Mexican empalmes are a type of sandwich made with a soft tortilla filled with a variety of ingredients such as meat, cheese, beans, and vegetables. The dish is easy to make, and can be customized to suit your taste.
Mexican
Publisher: Pithy Recipe
Cuisine: African
Category: Breakfast, Main Course
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 6
Empalmes is a type of Mexican food that typically consists of a tortilla filled with meat (such as chicken or beef), cheese, and various other ingredients such as beans, salsa, and avocado.
The tortilla is then folded in half, creating a “sandwich” of sorts. Empalmes can also be made with flour tortillas, and sometimes they are served with a side of rice and beans.
Empalme can also refer to a type of burrito that is filled with meat, cheese, beans, avocado, and vegetables. It is a traditional Mexican street food and can be found in most Mexican restaurants and street vendors.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 lb of cooked and shredded chicken or beef
- 1/2 cup of refried beans
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup of diced onions
- 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1/4 cup of salsa
- Salt and pepper to taste
Note: You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to your taste, and you can add or remove any ingredient you want. See below for ingredients substitutes
Method Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Fry each tortilla for a few seconds on each side until it is soft and pliable.
- Spread a thin layer of refried beans on each tortilla.
- Add shredded chicken or beef, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and shredded cheese over the top of the beans, leaving about 1/4 inch of space around the edge of each tortilla.
- Fold each tortilla in half and press down gently on the top to seal the filling inside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Fry the empalmes on both sides until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the empalmes with a dollop of sour cream and salsa on top.
- Mexican empalmes are typically served as a main dish and can be accompanied by a variety of side dishes.
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Category: Empalmes, Empalmes Recipe, Recipe
Servings
- With Salsa: Empalmes can be served with a side of salsa for dipping. This can be a store-bought salsa or a homemade salsa.
- With Guacamole: A side of guacamole can be served along with empalmes for an added touch of creaminess and flavor.
- With Rice and Beans: A classic Mexican meal, empalmes can be served with a side of rice and beans. This creates a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
- With a salad: A green salad can be served as a side to empalmes for a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the empalmes.
- With sour cream: A dollop of sour cream can be placed on top of empalmes before serving.
- With lime wedges: Lime wedges can be served alongside empalmes to be squeezed over the top for a burst of acidity and freshness.
- With hot sauce: Some people like to add a little heat to their empalmes, if that’s your case, you can serve it with a hot sauce.
The best way to serve empalmes is to experiment and find what you like best. It also could depend on the occasion>
Tips
- Use fresh ingredients: To ensure the best flavor, use fresh and high-quality ingredients. This includes using fresh tortillas, meat, cheese, and vegetables.
- Properly fry the tortillas: Make sure to fry the tortillas for a few seconds on each side to make them soft and pliable. This will help them to seal and hold the filling better.
- Properly warm and spread the refried beans: Make sure to heat up the refried beans before spreading them on the tortillas. This will make them easier to spread and will help the empalmes to seal better.
- Don’t overstuff the empalmes: Avoid overstuffing the empalmes with too much filling. This will make them difficult to seal and will cause them to break apart when you fry them.
- Add the cheese last: Add shredded cheese on top of the filling before folding the empalmes and frying it, this way the cheese will melt inside the empalme and give you a better taste.
- Serve them hot: Empalmes are best served hot and straight out of the pan. This will ensure that the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Experiment with different fillings: Empalmes are versatile and can be filled with a variety of ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different fillings to find your favorite.
Ingredient Substitutes
- Corn tortillas: These are traditional for empalmes, but you can also use flour tortillas.
- Meat (chicken or beef): You can also use pork, ground beef or even cooked shredded fish.
- Refried beans: You can use black beans, pinto beans, or any other type of bean puree as a substitute.
- Shredded cheese: you can use other types of cheese such as queso fresco, Oaxaca, or any other melting cheese you prefer.
- Diced onions: You can use diced green onions, or diced shallots as a substitute.
- Diced tomatoes: you can use canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, or you can puree fresh tomatoes.
- Minced garlic: You can use garlic powder as a substitute.
- Chopped cilantro: You can use parsley, mint or any other herb you like.
- Sour cream: You can use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute.
- Salsa: You can use your favorite store-bought salsa or make your own by blending tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos.
- Salt and pepper: You can use any other seasoning you prefer, like cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika.
- Oil for frying: You can use any oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
- You can experiment with these substitutes to find the perfect combination of flavors for your taste.
Remarks
In conclusion, Mexican empalmes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by all. They are easy to make, and can be customized to suit your taste.
Empalmes can be served as a main dish, with a variety of sides and toppings such as salsa, guacamole, rice and beans, or a green salad. They are a great option for a casual get-together or a formal dinner.
The next time you’re looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give empalmes a try. It’s a great way to experience the flavors of Mexico in your own kitchen.
