Black bean and summer squash enchilada

I know, I know, I have been posting a lot of Mexican recipes in a row recently but I *promise* this will be the last Mexican recipe I post for quite some time! See, ever since I ate this black bean and summer squash enchilada at our office cafeteria, I have been itching to try it out and though I knew I have been cooking a lot of Mexican recently; I figured this enchilada would be the perfect season finale to my self-induced Mexican cooking bonanza :)

The head-chef at our office cafeteria hails from Southern America so while the Indian food featured is a bit dismal with its chicken curry, chicken tikka masala and chicken vindaloo all looking and testing _exactly_ the same, Mexican, Peruvian and Brazilian food is quite the different story! The salsa bar is exquisite and ever so often we get to taste a dish so unique and flavorful that it makes eating there quite enjoyable. Needless to say everyday the first thing I do when I visit the cafe is check the South American food section to see if something new is on the menu today. Thats how I first ate this black bean and summer squash enchilada. I liked the combination of hearty flavors of black beans against the mild relatively bland squash; all put together with vinegary tomatoes and of-course lots of melted cheese!

Summer squashes are in season and this is a perfect recipe to cook with them. I bought a basket full of variety of summer squashes from the farmer's market yesterday and today I was all set to give a try to recreate the taste of "the" black bean and summer squash enchilada. I looked up a couple of recipes online, but none looked like they would bring back the taste so finally I just set out on my own and put together something that was closest to what I had. The result was very delicious.. we both immensely enjoyed the enchilada with a side of fresh guacamole and some fresh lemonade as a Sunday lunch... the lazy Sunday afternoon is now calling me, and with my tummy filled this might just be the perfect time for a quick summer afternoon siesta!

Recipe: serves 4
Ingredients:
12 corn  tortiallas
1 medium onion - diced
3 large cloves of garlic - minced
1 14oz can of black beans
4C diced summer squash (or zucchini, if you can't find summer squash or yellow squash)
1 14oz can of diced tomatoes
1 7oz can of tomato sauce/tomato puree
handful of chopped fresh thyme (or a dash of dried)
1/2tsp dried oregano
1tsp cumin powder
crushed chili flakes (to taste)
1tsp sugar
2Tbsp olive oil
handful of reduced fat Mexican cheese blend
salt

Recipe:
Prepare the black bean and summer squash filling:
Sautee half of a chopped onion and two minced cloves of garlic in 1Tbsp olive oil over low-medium heat. When the onions are tender, add the squash, salt and cook uncovered until squash turns tender and barely starts to fall apart (10mins or so). Add rinsed black beans and mix well. Let cook for a few more minutes. Remove from heat and add cumin powder, fresh thyme and chili flakes. Mix well and remove the filling to a serving bowl.

Prepare the tomato sauce:
In the same pan in which you cooked the filling, add 1Tbsp olive oil and sautee the other half of the onion and the remaining clove of garlic. When the onion is tender, add diced tomatoes with its juices and the tomato sauce. Add salt, sugar, oregano and stir well. Let cook for 10-15mins and then remove from heat. Taste. If the sauce is too acidic, add more sugar.

Prepare the enchilada:
Preheat the oven to 380F. Lightly brush a rectangular glass baking dish with oil spray.

Warm up the corn tortiallas one by one. Take one tortialla. Add a Tbsp of the filling in the center. Spread the filling vertically. Roll up the tortialla, tuck it well and place in the baking dish. Repeat the process with each of the 12 tortiallas.

Spread tomato sauce over the tortiallas. Spread as much cheese as you would like over the sauce.

Bake for 15mins or so until the cheese is melted. Remove, serve warm with guacamole or sour cream and some fresh cilantro.

Leaving you today with this bright summer squash picture. Till next time...

Comments

Suji said…
We love Mexican food, this is so so good PJ..Great presentation and pics too..

Love
Kairali sisters
Hayley said…
Hi PJ
your mexican dish is new to me..very healthy!!
tinyskillet said…
I'm impressed, it looks wonderful! A nice twist on enchiladas!
Latha said…
Yum! Love mexican food. Beautiful color combination.
PJ said…
Kairali sisters, thanks! I am so glad you liked the dish.

Jagruti, thanks! The enchilada is one of my favorite Mexican foods. Its like a Mexican lasagna.

Lyndsey, thanks! So glad you liked it.

Latha, thanks!
indosungod said…
Black beans and squash ina an enchilada. Sure looks fantastic. enchilada, lemonade and siesta on a hammock perhaps? Sounds good!
TREAT AND TRICK said…
Hello PJ,

Never tried Mexican food before but the way you've prepared looks simple and very healthy. Love the color of this dish...
Yasmeen said…
Yum enchiladas...love the bean and squash filling :D
PJ said…
Indo, no hammocks sadly.. but a quick nap was all I needed I think ;)

Treat and Trick, thanks! I am so glad you liked it.

Yasmeen, thanks!
sangeeta said…
looks very interesting , flavorful and healthy too.
the summer squashes in the picture are such a cheerful ending of this yum post.
Jessica said…
Oh yum! This looks so fabulous!
Priya Suresh said…
Beautiful dish, personally i fond always for mexican dish, yet to enchiladas at home, thanks for sharing this delicious dish..
Kanchan said…
enchiladas is my favorite too ... and your version does look delicious !
I am definitely not complaining about the mexican food you post..i am so in love with it and have already bookmarked the previous one...good going :)
SathyaSridhar said…
Hmm,,,enchilda looks perfect dear makes me hungry my Hubby's fav one often tried in restaurant never cooked at home dear..Looks perfect with beautiful colour.
Dear PJ,

Sounds n looks wonderful. droolworthy pics.
love to have enchiladas while we are out but never tried as I always thought its very difficult to prepare at home. simply in love with your version especially those sunny hued squashes are calling me. definitely gonna make it soon. but i also have to prepare the corn tortillas at home. amazing clicks PJ.
Rachana said…
Black beans and squash in an enchilada sounds delicious! Looks so colourful and tempting!

Have a lovely week, dear PJ!
PJ said…
Sangeeta, thanks, I think its the bright colors of the squash :)

Jessica, thanks, so glad you liked it!

Hari, thanks.

Priya, Enchiladas are easy to prepare compared to the ingredient list =p

Kanchan, thanks!

An open book, so you understand my obsession with Mexican cooking then ;)

Sathya, you should try cooking enchiladas at home, very easy to prepare. have a long ingredient list but it prepares fast.

Jay, thanks!

Sayantani, corn tortiallas at home sounds like such an excellent project! oh, please post it soon :D

Rachana, thanks! so glad you liked it.
Padhu Sankar said…
Sounds interesting and looks colorful .Pictures are lovely
Shriya said…
I love enchiladas. It's one of my fav food. Never thought of making it at home. Gotat try your recipe. Awesome clicks.
Hamaree Rasoi said…
Hi

Loved the Bean and Squash combination. Great Mexican preparation.

Deepa
Hamaree Rasoi
PJ what is the link for signing up for this book makes me cook monthly reading n cooking group? thanks
PJ said…
Padhu, thanks! I am so glad you liked it.

Shriya, you should definitely try it. you get to tweak a lot of things when you make it at home :)

Deepa, thanks! I am so glad you liekd it.

Sayantani, its http://thisbookmakesmecook.blogspot.com/. Its a great bookclub, we would love to have you there!
tasteofbeirut said…
The combo of black beans and rice is so perfect! I bet it makes the dish filling but light! Love Mexican food too; especially when it is homemade!
Sunitha said…
Looks delicious. I love the way you write. Its always a joy to read your posts.
Sonia said…
Hey, thanks for your reminder. I prepared this black beans enchiladas couple of time before but have not had this in a while. Loved the idea of adding squash. Thank you vegetable lover! Your enchilada pic is very attractive. :)
Joanne said…
You can make as much mexican food as you want because I can't get enough of it! Those enchiladas look superb...great picture. I love that you did a vegetarian version! So tasty.
PJ said…
TasteOfBeirut, yes, the dish is filling but not quite heavy in a traditionally chees-y way.

Nostalgia, thanks! Now that just makes me so happy :)

Sonia, its time for some black bean enchilada then :D at our place, its always a good time for Mexican ;)

Joanne, you are sure like me then.. I can never get tired of Mexican food either :D thanks, so glad you liked it.
Anonymous said…
i love the pic..it looks so cheesy- my kind.
PranisKitchen said…
mexican food is our favorite i like it because some similarities are there with our cooking one thing is the rice i love it..
this black bean squash is really nice combo..very tasty and healthy..good one PS
Sushma Mallya said…
Looks absolutely devine love to have a bite:)
PJ said…
MunchCrunchandSuch, thanks! So glad you liked it.

PranisKitchen, thanks! Yes, Mexican cooking is one of my favorites too.

Sushma, thanks!
sheba said…
I love mexican food and this makes me swoon..but sadly we no get no tortillas...so me very sad:(
Lori said…
I go through kicks with Mexican food too! These look so good. I would love to sit down for a bite of those.
Looks sooooooo yummy and I love Mex food this enchilada is mouthwatering.. and you have done perfect..