Flautas Ahogadas (also known as Mexican Drowned Tacos) are a delicious, flavorful dish made by filling corn tortillas with your choice of meat, frying them until crispy, and then drowning them in a rich, spicy tomato sauce. It’s a perfect combination of crispy and saucy, making for a mouthwatering meal!
Here’s a recipe to make Flautas Ahogadas at home:
Ingredients:
For the Flautas:
-
10-12 corn tortillas (small or medium-sized)
-
2 cups shredded cooked chicken, beef, or pork (you can also use rotisserie chicken)
-
1/2 cup shredded cheese (optional, such as Oaxaca or mozzarella)
-
2 tablespoons vegetable oil (for frying)
-
Salt, to taste
For the Sauce:
-
4 ripe tomatoes (or 1 can of tomato sauce, about 14 oz)
-
1-2 dried guajillo chiles (or any mild dried chiles)
-
1/4 of a small onion, chopped
-
2 cloves garlic, minced
-
1/2 teaspoon cumin
-
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
-
1 tablespoon vinegar (white or apple cider vinegar)
-
1-2 tablespoons vegetable oil
-
Salt and pepper, to taste
For Garnish:
-
Sour cream or Mexican crema
-
Shredded lettuce or cabbage (optional)
-
Sliced radishes (optional)
-
Chopped cilantro
-
Lime wedges
-
Sliced avocado (optional)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Filling:
-
If you’re using leftover cooked chicken, pork, or beef, shred the meat into small pieces. If not, cook your meat first by boiling or roasting, then shred it.
-
You can also mix in some cheese (optional) with the meat for a cheesy filling.
2. Fry the Tortillas:
-
Heat a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in a skillet over medium heat.
-
Lightly warm the corn tortillas on both sides in the hot oil, just enough to make them pliable. You don’t want them crispy yet, just soft enough to roll.
-
After warming, take each tortilla and place a spoonful of the shredded meat mixture along the center. Carefully roll the tortilla up tightly into a flauta (taco shape).
-
Secure the flautas with toothpicks (optional) to keep them from unrolling.
3. Fry the Flautas:
-
Heat more oil (enough to cover the bottom of your pan) in a skillet over medium-high heat.
-
Fry the flautas in batches, turning occasionally to ensure they become golden brown and crispy on all sides. This usually takes around 2-3 minutes per side.
-
Once crispy, remove the flautas from the skillet and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain any excess oil.
4. Make the Sauce:
-
In a separate skillet, heat 1-2 tablespoons of vegetable oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic and sauté until softened and fragrant (about 2-3 minutes).
-
Add the tomatoes (fresh or canned) to the skillet. If using fresh tomatoes, chop them roughly before adding. Cook until they soften and break down (about 5 minutes).
-
In a small bowl, soak the guajillo chiles in warm water for 10 minutes to soften them. Remove the stems and seeds, then add them to the sauce with the cumin, oregano, and vinegar.
-
Use a blender or immersion blender to puree the sauce until smooth. If the sauce is too thick, add a little bit of water or broth to reach your desired consistency.
-
Season the sauce with salt and pepper to taste.
5. Assemble the Flautas Ahogadas:
-
Place the fried flautas on a serving plate.
-
Pour the prepared tomato sauce generously over the flautas, making sure they’re well-covered (the “drowned” part).
6. Garnish and Serve:
-
Garnish with Mexican crema, shredded lettuce, sliced radishes, chopped cilantro, avocado slices, and a squeeze of lime juice.
-
Serve immediately with your favorite side dish or enjoy them on their own.
Tips:
-
Meat Choices: You can use rotisserie chicken, shredded beef, or even carnitas for an authentic flavor.
-
Sauce Variations: If you like a spicier sauce, feel free to add some chipotle chiles or a fresh jalapeño to the sauce.
-
Make it Veggie: For a vegetarian version, you can fill the flautas with mashed potatoes or a mixture of sautéed vegetables, such as zucchini and corn.
-
For extra crispiness: You can fry the tortillas until crispy before filling them with meat. Just be careful not to over-fry and make them too hard to roll.
Flautas Ahogadas are a fun and delicious Mexican dish that’s sure to impress your guests. With the crispy exterior and flavorful, rich sauce, you can enjoy all the best parts of Mexican cuisine in one meal. Enjoy!