Enchilada facts for kids

Enchiladas with rice and beans

An enchilada is a yummy traditional dish from Mexico. The word "enchilada" comes from a Spanish word, enchilar, which means "to add Chili peppers to something." This makes sense because the special sauce for enchiladas is mostly made from chili peppers!

The main part of an enchilada is a tortilla, usually made from maize (corn). After the tortilla is ready, people add different fillings. The most common fillings are meat, like chicken or turkey. Sometimes, people also add onions and cheese inside. The tortilla is then rolled around the filling, covered in chili sauce, and often baked.

What Makes an Enchilada?

Enchiladas are known for their delicious chili sauce. This sauce can be red or green, depending on the type of chili peppers used.

• Tortillas: These flat, round breads are the base. They can be soft corn tortillas or sometimes flour tortillas.
• Fillings: Inside the tortilla, you might find shredded chicken, beef, pork, or even just cheese and beans.
• Sauce: This is the key! Red enchilada sauce is often made from dried red chilies, while green sauce uses fresh green chilies.
• Toppings: After being covered in sauce, enchiladas are often topped with more cheese, sour cream, fresh lettuce, or onions.

Different Kinds of Enchiladas

There are many ways to make enchiladas, and different regions have their own special versions.

• Enchiladas Rojas (Red Enchiladas): These are made with a red chili sauce. They are very popular and can be found all over Mexico and beyond.
• Enchiladas Verdes (Green Enchiladas): These use a green sauce, often made with tomatillos and green chilies. They have a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
• Enchiladas Suizas (Swiss Enchiladas): These are a creamy version, often topped with a lot of cheese and a creamy sauce, sometimes with sour cream. The "Swiss" part comes from the idea of lots of dairy, like in Swiss cooking.
• Regional Styles: In places like Honduras or Costa Rica, enchiladas might look a bit different, sometimes served open-faced or with different toppings.

Enchiladas are a favorite dish for many, showing the rich and varied flavors of Mexican cooking!

Images for kids

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  Enchiladas with red and green sauces

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  Enchiladas

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  Chicken enchiladas with red sauce, red rice, black beans, and avocado

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  Three enchiladas from Cartago, Costa Rica

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  Homestyle Honduran enchiladas

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  Enchiladas suizas

See also

In Spanish: Enchilada para niños