Green Chile Enchiladas

Green Chile Enchiladas are a favorite dish in the Southwestern region of the United States. If you have ever been to a Mexican restaurant in Santa Fe, New Mexico you will notice the distinct way that enchiladas are served. Whether you like red or green chile is the common question.

Green Chile Enhiladas are a Favorite

Even though these chiles come from the same plant, red chiles are dried while green chiles are fresh. (Watch my video on roasting chiles here.) Green chiles are fresh at harvest time while dried red chiles are available year ‘round. We love them the same, but everyone has their preference.

Here in South Texas we don’t have the same red or green chile habits, but the way they are prepared is not too foreign. Our favorite Tex-Mex Enchiladas are similar to Santa Fe Red Chile Enchiladas. But Green Chile Enchiladas made of Anaheim or Hatch chiles are very specific to the chile growing areas of Santa Fe, New Mexico and El Paso, Texas.  (See my recipe for Vegan Tex-Mex Enchiladas here.)

Fire Roasted Chiles are Delicious!

The chiles for this recipe should be fire roasted in order to remove the skins and cook the chiles before using in a recipe. However, not all green chiles should be fire roasted the way Anaheim or Hatch green chiles are prepared. Jalapeños and Serranos can release fumes that may cause throat irritation. Bell peppers are too watery to be fire roasted on the stovetop. But underneath an electric or gas oven broiler Anaheim, Hatch and bell peppers can be broiled in order to roast them. Broiler roasting is great when you have a large quantity of chiles.

Don’t let the process of fire roasting chiles scare you. Once you get the hang of it, the process is a snap. You will find yourself making Green Chile Enchiladas more often much to the delight of your family and friends.