Cuernavaca Casserole

This past Saturday my husband and I spent a very nice evening with a young couple that we do not know well, but wanted to, so we invited them to dinner. We had such a good time getting better acquainted over some easy, but very good food. This recipe has been in my recipe file for years, but I don't make it much anymore because it makes way too much for the two of us. It is perfect when serving four or more, which is why I use to make it often when our boys were young. Kids love this dish with the layers of tortilla chips, chicken and cheese.

I made the casserole the day before our dinner and found that this worked very well. This was the first time that I had done this, and the mistake I made was in overheating the casserole. The tortilla chips on the bottom got rather tough. I loved it this way, but others may not, so don't let time get away from you as I did! If I were to do it all over again, I would heat the casserole in a 325 degree oven for about 30 minutes, remove it from the oven and use a spoon to go down through the layers so it might heat more quickly. Return the casserole to the oven and give it another 15 minutes. Check it again to see how hot the center is. If you don't make the recipe in advance, follow my directions as written below.

I served refried beans topped with jack cheese along side and my friend brought a salad. Dessert was a berry pie, which I will share tomorrow. Blessings...

Recipe:

1/2 cup finely chopped onion
2 tablespoons butter
2 cans (8 oz. each) tomato sauce
1 can (4 oz.) diced green chilies  ( I use mild)
2 teaspoons leaf oregano
1 teaspoon salt
1 pkg. (8 oz.) tortilla chips
8 oz. Monterey Jack cheese, cut into 1/2" cubes
3 cups chunked, skinned and boned, cooked chicken
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup grated medium cheddar cheese

1. Butter a large round casserole, 1-1/2 to 3 quarts in size.
2. Saute' onion in 2 tablespoons butter until transparent. Add tomato sauce, chilies, oregano and salt. Stir to combine. Simmer, uncovered for 10 minutes; remove from heat.
3. Layer in casserole in order, half the following: tortilla chips, lightly crushed, Jack cheese, chicken and sauce. Repeat with remaining half of the ingredients.
4. Bake in a 325 degree oven for 20 minutes.
5. Spread sour cream on top, wreath with the grated cheddar cheese. Return to oven for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and the sour cream is heated through.
Serve immediately.

Yield: 6 - 8 servings