Enchiladas Rojas

Name: Enchiladas Rojas
Yield: makes 8 servings
Ingredients: 10 medium tomatoes, quartered; 10 dried ancho chiles; 8 garlic cloves; 1 cup broth from cooked chicken, or store-bought; 1 1/4 cups vegetable oil or as needed; Kosher salt to taste; About 48 corn tortillas; 1 4-pound whole chicken, poached and shredded (page 89); 1 yellow onion, finely chopped (optional); 3 cups grated or crumbled queso fresco (about 12 ounces) or shredded Mexican Cheese; Mexican Rice (page 124), for serving; Refried Beans (page 130), for serving

December 9, 2011

When I was growing up, enchiladas were a family affair. On enchilada night, my sisters and I knew we would be called upon to take our positions alongside our mom in the kitchen: one sister fried the tortillas, another dipped them in the sauce, another (usually me) stuffed them, and the last rolled and transferred them to the pan. I can never think about enchiladas without remembering all those happy times in the kitchen. Not everyone in the house loved onions as much as my dad did, so Mom had us add the onions to only half of the enchiladas. She’d stick a toothpick in the pan with the onions to mark it, and everyone could sit down to enjoy the same meal.

Recipe notes

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Black Sesame Tofu “Basque” Cheesecake

There are many things that appeal about a Basque cheesecake—it's crustless (one less job) and is meant to look “rustic” with its wrinkled and jagged sides.

White Bean Turkey Chili

A dash of cocoa powder adds depth and richness to the broth of this easy turkey chili.

Our Favorite French Onion Soup

Caramelized onions, melty Gruyère, and a deeply savory broth deliver the kind of comfort that doesn’t need improving.

Butternut Squash–Kale Salad With Roasted Garlic Vinaigrette

Round out these autumn greens with tart pomegranate seeds, crunchy pepitas, and a shower of Parmesan.

French Silk Pie

A no-bake Oreo crust, a rich chocolate filling, and a tower of whipped cream come together in this shut-the-room-up dessert.

Frijoles Peruanos (Peruvian Refried Beans)

Mayocobas, or canary beans, are the quick-cooking pantry ingredient you should know about.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.