Bolivia's Enchilada Offerings: Traditional Or Transformed?

Enchiladas are a Mexican dish consisting of a corn tortilla rolled around a filling and covered with a savoury sauce. They are believed to have originated in Mexico, with the practice of rolling tortillas around other food dating back to Aztec times. Over time, enchiladas have evolved and spread beyond Mexico, with different varieties now found in various Latin American countries and the United States. While enchiladas are not traditionally Bolivian, it is possible that they may have gained some popularity in Bolivia due to their widespread appeal and the influence of Mexican cuisine in other parts of the world.

Enchilada ingredients and fillings

Enchiladas are a very versatile dish, with a variety of ingredients that can be used for the filling. The most common ingredients include:

• Meat --- Shredded chicken, ground beef, pulled pork, shredded beef, barbacoa, carnitas, and birria are all popular options.
• Beans --- Black beans, pinto beans, refried beans, or a combination of these are commonly used.
• Vegetables --- Diced onions, bell peppers, zucchini, spinach, and corn are often added to the filling.
• Cheese --- Shredded cheese, such as Mexican-blend, cheddar, Monterey Jack, Oaxaca, Pepper Jack, mozzarella, or Asadero, is used for the filling and topping.
• Tortillas --- Corn tortillas are traditional, but flour tortillas are also commonly used, especially in Tex-Mex cuisine.
• Sauces --- Enchiladas are typically smothered in a red or green enchilada sauce, but other options include salsa verde, a cheesy white sauce, or a simple tomato-based sauce.

Chicken Enchiladas:

• Shredded chicken, corn or flour tortillas, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese, and optional toppings such as cilantro, sour cream, diced onions, or avocado slices.
• Chicken, corn tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese, and refried beans.
• Chicken, tortillas, green enchilada sauce, cheese, and black beans.
• Chicken, tortillas, salsa verde, cheese, and zucchini.

Beef Enchiladas:

• Ground beef, corn or flour tortillas, enchilada sauce, shredded cheese, black beans, and spices such as chili powder, cumin, and oregano.
• Beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, refried beans, black beans, and cheese.
• Beef, tortillas, enchilada sauce, cheese, black olives, and sour cream.

Cheese Enchiladas:

Corn tortillas, red enchilada sauce, shredded cheddar, Monterey Jack, and Oaxaca cheese, black beans, steamed spinach, avocado, cilantro, and jalapeños.

Enchilada toppings

Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish that consists of a tortilla filled with meat, cheese, beans, vegetables, and spices, and then covered in a chilli pepper sauce. They are served hot and can be topped with additional cheese, sour cream, avocado, and other toppings. Here are some ideas for enchilada toppings to take your dish to the next level:

• Fresh herbs : Chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or scallions not only add a pop of colour to your enchiladas but also a burst of fresh flavour.
• Creamy toppings : Sour cream, Greek yoghurt, or Mexican crema can add a cooling contrast to the spicy enchiladas. For a vegan option, cashew cream or coconut cream can be used instead.
• Avocado : Sliced or diced avocado adds a creamy texture and healthy fats to your enchiladas. You could also use guacamole for an extra punch of flavour.
• Cheese : Sprinkle your favourite shredded cheese over your enchiladas before baking. Good options include Monterey Jack, Asadero, Pepper Jack, Mexican-blend, or Cheddar.
• Onions : Diced red onions or quick-pickled red onions add a sharp, tangy flavour to your enchiladas. You could also use sliced green onions for a milder onion flavour.
• Spicy toppings : Jalapeños, either fresh or pickled, can be used to add some heat to your enchiladas. If you're feeling adventurous, try a spicier variety of chilli pepper, like habaneros.
• Other vegetables : Sliced black olives, radishes, or chopped tomatoes can add a burst of colour and texture to your enchiladas. You could also try roasted vegetables like cauliflower, zucchini, or bell peppers.
• Salsa : A fresh salsa, like pico de gallo, or a bottled salsa of your choice can add some extra spice and flavour to your enchiladas.

Feel free to mix and match these toppings to create your own unique enchilada recipe!

Enchilada sauce

The spices used in enchilada sauce include chilli powder, garlic powder, ground cumin, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. For a more traditional Mexican flavour, ancho, guajillo, or pasilla chile powders can be used. For added heat, chipotle chile powder or cayenne can be added.

Some recipes suggest adding tomato paste to the sauce, while others recommend omitting tomatoes altogether for a more authentic Mexican flavour.

Enchilada history

Enchiladas are a traditional Mexican dish with a rich history. The word "enchilada" comes from the Mexican Spanish word "enchilar", which means "to add chilli pepper to". Enchiladas originated in Mexico, where the practice of rolling tortillas around other food dates back to at least Aztec times.

The first enchiladas are thought to have been consumed by the Mayans, who would dip corn tortillas in pumpkin seeds and roll them around chopped hard-boiled eggs, covering them in a rich tomato sauce. However, it was the Aztecs who are credited with creating the first "true" enchilada, which included the distinctive ingredient of chilli pepper.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived in Mexico, they were intrigued by the local cuisine. Bernal Díaz del Castillo, a Spanish conquistador, documented a feast hosted by Hernán Cortés in Coyoacán, which included foods served in corn tortillas. The Spanish gave the name "tortilla" to the flat corn bread, which was originally called "tlaxcalli" in Nahuatl.

As Mexico became a Spanish colony, enchiladas became an integral part of its culinary culture. The dish was adapted to include new ingredients such as cheese, pork, and chicken, and the spicy chilli paste was replaced with milder sauces. Enchiladas became a symbol of Mexican identity and were featured in the first Mexican cookbook, "El Cocinero Mexicano", published in 1831.

With the annexation of Texas, California, and the Southwest by the US in the mid-19th century, Mexican dishes, including enchiladas, began to influence American cuisine. Enchiladas became popular among farmhands and factory workers, and recipes were adapted to accommodate different tastes and budgets. By the early 20th century, enchiladas had gained wider acceptance and started to appear in restaurants, particularly in the southern states.

Today, enchiladas are a beloved dish in both Mexico and the US, with countless variations in fillings, sauces, and cooking methods. They have become a symbol of traditional Mexican cuisine and a favourite menu item at many Mexican restaurants.

Enchilada cooking methods

Enchiladas are a Mexican dish that can be made in a variety of ways. Here are some cooking methods for this versatile dish:

Softening the Tortillas

Tortillas need to be softened before they are filled and rolled. One way to do this is to lightly fry them in a little oil. This not only softens them but also enhances their flavour. Another method is to wrap the tortillas in a damp paper towel and heat them in the microwave for about a minute, flipping them halfway through.

Filling the Tortillas

For the filling, you can use a variety of ingredients such as chicken, beef, black beans, chickpeas, sweet potato, aubergine, tuna, bacon and eggs. The filling can be seasoned with spices such as cumin, garlic powder, onion powder, paprika, oregano, and cayenne pepper. You can also add vegetables like onions, green chiles, and beans.

Rolling the Tortillas

Once the tortillas are softened, place the filling in the centre of each tortilla and sprinkle with cheese. Roll up the tortillas and place them seam-side down in a greased baking dish.

Adding the Sauce and Cheese

Cover the rolled tortillas with enchilada sauce. You can make your own sauce by cooking crushed tomatoes, green chiles, oregano, and water. Alternatively, you can use a store-bought sauce. Sprinkle more cheese on top of the sauce.

Baking the Enchiladas

Bake the enchiladas in the oven at 350°F for about 20 minutes, until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Serving the Enchiladas

Enchiladas can be served with a variety of toppings and sides. Some popular options include sour cream, guacamole, avocado, cilantro, lettuce, salsa, and Mexican rice.

Frequently asked questions