Vegetarian Enchiladas

From EatingWell: May/June 1997, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

The secret to this creamy enchilada sauce is pureed toasted corn, enriched with roasted garlic.

READER'S COMMENT:

"I literally just finished eating 45 seconds ago and I feel compelled to write a review. These enchiladas were fun to make and came out absolutely delicious. The cayenne in the corn sauce provided nice flavor and just the right amount of...

6 servings, 2 enchiladas each

Active Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: 1 hour 20 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Ingredients

Corn sauce

2 cloves garlic, unpeeled
2 10-ounce packages frozen corn
1 cup low-fat milk
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper
Salt & freshly ground pepper, to taste

Enchiladas

1 teaspoon canola oil
8 ounces button mushrooms, wiped clean, stemmed and sliced
10 ounces fresh spinach, stemmed and chopped
1 small onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon salt
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
12 corn tortillas
1 cup grated extra-sharp Cheddar cheese
Cilantro & Pumpkin Seed Pesto, (recipe follows) and/or prepared tomato salsa

Preparation

To prepare corn sauce: Roast garlic in a large heavy skillet over medium-high heat, shaking the pan often, until lightly browned, about 8 minutes. Add half the corn and cook, stirring often, until lightly toasted, about 8 minutes. Reserve the garlic; transfer the corn to a blender. Toast the remaining corn. Place all but 1/2 cup of the corn in the blender. Peel garlic and add to blender along with milk and cayenne. Blend until smooth. Strain through a fine sieve into a bowl. Stir in reserved corn. Season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
To prepare enchiladas: Preheat oven to 350°F. Coat a 9-by-13-inch or similar baking dish with cooking spray.
Heat oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add spinach and cook until wilted, about 2 minutes. Drain off excess liquid. Remove from heat and stir in onion, salt and pepper.
Toast tortillas (see Tip).
Sprinkle a generous tablespoon of cheese down the center of a tortilla. Cover the cheese with a scant 1/4 cup of the spinach mixture. Fold one side of the tortilla over the filling, then roll up tightly. Place the enchilada seam-side down in the prepared dish. Repeat with the remaining tortillas, cheese and spinach mixture. Spoon corn sauce over the enchiladas, covering completely.
Cover baking dish with foil. Bake for 25 minutes, or until heated through. Uncover and bake for 5 minutes more.
Meanwhile, make Cilantro & Pumpkin Seed Pesto, if using.
Divide enchiladas among 6 plates. Top with the pesto (and/or salsa). Serve immediately.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: Prepare through Step 5. Cover and refrigerate for up to 2 days.

To toast tortillas, place directly on a burner (gas or electric) set at medium heat. Turn frequently with tongs, until golden, 30 to 60 seconds.

Nutrition

Per serving: 381 calories; 14 g fat (5 g sat, 2 g mono); 25 mg cholesterol; 52 g carbohydrates; 16 g protein; 8 g fiber; 431 mg sodium; 665 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (100% daily value), Fiber (36% dv), Vitamin C (35% dv), Folate (34% dv), Potassium (31% dv), Calcium (30% dv).

4 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 3 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 medium-fat meat, 1 fat