December 30, 2011

BEEF & BEAN CHIMICHANGAS

I really love Mexican food, but I don't like to make fried foods.  This recipe is as good as the deep fried version without all the fuss and a lot less calories.

Ingredients:
  • 1 pound lean ground beef
  • 1 medium onion, diced
  • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 1 small can of mild green chili’s
  • 1 teaspoon paprika
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon oregano
  • 1/4 teaspoon of cayenne (optional)
  • 2 tablespoons tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup of salsa
  • Salt and pepper, to taste
  • 1 can black beans, rinsed and drained
  • 8 ounces of shredded cotija or monterey jack cheese
  • Flour tortillas (I like to use whole wheat ones)
  • Canola oil cooking spray
  • Toppings of choice - sour cream, guacamole, jalapenos, salsa
Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Spray a baking sheet with cooking spray.

In a large skillet, brown the ground beef, onions and garlic until cooked. Drain any excess grease. Add green chili’s, seasonings, tomato paste and salsa; cooking on low until all ingredients meld together. Stir in black beans. Warm your tortillas slightly just so that they are pliable to work with. Fill each tortilla with meat mixture and top with cheese and roll into chimichanga. Place on prepared baking sheet and spray the top of the chimichangas with cooking spray. Bake for 8 - 10 minutes and turn over and bake for another 4 - 6 minutes or until lightly browned.

16 comments:

chow and chatter said...

very cool and love that its not fried happy new year and thanks for visiting my blog

Rebecca

Culinary Collage said...

Thanks Rebecca......Happy New Year to you too!

Geni said...

So deliciously yum! Love the idea of not frying it. So much healthier!

Anonymous said...

Looks delicious! And healthier since it's not deep fried.

Miriam said...

I LOVE food with real flavor in it :), Happy New Year!! Mriam@Meatless Meals For Meat Eaters

Culinary Collage said...

I really try not to fry anything.....thanks for stopping by and have a Happy New Year!!!

tinyskillet said...

I love Mexican food too. This sounds wonderful! Happy New Year!

Kitchen Simmer said...

What a yummy dish. I also love that you didn't fry them...baking is the way to go. Good to find your blog and am following you now. :) Have a wonderful and happy NEW YEAR!! All the best in 2012! ~ Ramona

Sam Hoffer / My Carolina Kitchen said...

Same here, love Mexican, don't like fried. Great dish, so full of flavor. Thanks for stopping by my kitchen.

Happy new year.
Sam

Culinary Collage said...

Thanks for stopping by Ramona...I don't cook much with curry even though I love it! I made a few things last year to experiment, but this year I'm really going to try and make at least one really good curry dish. I'm sure I'll be back to your blog many times for inspiration. Happy New Year!!!

Maris (In Good Taste) said...

I totally agree with you about the not fried. This is a perfect alternative-even better!

Culinary Collage said...

Thank you Maris...your site has such great information...thanks! Happy New Year!!

Cathy at Wives with Knives said...

Fried foods are off the menu for awhile so your recipe is just what I'm looking for. We love Mexican food and I'm always happy to find a healthier version. Happy New Year best wishes to you and your family.

RecipeGirl said...

Good idea for eating healthy... starting tomorrow!! Happy New Year!

Culinary Collage said...

Yes.....the healthy eating starts tomorrow!!!

Kitchen Belleicious said...

happy new year! These chimichangas look and sound amazing

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