D  e  s  e  r  t     E  x  p  o  s  u  r  e     September 2005

Recipe for Fun

Las Cruces' 25th annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta cooks up a weekend party, Sept. 23-25.

Las Cruces has been making the world's largest enchilada every year for a quarter-century and, if the packed schedule for this year's 25th annual Whole Enchilada Fiesta is any indication, the enchilada madness shows no signs of stopping. This year's outdoor street party in downtown Las Cruces, Sept. 23-25, includes food, dancing, a 5k run, a parade, pet parade and cooking contest. Plus of course the making of the official world's largest enchilada, by Roberto V. Estrada of Roberto's Restaurant.

How is it done? Here's the list of ingredients:

750 lbs. stone ground corn

175 gallons vegetable oil (heated to cook the tortillas)

75 gallons red chile sauce

175 lbs. grated cheese

50 lbs. chopped onions

Estrada created special cooking equipment for the mega-enchilada, including an oversized tortilla press, carrying plate, cooking vat and serving plate. First, the carrying tray is placed on top of the press; 250 lbs. of the masa dough goes on top. The dough is then pressed to make the tortilla. Next, the tortilla is carried by about 14 men to the cooking vat of vegetable oil, heated to 550 degrees. When the tortilla is done, it is carried by the same men, and laid on the serving plate. Estrada will then ladle on some of the chile sauce, then spread some of the cheese and then some of the chopped onions. This marks the completion of the first layer; two more layers follow the same procedure. The whole thing takes about two and a half hours.

Last year's fiesta was featured on "All American Festivals" in July on the Food Network. You can catch this year's enchilada making event on Sunday at 10 a.m.

The schedule this year runs Friday 6 p.m.-midnight, Saturday 10 a.m.-midnight, and Sunday 10 a.m.-6 p.m., all at the Downtown Mall and Las Cruces Ave. For more information, call 526-1938 or see www.twefie.com.

Whole Enchilada Fiesta Schedule

Friday, Sept. 23

6-6:30 p.m.: Opening ceremonies

6 p.m.-12:30 a.m.: Carnival

6 p.m.-12 a.m.: Vendors open

6 p.m.-12 a.m.: Live music. Main Stage: 6:30 p.m. Orlando Jimenez y Aztlan; 7:45 p.m. Elegant Gypsy; 10 p.m. Crossroads. Fiesta Gardens: 6:30 p.m. Elida Reyna; 8:30 p.m. Ram Herrera; 10:30 p.m. Grupo Vida.

 

Saturday, Sept. 24

7:30 a.m.: 1-mile Fun Run, southwest corner of City Hall; registration 6:30 a.m.

8 a.m.: 5k Run, southwest corner of City Hall; registration 6:30 a.m.

9-10:15 a.m.: Pet Parade

9 a.m.: 5K & Fun Run Awards Ceremonies, Main Stage, City Hall

9-10 a.m., 1 p.m.-12 a.m.: Live music. Main Stage: 9 a.m. David Valenzuela; 1 p.m. Sunshine Generation; 2 p.m. Anthony's Niteliters; 3:30 p.m. Tudy Romero & Silver Bullet; 4:45 p.m. Rio; 6:30 p.m. El Gringo; 8 p.m. Malonius Funk; 10 p.m. The Desperados. Fiesta Gardens: 1 p.m. DJ music; 4 p.m. Lizard Kings; 5:45 p.m. Las Florecitas; 7 p.m. Ruben Ramos, Flaco Jimenez, Tobias Rene.

10 a.m.: 24th Annual Parade

10 a.m.-12:30 a.m.: Carnival

10 a.m.-12 a.m.: Vendors open

12 p.m.: 1st Annual Poker Run

1 p.m.: Enchilada Cooking Contest

Sunday, Sept. 25

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Carnival

10 a.m.-12 a.m.: Vendors open

10 a.m.-6 p.m.: Live music. Main Stage: 10 a.m. Saxofon Magico Y Kayla; 12 p.m. mariachi group TBA; 1:30 p.m. Leggado; 4 p.m. Las Florecitas. Fiesta Gardens: 12 pm. Guitar Slim; 2 p.m. Live Bait; 4 p.m. Fungi Mungle.

10 a.m.: Making of the World's Largest Enchilada

12-6 p.m.: Motorcycle & Car Show

3:30 p.m.: Motorcycle & Car Show Awards Presentation, Fiesta Garden.

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