Chef's Corner: Mexican Fiesta

ORLANDO, Fla. (Ivanhoe Broadcast News) -- On May 5, 1862, an under-manned and under-armed band of Mexicans defeated the powerful French army at the Battle of Puebla. Since then, Mexicans all over the world have commemorated that victory with Cinco de Mayo celebrations. One Mexican-American chef has a recipe that will have your family saying, "Mas, por favor!"

After working on it for most of her life, Charlotte Saenz has finally perfected the art of homemade tortillas. "My mom taught me to make tortillas. It took years to learn how to make them round. But she taught me most everything I know," Saenz says.

While her mother keeps watch, Saenz, a cooking instructor, explains how to make one of her own creations. "The tacorita is a mixture of a taco and a burrito, but you also use the enchilada gravy."

To make that gravy, Saenz combines shortening, flour, garlic and chili powder. While the sauce simmers, she makes the filling with hamburger and breakfast sausage.

Saenz's inspiration for the dish came after a night out at a Mexican restaurant. She says, "I thought, 'Well, I can do it.' So, I came home and made my own recipe because I liked it so well."

After the meat is thoroughly cooked, add diced onions, chopped green chiles, tomatoes, and garlic. Finally, Saenz adds mashed pinto beans. She says now it's time for assembly. "You coat it with the gravy. And you dip your flour tortilla into it, lay it flat, and put your filling in." Add lettuce and cheese and roll it up. Sprinkle a little more cheese and enchilada sauce on top. Bake and say "hola" to dinner.

This article was reported by Ivanhoe.com, who offers Medical Alerts by e-mail every day of the week. To subscribe, go to: http://www.ivanhoe.com/newsalert/.

Recipes by Charlotte Saenz: