Tortilla Casserole (Budin Azteca)

Preparation

1. Step 1

   Place chiles directly over the flame of a gas-stove burner on high heat. Roast chiles, turning with tongs, until blackened all over. (Alternatively, broil chiles on a baking sheet, turning, until skin has charred.) Transfer to a bowl, and cover immediately with plastic wrap. Set aside to steam, about 15 minutes. Peel chiles; discard skins. Remove stems, seeds, and ribs; cut chiles into 1 × 1/2-inch strips. Transfer to a nonreactive bowl.

   Step 2

   Preheat the oven to 425°F. Brush tortilla halves on both sides with 3 tablespoons oil. Arrange on baking sheets. Bake, rotating sheets halfway through, until tortillas begin to bubble (before becoming crunchy), 5 to 7 minutes. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 350°F.

   Step 3

   Heat a large skillet over medium heat. Wash spinach, and drain but do not dry. Add spinach to skillet. Cover, and cook until spinach has wilted, about 2 minutes. Season with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Transfer to a cutting board; let cool slightly. Squeeze out liquid. Coarsely chop, and set aside.

   Step 4

   Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add onion and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 3 minutes. Stir in chiles; cook until heated through, about 1 minute. Transfer to a bowl.

   Step 5

   Heat remaining 2 tablespoons oil in same skillet. Add garlic, and cook, stirring, 30 seconds. Add beans and 1/2 teaspoon salt; cook, mashing slightly with the back of a wooden spoon, 2 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; set aside.

   Step 6

   Line bottom of a 10 1/4-inch-round, 2 1/2- to 3-inch-deep baking dish with 12 tortilla halves, overlapping slightly. Layer with chile mixture, half the bean mixture, and half the crema. Spread 3/4 cup salsa over top. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup cheese. Repeat for second layer, using spinach instead of the chiles. Top with remaining tortillas, 3/4 cup salsa, and 1/2 cup cheese.

   Step 7

   Bake until heated through, 45 minutes to 1 hour; cover with foil for last 15 minutes if browning too quickly or becoming too dry. Let stand 15 minutes before serving. Serve with more salsa and crema.

2. Tomatillo Salsa

   Step 8

   Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add onion and garlic; cook, stirring occasionally, 1 minute. Stir in tomatillos, 1 cup water, and the chile. Bring to a boil. Reduce to a simmer. Cover, and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomatillos have softened, about 15 minutes. Drain, reserving 3/4 cup cooking liquid. Let cool slightly.

   Step 9

   Working in batches, purée tomatillo mixture in a food processor with reserved cooking liquid. Add cilantro and salt; pulse to combine. The salsa can be refrigerated in an airtight container up to 3 days.