato-based sauce with earthy notes of cumin and coriander.
Can I adjust the spiciness of the dish?
Yes, you can adjust the amount of minced chiles in the filling and sauce to your preference.
Should the tortillas be drained after frying?
Yes, drain them on paper towels to remove any excess oil before rolling.