Rachael's Daytime Talk Show
Toastacho Casserole -- 02/07/13

Toastacho Casserole

Ingredients

  • 2 dried ancho chilies, stemmed and seeded
  • 1 cup beef stock
  • 2 poblano chilies
  • 16 corn tortillas, cut into 1-inch strips
  • All-natural cooking spray
  • Salt
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable or olive oil
  • 1 pound Mexican chorizo
  • 1 pound ground beef
  • 2 jalapeño chilies, seeded and chopped
  • 1 onion, chopped
  • 2 cloves garlic, chopped
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 15-ounce can black beans, drained
  • 2 1/2 cups (12 ounces) shredded cheddar or blend of Monterey Jack, Pepper Jack, cheddar, Chihuahua, asadero or any easy melting cheeses of choice

  • For topping:
  • Chopped romaine or iceberg lettuce
  • Chopped tomatoes
  • Chopped red onions
  • Pickled jalapeño slices, for garnish
  • 1 ripe avocado
  • 1 lime
  • 1 cup sour cream

Yields: 4-6

Preparation

Reconstitute ancho peppers in simmering broth and just enough water to cover. Purée peppers and their liquid in a food processor and reserve.

Char poblanos over an open flame or under the broiler to char evenly all over, cool in a covered bowl and seed, peel, chop and reserve.

Arrange corn tortilla strips on baking sheets, spray with cooking spray and season with salt. Bake to deeply golden.

Heat oil, 2 turns of the pan, over medium-high heat. Add chorizo, brown and crumble. Add beef, brown and crumble. Add chilies, onions, garlic, cumin, coriander, beans, chopped poblanos, ancho purée and cook a few minutes to combine flavors.

Layer half the crispy tortillas into a casserole dish and top with chorizo, beef and beans. Let cool and refrigerate. Store remaining crispy tortillas in a foil pouch.

To serve, bring casserole to room temperature then top with crispy tortillas and cheese. Bake at 375°F until bubbly and hot through, 40-45 minutes.

Top with pickled jalapeños, lettuce, tomato and onions. Whip up the avocado, lime and sour cream and dollop over top or pass at table.