Layered Tortillas with Beef and Chili

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 175°C/350°F.

Step 2

Cook the filling Peppers and meat are cooked separately then blended into one filling before assembling the «torta».

Step 3

Prepare the vegetables: finely chop the onion and mince the garlic; cut the peppers into bite-size pieces.

Step 4

Heat half of the butter and oil in a pan over medium heat.

Step 5

Add half of the onion and garlic then sauté 4-5 min until lightly coloured and soft, paying attention not to let them burn.

Step 6

Add the peppers and sauté 4-5 min, then add the diced tomatoes.

Step 7

Cook over low heat, covered, about 15 min until the peppers are soft.

Step 8

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 9

Meanwhile, heat the remaining butter and oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.

Step 10

Add the remaining onion and garlic then sauté 4-5 min, with stirring, until the onion is translucent.

Step 11

Add the meat and sear about 4-5 minuntil it looses its red colour, then break it up with a fork.

Step 12

In order to brown the meat, it is important not to stir it at the beginning, otherwise it will loose its juices and will «boil» rather than brown.

Step 13

When the meat is golden-coloured, add the cream cheese, broth,tomato paste, spices and oregano.

Step 14

Cover and cook over medium-low heat about 5-7 min, until the flavours are blended.

Step 15

Add salt and pepper to taste.

Step 16

Combine the beef mixture with the peppers.

Step 17

Assemble and cook the «torta» Place a first tortilla in a buttered ovenproof dish.

Step 18

Put some filling on top, sprinkle with some grated Cheddar, then cover with a second tortilla.

Step 19

Continue this layering sequence according to the number of tortillas in the ingredient list, until the filling is completely incorporated.

Step 20

Press down lightly on the top tortilla at each new layer.

Step 21

Finish with additional grated Cheddar on top of the last tortilla.

Step 22

Cover with a lid or greased aluminum foil (so that it does not stick to the top) then bake 20 min in the middle of the oven.

Step 23

Uncover and cook an additional 20-25 min.

Step 24

For a nice crust, turn on the top broiler for the last 2 minutes.

Step 25

Take the dish out of the oven and let it rest 5 min before cutting up the «torta» into pie-shaped slices.

Step 26

Serve.