How to make Homemade Chimichangas

Published: Fri, 05/05/17

May 5, 2017

Happy Cinco de Mayo, Slow Cookerers!!

In honor of today's date and the fact that it's Take Out Fake Out night, I have a pretty cool (if I say so myself, and I do! ;-) ) recipe for you today.

Chimichangas don't seem like something that you can easily make at home, but I promise you that you can.

Since we are gluten free, this really isn't a meal that I can order for the kids to try in a restaurant or for delivery. 

But it was important to me that the kids experience a "crunchy burrito" so I gave it a try at home.

And it worked!!

and I still used the crockpot!!

:-)


This is one of those rather "advanced" recipes, but I promise that once you read through everything it will make perfect sense and I PROMISE you that you can do it.

Two rules to keep in mind:

1) because this isn't a dump-and-go recipe, don't decide to make it on a day you are rushed or cranky

2) read through the entire recipe (this is actually a good rule in general when it comes to following recipes! ;-) ) before beginning


The Ingredients:

1 to 2 pounds beef roast 
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
1/2 cup water
1 medium yellow onion, diced finely, OR 1 tablespoon dried minced onion flakes

to add later:
1 (10 to 15 ounce) can tomatoes and chiles--drained (Rotel)
1 (15-ounce) can diced tomatoes--drained

burrito-sized tortillas, and whatever toppings your family likes



Now, to go *along* with your chimichangas, I am happy to be able to share a reader recipe for a great salsa from Jan.

"In honor of Cinco de Mayo, I'm sending you my favorite salsa recipe.  I got it from a guy I used to work with and, although he really couldn't cook, every time we had a potluck, he'd always bring salsa and chips.  I've updated it by adding a secret ingredient - a shot of cucumber lime vodka!  It's just one shot for the entire bowl of salsa, but it really makes the flavor pop.  Please try it and feel free to share it if you like.

Jan"

Cinco de Mayo Salsa
by Jan

2 (10-ounce cans diced tomatoes and green chilies), such as Rotel, undrained 
1 (28-ounce) can diced tomatoes with juice (I usually drain the juice into a measuring cup and stir it back in later, depending on how juicy I want the salsa)
1/2 cup fresh cilantro leaves (or more to taste Don’t use stems unless you chop them!) 
1/4 cup chopped onion (don’t use more than this or it overwhelms the taste)
1 clove garlic, minced 
1 whole jalapeno, quartered and sliced thin, with seeds and membrane included (if they’re small, I usually use 2, but it depends on how hot you like it)
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin 
1/2 teaspoon sugar 
1/2 whole lime, juiced (or 1 tablespoon lime juice from a bottle)
1 ½ tsp liquid smoke (mesquite-flavored)
1 shot cucumber-lime vodka

Combine the diced tomatoes, cilantro, onions, garlic, jalapeno, cumin, salt, sugar, lime juice, liquid smoke and vodka in a food processor or blender.  (This is a very large batch.  Since I only have a 4-cup food processor, I process the ingredients in batches and then mix everything together in a large mixing bowl.) 

Pulse until you get the salsa to the consistency you'd like.  I do about 10 to 15 pulses in my small food processor, would probably need 4 or 5 in a larger one.  Test seasonings with a tortilla chip (not a spoon or you don’t get the real taste!) and adjust as needed.  Refrigerate the salsa for at least an hour before serving.



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What fun!! Thank you Jan!!


Enjoy your weekend! Happy Slow Cooking!

steph