APPETIZER ESSENTIALS: SAUSAGE & CHEESE TAQUITOS

Appetizer Essentials: Sausage & Cheese Taquitos image

I served these during the Cinco De Mayo / Kentucky Derby party. We had standard South-of-the-Border fare in the early afternoon, and things to nosh on later in the day. This is one of the "noshes" I served during the fastest two minutes in sports. There were none left over. So, you ready... Let's get into the kitchen.

Provided by Andy Anderson ! @ThePretentiousChef

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

PLAN/PURCHASE
8 ounce(s) italian sausage, mild, or hot, your choice
1/2 medium yellow onion, finely chopped
1 tablespoon(s) dried oregano
4 ounce(s) mozzarella cheese, freshly grated
1 ounce(s) parmesan cheese, freshly grated
2 tablespoon(s) tablespoons pizza sauce
6 - 8 - flour tortillas
- grapeseed oil, for brushing
OPTIONAL ITEMS
1 pinch(es) crushed red pepper flakes, for a bit of a kick
- additional pizza sauce, for dipping

Steps:

PREP/PREPARE
Gather your Ingredients (mise en place).
Add the chopped onions, oregano, and the Italian sausage to a skillet over medium heat.
Use a wooden spoon or spatula to break up the sausage, and stir until the sausage is cooked though, and the onions softened, about 8 - 10 minutes.
Chef's Note: If you are using the crushed red pepper flakes, now is the time to add them.
Reduce the heat to medium low, and add the two cheeses, and the pizza sauce to the skillet.
Cook and stir, until the cheeses are beginning to melt into the sausage.
Add about 2 tablespoons of the sausage mixture down the middle of a flour tortilla.
Chef's Note: I am using a small size flour tortilla (Street Tacos), they are about 5 inches (12.5cm).
Chef's Tip: If the flour tortillas are a bit puffy, then I recommend flattening them out with a rolling pin.
Tightly roll up the taquitos (think Cuban cigars).
Brush with a bit of grapeseed oil.
COOKING METHODS You have three choices for cooking the taquitos: METHOD ONE: Place a rack in the middle position, and preheat the oven to 375f (190c), then cook on a parchment-lined baking sheet until golden brown, about 12 - 14 minutes. METHOD TWO: Set your air fryer to 400f (205c), and cook until golden brown, about 8 - 10 minutes. METHOD THREE: Add about 1 inch (2.5cm), of grapeseed oil to a pan over medium/medium-high heat to 350f (175c), and fry the taquitos until golden brown, about 2 - 3 minutes. In all three methods, cook or fry, seam-side down.
PLATE/PRESENT
Serve while still nice and warm with your favorite pizza sauce, or whatever dipping sauce you choose. Enjoy.
Keep the faith, and keep cooking.