New Year’s Mexican Pie

By Monica Hunsberger, PhD, MPH, RD

Looking for ways to use the new Light Flour Tortillas?  Here’s a quick, hearty recipe that combines layers of flavors and is perfect for lightening things up in the New Year!”

This dish can easily be adapted in size and taste to suit your group.  It’s low in fat and packed with flavor, fiber and colorful veggies. What’s more, it’s super simple to make!
Here’s a recipe perfect for two. I start by cutting the tortillas in half and putting them into a bread pan. If you want additional leftovers or have a bigger crowd to please, use a round casserole dish the size of the tortilla – let the layering and fun begin!

What you need:
•    Flour tortillas
•    1 can of refried beans (size depending on how much you want to make)
•    Cheddar cheese
•    Onions
•    Red pepper
•    Yellow pepper
•    Corn (fresh, frozen or canned)
•    Jalapeño
•    8oz  jar of salsa
•    Taco seasoning
•    Cumin
•    Salt
•    Black olives

If you are making a half batch in a bread pan you will need 2.5 tortillas for 5 layers and for a whole casserole round you need 5 tortillas to make 5 layers.
In a fry pan, sauté onion, yellow pepper, red pepper, and jalapeño (optional) for about 8 minutes on medium heat. For a 1/2 batch use half an onion, half a yellow pepper, half a red pepper, half of a jalapeño,  and for a whole casserole pan the entire onion and the whole peppers.  Toss in corn kernels once onions are translucent.  Toss in corn kernels once onions are translucent. Next add taco seasoning and cumin to taste.  Additionally, you can turn up the heat with cayenne pepper.

Lightly oil the pan you will bake in and beginning layering as such

Tortilla on the bottom

Refried beans- spread a layer across the tortilla

A layer of onion and pepper mix from fry pan

A layer of shredded cheddar (to your liking but I use just a little)

A layer of salsa

Repeat 3 more times and end with a tortilla on top

Cover the top tortilla with salsa a bit of cheese and black olives (optional).
Bake at 375 for 20 minutes or until cheese is melted
I suggest serving your Mexican Pie with sour cream, guacamole, additional salsa and a green salad.