Enchiladas Suizas, Mexican Cream & Cheese Enchiladas

by
Enchiladas Suizas

The Swiss say that once you taste Enchiladas Suizas, they will quickly become your new favorite food.

With a combination of spicy Mexican flavors and Swiss cooking methods, Enchiladas Suizas are warm, delicious, and comforting.

But what exactly are they, and what makes them so unique?

Enchiladas Suizas are a Mexican-Swiss fusion dish consisting of tortillas stuffed with chicken, dipped in green salsa, and mixed with cream and cheese.

Although different types of enchiladas have been made in Mexico for years, it wasn’t until Swiss immigrants added cream and cheese that Enchiladas Suizas were created.   

 To learn more about Enchiladas Suizas, their history, and how to make them at home, read on.

What Are Enchiladas Suizas?

Enchiladas Suizas are chicken enchiladas with green salsa and cream sauce.

It was an early attempt at blending Mexican and European foods. The so-called “Swizza” alludes to cooking techniques that Swiss immigrants brought to Mexico.

It refers to its similar Swiss style of using dairy, including cheese, butter, and milk in their cuisines.

The word “enchilada” comes from Spanish “enchilar,” which means to add chili peppers.

This popular Mexican dish consists of tortillas rolled with chicken, chili peppers, and onions.

You can enjoy this cheesy, creamy recipe as an appetizer or a whole dish. It’s also common to garnish it with cherry tomatoes, olives, and assorted vegetables.

Mexican restaurants worldwide serve different variations of enchiladas. 

History of Enchiladas Suizas

Traditional Enchiladas Suizas
Traditional Enchiladas Suizas

The Aztec tribes, dominant in Mexico before the 16th century, seem to be the first to have developed enchiladas.

They would typically stuff tortillas with beans, fish, or eggs and dip them in a spicy chili paste.

The practice of rolling tortillas pre-dates the creation of enchiladas, when Mayan people wrapped tortillas around other foods. 

Then, Swiss immigrants in Mexico brought their culinary techniques and love of dairy into the enchiladas recipe and started adding cheese and cream to the dish.

The Sanborns restaurant, a popular restaurant in Mexico City, has been serving Enchiladas Suizas as its famous dish since 1950.

Unlike other restaurants that serve Enchiladas Suizas with a tomato-based sauce, it provides an original take on the cream and cheese sauce.

How To Make Enchiladas Suizas

Mexican Enchiladas Suizas Dish
Mexican Enchiladas Suizas Dish

Mexican dishes usually have the same key ingredients, including corn tortillas, salsa, and cheese.

To make Enchiladas Suizas, you have to prepare salsa verde first and then put it on the rolled tortillas.

Ingredients

Here are the things you’ll need to make the sauce: 

  • 2 tbsp (29.57 ml) butter
  • ⅔ cup (85 g) chopped onion
  • 1 ½ cups (192 g) chicken broth
  • 1 cup (128 g) green chile peppers (chopped)
  • 1 clove of minced garlic
  • ¾ tsp (1.42 g) salt
  • 1 dash of cumin (ground)
  • 2 tbsp (15.53 g) of all-purpose flour

Instructions

Here are the steps to make your Enchiladas Suizas:

  1. Melt the butter in a saucepan and saute the onions in it until they’re soft. Then, pour the flour into another pan and stir it on the stovetop until it changes to cream color. Add it to the saucepan.
  2. Add other ingredients, including the broth, salt, cumin, garlic, and chile peppers. Put the mixture aside and preheat the oven to 350°F (176.67°C). 
  3. In shallow oil, fry tortillas and dip them in the salsa verde. For the stuffing, add 2 cups (256 g) of shredded, cooked chicken breast meat and 2 cups (256 g) of shredded cheese. Put the stuffing in the center of each tortilla and roll them up like sushi.
  4. Roll tortillas and arrange them on a dish. Then, add a little more salsa verde over them. Then, cover them with 1 cup (236.59 ml) of heavy cream and extra cheese. Put the uncovered plate in the oven and let it bake for 20 minutes. Once cooked, garnish the top with cherry tomatoes, olives, and chopped green onions.

Conclusion

Enchiladas Suizas
Enchiladas Suizas

When people look for multicultural foods, Enchiladas Suizas can be a great choice because it’s a combination of Mexican and Swiss cuisines.

The preparation techniques for enchiladas date back to the Mayan and Aztec tribes that used to live in Mexico.

Swiss immigrants later added dairy products, like cheese and cream, to its mixture.

Whether you take a trip to Mexico to taste them, or you make them fresh at home, they are flavorful, comforting, and will satisfy any craving for something spicy and savory.  

And if you enjoyed enchiladas suizas, you should definitely try enchiladas potosinas.

And here is a great vegetarian enchilada option for our vegetarian friends.

Sources

More Mexican Foods

See all →
Pescado Zarandeado: Mexican Grilled Fish RecipeBaja Fish Tacos: Crispy Fish, Cabbage and Creamy SauceChiles en Nogada, Mexico’s Classic Stuffed Chile Pepper DishPan de Muerto: Mexican Day of the Dead Bread

Please Share & Spread the Love of Latin Foods!