So on this thing that I’m calling Operation Make-Dinner (my desperate way to make myself eat healthy meals instead of snacking for dinner), I’m realizing that one person doesn’t require that much food.
I can cook two large (and my large I mean 4-6 servings) per week and that will last for lunch and dinner throughout the week. Luckily, I don’t get tired of eating the same thing over and over again.
Earlier this week, I made Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash. I had it for dinner once, then lunch two consecutive days after.
So on the days when I had Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash for lunch, I had Black Bean Enchiladas for dinner.
These aren’t super fancy enchiladas like the kind you have in restaurants, these are much simpler and healthier. I didn’t fry the tortillas, they’re not filled with fatty meats and cheese. It’s mostly beans and vegetables, sauce and a sprinkle of cheese.
For a week night meal, that’s what it should be: mostly vegetables. I used shredded carrots and bell peppers because that’s what I had on-hand (the carrots were left over from the Buffalo Chicken Spaghetti Squash).
To make life easier (and for portion control), I baked them in small glass containers (instead of a large 9×13 pan)
Black Bean Enchiladas
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, diced
1 cup shredded carrots
1 bell pepper (I used a bunch of mini bell peppers)
2 cups black beans (I cooked them Guatemala style last week, but you can use canned too)
1-2 tsp cumin powder (depending on how you like it)
1/4 cilantro, finely chopped (plus extra for garnish, optional)
juice of 1 lime
12-15 tortillas
1-2 large (28oz) cans of enchilada sauce (or make your own)*
Heat oil in a large skillet. Add onions, pepper and carrots and cook until onions are translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in black beans and cumin, cook an additional 3 minutes. Stir in cilantro and squeeze in lime juice, stir until well-combined. This filling is awesome on it’s own, I had leftovers and am planning to eat it just with some rice…
But back to the recipe…
Pre-heat oven to 375F. Next start to assemble enchiladas, pour some of the enchilada sauce in to the bottom of whatever baking dish you use (I used 3 small ones, only made 9 enchiladas and had left over filling as another meal with rice). Heat tortillas in the microwave to soften (if they break when you try to roll them, just microwave for a few seconds), place some of the filling down the middle, roll tortilla and place seamside-down in the baking dish. Repeat until you’ve filled your dish or you run out of tortillas and filling. Pour remaining enchilada sauce over tortillas and sprinkle with cheese. Bake 20-30 minutes or until the sauce bubbles. Remove from oven, allow to cool a few minutes then serve with sour cream, cilantro and avocado.
*Note: I like a lot of sauce, I used one big (28 oz can) for 9 enchiladas, so if you’re making more you might want to get 2 cans. If you like it less saucy, then one can would be enough.
These were a great dinner two nights in a row. I still have leftovers for tonight, which is great!
This weekend, I’m not making dinners, because Saturday I’m having a chicken and waffle party and I’m wayyy too excited. Can’t wait to tell you about it!
What are your plans for the weekend?
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