Transfer Over Lasagna—Pastel Azteca Is Saucy, Layered, and So A lot Extra Enjoyable

I did not develop up consuming pastel azteca particularly, however I did develop up with its shut family. My mother made saucy enchiladas, and my tía was identified for her oven-baked chilaquiles. So once I dig right into a slice of pastel azteca, it feels immediately acquainted, like a greatest-hits remix of the flavors and textures I’ve beloved all through my childhood.

Though sometimes called “Mexican lasagna” because of its layered construction, pastel Azteca stands firmly in its personal custom and isn’t straight impressed by lasagna, although it does have similarities. It is constructed on the foundations of Mexican dwelling cooking: crisped tortillas take the place of noodles, shredded hen is coated in a deeply spiced salsa roja as a substitute of a bolognese, and stretchy queso Oaxaca fills in for mozzarella. A wealthy mix of requesón and crema steps in the place ricotta would possibly in any other case go in an Italian lasagna. The result’s a saucy, tacky, and warmly spiced dish, with layers of hen, greens, and chile-driven taste which are distinctly and unmistakably Mexican.

It’s kind of of a working joke in my household that many Mexican dishes share the identical core substances—tomatoes, chiles, tortillas, hen—and but nonetheless handle to style fully totally different from one another. If something, pastel Azteca reveals simply how endlessly adaptable these constructing blocks could be. It pits the brightness of salsa roja towards the richness of cheese and crema, hanging an unexpectedly excellent steadiness of substances that each one come collectively harmoniously on the plate.

Every chew reveals a stack of textures and flavors: tortillas fried simply sufficient to carry their form, a spoonable combination of hen and salsa roja, a cooling layer of crema blended with requesón, and beneficiant handfuls of melty cheese. The tortillas, crema combination, saucy hen, and cheese are layered in that order and repeated 3 times to construct a casserole that bakes up wealthy and deeply flavorful, with crispy edges and effervescent pockets of dairy all through.

Sorts of Pastel Azteca

There are a lot of kinds of pastel Azteca, additionally identified at occasions as tortilla casserole. A well-liked variation makes use of salsa verde created from tomatillos, inexperienced chiles, and cilantro for a more energizing, extra natural taste. Some variations incorporate mole as a substitute of salsa, whereas others layer in roasted poblano peppers, Hatch chiles, or Anaheim chiles for added depth. Vegetarian diversifications would possibly function zucchini, mushrooms, or bell peppers. There are even dairy-free riffs that swap in mayonnaise for crema, although most pastel Azteca recipes depend on crema for tang and cheese for its gooey richness.

Origins of Pastel Azteca

The identify pastel Azteca interprets to “Aztec Cake.” Regardless of the identify, there isn’t any proof that it resembles any dish loved by the Aztecs. The earliest ancestor of pastel Azteca might date again to the sixteenth century, when Spanish colonizers launched dairy merchandise to the area.

In accordance with Pati Jinich’s analysis into Mexican casseroles, the primary written recipe resembling pastel Azteca seems in El Cocinero Mexicano, an 1831 cookbook. Even earlier, pre-Hispanic tamal pies often called tamal de cazuela had been baked in earthen pits and featured comparable sauces and fillings.

You are extra more likely to discover pastel Azteca in dwelling kitchens than eating places—it is a well-liked potluck dish, beloved for its crowd-pleasing nature and ease of scaling up for gatherings.

Constructing the Saucy Rooster Combination

The soul of the dish is the savory salsa roja, a savory, earthy sauce constructed from charred tomatoes, cumin, and oregano. Roasting the tomatoes provides smoky depth, whereas deglazing the pan with hen inventory ensures that each caramelized bit is carried into the sauce. A contact of hen bouillon powder (a basic transfer in Mexican dwelling kitchens) provides a refined however important hit of umami, whereas dried California chiles convey light sweetness and tang that amplify the pure brightness of the tomatoes.

As soon as the sauce is mixed, it is folded into shredded hen, which acts as a young, impartial base that readily absorbs all that taste. The purpose is a saucy, warmly spiced hen combination that’s daring sufficient to carry its personal between layers of crema, cheese, and tortillas. It needs to be moist however not soupy—simply moist sufficient to remain flavorful after a visit via the oven.

Frying the Tortillas

The corn tortillas are fried simply shy of absolutely crisp—not fairly tostadas, however sturdy sufficient to layer with out falling aside. They should stay pliable sufficient to bend across the edges of the casserole dish however hardy sufficient to resist being loaded with saucy substances. Frying 15 tortillas might seem to be a frightening process, however since each takes solely 30 seconds to fry, the method is accomplished in only a few minutes.

Shallow-frying is vital right here. In contrast to deep-frying, which causes tortillas to puff and crisp aggressively, shallow-frying gently toasts the floor whereas leaving the inside pliable. This methodology creates simply sufficient construction to maintain the tortillas from falling aside as soon as layered with sauce, with out turning them brittle or chip-like. It additionally permits the tortillas to soak up the salsa roja extra evenly, softening into the casserole with out dissolving or disintegrating. The purpose is a tortilla that retains its form via baking, but stays tender with every chew.

Ending the Pastel Azteca

Though the substances are all absolutely cooked earlier than meeting, the baking course of permits the flavors to meld whereas the cheese melts into gooey submission. The ultimate blast of warmth from the broiler does greater than soften cheese, it additionally crisps up any tortilla edges peeking out from the sauce, including simply the correct quantity of crunch to distinction the creamy layers under. The ultimate contact is a sprinkle of cilantro, which provides freshness and a vibrant pop of shade. A sprinkle of contemporary cilantro provides a vibrant, natural be aware to spherical out the flavors. Remember to let the dish relaxation for at the least 10 minutes earlier than slicing, permitting the molten cheese time to settle and making it simpler to serve.

Pastel Azteca is a really forgiving dish; you’ll be able to style and alter the flavors of every part as you go. And whereas the recipe is a bit time-consuming, the payoff is critical as a result of it makes sufficient to feed a whole soccer workforce, in all probability with leftovers. As is the case with most casseroles, it freezes superbly, permitting you to maintain a slice available for everytime you want a hearty, comforting meal on a weeknight.

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