Garlic and Fennel Pork Chops
Tender pork chops seasoned with fennel seeds, garlic oil, and chilli, seared until golden, then finished in the oven. Drizzled with a sweet-tart balsamic reduction.
Tex-Mex beef and bean enchiladas with homemade chipotle sauce, melted cheese, and fresh toppings. A hearty, flavourful dish perfect for feeding a crowd.
These beef enchiladas take their cue from Tex-Mex cooking, where big flavours and hearty portions are the main event. Minced beef and beans get wrapped in soft tortillas, then baked in a homemade enchilada sauce spiked with chipotle paste for a bit of smoky heat. It's the kind of meal that fills you up properly and keeps everyone coming back for seconds.
The sauce is simple to make. You start with a basic roux of garlic oil and flour, then whisk in chicken stock and passata along with chipotle paste, tomato puree, and oregano. It cooks down into a thick, savoury sauce that coats the tortillas and filling nicely. The filling itself is straightforward: minced beef cooked with onions, peppers, garlic, and chilli, plus cumin for depth. Refried beans and black beans add substance, whilst tinned tomatoes and beef stock keep everything moist and flavourful. Once you've assembled the enchiladas, they bake until the cheese on top is melted and bubbling, then you finish them with spring onions, jalapenos, pineapple chunks, and sour cream for freshness and contrast.
You don't need to stick with beef if you'd rather not. Swap it for chicken if you prefer poultry, or use a mix of vegetables like courgettes, peppers, and sweetcorn for a vegetarian version. The method stays the same, and the sauce and toppings work just as well with different fillings.
The chipotle paste gives the sauce its smoky backbone, but you can adjust the amount to suit your heat tolerance.
This is good for feeding a group. The quantities are generous, and you can prepare most of it ahead of time if you're planning a gathering. Just assemble the enchiladas, cover them, and refrigerate until you're ready to bake. It means less stress when people arrive, and you get a proper meal on the table without too much last-minute fuss.
Store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat individual portions in the microwave or the whole dish in the oven at 180°C for 15-20 minutes until heated through.
Serve hot with extra sour cream, guacamole, and a simple green salad. Tortilla crisps on the side work well too.
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