Chimichungas

Are these as good if you bake them in the oven? I can just see myself making a total mess if I try and fry them.

I'd say they need to be fried...

Some things definitely need to be fried, at least for part of the cooking process.

You've gotta fry them -- otherwise they're just enchiladas or burritos.  Do you have a deep fryer?  It probably be easier in one of those.

hmmn yeah I was afraid everyone would say that! Think I'll stick with burritos then. I don't think these Discovery flour tortillas will stand up to frying.

Great, after reading this, now I'm craving a chimichanga.  Good thing there are several Mexican restaurants around. 

Great, after reading this, now I'm craving a chimichanga.  Good thing there are several Mexican restaurants around. 

thats right KD -- rub salt into the wounds!     

Great, after reading this, now I'm craving a chimichanga.  Good thing there are several Mexican restaurants around. 

You. Are. Evil.   

I'm reading a book right now  "Midnight Cactus" by Bella Pollen, about a mother from london who takes her kids to the middle of nowhere Southern Arizona to live in a ghost town. it is a hoot but this description pretty much sums up the best of Mexican food (Chimichangas!) and I've been dying to post it somewhere here...

"...the mystery dish I settle for, turns out to be the sort of thing the God of Impending Obesity might send down to earth as a light starter.  It sits on the plate, an airy pillow of golden fried bread covered in chilli beans, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, shards of iceberg lettuce and diced green chillies.  I wimpishly order a child's portion, which is nevertheless the size of a trampoline, and though it remains in my stomach for many weeks to come there's no question it's quite the best thing I've ever eaten."

You. Are. Evil.  

"...the mystery dish I settle for, turns out to be the sort of thing the God of Impending Obesity might send down to earth as a light starter.  It sits on the plate, an airy pillow of golden fried bread covered in chilli beans, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, shards of iceberg lettuce and diced green chillies.  I wimpishly order a child's portion, which is nevertheless the size of a trampoline, and though it remains in my stomach for many weeks to come there's no question it's quite the best thing I've ever eaten."

LMAO, that's exactly the reason why I hardly have them!

"...the mystery dish I settle for, turns out to be the sort of thing the God of Impending Obesity might send down to earth as a light starter.  It sits on the plate, an airy pillow of golden fried bread covered in chilli beans, chopped tomatoes, grated cheese, shards of iceberg lettuce and diced green chillies.  I wimpishly order a child's portion, which is nevertheless the size of a trampoline, and though it remains in my stomach for many weeks to come there's no question it's quite the best thing I've ever eaten."

Yummy!!! Chimis are my favorite! It was my last meal just before I left SFO.

In my favorite local CA restaurants they just come fried (usually one big one or two small ones) with sour cream or guac on the side or on top with salad on the side and of course with beans AND rice!!! 

One of the restaurants that sticks waaay out in my memories is Casa Chimichanga in Tucson Az.  I was 13 in 1982 and I had my first chimi from there.  It ruined me for Chimichangas forever. 

The resaurant (ahemmm..  it's actually a mexican takeaway joint) is still there!

The first ever Mexican restaurant in Glasgow (back in about 87 or so) was called Chimichungas.  It didn't last very long.  I dont think folk knew what to make of the food back then!

Great, after reading this, now I'm craving a chimichanga.  Good thing there are several Mexican restaurants around. 

BRAT!   

BRAT!   

Sorry, I couldn't resist...

I'll admit, I used to do that too when I was still stateside.  I'm really missing my favorite taco wagon at the moment--that's where I got some of my favorite Mexican.  I prefer the dives that don't seem to have a single English speaker around for miles.  I have this theory that the prettier the decorations, the less authentic the food.  I lived amongst Mexicans for too long, and now I'm picky.  This is a shame though as I can now only handle what I cook myself here in the UK.