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Before the lowly green onion led to a Hepatitis A outbreak ^[3] that eventually led Chi-Chi’s to file for bankruptcy in 2004, Chi-Chi’s was my favorite Mexican restaurant.  I ate there at least once a week and always ordered one of two dishes:  Seafood Nachos or Seafood Enchiladas.

When they filed bankruptcy and closed their doors, I went through serious Chi-Chi’s withdrawl.  However, over the next few years, I altered some recipes to come up with my own version of these two dishes at home.  They tasted just as good as the meals served at Chi-Chi’s, and best of all, I could feed my entire family of 5 the mock meal for the same price I had paid for one entree at Chi-Chi’s.

Whether or not you visited Chi-Chi’s before, these are two recipes you will most likely enjoy.  The Seafood Nachos are an especially good appetizer for parties and potlucks.

Seafood Nachos

Ingredients:

• 30 baked tortilla chips
• 8 oz. imitation crabmeat, chopped
• ¼ c. reduced-fat sour cream
• ¼ c. reduced fat mayonnaise
• 2 tbsp. finely chopped onion
• ¼ tsp. dill weed (I often omit this)
• 4 oz. reduced fat cheddar cheese
• ¼ tsp. paprika

Instructions:

1. Arrange tortilla chips in a single layer on an ungreased baking sheet.
2. In a bowl, combine the crab, sour cream, mayonnaise, onion and dill.
3. Spoon about 1 tbsp. onto each chip. Sprinkle with cheese and paprika.
4. Bake at 350 degrees for 6-8 minutes or until cheese is melted.

Serves 6.

Seafood Enchiladas

Ingredients:

• 1/2 c. chopped onion
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tbsp. butter
• 8 oz. reduced fat sour cream
• 3 tbsp. all purpose flour
• 1 c. chicken broth
• 1/4 tsp pepper
• 1 c. shredded, reduced fat Mexican cheese blend, divided
• 2 cups coarsely chopped imitation crabmeat
• 8 flour tortillas (6 inches), warmed
• 1/2 c chopped tomato
• 1/2 c chopped green onions

Instructions:

• In a large saucepan, cook onion and garlic in butter over medium heat until tender.
• Combine sour cream and flour until smooth; gradually add to onion mixture.
• Stir in the broth and pepper. Bring to a boil.
• Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, for 2-3 mintues or until thickened.
• Remove from the heat; stir in 1/2 cup of cheese.
• Place crab in a bowl; stir in 1/2 cup sauce (I usually do just a little bit more, just until moistened).
• Spoon equal amounts on tortillas; roll up tightly.
• Place seam side down in an 11 inch x 7 inch baking dish coated with cooking spray.
• Top with remaining sauce.
• Cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 mintues.
• Uncover; sprinkle with remaining cheese.
• Bake 5 minutes longer or unti cheese is melted. Let stand for 5 minutes.
• Top with tomato and green onion.

Serves 4.

(This recipe was modified from a recipe I found in Light and Tasty Magazine.)

I often save even more money by buying imitation crab meat when it is on sale and freezing the extra.  Let it thaw in the refrigerator, and use in one of these recipes.  I noticed no difference in taste.

Did you previously dine at Chi-Chi’s?  If so, what were some of your favorite meals?