Realizations Inc

Mini-corn tortillas taste better to me than large ones. My favorites are Guerrero brand and are sold in a package of 36. Interestingly enough, I can usually find them at Wal-Mart.

If two people work together, preparation can be a breeze. One person steams the tortillas while the other spreads the filling and rolls them up.

• A dozen mini-corn tortillas (e.g., 4.0 – 4.5 inches in diameter) 
• 1 can refried beans (vegetarian)
• 1 can chopped or sliced olives
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped onions, if desired
• 2 Tbsp finely chopped mild Ortega green chilies, if desired
• 3 ounce container of light whipped cream cheese

Place refried beans and olives (and finely chopped onions or chiles, if desired) in a bowl and mix well. It makes it easier to spread the filling on the tortillas.

Place desired number of mini-tortillas in a bowl of cold water.

Place a small frying pan over medium heat (or a large frying pan that allows you to steam 3-4 mini-tortillas at one time). When you splash a drop of water in the pan, the water should sizzle and evaporate.

Spray pan with olive oil.

Take mini-tortilla(s) out of the water and place in the frying pan. Tortilla(s) will steam quickly. Turn tortilla (s) over for a few seconds. Your goal is to heat them through and make them pliable and easy to roll, but not to fry them brown and crispy.

Remove tortilla(s) from frying pan. Spread about 1 tsp cream cheese and about 1 tbsp filling on the mini-tortilla. Roll up. Place on a plate edge-side down. That’s all there is to it!

These Tacoettes, as I call them, go well with almost anything. I like them with a large tossed salad, or one of my favorite soup, or served as appetizers when friends come to visit.

Both the filling mixture by itself and the prepared Tacoettes keep for several days in the refrigerator in a covered container. This gives you options. You may want to prepare a dozen at one time for reheating at a later time (e.g., Microwave in a covered class dish for a couple of minutes). Or you may want to keep the spread mixture in a covered container in the refrigerator and prepare the number of Tacoettes you want to eat just before your meal.