fusion enchiladas

Adapted from Clean Eating magazine....

Making much healthier versions of some of my old favorites is something I strive to do at least on a weekly basis. Once a week I take on a new version of something previously I have made that was probably much more unhealthy that the new great clean recipe I found.

I recently found this recipe for fusion enchiladas. I don't know if I am a major fan of the name "fusion enchiladas" but it will have to do.

If you are a fan of refried beans you should try the refried edamame that is part of this recipe. It is a wonderful addition to these enchiladas and certainly a lot healthier than refried beans.

Start out by preheating your oven to 425 degrees.

Your ingredients for the "refried edamame"

1. 1. small onion diced
2. 2 cloves of garlic smashed
3. 1 cup of frozen edamame
4. 1 tsp of cumin
5. 1 tsp of chili powder
6. 2 tsp of lime juice
7. salt and pepper

Add your onion, edamame, and smashed garlic to boiling water. Cook for 4-5 minutes.

Once cooked add the onion, garlic, bean mixture to your food processor. Then add in your spices and lime juice. Puree until it makes a paste or "refried edamame."

Your ingredients for the beef filling

(and I want to point out substituting chicken, ground turkey, ground chicken, or tofu would be just as good)

1. 1 clove garlic
2. 1 tsp cumin
3. 1 lb of ground beef
4. 1 cup of frozen corn
5. 1 red bell pepper chopped
6. 2 cups of spinach chopped, but I put more like 4 and it was awesome
7. 1 cup of salsa
8. salt and pepper

Cook your beef thoroughly add the garlic and cumin. Then add your vegetables. Once they have cooked down a little stir in the salsa and sprinkle with some salt and pepper.

When its ready your beef mixture will look very similar to the picture below and it will be ready to stuff inside your enchiladas.

Then you will want to take your 6 whole wheat tortillas and dip in low sodium enchilada sauce. Then cradle one tortilla in your hand. This is going to get messy but it is way fun to create. Once the tortilla is cradled in your hand put 2-3 tbs of the "refried edamame" into the tortilla then fill with beef mixture. Now it will get a little tricky quickly roll the enchilada and make sure its tight. Then place the roll seam side down in baking pan like you see below. Continue that process until they have all been successfully rolled.

Then top with any of the remaining beef mixture you have and some spicy cheese.

Bake in the oven for about 8 minutes until they are pipping hot and look delicious as ever.

A spatula is the easiest way to remove these delicious messy dinner treats. The best thing about these is when you have 2 for dinner with some salsa and low fat sour cream on top you aren't so full your going to pop like with normal enchiladas. It is a great and filling meal where you will feel fully satisfied and not like ate too much.

Enjoy !!!