Bodacious Beef Enchiladas

Brought this to a church potluck recently, and my dish was nearly licked clean.  I was showered by profuse compliments from several grown men.  One of them was almost in tears when he saw there wasn't any left!  (Okay, so I'm a bit prone to exaggeration!)  But this is truly a man's Mexican meal.

This recipe scratches a certain craving itch for me, too, with its robustly flavored sauce and cheesy topping.  Great weekend fare, served up with a simple side salad and some chili-cheese corn, chips & salsa, or a little cornbread.

Bodacious Beef Enchiladas

an original recipe by Kelly Jo Vanderstelt

Enchilada Sauce:

1.  Saute' for several minutes, until the onion is transparent:

• 1 Tbs. Olive Oil
• 1 Onion, diced
• 3 Cloves of Garlic, minced

2.  Add the following, and simmer for about fifteen minutes:

• 2 Cups of Beef Broth
• 1 - 15 oz. Can of Tomato Sauce
• 1 1/2 Tbs. Chili Powder
• 1/2 Tsp. Cumin
• 1/2 Tsp. Salt
• Pinch of Crushed Red Pepper

Filling Mixture:

1.  While sauce is simmering, brown 1 lb. of Lean Ground Beef in a skillet and drain the grease.

2.  Remove from heat and add:

• 1 Can of Black Beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 Cup of Queso cheese, (a soft Mexican cheese) crumbled or diced up

Put it all together:

1.  Pour about 1/4 Cup of the enchilada sauce into a 13"x9" baking dish.

2.  Warm up 12 flour tortillas in a skillet, or over a gas flame (if desired - can skip the step).

3.  Pour 1/8 Cup of enchilada sauce in the center of one tortilla and spread out a little.  Add 1/3 Cup of the Filling Mixture.  Roll up carefully and place seam side down in baking dish.  Repeat until all tortillas are filled.

4.  Sprinkle any leftover Filling Mixture over top of the tortillas.  Pour all the remaining enchilada sauce over the top.  Cover with 2 Cups of Shredded Cheese (cheddar or colby-jack).

5.  Bake at 375 degrees for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly.  Serve with sour cream.

Note:  If you prepare this dish ahead of time and are baking it from the fridge, then lengthen baking time accordingly.

Serves 6 to 8, depending on side dishes.