Recipe Corner: Beef and Bean Enchiladas

1/2 teaspoon black pepper

1/2 teaspoon sea salt

Dash of Tabasco or hot sauce (more to taste)

Canola oil

12 corn tortillas

2-3 cups shredded Cheddar cheese or cheese of your choice

Sour cream, chopped black olives, chopped green onions

Preparation:

Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees.  In a large pan, sauté the beef and onions together until the meat is browned and onions are soft; drain well.

Stir in the refried beans, garlic, green chili salsa, and taco sauce, and heat until bubbly.  Add remaining spices and Tabasco or hot sauce to taste and mix until all ingredients are combined.

Pour half the enchilada sauce into an ungreased, shallow 3-quart baking dish.   Pour some oil (about a 1/2 inch) into a small frying pan and heat; dip tortillas one at a time in the hot oil for a minute to soften and drain quickly on paper towels.

When ready to assemble, place about 1/3 cup meat and bean mixture on each tortilla; roll to enclose filling and place seam-side down in the sauce in the baking dish. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over all tortillas and top with the cheese.  Bake uncovered for 25 minutes or until heated through and the cheese is melted.   Serve sour cream, black olives, and chopped green onions on the side or as garnish.

Note: You may cover and refrigerate enchiladas for up to one day before baking; if taken directly from refrigerator, increase baking time up to 45 minutes.  Serves 6-8.

(Alice Vartanian is a long-time resident of Fresno, CA, and the mother of three children, including Steven Vartanian and Philip Vartanian of Fresno, Christine Vartanian Datian of Las Vegas, and grandmother to two grandsons, Brian and Justin Vartanian.  She was born in Lowell, MA, and is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Levon Sarkisian.  She was happily married to the late Arthur Vartanian of Fresno, and is a member of the Holy Trinity Armenian Apostolic Church and Trinity Guild.  She is an accomplished pianist who loves music, traveling, gardening, cooking, reading, and spending time with her beloved family and friends.  She has made this delicious enchilada recipe for over 45 years for two generations of Vartanians in Fresno.  She is pictured here in her lovely Fresno, CA kitchen.)