Recipe: Red Bean Chilaquiles (no meat, Mexican)

RED BEAN CHILAQUILES
"In Mexico, a popular way to use up leftover tortillas is in a dish called chilaquiles. In this version, the tortillas are layered and baked, lasagna style, with red beans, oven-roasted tomatoes and mild cheese."


1 cup dried kidney beans, picked over and rinsed, soaked overnight and drained
3 cups water
8 corn tortillas (6-inches in diameter)
10 plum (Roma) tomatoes, about 2 pounds total weight, cored
1 yellow onion, cut into 8 wedges
2 jalapeno peppers
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (fresh coriander)
1 teaspoon salt
3 tablespoons olive oil or canola oil
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup shredded queso asadero or Monterey Jack cheese
1 green (spring) onion, including tender green top, thinly sliced (for garnish)

In a large saucepan over high heat, combine the beans and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan partially and simmer until tender, about 65 to 75 minutes. Drain.

While the beans are cooking, preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.

Stack the tortillas and cut them to form 48 wedges in all. Place on a baking sheet and bake until crisp, 4 to 5 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.

Heat the broiler (grill). Position the rack 4-inches from the heat source.

On a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil, arrange the tomatoes, yellow onion wedges and jalapenos. Broil (grill) until the skins blacken, 4 to 5 minutes. Turn the vegetables over and broil the other side until blackened, 3 to 4 minutes longer. Transfer to a bowl, cover and let stand for about 10 minutes.

Reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F.

Peel the tomatoes. Wearing gloves, peel and seed the jalapenos. Place the vegetables in a blender or food processor and pulse until coarsely pureed. Add the cilantro and 1/2 teaspoon of the salt. Pulse to make a chunky sauce. Set aside.

In a large frying pan, heat 2 1/2 tablespoons of the oil over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and saute until golden, 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the cooked beans and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and cook until heated through, about 3 minutes. Remove from the heat.

Grease a large, oblong baking dish with the remaining 1 1/2 teaspoons oil. Spread 1/2 cup of the tomato sauce in the dish. Layer 1/3 of the tortilla wedges on top and cover with 1/3 of the bean mixture. Repeat layering, and then top with the remaining sauce. Sprinkle with the cheese.

Bake until browned, 25 to 30 minutes. Cut into squares, garnish with the green onion and serve.

Makes 6 servings

Per serving: Calories 343, Protein 15g, Carbohydrate 49g, Total fat 12g, Saturated fat 3g, Monosaturated fat: 5g, Cholesterol 12mg, Sodium 590mg, Fiber 13g

Source: The New Mayo Clinic Cookbook by Mayo Clinic Health Information, 2005