CHEESE FLAUTAS WITH CILANTRO PESTO

CHEESE FLAUTAS WITH CILANTRO PESTO image

Categories Cheese

Yield 4 Servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
3/4 cup pepitas (green hulled pumpkin seeds)
1 cup loosely packed cilantro leaves, chopped
Juice of 1 lime (about 2 tablespoons)
Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper
8 corn tortillas (6-inch), softened by moistening and lightly toasting over a gas burner (turn with tongs)
2 cups (6 ounces) grated Monterey Jack cheese
1/4 cup peanut oil

Steps:

Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a saute pan over medium-low. Cook garlic until golden, 1 minute. Add pepitas; cook, tossing, until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Pulse to a paste in a food processor. Add cilantro, lime juice, and remaining olive oil; pulse until smooth. Season with salt and pepper. Spread some pesto on a softened tortilla; top with cheese. Roll up; place seam side down. Cover with a damp kitchen towel. Repeat. Heat peanut oil in a medium skillet over medium heat until shimmering. Fry flautas in 2 batches, seam sides down, 1 minute. Using tongs, roll to brown evenly, cooking 1 minute more. Drain on paper towels, dabbing tops to remove excess oil.