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Author: Chef

  • Croissants ATK

    Source
    Source: Raw notes label this recipe as America’s Test Kitchen (ATK).

    Description

    Ingredients

    • YIELD Makes 22 croissants
    • TIME 2 hours, plus 3 hours resting, 4¾ hours chilling, and 1 hour freezing
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Croissants
    • Gather Your Ingredients
    • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, very cold
    • 24 tablespoons unsalted European-style butter, very cold (3 sticks)
    • 1¾ cups whole milk
    • 4 teaspoons instant or rapid-rise yeast
    • 4¼ cups (21¼ ounces/602 grams) all-purpose flour
    • ¼ cup (1¾ ounces/50 grams) sugar
    • 2 teaspoons salt
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 teaspoon cold water
    • Before You Begin
    • *

    Instructions

    1. The layered structure that characterizes croissants is formed through a process called lamination: A relatively lean yeasted dough is wrapped around a block of butter, and then the package is rolled out and folded repeatedly to form paper-thin layers of dough separated by even thinner layers of butter.
    2. Due to increasing gluten formation, the dough becomes more difficult to roll with every turn, so we were relieved to find that three turns was sufficient to yield a light pastry made up of hundreds of delicate layers.
    3. High-protein all-purpose flour struck the right gluten balance: enough to support all that butter but not so much that we struggled with the dough.
    4. Using the right butter was important, too.
    5. The higher water content of conventional butter caused it to break up in the dough, which meant that the dough layers stuck together, resulting in less lift.
    6. Using higher-fat European butter worked much better and was worth the extra expense.
    7. Lastly, giving the dough and butter packet a couple of intense 30-minute chills in the freezer brought the two components to a more comparable consistency, making it easier to maintain distinct layers.
    8. Twelve croissants are baked first; the remaining 10 can be frozen.
    9. The croissants take at least 10 hours to make from start to finish, but the process can be spread over two days.
    10. We strongly encourage using high-protein all-purpose flour, such as King Arthur, and European-style butter (we like Plugrá).
    11. If the dough retracts or softens at any point, fold it into thirds, wrap it in plastic, and freeze it for 15 minutes.
    12. Do not make these in a room that is warmer than 80 degrees.
    13. Melt 3 tablespoons butter in medium saucepan over low heat.
    14. Remove from heat and immediately stir in milk (temperature should be lower than 90 degrees).
    15. Whisk in yeast; transfer milk mixture to bowl of stand mixer.
    16. Add flour, sugar, and 2 teaspoons salt.
    17. Using dough hook, knead on low speed until cohesive dough forms, 2 to 3 minutes.
    18. Increase speed to medium-low and knead for 1 minute.
    19. Remove bowl from mixer and cover with plastic wrap.
    20. Let dough rest at room temperature 30 minutes.
    21. Transfer dough to parchment paper–lined rimmed baking sheet and shape into 10 by 7-inch rectangle about 1 inch thick.
    22. Wrap tightly with plastic and refrigerate for 2 hours.
    23. BUTTER BLOCK: While dough chills, fold 24-inch length of parchment in half to create 12-inch rectangle.
    24. Fold over 3 open sides of rectangle to form 8-inch square with enclosed sides.
    25. Crease folds firmly.
    26. Place 24 tablespoons cold butter directly on counter and beat with rolling pin for about 60 seconds until butter is just pliable but not warm, then fold butter in on itself using bench scraper.
    27. Beat into rough 6-inch square.
    28. Unfold parchment envelope.
    29. Using bench scraper, transfer butter to center of parchment, refolding at creases to enclose.
    30. Turn packet over so that flaps are underneath and gently roll until butter fills parchment square, taking care to achieve even thickness.
    31. Refrigerate at least 45 minutes.
    32. LAMINATE: Transfer dough to freezer.
    33. After 30 minutes, transfer to lightly floured counter and roll into 17 by 8-inch rectangle with long side parallel to edge of counter.
    34. Unwrap butter and place in center of dough.
    35. Fold sides of dough over butter so they meet in center.
    36. Press seam together with fingertips.
    37. With rolling pin, press firmly on each open end of packet.
    38. Roll out lengthwise into 24 by 8-inch rectangle.
    39. Starting at bottom of dough, fold into thirds like business letter into 8-inch square.
    40. Turn dough 90 degrees counterclockwise.
    41. Roll out lengthwise again into 24 by 8-inch rectangle and fold into thirds.
    42. Place dough on sheet, wrap tightly with plastic, and return to freezer for 30 minutes.
    43. Transfer dough to lightly floured counter so that top flap opens on right.
    44. Roll out dough lengthwise into 24 by 8-inch rectangle and fold into thirds.
    45. Place dough on sheet, wrap tightly with plastic, and refrigerate for 2 hours or up to 24 hours.
    46. SHAPE: Transfer dough to freezer.
    47. After 30 minutes, transfer to lightly floured counter and roll into 18 by 16-inch rectangle with long side of rectangle parallel to edge of counter.
    48. Fold upper half of dough over lower half.
    49. Using ruler, mark dough at 3-inch intervals along bottom edge with bench scraper (you should have 5 marks).
    50. Move ruler to top edge of dough, measure in 1½ inches from left, then use this mark to measure out 3-inch intervals (you should have 6 marks).
    51. Starting at lower left corner, use sharp pizza wheel or knife to cut dough from mark to mark.
    52. You will have 12 triangles and 5 diamonds; discard scraps.
    53. Unfold diamonds and cut into 10 triangles (making 22 equal-size triangles in total).
    54. Position 1 triangle on counter.
    55. (Keep remaining triangles covered with plastic.) Cut ½-inch slit in center of short side of triangle.
    56. Grasp triangle by 2 corners on either side of slit and stretch gently, then stretch bottom point.
    57. Place triangle on counter so point is facing you.
    58. Fold down both sides of slit.
    59. Roll top of triangle partway toward point.
    60. Gently grasp point with 1 hand and stretch again.
    61. Resume rolling, tucking point underneath.
    62. Curve ends gently toward each other to create crescent.
    63. Repeat with remaining triangles.
    64. Place 12 croissants on 2 parchment-lined rimmed baking sheets at least 2½ inches apart.
    65. Lightly wrap with plastic.
    66. Let stand at room temperature until nearly doubled in size, 2½ to 3 hours.
    67. (Shaped croissants can be refrigerated for up to 18 hours.
    68. Remove from refrigerator to rise and add at least 30 minutes to rising time.)
    69. After croissants have been rising for 2 hours, adjust oven racks to upper-middle and lower-middle positions and heat oven to 425 degrees.
    70. In small bowl, whisk together egg, water, and pinch salt.
    71. Brush croissants with egg wash.
    72. Place croissants in oven and reduce temperature to 400 degrees.
    73. Bake for 12 minutes, then switch and rotate baking sheets.
    74. Continue to bake until deep golden brown, 8 to 12 minutes longer.
    75. Transfer to wire rack and cool about 15 minutes.
    76. Serve warm or at room temperature.
    77. TO MAKE AHEAD: After shaping, place 10 croissants 1 inch apart on parchment-lined sheet.
    78. Wrap with plastic and freeze until solid, about 2 hours.
    79. Transfer to zipper-lock bag and freeze for up to 2 months.
    80. Bake frozen croissants as directed from step 8, increasing rising time by 1 to 2 hours.
  • Pumpkin bread

    Description

    Ingredients

    • Review raw notes for ingredients.

    Instructions

    1. https://www.thepioneerwoman.com/food-cooking/recipes/a44068265/pumpkin-bread-recipe/

    Notes

    • Imported from incomplete raw notes; ingredient list needs a quick review.
  • Burger Buns

    Description

    Ingredients

    • For Tangzhong:
    • 2 tablespoons (20g) bread flour
    • 2 tablespoons (27g) water
    • 4 tablespoons (60g) whole milk
    • For Dough:
    • 1/2 cup(120g) whole milk @ 95f (30c)
    • 1 tablespoon (9g) instant yeast
    • 2.5 cups (320g) Bread flour
    • 1 teaspoon (7g) fine sea salt
    • 2.5 tablespoons (35g) granulated sugar
    • 1 whole egg
    • 1 egg yolk
    • 3 tablespoons (42g) unsalted butter, softened
    • For Egg Wash:
    • Splash of whole milk

    Instructions

    1. Bread Dough
    2. For the tangzhong, add all ingredients together over medium heat, and constantly whisk until it becomes a paste.
    3. For the primed yeast mixture, add whole milk and instant yeast, and mix together.
    4. Store in a warm area and let sit for 8 minutes.
    5. In a stand mixer bowl, add the dry ingredients.
    6. Slowly add in milk and yeast mixture, the tangzhong mix.
    7. Let homogenize.
    8. When the dough starts coming together, add the egg and egg yolk.
    9. Then increase speed to medium-low until incorporated.
    10. Gradually add butter until incorporated meaning when the dough is mixed, nothing sticks to the sides.
    11. Lightly grease a medium-sized bowl, gently fold and place seam side down.
    12. Place a damp towel on the dough and bring to a warm area to proof for 1 –
    13. 5 hours
    14. To shape, punch the dough down then flour work surface
    15. Divide dough into six even pieces around 95 – 105 g
    16. To shape the individual buns, gently stretch flipped side down and fold to the center.
    17. Repeat this process for the whole segment of dough, then flip upside down.
    18. Rotate dough 90 degrees and pull towards you.
    19. Repeat two more times to complete rotation around the whole perimeter.
    20. Place shaped dough in a rimmed sheet tray lined with parchment paper.
    21. Leave
    22. 5 in of space or 6 cm apart.
    23. Cover with a similar-sized sheet tray that is flipped so that the dough will not dry out.
    24. Let rise at room temperature for another 1-2 hours, or until doubled.
    25. Before baking, brush with egg wash (1 whole egg plus a splash of milk)
    26. Bake at 375 degrees F or 190 C for 18 minutes until golden brown.
  • Sourdough bread

    Description

    Ingredients

    • Levain:
    • 35g mature sourdough starter
    • 35g whole wheat flour
    • 35g all-purpose flour
    • 70g room temperature water
    • Dough:
    • 804g good bread flour
    • 75g whole wheat flour
    • 740g water at 90°F (32°C), divided
    • 18g fine sea salt

    Instructions

    1. In a small bowl, stir together the levain ingredients and rest in a warm area (70-80°F/21–27°C) for 5 hours.
    2. One hour before the levain is done, make the dough.
    3. In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour and whole wheat flour.
    4. Add 580g water to the flour mixture (keeping 100g to the side for mixing later).
    5. Mix just until your dough comes together.
    6. Cover with plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm area (70–80°F/21–27°C) for 1 hour.
    7. Mix your dough and levain together using a little of the reserved water to help incorporate.
    8. Rest for 20 minutes.
    9. Add the sea salt and all of the remaining water and mix until incorporated.
    10. Slap and fold for 2 to 4 minutes or until your dough is smooth and begins to catch some air.
    11. Rest 15 minutes in the same warm area.
    12. Perform 6 sets of stretch and folds spaced out by 15 minutes for the first three, then 30 minutes for the last three.
    13. Place the dough back in the warm area for each rest.
    14. Let your dough rest for a final ½ hours, undisturbed.
    15. Dump out and divide your dough into 2 even pieces.
    16. Pre-shape each piece into a light boule and rest for 5 to 10 minutes.
    17. Shape each ball dough into a batard, and place into bannetons dusted with either rice flour or all-purpose flour.
    18. Refrigerate overnight.
    19. Preheat cast-iron combo cooker to 500°F (260°C) for 1 hour.
    20. Carefully place a dusted loaf into the hot pan, score the top, and place the larger lid on top.
    21. Bake for 20 minutes.
    22. Remove the top from the combo cooker and lower the oven temperature to 450°F (230°C).
    23. Bake for an additional 20 to 30 minutes, or until the loaf is a deep brown color.
    24. Remove the bread and cool on a wire rack until room temperature.
    25. Repeat with the other loaf.
    26. Sample Schedule for Breadmaking:
    27. 9am: Mix levain
    28. 1pm: Autolyse dough
    29. 2pm: Mix dough and levain
    30. 2:15pm: Mix in salt
    31. 2:30pm: Fold #1
    32. 2:45pm: Fold #2
    33. 3:00pm: Fold #3
    34. 3:30pm: Fold #4
    35. 4:00pm: Fold #5
    36. 4:30pm: Fold #6, rest for
    37. 5 hours
    38. 6pm: Shape dough and place in fridge overnight
    39. Next morning: Preheat the oven as guided and bake!
  • Pizza Dough

    Description

    Ingredients

    • American Pizza Dough:
    • 6 pieces (300g each)
    • 14 g instant yeast
    • 617g water – 95F
    • 950g all-purpose flour
    • 19g fine sea salt
    • 25g granulated sugar
    • American Pizza Sauce and Toppings:
    • 1 tablespoon (14g) butter
    • 1 tablespoon (9g) extra virgin olive oil
    • 6 cloves garlic, rough chopped
    • 2 teaspoons (4g) red pepper flakes
    • 28 oz (794g) can of crushed tomato
    • 2 teaspoons (2g) dried oregano
    • 1.5 tablespoons (21g) granulated sugar
    • salt and pepper to taste
    • Splash of olive oil
    • 2 cups (227g) low moisture mozzarella, fresh grated
    • 2 cups (200g) Monterey jack cheese, fresh grated
    • 1/2 cup (26g) parmigiano reggiano, fresh grated

    Instructions

    1. American Pizza Dough:
    2. Preheat the oven and a baking steel or pizza stone at 500F for 45 minutes before utilizing it.
    3. Whisk yeast and sugar into your water, and allow it to sit for 5 minutes.
    4. In a separate bowl, add flour and salt and mix by hand to combine.
    5. Pour your water mixture into your flour and mix by hand until you get a rough dough, then transfer to a work surface and knead until it starts to pull away from the work surface and is relatively smooth.
    6. Place your dough in a greased bowl, then cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 – 2 hours at room temperature or until double in size.
    7. Punch down your dough and dive into 300g pieces.
    8. Form those pieces into balls and place them in a floured proofing pizza box, cover with a lid, and proof at room temperature for 3 – 4 hours.
    9. (If you do not have a proofing pizza box, you can use a floured baking sheet, cover it with an inverted baking sheet and wrap it in plastic wrap.)
    10. American Pizza Sauce and Toppings:
    11. In a medium sauce pot, add butter and olive oil.
    12. Set that over medium-high heat; once the butter melts add garlic, cook until fragrant, add pepper flakes, and cook, stirring occasionally, until the garlic begins to brown on the edges.
    13. Add crushed tomatoes, oregano, salt, and a splotch of olive oil, boil over medium-high, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 12 minutes, stirring occasionally or until thickened and viscous—season with salt to taste and let it cool down.
    14. Assembly.- Place one of your pizza doughs onto a floured pizza peel, and flour your dough generously.
    15. Punch your dough down in the center, working your way out to create a ¼” wide.
    16. Pick up your dough, place it over your closed fists, and rotate it around, gently stretching to 13” to 14”.
    17. Place a couple of spoons of your sauce, starting in the center, spreading in little circles, and working your way to the edge until it gets evenly spread out.
    18. In a medium-size mixing bowl, place mozzarella cheese, Monterey Jack, and Parmigiano; mix until combined.
    19. Sprinkle your cheese mixture to your desire and place in the oven onto your baking steel and bake for 5 – 7 minutes or until the edge gets golden brown and the cheese melts.
  • Easy Garlic Parmesan Knots

    Description

    Ingredients

    • Prep Time 10 minutes
    • Cook Time 10 minutes
    • Total Time 20 minutes
    • Yield 16 knots
    • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
    • 2 tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan
    • 3/4 teaspoon garlic powder
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried parsley flakes
    • 1/4 teaspoon salt
    • 1 (16-ounce) tube refrigerated buttermilk biscuits

    Instructions

    1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
    2. Lightly oil a baking sheet or coat with nonstick spray.
    3. In a small bowl, whisk together butter, Parmesan, garlic powder, oregano, parsley and salt; set aside.
    4. Halve each of the 8 biscuits, making 16 pieces.
    5. Roll each piece into a 5-inch rope, about 1/2-inch thick, and tie into a knot, tucking the ends.
    6. Place knots onto the prepared baking sheet and brush each knot with half of the butter mixture.
    7. Place into oven and bake until golden brown, about 8-10 minutes.
    8. Serve immediately, brushed with remaining butter mixture.
  • Pita bread

    Description

    Ingredients

    • 500 grams all-purpose flour (3 + ½ cups)
    • 5 grams instant yeast (1 + ½ teaspoons)
    • 5 grams salt (1 teaspoon)
    • 4 grams sugar (1 teaspoon)
    • 330 grams water (1 + ⅓ cups)
    • 25 grams olive oil (2 tablespoons)
    • Prepare the Dough
    • Knead the Dough
    • Shape and Divide the Dough
    • Cook the Pitas

    Instructions

    1. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, instant yeast, salt and sugar and mix evenly.
    2. Add water and olive oil.
    3. Mix well with a spatula to combine until a shaggy dough ball is formed.
    4. Make sure to scrape off any dry flour on the sides of the bowl.
    5. Transfer the dough onto a clean and dry surface.
    6. Apply a small amount of oil in your hands to prevent the dough from sticking.
    7. If the dough sticks to the work surface, use a bench scraper to clear it off.
    8. Knead the dough by pushing it down and outward using the palms of your hands.
    9. Fold the dough in half toward you and press down.
    10. Repeat this motion for 5 minutes by pushing the dough down and outward, and then folding over towards you.
    11. You can also pick up the dough and slap it down onto the counter and fold over towards you.
    12. (A kneading technique known as slap and fold).
    13. Cover the dough with a large bowl, upside down on top, and let it rest for 5 minutes.
    14. Resting allows gluten in dough to relax and further build more gluten strength.
    15. It’s very similar to how sleeping aids in muscle repair and new muscle growth in human body.
    16. Then knead the dough again for about 2-3 minutes until the dough ball is smooth and supple.
    17. It will be pliable and non-sticky.
    18. A well kneaded dough is smooth and can hold its shape.
    19. To check if the dough is well-kneaded, give the dough ball a firm poke with your finger.
    20. The indentation should bounce right back.
    21. If it doesn’t bounce back and stays like a dimple, knead for a few more minutes.
    22. Cover and let the dough rest in a large bowl for 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
    23. You can apply a little bit of oil on the surface of the dough ball to prevent it from losing moisture.
    24. Transfer dough onto a lightly floured surface.
    25. Roll the dough into a log and divide it into 10 equal pieces with a knife or bench scraper.
    26. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or cling wrap to prevent dough from drying.
    27. When the dough loses moisture, it tends to form hard skin around its surface, which creates a crust when baking.
    28. Take one piece at a time and shape each piece into a smooth ball.
    29. Flatten each dough, fold and press all edges into the centre.
    30. Turn it over and cup the dough in your palm, making circular motions.
    31. It should take less than 30 seconds to roll each piece into a smooth ball.
    32. Cover and let them rest for 30 minutes.
    33. The resting period helps the gluten in the dough relax and re-distributes air bubbles evenly inside the dough.
    34. Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a 6-inch circle (approximately).
    35. Sprinkle some flour if needed to prevent sticking.
    36. Set on a lightly floured surface, cover with a towel and let pitas rest for about 10 minutes.
    37. There are two ways to cook the pitas.
    38. You can bake them in the oven or you can cook them in a pan on top of the stove.
    39. To bake in the oven: Preheat the baking tray inside the oven at 450 F.
    40. Bake the pitas (4 pitas at a time) for 5 minutes.
    41. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and repeat with remaining pitas.
    42. To cook on a pan: Brush some olive oil on a skillet and preheat on medium high heat for 3 minutes.
    43. Place one pita at a time onto the hot pan and cook for 3 minutes until the pita begins to puff up and the bottom has brown spots and blisters.
    44. Flip the pita and cook for 2 more minutes.
    45. Pita bread will begin to puff up on the other side too and fill with hot air.
    46. This is caused by the moisture inside the pita turning into steam from the heat.
    47. Transfer the pitas onto a wire cooling rack and allow them to cool down for 10 minutes.
  • Banana Mug Bread

    Description

    Ingredients

    • 1 Serving
    • 1 tablespoon butter
    • 2 teaspoons milk
    • 1 large egg
    • 1 ripe banana, mashed
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
    • 2 tablespoons semisweet chocolate chips
    • 1 tablespoon chopped nuts

    Instructions

    1. In a large mug, melt the butter in the microwave for 10 seconds.
    2. Add the milk, egg and mashed banana.
    3. Stir until combined.
    4. Add in sugar, baking powder, chocolate chips and nuts.
    5. Stir until fully mixed.
    6. Microwave for 1 to 2 minutes on high (time will depend on how your microwave cooks).
    7. Remove and let sit for 20 seconds before eating.
  • Homemade Corn Dogs ATK

    Source
    Source: Raw notes label this recipe as America’s Test Kitchen (ATK).

    Description

    Ingredients

    • YIELD Makes 8 corn dogs
    • TIME 55 minutes
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Homemade Corn Dogs
    • Gather Your Ingredients
    • 1 ½ cups yellow cornmeal
    • 1 ½ cups all-purpose flour
    • 1 tablespoon baking powder
    • 1 teaspoon baking soda
    • 2 teaspoons sugar
    • 1 ½ teaspoons salt
    • ½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
    • 1 ¾ cups buttermilk
    • 4 large eggs, lightly beaten
    • 8 hot dogs
    • 3 quarts peanut or vegetable oil, for frying

    Instructions

    1. To re-create this state fair favorite at home, we made a light batter with flour, cornmeal, buttermilk, and eggs.
    2. Coating the skewered hot dogs in flour before batter-dipping ensures the batter adheres to the hot dogs.
    3. To make coating the hot dogs easy, we transfer the batter to a tall drinking glass for even, hassle free dunking.
    4. Set wire rack inside rimmed baking sheet.
    5. Whisk cornmeal, 1 cup flour, baking powder, baking soda, sugar, salt, and cayenne together in bowl.
    6. Whisk in buttermilk and eggs until incorporated.
    7. Place remaining 1/2 cup flour in shallow dish.
    8. Dredge hot dogs in flour and shake to remove excess.
    9. Thread hot dogs lengthwise onto eight 8-inch skewers.
    10. Add oil to large Dutch oven until it measures about 2 inches deep and heat over medium-high heat to 350 degrees.
    11. Stir batter to recombine, then transfer half of batter to tall drinking glass.
    12. Working with one at a time, submerge hot dog in glass and twirl to coat with batter.
    13. Allow excess batter to drip back into glass and place corn dog in hot oil.
    14. Repeat immediately with 3 more hot dogs.
    15. Fry corn dogs, turning occasionally, until golden brown, 4 to 6 minutes.
    16. Transfer to wire rack.
    17. Return oil to 350 degrees and repeat with remaining batter and hot dogs.
    18. Serve.
  • Beef Enchiladas ATK

    Source
    Source: Raw notes label this recipe as America’s Test Kitchen (ATK).

    Description

    Ingredients

    • YIELD Serves 4 to 6
    • TIME 3 hours
    • Why This Recipe Works
    • Gather Your Ingredients
    • 3 garlic cloves, minced
    • 3 tablespoons chili powder
    • 2 teaspoons ground coriander
    • 2 teaspoons ground cumin
    • 1 teaspoon sugar
    • Salt
    • 1 ¼ pounds top blade steaks, trimmed according to picture at left
    • 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
    • 2 medium onions, chopped
    • 1 (15-ounce) can tomato sauce
    • ½ cup water
    • 2 cups shredded Monterey Jack cheese or mild cheddar cheese
    • ⅓ cup chopped fresh cilantro leaves
    • ¼ cup chopped pickled jalapeño chiles
    • 12 (6-inch) corn tortillas
    • Before You Begin

    Instructions

    1. Our Beef Enchiladas recipe achieves rich flavor in less time than more traditional recipes.
    2. Instead of using ground chiles and tomatoes, we use store-bought chili powder and canned tomatoes, along with onions, garlic, and spices to make a quick sauce with plenty of flavor.
    3. Inexpensive blade steaks lent our recipe the soft chew and beefy flavor we were after.
    4. Cutting the steaks into small pieces kept our cooking time at just an hour and a half.
    5. Traditional beef enchiladas recipes fry the corn tortillas and then dip them in sauce to soften and season them.
    6. Instead, we softened the tortillas in the microwave, assembled the enchiladas, topped them with sauce and cheese, and baked them until heated through.
    7. Cut back on the pickled jalapeños if you like your enchiladas on the mild side.
    8. Sour cream, diced avocado, shredded lettuce, and lime wedges make great enchilada sidekicks—let everyone at the table pick and choose as they wish.
    9. Combine garlic, chili powder, coriander, cumin, sugar, and 1 teaspoon salt in small bowl.
    10. Pat meat dry with paper towels and sprinkle with salt.
    11. Heat oil in Dutch oven over medium-high heat until shimmering.
    12. Cook meat until browned on both sides, about 6 minutes.
    13. Transfer meat to plate.
    14. Add onions to pot and cook over medium heat until golden, about 5 minutes.
    15. Stir in garlic mixture and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute.
    16. Add tomato sauce and water and bring to boil.
    17. Return meat and juices to pot, cover, reduce heat to low, and gently simmer until meat is tender and can be broken apart with wooden spoon, about 1 1/2 hours.
    18. Adjust oven rack to middle position and heat oven to 350 degrees.
    19. Strain beef mixture over medium bowl, pressing on mixture to break meat into small pieces and extract as much sauce as possible; reserve sauce.
    20. Transfer meat to medium bowl and mix with 1 cup cheese, cilantro, and jalapeños.
    21. Spread 3/4 cup sauce in bottom of 13 by 9-inch baking dish.
    22. Microwave 6 tortillas on plate on high power until soft, about 1 minute.
    23. Spread 1/3 cup beef mixture down center of each tortilla, roll tortillas tightly, and set in baking pan seam side down.
    24. Repeat with remaining tortillas and beef mixture (you may have to fit two or more enchiladas down the sides of the baking dish).
    25. Pour remaining sauce over enchiladas and spread to coat evenly.
    26. Sprinkle remaining 1 cup cheese evenly over enchiladas, wrap with aluminum foil, and bake until heated through, 20 to 25 minutes.
    27. Remove foil and continue baking until cheese browns slightly, 5 to 10 minutes.
    28. Serve.
    29. Make Ahead: Although it's best to roll and bake the enchiladas right before serving, the beef filling and the sauce can be prepared through step 2 and refrigerated in separate containers for up to 2 days.