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1
Make the cilantro-avocado cream sauce: In a blender, combine the cilantro, avocados, sour cream, lime juice and a pinch of salt.
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2
Blend until smooth.
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3
Set aside.
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4
Make the beef filling: Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
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5
Add the onions, salt, a few grinds of pepper, the cumin and thyme.
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6
Cook, stirring, until the onions are tender, about 5 minutes.
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7
Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 5 minutes.
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8
Add the beef and break it up with a spoon or spatula as it browns.
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9
When the meat is cooked through, taste and, if needed, season with a pinch of salt.
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10
Fill the chimichangas: Warm the tortillas in a microwave for just a few seconds.
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11
Using a rubber spatula or the back of a spoon, spread one-quarter of the beans in the center of each tortilla, making a rectangle with the rough dimensions of 6 inches by 3 inches.
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12
Add the beef directly over the beans.
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13
This leaves 2 inches of tortilla on the rectangle's short sides of the filling and 3 1/2 inches of tortilla on the long sides.
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14
Roll the chimichangas: With the length of the rectangle of fillings horizontal to you, use both hands to fold each side in and over the mound of beef.
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15
Then fold the flap closest to you over the beef, tuck it in gently but tightly and roll the burrito away from you.
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16
Set aside with the seam side down and continue with the rest.
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17
Fry the chimichangas: Fill a large straight-sided pan with an inch of oil and bring it to 350 degrees F. When the oil is hot, add 2 burritos at a time, seam-side down, adjusting the temperature to keep the oil at 350 degrees F. Cook until golden on the bottom, then roll and cook all sides, about 3 to 5 minutes total.
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18
Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate.
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19
Repeat with the rest.
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20
Top the chimichangas: Turn on the broiler or preheat your oven to 500 degrees F. Place the chimichangas on a baking sheet, seam-side down.
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21
Mix the cheddar and jack cheeses in a bowl.
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22
Top each chimichanga evenly with cheese.
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23
Cook until the cheese melts, about 1 minute.
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24
Transfer each to a serving plate and top evenly with lettuce, cilantro-avocado cream sauce, tomatoes, pickled jalapenos and radish slices.
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25
Photograph by David Malosh