Enfrijoladas Recipe
Food is an important part of Mexican culture. So important I've heard people joke that the hand signal for the word 'yes', was derived because people always have their mouths full of food. Yea, that's right, there is a hand signal for the word yes (also for the words: 'no', as well as, 'just a minute'). Whatever the reason is for this brilliant invention of a hand signal; it is damn useful for a plethora of reasons. And the food, here, is incredible....apparently so good that a second grader, recently, mistook my post-meal bloat; asking if I was pregnant during the middle of class.
One of my favorite meals are enfrijoladas.
Enfrijoladas are the lesser known, step-child to the well-known enchilada. I've had them for breakfast; great for hangovers, lunch and dinner, as well. There are a ton of versions, but this is my own vegan version.
Los Ingredientes
1 Tomato
3 Large Cloves of Garlic
1/2 Red Onion
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Jalapeno Pepper
Spoonful of Cumin Seeds
1 Vegetable Bullion Cube
Salt, Pepper to taste
1 cup Textured Vegetable Protein or Soy Meat
4 Flour Tortillas
2 Cups Beans (pinto or black)
1 Cup Lettuce
1 Lime
Serves 2-3 people
1 Tomato
3 Large Cloves of Garlic
1/2 Red Onion
1 Red Bell Pepper
1 Green Bell Pepper
1 Jalapeno Pepper
Spoonful of Cumin Seeds
1 Vegetable Bullion Cube
Salt, Pepper to taste
1 cup Textured Vegetable Protein or Soy Meat
4 Flour Tortillas
2 Cups Beans (pinto or black)
1 Cup Lettuce
1 Lime
Serves 2-3 people
Dice all of the veggies and shred the lettuce. Warm a frying pan with oil; adding cumin seeds and cooking until golden brown. Add garlic and onion, cooking until lightly brown. Next add the red and green bell peppers, cooking until tender. Add textured vegetable protein or meat substitute, as well as, vegetable bullion cube with a small amount of water. Cook until the water is absorbed and the 'meat' is soft. Set this aside with a lid to stay warm.
Add beans to a sauce pan or pot with 1/4 cup of water and tablespoon of oil. Remove from fire when soft. Add beans to a blender or food processor; mixing until you have a chunky consistency. Return beans to the pot and heat on low (adding more water; if needed, to make a thick spaghetti sauce-like consistency. Add 1/2 of the jalapeno peppers and 1/2 of the tomatoes to the beans and gently mix them in.
Warm the tortillas. Add the veggies and soy meat on top of the tortilla; so that it can be rolled (placing the crease down, against the plate).
Warm the tortillas. Add the veggies and soy meat on top of the tortilla; so that it can be rolled (placing the crease down, against the plate).
Add the bean sauce over the top of both tortillas; garnish with the remaining jalapeno pepper, tomatoes, and your favorite hot sauce (avocado is also yummy). Add shredded lettuce and a slice of lime alongside the burritos.
Buen Provecho
Buen Provecho
So what is this amazing Mexican hand gesture, you ask? It is somewhat reminiscent of how one ashes a cigarette.
My students use this signal in class to answer a group question, people use it when they are laughing so hard they can't speak, and it used to add emphasis to any story.
My students use this signal in class to answer a group question, people use it when they are laughing so hard they can't speak, and it used to add emphasis to any story.
