Andy Montoya
Enchiladas Suizas, or Swiss enchiladas, are a Mexican dish that is creamy and cheesy. The dish is thought to have originated in a Sanborns cafe in Mexico City in 1950. The name Swiss enchiladas is thought to allude to the dish's heavy use of dairy, with the cheese on top of the green enchiladas resembling the Swiss Alps. The enchiladas are made with corn tortillas, chicken, a creamy green salsa, and cheese. While some recipes call for Oaxaca cheese, others suggest using Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, or cream cheese.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sanborns cafe in Mexico City |
| Year of Origin | 1950 |
| Main Ingredients | Chicken, tortillas, cheese, salsa verde, tomatillos, cream |
| Type of Cheese | Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, Swiss, Cream Cheese |
| Other Ingredients | Onions, radishes, cilantro, chicken bouillon, garlic, cumin, poblanos, jalapeños, serrano peppers, butter, Lawry's seasoning salt, garlic powder, pepper, Knorr chicken bouillon, sour cream |
| Preparation Method | Bake, Broil, Fry, Blend, Sear |
| Cooking Temperature | 375° Fahrenheit |
| Baking Time | 25-30 minutes |
| Cooling Time | 10 minutes |
| Garnishing | Onion slices, radishes, cilantro, iceberg lettuce, salsa |
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What You'll Learn
Enchiladas Suizas are a Mexican dish
Enchiladas Suizas, or Swiss enchiladas, are indeed a Mexican dish. This cheesy, creamy dish was first served at a Sanborns cafe in Mexico City in 1950. The name "Swiss enchiladas" refers to its heavy use of dairy, and there are several stories about how it got its name. One story is that they were invented by a Swiss chef from Zurich who was living in Mexico. Another is that the cheese on top of the green enchiladas resembles the Swiss Alps.
Enchiladas Suizas are typically made with corn tortillas, chicken, a creamy green salsa or sauce, and cheese. The tortillas are lightly fried in oil until pliable, and then filled with chicken and shredded Oaxaca cheese. They are then covered in salsa verde or sauce and topped with more cheese. The enchiladas are then baked until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. Some recipes call for sour cream, cream cheese, or Mexican crema to be added to the sauce or blended with other ingredients to make it creamy. Enchiladas Suizas are often served with sides such as Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, and pickled red onions.
While the dish is commonly referred to as "Swiss enchiladas," it is worth noting that Swiss cheese is not a traditional ingredient. In the Americas, all Emmentaler-like cheeses are referred to as Swiss cheese, which may be why the dish is named as such. However, the cheese typically used in Enchiladas Suizas is Oaxaca cheese, which is a semi-hard Mexican cheese.
Enchiladas Suizas are a popular and well-loved Mexican dish that can be found in restaurants and homes across the country. They are known for their creamy texture and delicious flavour, and are often enjoyed as a comforting and satisfying meal. While the dish may have a Swiss influence or allusion in its name, it is undoubtedly a Mexican creation that has become a staple in the country's cuisine.
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They are also known as Swiss enchiladas
Enchiladas Suizas, also known as Swiss enchiladas, are a Mexican dish. They are enchiladas verdes with the addition of Mexican crema and sometimes cream cheese, giving them a creamy texture. The name "Swiss enchiladas" alludes to the dish's heavy use of dairy, which includes cheese, sour cream, and cream.
There are several theories about the origin of the name "Swiss enchiladas." One theory suggests that the name comes from the cheese on top of the enchiladas, which resembles the Swiss Alps. Another theory claims that the dish was invented by a Swiss chef from Zurich who lived in Mexico.
Enchiladas Suizas are typically made with corn tortillas, chicken, and a creamy green salsa or sauce. The chicken is seasoned and cooked, then rolled into the tortillas with cheese, and placed in a baking dish. The enchiladas are then covered in sauce and more cheese, and baked until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. They are often served with sides such as Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, and pickled red onions.
While the dish is called Swiss enchiladas, it is worth noting that Mexican and Swiss cuisines have very little in common. The name likely comes from the use of cheese and other dairy products, which are more commonly associated with Swiss cuisine.
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They are made with corn tortillas
Enchiladas Suizas, or Swiss enchiladas, are a Mexican dish that originated in a Sanborns cafe in Mexico City in 1950. The name alludes to the dish's heavy use of dairy, and it is said that they were invented by a Swiss chef from Zurich who was living in Mexico at the time. Enchiladas Suizas are made with corn tortillas, which are lightly fried in oil to make them easier to roll. The tortillas are then filled with chicken, which has been seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways, and sometimes other ingredients such as cheese or vegetables. The filled tortillas are then covered in sauce and more cheese, and baked until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling.
The tortillas used for Enchiladas Suizas are typically corn tortillas, which are a staple food in Mexico and many other Latin American countries. Corn tortillas are made from masa, a dough made from ground, dried corn kernels that have been treated with limewater in a process called nixtamalization. This process makes the corn more nutritious and easier to digest, and it also improves the texture and flavour of the resulting tortillas. Corn tortillas are typically thinner and smaller than flour tortillas, and they have a slightly sweet, earthy flavour. They are also gluten-free, making them a good option for people with gluten intolerance or celiac disease.
To make Enchiladas Suizas, the corn tortillas are first lightly fried in oil to make them more pliable and easier to roll without cracking. The tortillas are then filled with chicken, which can be seasoned and cooked in a variety of ways depending on the recipe. Some recipes call for shredded chicken that has been boiled or baked and then seasoned with spices such as Lawry's seasoning salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Other recipes use chicken that has been cooked in a pot with chicken stock, onion, garlic, and peppers, or chicken that has been seared in a pan and basted with butter.
In addition to chicken, the tortillas may also be filled with other ingredients such as cheese, sour cream, crema (a Mexican sour cream), or vegetables such as onions, jalapeños, serrano peppers, tomatillos, or garlic. Once the tortillas are filled, they are rolled up and placed in a baking dish, with the seam side down. More sauce is then poured over the top, and the enchiladas are covered with cheese. They are then baked in the oven until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling, typically for about 10-25 minutes at a temperature of 375-400 degrees Fahrenheit.
The type of cheese used in Enchiladas Suizas can vary depending on the recipe and the chef's preference. Some common types of cheese used include Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Oaxaca cheese, cream cheese, and Oaxacan cheese. The cheese is typically shredded or grated and melted on top of the enchiladas, adding a creamy, savoury flavour to the dish. The dish is often served with additional toppings or sides, such as sliced radishes, chopped cilantro, onion slices, Mexican rice, refried beans, guacamole, or salsa.
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They are filled with chicken and cheese
Enchiladas Suizas, or Swiss enchiladas, are a Mexican dish that originated at a Sanborns cafe in Mexico City in 1950. The name alludes to its copious use of dairy. Enchiladas Suizas are filled with chicken and cheese and are covered in a creamy, homemade salsa verde. The salsa verde is made by melting butter in a skillet over medium heat, adding onions and sauteing until soft, adding flour and stirring until fragrant, and finally pouring in broth, green chiles, garlic, salt, and cumin. This mixture is then simmered for about 15 minutes.
To make the enchiladas, you will need cooked chicken, enchilada sauce, and cheese. You can use leftover roast chicken, or chicken breast from a rotisserie chicken. For the cheese, you can use Swiss cheese, Monterey Jack cheese, Oaxacan cheese, or a mixture of Monterey Jack and Cheddar. In a bowl, toss the chicken with the enchilada sauce until evenly coated. Divide the sauced chicken among tortillas and roll the tortillas tightly around the chicken. Place the tortilla rolls in a baking dish, pour the remaining enchilada sauce over them, and cover with cheese.
Bake the enchiladas in the oven until the sauce is bubbling and the cheese is melted and starting to turn golden brown, about 25-30 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve with plenty of sauce and garnish with onion slices, olives, cherry tomatoes, or sour cream.
Enchiladas Suizas can also be made with cooked pork or beef instead of chicken, and you can use flour tortillas instead of corn tortillas. The enchiladas can be assembled ahead of time and baked when ready to serve. However, it is not recommended to freeze this dish due to the high cream and cheese content.
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They are topped with salsa verde
Enchiladas Suizas, or Swiss enchiladas, are a Mexican dish that features corn tortillas, tender chicken, a creamy green salsa, and cheese. The name "Swiss enchiladas" alludes to the dish's heavy use of dairy, with cheese being a key ingredient. The dish is prepared by filling tortillas with chicken and shredded Oaxaca cheese, rolling them up, and then covering them in salsa verde. The enchiladas are then topped with more Oaxaca cheese and baked until the cheese is melted.
The salsa verde, or green salsa, is a key component of Enchiladas Suizas and is what gives the dish its distinctive creamy texture and bright, acidic flavour. To make the salsa verde, tomatillos, poblanos, jalapeños, serrano peppers, garlic, onion, cilantro, sour cream, cumin, and chicken bouillon are blended together until smooth. This green salsa is then poured over the rolled tortillas and chicken, creating a creamy and flavourful base for the enchiladas.
The use of salsa verde is what sets Enchiladas Suizas apart from traditional red enchiladas. The green salsa is made with fresh, bright-flavoured ingredients like tomatillos, jalapeños, and serrano peppers, which are blended and sometimes cooked to create a smooth and tangy sauce. The salsa verde provides a contrast to the rich, creamy cheese and chicken filling, creating a well-rounded and balanced dish.
While the exact origin of the name "Enchiladas Suizas" is unclear, one theory suggests that it comes from the resemblance of the cheese on top of the green enchiladas to the Swiss Alps. The dish may also have been invented by a Swiss chef living in Mexico, further explaining the "Swiss" moniker. Regardless of the exact origin of the name, Enchiladas Suizas have become a popular and well-loved Mexican dish, known for their creamy, cheesy goodness and unique green salsa.
Enchiladas Suizas are typically served with a variety of sides, including authentic Mexican rice, homemade refried beans, guacamole, and pickled red onions. The dish can be customised to one's preference, with larger enchiladas stuffed with more filling, or extra shredded chicken sprinkled on top. The enchiladas can also be baked in a casserole dish or prepared on the stovetop, offering a range of cooking options.
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Frequently asked questions
Enchiladas suizas, or "Swiss enchiladas", are a Mexican dish that uses cheese, but not necessarily Swiss cheese. The name comes from the copious use of dairy, resembling Swiss cuisine. Swiss cheese can be used, but other cheeses like Oaxaca, Monterey Jack, and cream cheese are also common.
Enchiladas suizas are made with corn tortillas, chicken, salsa verde, and cheese. They are baked until the cheese is melted and the sauce is bubbling. Other common ingredients include sour cream, garlic, and cilantro.
First, fry corn tortillas in oil until pliable. Then, add shredded chicken and roll the tortillas. Place the rolls in a baking dish, cover with salsa verde, and top with cheese. Bake until the cheese is melted and serve immediately.
