These are Guanajuato’s famous Vegan Potato Enchiladas (Enchiladas Mineras) filled with a sautéed onion and mushroom mix, smothered in a guajillo enchilada sauce, and topped with tender potatoes and carrots, crema, shredded lettuce, and jalapeños en escabeche.
Enchiladas are one of those Mexican dishes that have an infinite number of variations depending on the region. These easy vegan enchiladas are called enchiladas mineras or miner’s enchiladas, because Guanajuato was once the world’s silver-extraction center (18th century). Guanajuato is a state in central Mexico, its capital, the city of Guanajuato is a UNESCO world heritage site, famous for its beautiful examples of Baroque architecture.
This recipe is part of an amazing project called Our Vegan Mexico, where 32 talented cooks will be showcasing, right here on Dora’s Table, 32 vegan Mexican recipes. Each recipe will be representing one state of the Mexican union.
With this project, I am hoping to encourage the Mexican community in the U.S., and the people of my country to take a chance and make the change to a plant-based diet. This recipe is representing Guanajuato and is the creation of Enrique Rodriquez, here he tells you a bit of his story:
My name is Enrique Rodriguez and I’m from the city of Irapuato in the state of Guanajuato, and I have been vegan for more than 4 years. Ever since I was a child I wondered what vegetarianism was all about and always declared myself a lover of animals. So much so, that I stopped eating fish, because my first pets were fish, except for tuna in a can, probably because I couldn’t see the fish’s corpse, hahaha.
As an adult, I met a group of animal activists in Irapuato, and that’s how it all started. I began researching veganism and in one week I stopped eating all animal products. It was easy for me, since I didn’t really like eating meat to begin with, and I learned to substitute it with beans and vegetables such as garbanzos, lentils, mushrooms, etc. My love for cooking and animals grew, and I began to veganize every recipe I came across, and now this lifestyle will accompany me forever.
The Recipe: Vegan Potato Enchiladas (Enchiladas Mineras)
Traditionally this recipe uses quite a bit of oil. I have opted for a healthier version, but if you don’t mind the oil you can follow the traditional methods. To do so, after dipping the tortilla in the sauce fry them lightly in a large sauteé pan with 1 tbsp. of oil. Fill the tortilla then fold in half. In the same pan you fried the tortillas fry the potato and carrots.
If you are allergic to nuts you can make a tofu crema by blending: 1 lb. of silken tofu, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, 1/3 cup of water or unsweetened almond milk, 1 tsp. of nutritional yeast, and salt and pepper to taste.
The enchilada sauce is not very spicy, so if you like spicy food add 1 to 2 chiles de arbol to the sauce.
Vegan Potato Enchiladas (Enchiladas Mineras)
Ingredients
- 2 Medium Idaho potatoes, peeled and cubed
- 4 Medium carrots, peeled, and cubed
Enchilada Sauce
- 15 Dried Guajillo chiles, stems and seed removed
- 2 cloves Garlic
- ¼ tsp. Ground cumin
- ½ tsp. Mexican oregano, dried
Filling
- 1 lb. Cremini, oyster or maitake mushrooms, sliced
- 1 Onion, large, thinly sliced
- 2 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 cups Favorite shredded vegan cheese (optional)
- 12 Corn tortillas
Garnish
- Almond Crema
- Jalapeños en Escabeche, sliced
- 2 cups Shredded romaine or iceberg lettuce
Preparation
To make the enchilada sauce
- On a skillet or comal set to medium heat, toast the guajillo chiles for a couple seconds on each side.
- Place the chiles in a large bowl and cover with boiling water. Let sit for 10 minutes.
- Place the soaked chiles, garlic, cumin, oregano, and 2 cups of the chile soaking liquid and process until smooth. Strain and season with salt and pepper. Set aside.
For the filling
- Add ¼ cup of water or vegetable stock to a large sauté pan set to medium-high heat. Add mushrooms and sauté for 5-6 minutes, or until almost all the moisture has evaporated from the mushrooms and they are beginning to brown. Add more liquid if necessary.
- Add the onion and garlic and continue cooking until the onion is tender and translucent about 6 more minutes. Add more liquid as necessary. Season with salt and pepper and set aside.
- Place potatoes in a medium saucepot with cold water and salt. Bring to a low simmer and let cook for 5 minutes, add carrots and let cook for 3 to 4 minutes more or until the potatoes and carrots are tender. Strain and set aside.
Assembly
Preheat oven to 350°F.
Bring enchilada sauce to a very low simmer in a medium saucepot, dip a tortilla in the warm sauce, very quickly, and place on a plate. Fill with mushroom mixture and vegan cheese and fold the tortilla over. Place on serving platter. Repeat this process with the rest of the tortillas.
Pour some extra sauce on top of the enchiladas and spread with a spoon. Place in oven for 5 to 6 minutes to melt the vegan cheese. (You can omit this step if you’re not using cheese).
Remove from oven. Top enchiladas with the potato-carrot mixture, shredded lettuce, jalapeños en escabeche, and drizzle crema on top and serve.
Chef's Notes
Traditionally this recipe uses quite a bit of oil. I have opted for a healthier version, but if you don’t mind the oil you can follow the traditional methods. To do so, after dipping the tortilla in the sauce fry them lightly in a large sauteé pan with 1 tbsp. of oil. Fill the tortilla then fold in half. In the same pan you fried the tortillas fry the potato and carrots.
If you are allergic to nuts you can make a tofu crema by blending: 1 lb. of silken tofu, 2 tbsp. lemon juice, 1 clove of garlic, 1/3 cup of water or unsweetened almond milk, 1 tsp. of nutritional yeast, and salt and pepper to taste.
The enchilada sauce is not very spicy, so if you like spicy food add 1 to 2 chiles de arbol to the sauce.
Looks delicious! I really love Mexican food, especially tacos. I haven’t had enchiladas yes, I will definitely try this recipe, the sauce looks delicious.