Mexican empalmes are a type of sandwich made with a soft tortilla filled with a variety of ingredients such as meat, cheese, beans, and vegetables. The dish is easy to make, and can be customized to suit your taste.
- Publisher: Pithy Recipe
- Cuisine: Mexican
- Category: Breakfast, Main Course
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 6
Empalmes
Empalmes is a type of Mexican food that typically consists of a tortilla filled with meat (such as chicken or beef), cheese, and various other ingredients such as beans, salsa, and avocado.
The tortilla is then folded in half, creating a “sandwich” of sorts. Empalmes can also be made with flour tortillas, and sometimes they are served with a side of rice and beans.
Empalme can also refer to a type of burrito that is filled with meat, cheese, beans, avocado, and vegetables. It is a traditional Mexican street food and can be found in most Mexican restaurants and street vendors.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 corn tortillas
- 1 lb of cooked and shredded chicken or beef
- 1/2 cup of refried beans
- 1 cup of shredded cheese (cheddar or Monterey Jack)
- 1/4 cup of diced onions
- 1/4 cup of diced tomatoes
- 2 cloves of minced garlic
- 1/4 cup of chopped cilantro
- 1/4 cup of sour cream
- 1/4 cup of salsa
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Oil for frying
Note: You can adjust the amount of each ingredient to your taste, and you can add or remove any ingredient you want. See below for ingredients substitutes
Method Instructions
- Heat a skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Fry each tortilla for a few seconds on each side until it is soft and pliable.
- Spread a thin layer of refried beans on each tortilla.
- Add shredded chicken or beef, onions, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro and shredded cheese over the top of the beans, leaving about 1/4 inch of space around the edge of each tortilla.
- Fold each tortilla in half and press down gently on the top to seal the filling inside.
- Heat a large skillet over medium heat and add a little oil. Fry the empalmes on both sides until they are golden brown and crispy.
- Serve the empalmes with a dollop of sour cream and salsa on top.
Mexican empalmes are typically served as a main dish and can be accompanied by a variety of side dishes.
Rated: 4.9 of 5.0 from 39 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Empalmes, Empalmes Recipe, Recipe
Servings
- With Salsa: Empalmes can be served with a side of salsa for dipping. This can be a store-bought salsa or a homemade salsa.
- With Guacamole: A side of guacamole can be served along with empalmes for an added touch of creaminess and flavor.
- With Rice and Beans: A classic Mexican meal, empalmes can be served with a side of rice and beans. This creates a well-rounded and satisfying meal.
- With a salad: A green salad can be served as a side to empalmes for a refreshing contrast to the rich flavors of the empalmes.
- With sour cream: A dollop of sour cream can be placed on top of empalmes before serving.
- With lime wedges: Lime wedges can be served alongside empalmes to be squeezed over the top for a burst of acidity and freshness.
- With hot sauce: Some people like to add a little heat to their empalmes, if that’s your case, you can serve it with a hot sauce.
The best way to serve empalmes is to experiment and find what you like best. It also could depend on the occasion>
Tips
- Use fresh ingredients: To ensure the best flavor, use fresh and high-quality ingredients. This includes using fresh tortillas, meat, cheese, and vegetables.
- Properly fry the tortillas: Make sure to fry the tortillas for a few seconds on each side to make them soft and pliable. This will help them to seal and hold the filling better.
- Properly warm and spread the refried beans: Make sure to heat up the refried beans before spreading them on the tortillas. This will make them easier to spread and will help the empalmes to seal better.
- Don’t overstuff the empalmes: Avoid overstuffing the empalmes with too much filling. This will make them difficult to seal and will cause them to break apart when you fry them.
- Add the cheese last: Add shredded cheese on top of the filling before folding the empalmes and frying it, this way the cheese will melt inside the empalme and give you a better taste.
- Serve them hot: Empalmes are best served hot and straight out of the pan. This will ensure that the cheese is melted and the tortillas are crispy.
- Experiment with different fillings: Empalmes are versatile and can be filled with a variety of ingredients. Feel free to experiment with different fillings to find your favorite.
Ingredient Substitutes
- Corn tortillas: These are traditional for empalmes, but you can also use flour tortillas.
- Meat (chicken or beef): You can also use pork, ground beef or even cooked shredded fish.
- Refried beans: You can use black beans, pinto beans, or any other type of bean puree as a substitute.
- Shredded cheese: you can use other types of cheese such as queso fresco, Oaxaca, or any other melting cheese you prefer.
- Diced onions: You can use diced green onions, or diced shallots as a substitute.
- Diced tomatoes: you can use canned diced tomatoes or tomato sauce, or you can puree fresh tomatoes.
- Minced garlic: You can use garlic powder as a substitute.
- Chopped cilantro: You can use parsley, mint or any other herb you like.
- Sour cream: You can use plain Greek yogurt as a substitute.
- Salsa: You can use your favorite store-bought salsa or make your own by blending tomatoes, onions, cilantro, and jalapenos.
- Salt and pepper: You can use any other seasoning you prefer, like cumin, chili powder, or smoked paprika.
- Oil for frying: You can use any oil with a high smoke point, like vegetable oil, canola oil, or avocado oil.
You can experiment with these substitutes to find the perfect combination of flavors for your taste.
Remarks
In conclusion, Mexican empalmes are a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed by all. They are easy to make, and can be customized to suit your taste.
Empalmes can be served as a main dish, with a variety of sides and toppings such as salsa, guacamole, rice and beans, or a green salad. They are a great option for a casual get-together or a formal dinner.
The next time you’re looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give empalmes a try. It’s a great way to experience the flavors of Mexico in your own kitchen.
