Creamy Chicken Enchiladas with Poblano Sauce (or Cauliflower)

Step 1

Preheat oven to 400F

Step 2

Prepare chicken (or cauliflower/spinach) see notes, and place in a bowl. Add corn. Mix with cumin, coriander, salt, pepper, scallions, fresh cilantro and lime zest. Set aside.

Step 3

directly over a gas flame (or on a baking sheet 4 inches below a very hot broiler) turning regularly, until the skins have blackened and blistered. Place in a bowl, cover with a kitchen towel and let cool. Under running water rub off the blackened skin, carefully tear open and pull out the seed pod and stem and rinse all the seeds away. Dice finely.  (If pressed for time, you can skip this step entirely by substituting 1 small can of green chiles)

Step 4

In a medium pot, over medium heat 2 T oil or butter and saute shallot until golden and fragrant, about 3-4 minutes. Add 2 T flour, and toast, stirring 2-3 minutes on med-low heat. Whisk in 1 1/4 cups broth. Stir in the sour cream, and whisk until smooth. If using canned chilies, add 1/2 the can now, along with coriander, salt and pepper. Save the remaining chilies and add to the filling. Alternatively, if using the poblano, add a cautious 1/3 of the diced poblanos to start, tasting for heat. (Most are mild, but some, very occasionally are hot!) Then, according to your heat tolerance, add the remaining poblanos to taste. Season sauce with salt and pepper to taste. Add some to the filling if you  want.

Step 5

Grease one 9 x 13-inch pan. Place 2/3 cup Poblano Cream Sauce in the bottom of the  baking dish, just enough to lightly coat the bottom. If your tortillas are not soft and pliable, which is often the case with 100 % corn tortillas, lightly toast over a gas flame on the stovetop, or place them in a microwave covered for a few seconds, or spread on a sheet pan and place in a warm oven for a few minutes,  or quickly pan-sear.

Step 6

Assemble: Add 2-3 tablespoons cheese to the center of the tortilla add about 1/2-3/4 cup filling and roll them up. Place them seam-side down in the pan on top of the sauce. Pour remaining sauce over top.  Add more cheese if you like.

Step 7

Cover with foil, place in a 400 F oven  for 20-25 minutes.   Remove foil. Bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until golden and bubbly.

Step 8

Garnish with fresh cilantro and scallions.